13 Movies Based on Mythology That You Must See

As this summer’s ‘Hercules’ reminds us that Hollywood’s love for mythology movies isn’t going away anytime soon, here’s a look at some memorable big-screen trips inspired by ancient Greece and Rome.

‘Avatar’ star Sam Worthington plays Perseus, a demigod who battles the Medusa and the Kraken atop his flying steed, Pegasus. Cool sword included.

Before 2010’s big-budget CGI remake, Harry Hamlin played Perseus opposite some then-landmark stop-motion effects.

Worthington returns as Perseus in this meh sequel. But Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes are so good as Zeus and Hades, respectively, we want their buddy-cop spin-off ASAP.

The real stars of this 1963 classic are the sword-fighting skeletons brought to life by stop-motion genius Ray Harryhausen.

The Coen Brothers tackle Homer’s ‘The Odyssey’ with help from T-Bone Burnett and George Clooney.

This inventive take on the Orpheus myth sets the compelling story in Rio de Janeiro during Carnival.

For better or worse, Zack Snyder submitted us to his slow-mo, speed-up, washboard abs take on the Spartans’ infamous battle – based on Frank Miller’s bloody graphic novel.

Eight years after the number one reason to always do crunches hit theaters, audiences returned to Sparta. This time, Zack Snyder only executive produced this sequel, which features some epic sea battles.

‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’ director Chris Columbus helmed this action-packed adaptation of the popular book series based on Greek myth. But Thor Freudenthal directed the 2013 sequel.

Director Tarsem Singh takes many pages from ‘300’s’ playbook while casting a pre-Superman Henry Cavill as a mortal warrior fighting to – what else? – stop evil. 

The best part about this underrated Disney animated film? James Woods as Hades. Just watch, and repeat. 

Director Wolfgang Petersen enlists Brad Pitt and Eric Bana to tell a very expensive story about the Battle of Troy and the Trojan Horse.

Roman gladiators, the Minotaur and the labyrinth myth inspired author Suzanne Collins to go all hunger gaming with Katniss. The idea of having games every year where boys and girls are forced to battle at a special location – never to be seen again – hails from the myth of Theseus. That guy might be owed royalties.