10 Best Greek Mythology Movies

Let Greek Mythos Descend on the Commoners

Greek Mythology has always interested the humans with its various stories and poems about mythical beasts and Gods. Here are some movies which were based on the Greek Mythology, which completely reeled in the audience.

300 (2006)

While based on a real historical battle, Zack Snyder's visual masterpiece is pure myth. Based on Frank Miller's graphic novel, the film portrays King Leonidas and his 300 Spartans as larger-than-life demigods, battling a monstrous, fantastical Persian army. It's a brutal, operatic, and hyper-stylized exploration of sacrifice, glory, and the creation of a legend.

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010)

A perfect "gateway" film, Percy Jackson takes the classic myths and plops them squarely into modern-day America. The story of a high school boy who discovers he's the son of Poseidon is a fun, fast-paced adventure. It's a "Harry Potter with Greek Gods" that cleverly reimagines figures like Medusa (as a garden-store owner) and the Hydra for a new generation.

The Odyssey (1997)

This star-studded (Armand Assante, Isabella Rossellini, Vanessa Williams) TV miniseries was a massive event in the '90s. It remains one of the most faithful, sprawling, and comprehensive adaptations of Homer's epic poem ever put to film. It brings all the iconic moments to life—from the Cyclops and Circe to Scylla and Charybdis—with a sense of grand, classical drama.

Black Orpheus (1959)

This timeless classic won the Palme d'Or and the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. It brilliantly reimagines the tragic Greek legend of Orpheus and Eurydice, setting it not in the ancient underworld, but in the vibrant, chaotic, and music-filled world of Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro. It's a visually stunning, sonically beautiful, and profoundly moving masterpiece.

6. Troy (2004)

This is Greek mythology as a sweeping, big-budget, historical epic. Wolfgang Petersen's film tells the story of The Iliad, focusing on the brutal, human cost of the Trojan War. While it famously (and controversially) strips away the gods, it delivers in pure spectacle, from the "thousand ships" to the iconic duel between Achilles (Brad Pitt) and Hector (Eric Bana).

5. Clash of the Titans (1981)

This film is a beloved, campy, and spectacular creature-feature. It’s a pure fantasy adventure that follows the hero Perseus on his quest to save the princess Andromeda. The plot is a whirlwind, but the real star is the final, legendary work of stop-motion master Ray Harryhausen, who brings Medusa, the Kraken, and the clockwork owl Bubo to life.

4. O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)

A work of genius from the Coen Brothers, this film is a stealth adaptation of The Odyssey. It follows three escaped convicts in 1930s Mississippi on a quest to find a hidden treasure. Along the way, they encounter a one-eyed "Cyclops" (a bible-thumping John Goodman), are seduced by enchanting "Sirens" washing clothes, and must outwit a "Hades"-like lawman. It’s a brilliant, funny, and clever translation of the epic poem.

3. Wonder Woman (2017)

The best modern superhero film to be so deeply rooted in classical myth. The movie begins on the hidden, magical island of Themyscira, populated by the Amazons of legend. Diana's journey into the world of men is a classic "hero's quest," and her ultimate enemy isn't just a German general, but her divine brother, Ares, the God of War. It’s a film that perfectly blends ancient mythology with a modern sense of heroism.

2. Hercules (1997)

Disney's animated classic is a vibrant, hilarious, and stylish masterpiece. It's a "zero-to-hero" story that turns the tragic figure of Heracles into a lovable, awkward jock just trying to find where he belongs. With its gospel-inspired Muses, one of the all-time-great Disney villains in James Woods' Hades, and a truly epic score, it's the most fun you can possibly have with Greek mythology.

1. Jason and the Argonauts (1963)

This is, without question, the pinnacle of mythological filmmaking. It’s a grand, colorful adventure that follows Jason on his quest for the Golden Fleece, featuring clashing rocks, a giant bronze Talos, and vengeful Harpies. But its legacy is cemented by one of the most iconic, technically brilliant, and influential sequences in all of cinema: the climactic sword-fight against an army of seven living, sword-wielding skeletons. It's pure movie magic.