Greek mythology is the perfect starting point for a successful Hollywood film. The stories have been around for centuries and contain all the elements of drama, violence, love and fantasy that are the perfect recipe for an exciting blockbuster narrative. It’s no surprise, then, that the stories have been regularly incorporated into Hollywood films throughout the history of cinema.

Greek mythology is expansive and features flawed characters, including the gods themselves. The realm of possibility is expanding in this universe; the politics and its characters are fascinating and, more significantly, change depending on each story. Here are the best movies about Greek mythology, ranked.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

8 Percy Jackson Franchise

     Fox 2000 Pictures

The Percy Jackson franchise was a major box office success, with The Lightning Thief grossing $226.4 million and Sea of Monsters grossing just under $200 milion. The films star Logan Lerman, Jake Abel, Brandon T. Jackson, and Alexandra Daddario. Lerman plays the titular Percy Jackson, a demigod who trains at a camp with other demigods. The series takes inspiration from Greek gods, and although they have been hugely popular at the box office, they have been less successful with fans who disagree with how much the films deviate from the books. Based on Rick Riordan’s YA novel series of the same name, Percy Jackson was a great entry point to Greek mythology for younger audiences.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

7 Immortals

     Virgin Produced / Rogue

Immortals stars Superman actor Henry Cavill as Theseus, a Greek character who is instructed to stop King Hyperion from obtaining the long-lost Bow of Epirus and immortalize the gods on Mount-Olympus. The film is intense in visual effects and features epic battle scenes and compelling heroes. Immortals did not receive the best reviews, but it’s visually impressive and still looks so even today.

6 Iphigenia

     Greek Film Center

Iphigenia was directed by Michael Cacoyannis and is strongly based on Greek mythology. The movie is based on the stage play of the same name, following the titular character, the daughter of Agamemnon, and Clytemnestra (the sister of Helen of Troy) as she questions life, duty, and faith along with those around her. The story is very character-focused and delves deep into the mindset of the characters more so than other films that deal with Greek mythology.

5 Hercules (Disney)

     Disney

Hercules was released in 1997 and told the classic tale of Hercules with a Disney animated twist. Hercules learns what it means to be a god, proving himself to his father, Zeus, alongside his sidekick, Philoctetes. The story is humorous and full of Greek mythological cameos, which make it engaging for both parents and children. The animation style and storytelling are different to other animated Disney films, and it still feels fresh when watched today.

4 Jason and the Agronauts

     Columbia Pictures

Jason and the Agronauts has become a cult classic and one of the most famous Greek mythology movies even though it did not perform amazingly at the box office. The film featured stop-motion animation, which was very progressive for the time of release in 1963, and follows Jason on his quest to find the Golden Fleece. It is exciting and full of adventure, and remains a classic that is beloved today.

3 Troy

     Warner Bros. Pictures Releasing

Troy is a significant film associated with Greek mythology which sees Brad Pitt star as Achilles, and Wolfgang Peterson as the director of the story. The movie portrays the Battle of Troy as King Agamemnon has control of most of the Greek Kingdoms. He learns that his brother’s wife has been kidnapped and is having an affair, and uses this as ammo to incite a war and gain control of the Aegean Sea. Troy is famous for its strong visuals and epic battle scenes — particularly the opening fight scene — and is well worth viewing.

2 300

     Warner Bros.

300 is another film which received huge praise when it was released, becoming a massive success at the box office as well as with critics. The story is based on the Battle of Thermopylae and follows King Leonidas (played by Gerard Butler) as he leads the Spartan warriors against the Persian army. The film is full of excitement and gore and features spectacular visual effects.

1 Clash of the Titans

     MGM

Clash of the Titans was released in 1981 and follows the Greek warrior Perseus. The story follows as he chases his quest for destiny to defeat the satyr Calibos and save his future wife. Perseus encounters many creatures along the way, featuring visual effects that were nothing like what had been released before. The film is still enjoyable today, and is one of the best depictions of Greek mythology on screen.