On This Day

Gladiator released

May 5th 2000

09:42 5 May 2024

'Gladiator' opened in theaters across North America on this day in 2000. Ridley Scott's historical epic stars Russell Crowe as Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius who, having been betrayed by the Emperors ambitious son Commodus and then captured by slave traders, becomes a gladiator and vows to avenge the murders of his family and the emperor.

The movie was a massive hit both critically and at the box office, grossing more than $460 million worldwide. It went on to win five Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor for Crowe. A long-awaited sequel 'Gladiator II' is scheduled for release later this year.