10. Gandhi (1982)
Starring Ben Kingsley in a role that would nab him an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role,Gandhifinds him playing the world-renowned Mahatma Gandhi as he completely disappears into the role.
The epic nature of this film is palpable from the very beginning, taking us across the world to various locations on Gandhi’s journey.
Director Richard Attenborough brings Gandhi’s time period—the latter half of the 1800s and the first half of the 1900s—to life in vivid detail, wrapping us up in the historic legend’s story.
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9. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
Each film in Peter Jackson’sLord of the Ringstrilogy is a world-class epic in its own right, but if we had to pick one to represent the full epic scope of its story, it’d have to beThe Return of the King.
Not only is it the longest of the three films—with the Extended Edition clocking in at almost four hours long—but it deftly deals with the climax of themes like regret, trauma, and the memory of things passed.
The Return of the Kingis a milestone of cinema for many reasons: it’s the greatest fantasy film of all time, it’s the best entry in one of cinema’s best trilogies, and it’s one of the best epic movies ever made.
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8. Doctor Zhivago (1965)
This might be the first time director David Lean shows up on this list, but it won’t be the last. Widely considered one of the most important figures in British cinema, the man knew how to make a gripping epic.
His classic filmDoctor Zhivagofollows the tale of Yuri Zhivago during the Russian revolution. It’s an enormous—and iconic—tale of love and war, life and death.
Starring Omar Sharif and based on Boris Pasternak’s fantastic novel,Doctor Zhivagois an epic film that every fan of the genre should see.
7. Braveheart (1995)
Mel Gibson directed and starred inBraveheart, the epic war film about William Wallace’s revolution against the English.
Featuring breathtaking cinematography on battlefields and all kinds of immense fight sequences to fill those very fields,Braveheartis as epic as it gets in movies about the medieval times.
The Academy seemed to agree, having awardedBraveheartwith the Oscar for Best Picture. It’s a shining example of the kind of incredible experience a Hollywood epic can deliver.
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6. Ben-Hur (1959)
An epic among epics,Ben-Huris historically credited as the film that saved cinema from utter collapse back in the 1950s.
Home television had grown into the preferred form of entertainment during the decade, making viewers reluctant to visit theaters. And just when it seemed like the end,Ben-Hurforced everyone back.
And for good reason!Ben-Hurwas an astounding creation, a landmark of cinema with an epic production that far exceeded anything before. This gladiator epic went on to inspire countless imitators, but none have ever managed to take away its crown.
In fact,Ben-Hurwas so epic that its production budget made it the most expensive film ever made up until that point, costing $15 million (which would be $160 million in today’s dollars).
Starring Charlton Heston in the titular role,Ben-Huris a three-and-a-half-hours epic film that’s still regarded as a masterpiece.
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5. Spartacus (1960)
Starring Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, and Peter Ustinov, under the direction of the masterful Stanley Kubrick,Spartacusremains one of the very few epic films that managed to trump evenBen-Hur.
After staging a slave revolt, Spartacus (Kirk Douglas) decides to rally his men and stage a full-blown revolution against the Roman Empire. Thus ensues one of the greatest historical epics in cinema history.
Though there were all sorts of complications on set, you can’t see any of that on screen.Spartacusis the legendary adventure of one slave, delivering over three hours of pure cinematic gold.
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4. The Thin Red Line (1998)
Directed by Terrence Malick,The Thin Red Linerepresented the director’s return to filmmaking after a two-decade hiatus.
And this return of his wasn’t a small production. Even for Malick,The Thin Red Linewas a huge production of epic scope. He came back to make somethingbig, and he certainly succeeded.
Starring the likes of George Clooney, Adrien Brody, Jim Caviezel, John Travolta, Sean Penn, John Cusack, John C. Reilly, Woody Harrelson, and Nick Nolte,The Thin Red Linealso happens to feature one of the most epic casts in film history.
At almost three hours long,The Thin Red Lineis an expansive war film—adapted from the 1962 novel—with deeply thoughtful themes, making it a contemplative watch that demands your whole attention.
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3. Gone With the Wind (1939)
Gone With the Windmay not be the first film that comes to mind when you think “epic movie,” but that doesn’t discount the epicness of its tale. In fact, it’s one of the greatest epics in literature and cinema.
Set during the Civil War in the American South, this iconic story centers on the turbulent love affair between Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler, played by two of the biggest movie stars in Hollywood history: Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable, respectively.
Directed by Victor Fleming,Gone With the Windis a truly haunting film that everyone should watch at least once. It’s also the highest-grossing movie of all time (adjusted for inflation), so it’s truly epic in every sense of the word.
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2. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Directed by David Lean and starring Peter O’Toole,Lawrence of Arabiais often regarded as the best work of both men’s filmographies.
The story follows the life and trials of Lieutenant T. E. Lawrence of the British Army, who becomes a cult-like figure in his attempt to unify the Arab tribes to fight back against the Turks during the First World War.
Camels, swords, and sweeping desert landscapes are all included in this massive epic that clocks in at over three-and-a-half hours. If you watch it on Netflix—only available in some regions—it even features an intermission. That’s when you know it’s truly long!
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1. Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
WhileLawrence of Arabiacertainly was a top contender for the number one movie epic, ultimately I knew that the crown could only ever be given toOnce Upon a Time in America.
Directed by Sergio Leone,Once Upon a Time in Americais, without question, his all-time best film. (And yes, I even contend that it beats out his entireThe Man With No Namefilm trilogy!)
Taking place in the streets of New York,Once Upon a Time in Americamay not have the vast landscapes or sweeping battlefields of other epic movies. And yet, Leone manages to make the winding streets feel as though they were an entire universe through the eyes of a child.
Why do I considerOnce Upon a Time in Americato be the best epic film? Mainly for Leone’s approach to themes and other epic concepts: time, memory, love, death, friendship. It’s all here.
In a little under four hours, Leone forges an entire world and showcases an entire life lived, from boyhood to old age. Starring Robert De Niro and James Woods, it also features a talented cast.
When you consider the entire package, Sergio Leone’sOnce Upon a Time in Americaremains unrivaled, which is why it tops our list of the greatest movie epics of all time.
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