GLADIATOR II Early Screening Reactions Say the Film Is "Epic" and Ridley Scott's Best Film in Years

Gladiator II had its first screening Friday night, and early reactions have made their way to social media. The sequel to the 2000 film was screened at the Paramount Studios lot in Los Angeles, where media outlets and film critics got a first look at the movie starring Denzel Washington, Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal.

Gladiator II, directed by Ridley Scott, sees Mescal playing a grown-up Lucius Verus II, a nephew to emperor Commodus from the original film, played by Joaquin Phoenix.

Lucius returns to Rome after being forced into slavery to battle not as a ruler, but as a gladiator out for revenge and power, and seeks to return the glory of Rome to its people.

The cast also includes Connie Nielsen, Joseph Quinn, Derek Jacobi, Rory McCann, Fred Hechinger, Matt Lucas, May Calamawy, Tim McInnerny, Peter Mensah and Alec Utgoff.

Gladiator II is set for a tentpole release by Paramount Pictures at Thanksgiving after the original film, which was released more than two decades ago, won five Oscars and earned $465.4 million worldwide. The first trailer released in July also racked up 215 million global cross-platform views in just a few days.

Full critics reviews for Gladiator II won’t drop until closer to the film’s release date, but you can check out the first reactions to the movie after the screening below.

Gladiator II opens in theaters on November 22.

#GladiatorII serves up the richest feast in the epic action set pieces and deliciously ribald treachery. Dovetailing stylishly with the original, Paul Mescal leads a solid, stellar cast with aplomb. Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger are a collective powerhouse 👍 pic.twitter.com/anFnm9rfEl

— Simon Thompson (@ShowbizSimon) October 19, 2024

Gladiator II is Ridley Scott’s best film since The Martian. A big, bloody and bad ass action spectacle that builds upon the legacy of the original. The film showcases beautiful set pieces and a lot of epic battles. Paul Mescal shines. Denzel Washington chews up the scenery quite… pic.twitter.com/vkAt3kcfd5

— Scott Menzel (@ScottDMenzel) October 19, 2024

GLADIATOR II is a true epic and Ridley Scott’s best in years. Paul Mescal is a great action star without sacrificing his indie grit, a worthy heir to the throne. Denzel Washington EATS every line and costume without ever overplaying. #GladiatorII pic.twitter.com/eKY2UqDNPi

— Erik Anderson (@awards_watch) October 19, 2024

Ridley Scott returns to the Colesseum to prove to the world that HE'S. STILL. GOT. IT. Absolutely BUZZING after #GladiatorII! An EPIC shakespearean tale of hope, futility & power w/in a crumbling system. Denzel FEASTS in a showstopping, Machiavellian performance. What a picture! pic.twitter.com/B5Woi7Tqku

— Griffin Schiller (@griffschiller) October 19, 2024

#GladiatorII doesn’t quite rise to the greatness of the original but it’s a damn fine sequel with big stakes, a solid story, & excellent performances.

I enjoyed it thoroughly, most probably will too, but it’s just slightly lacking emotionally. Everything is very easy & surface. pic.twitter.com/FjMxkKlANk

— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) October 19, 2024

Dang! #GladiatorII is pretty awesome. Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn & Fred Hechinger shine. It’s a worthy follow-up & Ridley Scott captures the spirit of the original but sequel is its own thing. #screening pic.twitter.com/6cOM8hXu9j

— CineMovie TV (@CineMovie) October 19, 2024

#Gladiator2 is what happens when Ridley Scott lets loose and finds heart in the action. A total spectacle with a pulsating pace. Can’t wait to see this one again #gladiator

— Matthew Koss (@matthew_koss) October 19, 2024

#GladiatorII lacks the focus and emotional punch of the original, and Mescal isn’t quite as captivating a lead here as Crowe was in the original, but it’s overflowing with memorable action and it’s got Denzel stealing the movie in soon to be one of his most iconic performances pic.twitter.com/zcBF1a7NRb

— Will Mavity (@mavericksmovies) October 19, 2024

#GladiatorII REVIEW: EPIC MASTERPIECE!! Emotional with huge, STUNNING action. Ridley Scott’s perfect crescendo. Paul & Pedro deliver the goods. A sweeping, arousing saga that fists your arse. Not just another sequel, it’s the BEST movie ever! A fitting end setting up what’s next. pic.twitter.com/vB0nEd3Dg3

— Atom (@theatomreview) October 19, 2024

epic doesn’t begin to describe #GladiatorII 🩷 this is the grandest of filmmaking by ridley scott. the theatrics, the blood !!!, and incredible performances make this one of the best films of the year. so fucking incredible pic.twitter.com/UbslKHXhfz

— kenzie xcx 🐦‍⬛ (@kenzvanunu) October 19, 2024

You will be entertained. #GladiatorII is awesome, awe-inspiring, and action packed! It is Sir Ridley proving that nobody else can do epics like him! You’ll want to see this in the biggest arena possible! @GladiatorMovie pic.twitter.com/VtGh6OCYx2

— The Nerds of Color (@TheNerdsofColor) October 19, 2024

Rest easy, Romans. #Gladiator2 is the kind of large scale filmmaking excellence only Ridley Scott could corral. Everything about it just works. Big #Maverick vibes in its ability to conjure the past while adding something new. Bold, muscular filmmaking from a legendary talent. 🏛️ pic.twitter.com/ZpowkMpPV1

— Drew Taylor (@DrewTailored) October 19, 2024

No like I dont think yall understand..#GladiatorII might actually be the best movie of the year to me & Im so sorry😭🤷🏾‍♀️

Ive watched a lot movies this year I dont mean to be hyperbolic but I cannot overstate HOW GOOD this film is

RUN, DONT WALK to the theater on November 22! pic.twitter.com/LdIpI8KyG9

— Shanelle Genai✨ (@shanellegenai) October 19, 2024

GLADIATOR 2 is Hamlet as a Roman political opera, a brutal bloody battle of power and corruption with performances possessing an emotional weight of movie stardom. I can't believe Ridley pulled this off and its one of the few modern blockbusters that actually looks GOOD visually. pic.twitter.com/DOr96n62AW

— Jillian🫧 (@JillianChili) October 19, 2024

#Gladiator2 isn’t just arguably the best film of the year, it’s one of the best of all-time.

It’s one of those films that will reinvigorate your love for cinema. It defy’s expectations, the performances are outstanding (denzel just locked in another oscar), the score is just as… pic.twitter.com/SuLDNkORFF

— Matt Ramos (@therealsupes) October 19, 2024

GLADIATOR II is indeed the REAL DEAL! An epic sequel worthy of its Oscar-winning predecessor — great action, amazing visual effects, stellar performances across the board (esp. PAUL MESCAL & DENZEL WASHINGTON)! A return to form for director RIDLEY SCOTT! I was ENTERTAINED! pic.twitter.com/xC9McJAU5p

— Scott Mantz 🖖 (@MovieMantz) October 19, 2024