Spartacus (1960)

Kernel Score: 84% · 2,334 ratings · Rated PG-13

Genres: History, War, Drama, Adventure

Released: 1960-10-13

Runtime: 197 minutes

Is Spartacus worth watching?

Must-watch. Kubrick's epic of a slave who leads a revolt against Rome is huge in scale and strong on ideas, with great performances. It's long, but the story and spectacle carry it.

Watch it if you

  • love Hollywood epics
  • enjoy stories of rebellion and freedom
  • want to see early Kubrick

Skip it if you

  • dislike three-hour runtimes
  • want modern pacing

Best for: Epic movie night

Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.

Where to watch Spartacus

  • Stream: MGM+, TCM
  • Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
  • Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube

US availability, updated 2026-10-22.

Overview

The rebellious Thracian Spartacus, born and raised a slave, is sold to Gladiator trainer Batiatus. After weeks of being trained to kill for the arena, Spartacus turns on his owners and leads the other slaves in rebellion. As the rebels move from town to town, their numbers swell as escaped slaves join their ranks. Under the leadership of Spartacus, they make their way to southern Italy, where they will cross the sea and return to their homes.

Spartacus parents' guide: ages 11+

Parents need to know that Spartacus is a classic PG-13 historical epic about a slave revolt against Rome, featuring battle violence and themes of slavery and torture.

  • Violence & scariness: Moderate — Includes gladiator combat, battle scenes, and depictions of slavery and torture.

Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.

Movies like Spartacus

If you liked Spartacus, these are the movies we'd watch next.

  • Ben-Hur (1959) — 88%: Classic epic of ancient world spectacle.
  • Gladiator (2000) — 90%: Rome's arena and rebellion, with modern energy.
  • Cleopatra (1963) — 80%: Lavish Roman-era epic of power and politics.
  • Quo Vadis (1951) — 79%: Roman-era epic with scale and stars.
  • Paths of Glory (1957) — 91%: Kubrick's anti-authority drama with moral force.
  • Kingdom of Heaven (2005) — 77%: Large-scale historical epic of war and honour.

Director

Stanley Kubrick

Cast

Spartacus FAQ

Is Spartacus worth watching?

Must-watch. Kubrick's epic of a slave who leads a revolt against Rome is huge in scale and strong on ideas, with great performances. It's long, but the story and spectacle carry it.

Where can I watch Spartacus?

In the US you can stream Spartacus on MGM+ and TCM and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.

Is Spartacus OK for kids?

Spartacus is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that Spartacus is a classic PG-13 historical epic about a slave revolt against Rome, featuring battle violence and themes of slavery and torture.

What movies are like Spartacus?

If you liked Spartacus, try Ben-Hur, Gladiator, Cleopatra and Quo Vadis.