Best tv shows like Barbarians Rising
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Told from the perspective of the rebel leaders, the series chronicles a wave of rebellions against absolute power by those the Roman Empire called “barbarians” – tribes they viewed as beyond the fringe of civilization that lived a brutish and violent existence. But these also were men and women who launched epic struggles that shaped the world to come with a centuries-long fight to defeat the sprawling empire.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Documentary, Action, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, semi documentary
Best tv shows and movies like Barbarians Rising (2016):
Similar in 79%
In the Name of Ben-Hur (2016)
Plot Summary:
The Asylum's mockbuster of Ben-Hur (2016).
IMDB Rating: 2.8
IMDB Votes: 844
Genere: Action
Country: USA
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: captivating, mockbuster, parody, entertaining
Similar in 79%
Duel of Champions (1961)
Plot Summary:
A Roman nobleman, Horatius leads an imperial legion during the long and bloody war between the Romans and the Albans. A desperate arrangement is agreed on how to settle the war. Three valiant brothers are chosen from each side to fight one last fierce and bloody duel.
IMDB Rating: 4.9
IMDB Votes: 343
Genere: Action, Drama, History
Country: Italy, Yugoslavia
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: serious
Similar in 89%
Julius Caesar (1979)
Plot Summary:
The assassination of the would be ruler of Rome at the hands of Brutus and company has tragic consequences for Brutus and the republic.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 253
Genere: Drama, History
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 161 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 86%
Rome: Rise and Fall of an Empire (2008)
Plot Summary:
A thirteen hour series which focuses on the Germanic, Britannic and other barbarian tribal wars with Rome which ultimately led to the decline and fall of the Roman Empire. This series is centered on the campaigns and battles with the barbarian tribes and extensive examinations of the reigns of little known Roman emperors and generals. The significance and structures of key barbarian tribes and the roles their leaders played are explored in detail. Territorial changes to the Roman Empire caused by unrelenting wars, plagues, mass starvation's and power struggles are presented in chronological historical context with extensive re-enactments. This series examines how the continuous wars with the barbarians and depletion of resources became a core cause of the Roman Empire's decline and eventual collapse.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 842
Genere: Documentary, History, War
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: epic, exciting, serious, captivating, realistic, educational, historical drama
Similar in 80%
Rise of Empires: Ottoman (2020)
Plot Summary:
Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II wages an epic campaign to take the Byzantine capital of Constantinople and shapes the course of history for centuries.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 31000
Genere: Documentary, Drama, History, War
Country: USA
Duration: 44 min
Plot tags: epic, costume drama, historical drama
Similar in 75%
The Column (1968)
Plot Summary:
The Roman Emperor Trajan has just murdered all the local men of Dacia and holds a military stronghold in what will later become Rumania. He places a Roman centurion in his place to occupy his latest conquest. After lopping off the head of the Dacian warlord, the soldier uses his blood-stained hands to dine on cheese and bread, unable to suppress his laughter. The centurion has a change of heart when he is put in charge of the region, freely dispensing justice and forgiveness to the conquered inhabitants. When the peace is threatened by marauding barbarians in masks of fur, the locals help the Romans fend off the invasion.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 748
Genere: Drama, History
Country: Romania, West Germany
Duration: 133 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 88%
The Dacians (1966)
Plot Summary:
The great King of Dacia, Decebal (Decebalus), is disposed to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to keep the integrity of his people. His own son, Cotyso, is given to the god Zamolxis to the dismay of the King and his daughter Meda. Septimius Severus a young roman devoted to his adopted country, must make the choose between his blood origins and the culture he was raised to.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: Romania, France
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 82%
Hispania, The Legend (2010)
Plot Summary:
Viriato is a Hispanic shepherd who enjoys a simple life until the arrival of the Roman troops of the praetor Galba. It will changes his destiny. His village is attacked and massacred. Viriato, dam of hate, swears not to rest until revenge. "Hispania, the legend" is a TV series that chronicles the extraordinary journey of a humble man become a warrior to defend his people. It is the story of a group of warriors, young and brave, determined to give everything for freedom.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 626
Genere: Drama, History
Country: Spain
Duration:
Plot tags: epic, emotional, captivating, exciting, tense, erotic, sensual, serious, realistic, gloomy
Similar in 88%
The Last Days of Pompeii (1984)
Plot Summary:
This costume series portrays aspects of life in Pompeii, a coastal luxury resort near Naples catering for the very rich of imperial Rome, mainly before but culminating in the eruption of the Vesuvian volcano, which wipes it from the face of the earth. The main characters include Diomed, a common upstart merchant whose self-made riches from trade allow him to consider running for political office against sitting city magistrate Quintus and an impoverished aristocratic marriage for his daughter Julia; the cultivated Greek Glaucus; the gladiator Lydon; the noble-born Antonius and his sister Ione, the evil Isis-priest Arbaces who is after (their) money and power; the persecution-fearing Christian slaves Petrus, his true love Chloe and their secret leader Olinthus.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 608
Genere: Action, Drama, History, Romance
Country: Italy, UK, USA
Duration: 310 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, realistic
Similar in 77%
The Antagonists (1981)
Plot Summary:
After the destruction of the Second Temple, 900 Jewish zealots hold out against a 5000 man Roman legion on the mountaintop fortress of Masada.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 394 min
Plot tags: captivating, exciting, tense, serious, biblical, political thriller, mythical, realistic, epic
Similar in 88%
The Bastard Executioner (2015)
Plot Summary:
A blood-soaked, medieval epic that tells the story of Wilkin Brattle, a 14th century warrior, whose life is forever changed when a divine messenger beseeches him to lay down his sword and lead the life of another man: a journeyman executioner. Set in northern Wales during a time rife with rebellion and political upheaval, Wilkin must walk a tight rope between protecting his true identity while also serving a mysterious destiny. Guided by Annora, a mystical healer whose seeming omniscience keeps Wilkin under her sway; manipulated by Milus Corbett, a devious Chamberlain with grand political aspirations; and driven by a deepening connection with the Baroness Lady Love, Wilkin struggles to navigate political, emotional and supernal pitfalls in his quest to understand his greater purpose.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Action, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 42 min
Plot tags: bleak, historical drama, rough, melancholic, costume drama, epic, mystic
Similar in 89%
The Legion (2020)
Plot Summary:
Noreno, a half-Roman, is entrusted with the mission of crossing the snowy mountains of Armenia, swarming with Parthian patrols, to seek help for his slowly dying men.
IMDB Rating: 3.2
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Adventure, History
Country: Spain, USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: exciting, atmospheric, captivating, suspense, epic, serious
Similar in 83%
Boudica (2003)
Plot Summary:
The Celtic queen who shook the Roman Empire. Boudica is one of history’s first and fiercest women warriors. Sickened by ceaseless war, the king of the Iceni accepts a treaty with the Romans in exchange for his tribe’s continued independence. But oppressively high taxes impoverish the tribe and soon the Romans want something more — slaves. Refusing to submit, the Romans, led by the greedy and psychotic Emperor Nero, move to crush the Iceni and control their lands. Drawing on the strength of her warriors, mystical druidic powers, and her own pain, Boudica unites the historically fractious tribes of Briton to unleash a stunning onslaught on the Roman colonial camps. The ferocity of Boudica’s attacks will shake the foundations of the Roman empire and make her a legend.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Drama, History, War
Country: UK, Romania
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: exciting, captivating, epic, realistic, rough, costume drama, serious, period drama
Similar in 81%
Cleopatra (1999)
Plot Summary:
Cleopatra, the famed Egyptian Queen born in 69 B.C., is shown to have been brought by Roman ruler Julius Caesar at age 18. Caesar becomes sexually obsessed by the 18 year old queen, beds her, and eventually has a son by her. However, his Roman followers and his wife are not pleased by the union. In fact, as Caesar has only a daughter by his wife, he had picked Octavian as his successor. The out-of-wedlock son of Cleopatra is seen to be a threat to his future leadership. Thus Brutus and other Roman legislators plot the assassination of Caesar. Caesar's loyal general, Marc Antony, and Octavian then divide up the Roman empire. Antony takes Egypt and soon takes up the affair with Cleopatra. However, Octavian soon launches an attack on Antony and ultimately defeats and mortally wounds him. Rather than permitting herself to be humiliated by Octavian, Cleopatra sends her son away to India and she commits suicide by permitting the deadly asp to bite her.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Country: Germany, USA
Duration: 177 min
Plot tags: historical drama, fairy tale, costume drama, epic, serious, captivating, stylized, period drama
Similar in 89%
Ben Hur (2010)
Plot Summary:
About the struggle between the Roman Empire and its rebellious conquest Judaea, and two best friends caught in a terrible moment in history.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, History
Country: UK, Germany, Spain, Canada, USA
Duration: 180 min
Plot tags: exciting, rough, epic, captivating, historical drama, bleak, serious, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 75%
Romulus (2020)
Plot Summary:
The story of Romulus and his twin brother Remus, in eighth century B.C. as seen through the eyes of three people marked by death, loneliness and violence.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Fantasy, History
Country: Italy, UK
Duration:
Plot tags: atmospheric, serious, captivating, heroic, realistic
Similar in 82%
Empire (2005)
Plot Summary:
As Conqueror Julius Caesar is drawing his last breath, he swears Tyrannus—Rome's finest warrior—to an oath to protect his successor, Octavius, his 18-year-old nephew. Tyrannus and Octavius are forced into exile to protect the young man from those who want to sever Caesar's bloodline once and for all.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 360 min
Plot tags: epic, realistic, exciting, serious, historical drama
Similar in 83%
Domina (2021)
Plot Summary:
Domina follows Livia’s journey from a naïve young girl whose world crumbles in the wake of Julius Caesar’s assassination, to Rome’s most powerful and influential Empress, driven by a deep desire to avenge her father and secure power for her sons. Livia and her peers navigate their way through a brutal society by means of strategy, conspiracy, seduction and murder. This is a visceral and authentic family saga, grounded in historical accuracy and bringing to life the incredible true stories of the women who would create one of the most enduring and fascinating dynasties of all time.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Drama, History
Country: UK, Italy
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: historical drama, social documentary, period drama
Similar in 75%
I, Claudius (1976)
Plot Summary:
Tracing the lives of several Roman emperors, this is an epic of ruthless ambition, shocking debauchery and murderous intrigue set in one of history's most fascinating eras. Bearing witness to the saga is Claudius, whose stutter and limp have marked him a fool - yet whom prophecies have foretold will one day rule Rome.
IMDB Rating: 8.8
IMDB Votes: 19000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: UK
Duration: 669 min
Plot tags: costume drama, political thriller, historical drama, clever, epic, spiritual, political, controversial, mind blowing, dark comedy
Similar in 87%
Britannia (2017)
Plot Summary:
An epic drama set in 43AD as the Roman Imperial Army – determined and terrified in equal measure - returns to crush the Celtic heart of Britannia - a mysterious land ruled by warrior women and powerful druids who can channel the powerful forces of the underworld. Or so they say.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 17000
Genere: Action, Drama, Fantasy, History
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: sexy, suspenseful, disturbing, exciting, captivating, suspense, funny, spiritual, mysterious, period piece
Similar in 81%
Knightfall (2017)
Plot Summary:
Go deep into the clandestine world of the legendary brotherhood of warrior monks known as The Knights Templar.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 22000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: christian film, historical drama, captivating, exciting, atmospheric, stylized, costume drama, thought provoking, breathtaking, tension
Similar in 77%
Marco Polo (2014)
Plot Summary:
An epic adventure that follows the early years of the famous explorer as he travels the exotic Silk Road to the great Kublai Khan’s court. But Marco soon finds that navigating the Khan’s world of greed, betrayal, sexual intrigue and rivalry will be his greatest challenge yet, even as he becomes a trusted companion to the Khan in his violent quest to become the Emperor of the World.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 77000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: exciting, captivating, epic, atmospheric, serious, historical drama, costume drama, tense, erotic, sexy
Similar in 83%
Attila (2001)
Plot Summary:
A romanced story of Attila the Hun, since his childhood, when he lost his parents until his death. Attila is disclosed as a great leader, strategist and lover and the movie shows his respect to the great Roman strategist Flavius Aetius, his loves and passions, the gossips, intrigues and betrayals in Rome, all of these feelings evolved by magic and mysticism.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Biography, Drama, History, Romance, War
Country: USA, Lithuania
Duration: 177 min
Plot tags: exciting, captivating, touching, epic, inspirational, historical drama, serious, realistic
Similar in 86%
Spartacus: Gods of the Arena (2011)
Plot Summary:
Before Spartacus struck down his first opponent in the arena, there were many gladiators who passed through the gates onto the sand.'Spartacus: Gods of the Arena' tells the story of the original Champion of the House of Batiatus: Gannicus in a more ruthless time before Spartacus' arrival where honor was just finding its way into the arena.
IMDB Rating: 8.5
IMDB Votes: 144000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 331 min
Plot tags: exciting, epic, serious, realistic, stylized, rough, suspense, factual, sexy, tense
Similar in 87%
Barbarians (2020)
Plot Summary:
Three people's fates are interwoven in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in 9 A.D., during which Germanic warriors halt the spread of the Roman Empire.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 30000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama
Country: Germany
Duration: 280 min
Plot tags: heroic, exciting, atmospheric, rough, breathtaking, epic, serious, captivating, realistic, stylized
Similar in 80%
Ben-Hur (2016)
Plot Summary:
A falsely accused nobleman survives years of slavery to take vengeance on his best friend who betrayed him.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 46000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 123 min
Plot tags: biblical, suspense, intense, exciting, serious, captivating, realistic, christian film, epic, action adventure
Similar in 89%
The Eagle (2011)
Plot Summary:
In 140 AD, twenty years after the unexplained disappearance of the entire Ninth Legion in the mountains of Scotland, young centurion Marcus Aquila (Tatum) arrives from Rome to solve the mystery and restore the reputation of his father, the commander of the Ninth. Accompanied only by his British slave Esca (Bell), Marcus sets out across Hadrian's Wall into the uncharted highlands of Caledonia - to confront its savage tribes, make peace with his father's memory, and retrieve the lost legion's golden emblem, the Eagle of the Ninth.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 73000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, War
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 114 min
Plot tags: exciting, absurd, intense, epic, bleak, serious, realistic, suspenseful, period piece, suspense
Similar in 81%
Rome (2005)
Plot Summary:
A down-to-earth account of the lives of both illustrious and ordinary Romans set in the last days of the Roman Republic.
IMDB Rating: 8.7
IMDB Votes: 182000
Genere: Action, Drama, Romance, War
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 1193 min
Plot tags: epic, exciting, historical drama, period piece, stylized, captivating, sexual, costume drama, erotic, dramatic
Similar in 80%
Centurion (2010)
Plot Summary:
Britain, A.D. 117. Quintus Dias, the sole survivor of a Pictish raid on a Roman frontier fort, marches north with General Virilus' legendary Ninth Legion, under orders to wipe the Picts from the face of the Earth and destroy their leader, Gorlacon.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 86000
Genere: Action, Drama, History, War
Country: UK, France, USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: brutal, intense, epic, stylized, suspense, scenic, factual, grindhouse, harsh, exciting
Similar in 82%
Spartacus (2010)
Plot Summary:
Spartacus is an American television series inspired by the historical figure of Spartacus, a Thracian gladiator who from 73 to 71 BCE led a major slave uprising against the Roman Republic departing from Capua.
IMDB Rating: 8.5
IMDB Votes: 253000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 55 min
Plot tags: epic, sexy, sexual, exciting, stylized, heroic, realistic, historical drama, mythical, erotic