Myths from around the world have inspired creatives of all stripes for centuries. In the modern age, theseancient stories of gods and monstershave acted as the foundation for several hit films, and this list looks at 10 of the best. From the deities of ancient China to the demigods of Greek myth, from Egypt to the halls of King Arthur, these films are some of the best adaptations of these powerful tales.
While some are more accurate representations than others, these movies are perfect gateways for those looking to learn more about these ancient epics, bringing each to the modern day for a new generation to enjoy.
10New Gods: Nezha Reborn / New Gods: Yang Jian (2021, 2023)
Based on the Ming Dynasty novelInvestiture of the Gods,New Gods: Nezha RebornandYang Jianare a pair of animated supernatural superhero stories.Nezha Reborn,the first in the series, takes place in the steampunk city of Donghai, where Li Yunxiang discovers that he is the modern reincarnation of the ancient deity Nezha, which draws the attention of the Dragon clan.Yang Jianis a prequel set during the age of the gods. Erlang Shen was once the great warrior named Yang Jian, and he must now reclaim his powers to save his nephew from the wrath of the gods.
The New Gods Bring Ancient Chinese Mythology to Life
TheNew Godsseries is one of the most underrated series on this list. It introduces the myths of ancient China in an accessible way, allowing Western audiences to experience these tales for the first time. Light Chaser Animation Studio has raised the bar for 3D animation with their films, and this series is among their best work. There is nothing more awe-inspiring than these characters accessing their full godly power for superpowered brawls, the giant spirits of their inner deity shining behind them. This pair of films has been slept on by too many viewers, and with more on the way, now is the perfect time to jump into this fascinating world.
Stream on Netflix
9Immortals (2011)
Immortalsis the tale of Theseus, a mortal peasant chosen by Zeus to stop the end of the world. King Hyperion, a genocidal madman, leads his armies in search of the Bow of Epirus, a divine artifact capable of forcing open the gates of Tartaros and freeing the deadly Titans from their captivity. After his mother is killed by Hyperion’s men, and he is forced into slavery, Theseus joins forces with the seer Phaedra and fellow slave Stavros to break free and join the fight against the king. With the gods supporting their cause, they may just be able to save humanity from the wrath of the Titans, but time is not on their side.
Immortals Brings the Epic Power of the Gods to Life
Immortalsbrought the wonder and earth-shattering power of modern superheroes to the world of Greek mythology. I suppose that shouldn’t be a surprise with Henry Cavill in the lead role, preceding his casting as Superman by two years. This is an epic film, one that focuses more on the intense battle sequences and flashy brawls between gods than on accurate depictions of Theseus' tale. That isn’t to say that the film doesn’t hit on every major point of the original story, but this isn’t the kind of movie you go to for deep storytelling. This is peak,shut-your-brain-off fantasy actionfrom start to finish, and it does its job extremely well.
Stream on Max
8The Northman (2022)
The Northman
From director Robert Eggers comes The Northman, an action-filled epic that follows a Viking prince on his quest to avenge his father’s murder.
The Northmanstars Alexander Skarsgård as Amleth, the disgraced prince of a Viking clan. After his father is killed by his uncle Fjolnir during a coup, Amleth flees, swearing revenge against the man who destroyed his life. Amleth joins with a new clan and battles beside them as a berserker until his destiny catches up with him. An opportunity to slay his uncle and save his mother has arisen. Fjolnir the Brotherless has lost his throne, tending to the land as a simple farmer. Willingly becoming a slave, Amleth joins with the supposed sorceress Olga (Anya Taylor-Joy) to infiltrate Fjolnir’s farm and enact his revenge.
The Northman Brings Robert Eggers' Artistry to the Viking Age
The Northmanis more grounded in reality than many other films on this list, but that doesn’t mean that Norse mythology isn’t ingrained in every second of this stunning film. Through bloody rituals, twisted visions, and surreal bouts with mystical entities (that may or may not be real), the film brings the tales of the Vikings to life from a more human perspective. This is a bizarre film, to be sure, and the hallucinogenic sequences throughout the film truly force the viewer to question the reality of the events. Artistic, action-packed, and powerfully told, this story is a must-watch for fans of Norse mythology.
Stream on Starz
Sinbad: Legend Of The Seven Seas
Based on theOne Thousand and One Nightsstory of Sinbad the sailor,Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seaschronicles the titular character (played by Brad Pitt) as he voyages out to find the Book of Peace. After an unfortunate run in with Prince Proteus, the book’s owner and Sinbad’s childhood friend, Sinbad makes a deal with the goddess of discord, Eris. However, when Sinbad backs out, Eris steals the book using his appearance, causing Proteus to place a death sentence on his old friend’s head. Now, to survive, Sinbad must travel with Proteus' fiancée Marina to recover the book and defeat a goddess.
Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seasis one of Dreamworks' forgotten gems, lost in the sea of its many incredible films. It is a truly thrilling mythological tale, bringing the stories of Sinbad to younger audiences. The film is beautifully animated (which isn’t a surprise for Dreamworks), and its swashbuckling narrative is both exciting and highly imaginative.Sinbadhas faced some criticism post-release for its avoidance of its Arabic origins, but the film is still an incredible ode to the original narrative. It definitely has its faults, but as an early part of Dreamworks' filmography, it also displays the elements that would become staples of its films moving forward.
Rent on AppleTV
6Clash of the Titans/ Wrath of the Titans (2010, 2012)
Clash of the TitansandWrath of the Titansboth star Sam Worthington as Perseus, the demigod son of Zeus, as he embarks on adventures to stop massive mythological threats. In the first film, the King Kepheus and Queen Cassiopeia have begun a campaign against the gods, desecrating their holiest sites. In retribution, Hades promises that the unstoppable Kraken will destroy the city, and Perseus sets off on to find a means to kill the beast. In the sequel, a lack of faith in the gods has deprived them of power, allowing the Titans to break free of their bonds. With the world in danger, Perseus takes up his sword once again to stop the ancient monsters.
Clash of the Titans and Wrath of the Titans Are Flawed but Exciting
The originalClash of the Titans(1981) was a groundbreaking and innovative piece of cinema, and it wholly deserves a mention for this topic. However, the modernClashandWrath of the Titansearn a spot here for taking everything that made the original great and amplifying it with intense visual effects and some of the most epic battle sequences in modern film. Is it a great piece of cinema? Far from it, but the acting is decent, and they are a pair of incredibly exciting action films. In spite of all their flaws,Clash of the Titansand its sequel wholly deserve a spot on this list for spectacle alone.
Rent on Apple TV
5Disney’s Hercules (1997)
The Greek mythsof Hercules come to life in Disney’sHercules.The jealous god of the Underworld, Hades, seeks to overthrow his brother Zeus and take control of Olympus, and a prophecy has shown him the way. In 18 years, a planetary alignment will allow him to resurrect the Titans. The only thing standing in his way is Zeus' newborn son, Hercules. After his minions fail to kill the boy, Hercules is adopted by mortal farmers, though his immense strength makes him feel like an outcast. After discovering his godly origins, he sets off to find a mentor to train him to become a hero, but Hades will stop at nothing to see his plan through to the end.
Hercules Represents Some of the Best of the Disney Renaissance
Among the Disney Renaissance films,Herculesis one of the most highly regarded, so, of course, it deserves a place on this list. Is it particularly accurate to the source mythology? Not at all. The original tales are far more bloody, violent, and tragic than Disney could ever show to younger audiences, but that doesn’t change the fact that this is one of the best animated films of all time. James Woods' performance as Hades and Danny DeVito as Phil alone make this an essential Disney classic. It inspired an entire generation of young mythology lovers, paving the way for series likePercy Jacksonto make mythology accessible to a wider audience.
Stream on Disney+
Related:15 Disney Villains Who Would Make Perfect Horror Villains
4The Mummy Franchise
The Mummyfranchise began as a remake of the 1932 Universal horror classic, but over the course of three films, it earned its own identity as one of the most beloved trilogies of all time. Brendan Fraser plays Rick O’Connell, an American soldier who stumbled upon the map to Hamunaptra, the Egyptian City of the Dead. Accompanied by librarian and Egyptologist Evelyn Carnahan and her brother Jonathan, Rick adventures to the lost city, only to awaken the spirit of ancient high priest Imhotep. In subsequent films, Rick, Evelyn, and Jonathan battle the forces of the Egyptian and Chinese warlords known as the Scorpion King and the Dragon Emperor.
The Mummy is a Brilliantly Fun Take on the Classic Horror Film
Brendan Fraser is making his modern comeback, but his massive popularity began with this classic action-adventure film series. It doesn’t do a great job of capturing the intricacies of Egyptian or Chinese mythology, but the trilogy provides a brilliantly fun and action-packed spin on the Universal horror classic. As the series goes on, it does go off the rails a bit, focusing more on the over-the-top action than the more personal character work, but it never loses its charm throughout the course of the films. It is a fan-favorite franchise for a reason, and it still holds up today as one of the best archaeological adventure series of all time.
Stream on Hulu
3The Green Knight (2021)
The Green Knight
The Green Knightfrom A24 is inspired by the 14th century poemSir Gawain and the Green Knight. Dev Patel is Gawain, the nephew of King Arthur that dreams of becoming a great knight. On Christmas Day, a mysterious entity appears before Arthur’s knights, issuing a challenge. Any knight who can strike the Green Knight will win his axe, but in one year’s time, he will have the wound repaid in full. Gawain, in search of his own story, beheads the Green Knight, sealing his fate. The following Christmastime, Gawain sets off on an adventure that will test his honor, but with his death awaiting him, can Gawain truly complete his quest?
The Green Knight Brings A24’s Narrative Flair to the Arthurian Legend
A24 has become the cornerstone of modern arthouse storytelling, andThe Green Knightis an excellent example of the studio’s incredible vision. The story is beautifully told, bringing modern sensibilities to the epic poem that inspired it. This isn’t the most action-packed Arthurian retelling, and that sets it apart from so many films that came before it. This is an introspective journey, one wholly focused on the character of Gawain and his growth into the knight he wishes to be. It is a stunning examination of the values of knighthood, and its nuanced look at the world of King Arthur makes it stand out asone of the best retellings of the classic legends.
Stream on Prime Video
2Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013)
The Tale of Princess Kaguya
A retelling of the classic Japanese folk story titledThe Tale of the Bamboo Cutter,The Tale of Princess Kaguyatells the tale of a young girl discovered within a bamboo shoot. Believing the girl to be divine, the Bamboo Cutter who discovered her takes her in, moving his family to the capital to make her a true noble Princess. Renamed Princess Kaguya, the girl yearns for her prior life and freedom in the countryside, especially her friendship with a boy named Sutemaru. As suitors seek her hand and her origins come to light, Kaguya will have to decide where her heart truly lies: on Earth or in the Heavens.
The Tale of Princess Kaguya is One of Studio Ghibli’s Best Films
The Tale of Princess Kaguyais one of the most beautifully animated films of all time. Studio Ghibli lovingly recreated traditional Japanese ink brush painting for every frame of the movie, giving it an ethereal atmosphere from the very beginning. The story is a stunning adaptation ofThe Tale of the Bamboo Cutter,bringing the classic fairy tale to life with the studio’s trademark whimsy and dramatic flair. Director Isao Takahata knocked it out of the park with this mythological retelling, and as his final directorial credit, the film represents some of his best work in his storied career.
Related:The 20 Most Unique Anime Movies of All Time
1Thor (2011)
Based on the Marvel Comics of the same name,Thoris a loose interpretation of Norse mythology, following the origins of Marvel’s blond, hammer-wielding god of thunder. Thor is the proud son of Odin, the All-Father, and the rightful prince of Asgard. However, after an unapproved incursion into Jotunheim, Thor is stripped of his powers and exiled to Midgard. If he can prove himself worthy, Thor will once again be able to lift his mighty hammer, Mjolnir, and return to Asgard. Until then, he will have to learn the customs of Earth from Dr. Jane Foster, while his adopted brother Loki assumes Odin’s throne and plots a coup.
Thor Brings the Classic Marvel Powerhouse to the Marvel Cinematic Universe
To be completely honest, Marvel’s interpretation of Thor is vastly different from the Norse myths that inspired the character. However, the Marvel superhero is so influential in the modern day that he is inseparable from the original character, and 2011’sThormasterfully captures the science-fantasy of the classic comics. While the series has since seen its ups and downs, the originalThorbrilliantly captures the fantastical power of these deific beings, helping to construct the mystical elements of the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the first time. It may not be mythologically accurate, but it is thrilling nonetheless.
