• Denzel Washington is one of the most beloved movie stars of all time.
• He's been nominated for nine Oscars, with rumors of a 10th buzzing after "Gladiator II."
• But not all of his films have been hits with critics.

If you think about the greatest movie stars of the last five decades, there's no way Denzel Washington doesn't make that list.

In addition to having two Academy Awards from nine nominations, he's also been a major box-office draw and the star of at least one successful franchise ("The Equalizer"). He was also named People's Sexiest Man Alive in 1996, the first man of color to receive the honor.

But even if the 69-year-old is widely considered one of the finest actors of his generation, it doesn't mean all of his films are stone-cold classics — though, admittedly, even the bad ones are entertaining.

We used Rotten Tomatoes scores to determine the best and worst movies of Washington's career, according to critics.

These are the worst movies Washington has starred in, according to critics.

Washington has been nominated for nine Academy Awards across 36 years, winning two. But not every film in his career has been that highly regarded.

These are the worst films in his career, according to Rotten Tomatoes.

15. "The Pelican Brief" (1993)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 54%

"The Pelican Brief" is based on the John Grisham novel of the same name, and stars Julia Roberts as Darby Shaw, a Tulane law student who uncovers a widespread conspiracy about oil drilling in Louisiana. Washington plays a journalist who teams up with Darby to shed light on the plot.

"An old hand at this sort of thing, [director] Alan J. Pakula goes through the motions, but not much more," wrote Time Out.

13 (tie). "Safe House" (2012)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 52%

In "Safe House," Washington plays Tobin Frost, a former CIA operative who has been accused of turning on the agency. When the safe house he's being held at is attacked, he goes on the run with his handler, Matt Weston (Ryan Reynolds).

"The film's super-saturated look and quick cutting are mere substitutes for any real sense of intrigue," wrote The New Yorker's Bruce Diones.

13 (tie). "The Equalizer 2" (2018)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 52%

Washington returns as Robert McCall in "The Equalizer 2." This time, Robert is dragged back into action after the death of his close friend Susan (Melissa Leo).

The London Evening Standard's Guy Lodge called this film "clunky, over-processed cement-mixer cinema, given some consistency by Washington's screen presence."

12. "The Taking of Pelham 123" (2009)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 51%

A remake of the 1974 film, "Pelham 123" stars Washington as an MTA employee who negotiates with a group of men who have taken an entire subway train hostage in exchange for millions of dollars.

"This is pointless, redundant, irrelevant film remaking, in which nothing of weight is ever at stake, and no relationships are ever formed," wrote Deborah Ross of The Spectator.

11. "Power" (1986)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 50%

"Power" is the story of a media consultant, Pete St. John (Richard Gere) who pulls out all the stops to get his client, businessman Jerome Cade (JT Walsh), elected to the US Senate. Washington plays a PR expert who goes up against Pete.

"The movie seems to be asking us to walk out of the theater shaking our heads in disillusionment, but I was more puzzled than disillusioned," wrote Roger Ebert.

10. "The Book of Eli" (2010)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 47%

Washington plays the titular Eli in "The Book of Eli," which takes place in a future United States ravaged by a nuclear apocalypse. Over the course of the film, he travels across the States trying to deliver a mysterious book against all odds.

Ed Koch of The Atlantic wrote, "This picture is one big waste of time, including that of the actors and those in the audience who pay to see it."

8 (tie). "The Siege" (1998)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 44%

"The Siege" stars Washington as an FBI agent who, after New York City endures multiple terrorist attacks, goes against a US general (played by Bruce Willis) who declares martial law and begins detaining innocent American civilians.

"'The Siege' attempts to update the bluffs and counterfeints of the Cold War spy thriller, not to advance any ideological point but to obscure the fact that it doesn't have one," wrote Sight & Sound's Ken Hollings.

8 (tie). "The Little Things" (2021)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 44%

"The Little Things" costars Washington and Rami Malek as two cops who are obsessed with an unsolved murder and become hellbent on proving that a suspect, Albert (Jared Leto), is guilty, no matter what.

"What saves the movie is the star. Malek is stuck at surface level, but with Washington you see the soul-deep breakage of a character whom the abyss has gazed back into," wrote Danny Leigh for the Financial Times.

7. "Fallen" (1998)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 40%

This film is about a fallen angel, Azazel, who becomes determined to possess Detective John Hobbes (Washington). But Hobbes is smarter than Azazel anticipated, and the cat-and-mouse game quickly becomes deadly.

"Denzel Washington has the almost impossible task of holding together a convoluted picture that's only intermittently suspenseful and not very engaging emotionally or intellectually," wrote Emanuel Levy for Variety.

6. "Man on Fire" (2004)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 38%

In "Man on Fire," Washington plays a CIA operative turned bodyguard, John Creasy. He bonds with his young charge Pita (Dakota Fanning), but after she is kidnapped, he pledges to do anything in his power to get her back.

"[Director] Tony Scott's latest exercise in assaultive excess nevertheless lingers for two and a half hours, like a drunken houseguest who won't leave," wrote Nathan Rabin for AV Club.

5. "Virtuosity" (1995)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 32%

When a virtual amalgamation of the most violent serial killers in history is brought into the real world via an android, the LAPD releases Parker Barnes (Washington) from prison in order to track down and neutralize the android.

"Washington, that talented and flexible actor, is wasted here (I believe the dramatic motivation he called upon was $7 million)," wrote Entertainment Weekly's Lisa Schwarzbaum.

3 (tie). "The Bone Collector" (1999)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 29%

In "The Bone Collector," the actor plays a forensics expert who has been paralyzed from the neck down. Unable to continue his investigative work alone, he teams up with a young patrol officer, Amelia (Angelina Jolie), to hunt down a serial killer.

The Akron Beacon Journal's Chuck Klosterman wrote, "'The Bone Collector' is an example of everything bad about the serial-killer genre — it's gruesome and needlessly complex, only to end with a sudden avalanche of simplicity that teaches us nothing about the people involved."

3 (tie). "For Queen and Country" (1988)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 29%

This little-remembered film is best known for Washington's Cockney accent — he plays a British paratrooper who returns to London and finds that society is indifferent to the racism he experiences and his difficulties trying to integrate back into society.

"This is a serious subject, and worthy of a serious journalistic report. That is not, however, what 'For Queen and Country' is," wrote Dave Kehr for The Chicago Tribune.

2. "John Q." (2002)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 26%

"John Q." is the story of a father (Washington) who takes an entire hospital hostage in order to get his son on the heart transplant list after he exhausts every other option in the healthcare system.

The BBC's Neil Smith thought that the film "doesn't so much need a heart as a brain transplant."

1. "Heart Condition" (1990)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 10%

The worst film Washington has appeared in, according to critics, is "Heart Condition." He plays an ambulance-chasing lawyer, Napoleon, who has a rivalry with a racist cop, Jack. When Napoleon dies in a car crash, his heart is donated to Jack — but when Jack wakes up, he finds that he can't escape Napoleon's ghost.

"The movie is all over the map, trying whatever seems to work at the moment," wrote Roger Ebert.

On the other hand, Washington has appeared in so many classics, like these films.

These are the best films of his career, according to critics.

15 (tie). "American Gangster" (2007)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 81%

Washington received his sixth Golden Globe nomination for his performance as Frank Lucas, a real-life drug kingpin operating out of Harlem, as he goes up against a New Jersey detective played by Russell Crowe.

Empire's Ian Freer called the film "an entertaining romp through familiar cop-and-crim cat-and-mousery, bolstered by strong star turns from Washington and Crowe."

15 (tie). "Philadelphia" (1993)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 81%

Most of the praise for "Philadelphia" goes to Washington's costar, Tom Hanks, as Andrew Beckett, a lawyer with AIDS who sues his old firm for discrimination, but Washington's performance as Andrew's lawyer, Joe Miller, is just as important to the success of this film.

Marjorie Baumgarten wrote for the Austin Chronicle that "Philadelphia" is "comprised of enough 'little moments' that provide all the richness and grace we need to get us past the film's more inelegant moments."

14. "The Hurricane" (1999)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 83%

Washington's fourth Oscar nomination came for his performance as Rubin "The Hurricane" Carter, a real boxer who was wrongfully convicted of murder and served 20 years before being exonerated.

"Give director Norman Jewison credit for two things: 1) He made the movie; 2) He let Washington run away with it," wrote Mick LaSalle for SF Gate.

12 (tie). "Courage Under Fire" (1996)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 86%

"Courage Under Fire" switches back and forth between two timelines. In the present, Washington plays Nathaniel Serling, a former Army officer who is assigned a desk job after a traumatic friendly fire incident leads to the death of his friend. He's tasked with investigating the death of Captain Karen Walden (Meg Ryan) and to see if she's worthy of receiving the Medal of Honor.

The film also jumps back to the past to show us what actually happened to Karen on the day she died, and if she deserves the medal.

"Washington's inherent gravity anchors his troubled and troublesome character, and Ryan, whom we'd all but written off as a perpetual pom-pom girl, takes on an atypical role and acquits herself, well, honorably," wrote TV Guide.

12 (tie). "Inside Man" (2006)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 86%

Washington and Clive Owen costar as an NYPD detective and a master bank thief, respectively, who engage in a battle of wits after Owen's character executes an elaborate heist on the Manhattan Trust bank.

"Director Spike Lee's most polished effort in years is a gripping thriller with strong performances," wrote The Times-Picayune's Mike Scott.

11. "Unstoppable" (2010)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 87%

Based on a real incident in 2001, "Unstoppable" is about a literal runaway train … and the only people who can stop it are railroad engineer Frank Barnes (Washington) and conductor Will Colson (Chris Pine).

"Let's give credit where it's due: [director Tony] Scott's on his A-game — as opposed to, ugh, 'Spy Game' — for this occasionally exhilarating piece of popcorn cinema," wrote Keith Uhlich for Time Out New York.

8 (tie). "Malcolm X" (1992)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%

Washington's third Oscar nomination came in 1993 when he was nominated for his role as civil rights leader Malcolm X in this biopic of the same name.

"[Director Spike] Lee and company have performed a powerful service: they have brought Malcolm X very much to life again, both as man and myth," wrote David Ansen for Newsweek.

8 (tie). "The Mighty Quinn" (1998)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%

"The Mighty Quinn" is a breezy crime caper that takes place on a fictional Caribbean island. When a local, Maubee (Robert Townsend), is accused of murdering a hotel tycoon, it's up to his friend and chief of police, Xavier Quinn (Washington), to clear his name.

"With [screenwriter Hampton] Fancher's dialogue and Washington's comedic timing, 'The Mighty Quinn' is more fun than a cabana full of bananas," wrote Rita Kempley for The Washington Post.

8 (tie). "Crimson Tide" (1995)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%

"Crimson Tide" is a submarine thriller costarring Washington and Gene Hackman. Hackman's character is the brash, experienced captain, while Washington plays a slower-to-action second-in-command with no combat experience. Their approach to leading the sub differs, which causes tension.

"Producers [Don] Simpson/[Donald] Bruckheimer have plunged to the ocean's depths to reach the heights of commercial, big-movie filmmaking," wrote Duane Byrge for The Hollywood Reporter.

6 (tie). "A Soldier's Story" (1990)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%

Washington has a supporting role in "A Soldier's Story," which is the complex story of the murder of a Black Army officer in World War II-era Louisiana. Washington plays one of the soldiers in the murdered officer's company.

Cinemania's Dan Jardine called the film an "occasionally preachy but mostly intense, intelligent and captivating racially provocative drama."

6 (tie). "Much Ado About Nothing" (1993)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%

In this Shakespeare adaptation, Washington plays Don Pedro, a prince and matchmaker for his close friends Leonato, Benedick, Hero, Claudio, and Beatrice. In classic Shakespeare fashion, things go awry almost immediately.

David Denby wrote for New York Magazine that "'Much Ado About Nothing' is one of the few movies of recent years that could leave its audiences weeping with joy."

2 (tie). "Devil in a Blue Dress" (1995)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%

Washington plays a would-be PI living in Los Angeles in 1948 in this neo-noir classic. Easy (Washington) is hired to search for the missing wife of a politician, and the search takes him deep into the criminal underworld of LA.

"It is a smart, sly film imbued with the rich subtle tones of a mournful blues saxophone piece, worthy of comparisons to some of the best noir films of decades past," wrote Patricia Bibby for the Associated Press.

2 (tie). "Fences" (2016)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%

Washington received two Oscar nominations for "Fences": one for producing and one for acting. The film, based on the August Wilson play of the same name, costars Washington and Viola Davis as a married couple living in Pittsburgh with their son, Cory, who wants to play college football against his father's wishes.

"Denzel swells with dangerous charisma. Viola works high emotion from every one of her many lines. They are so good they almost convince us we're watching a movie," wrote Donald Clarke for The Irish Times.

2 (tie). "Mississippi Masala" (1991)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%

"Mississippi Masala" is a romantic drama about an Indian-Ugandan immigrant, played by Sarita Choudhury, falling in love with a local Mississippi man, played by Denzel Washington, against the wishes of her father who wants more than anything to return home to Uganda.

"'Mississippi Masala' appears to have been produced on a modest (by Hollywood standards) budget, but it is a big movie in terms of talent, geography and concerns," wrote The New York Times' Vincent Canby.

2 (tie). "The Tragedy of Macbeth" (2021)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%

Washington received his ninth and final (for now) Academy Award nomination for playing Macbeth in director Joel Coen's adaptation of Shakespeare's tragedy. The story follows the doomed king of Scotland as he slowly descends into paranoia and tyranny.

"It's not exactly cheerful holiday viewing, but this 'Macbeth' is nonetheless a gift," wrote Moira Macdonald for The Seattle Times.

1. "Glory" (1989)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 95%

Washington received his second Oscar nom — and first win — for his role in the Civil War epic "Glory," which critics have deemed his best film. The film stars Matthew Broderick as Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, who leads the first all-Black regiment in the Union's army. Washington plays one of the members of the regiment, Private Silas Trip.

Ian Nathan of Empire called this film an "exceptionally well-rendered and emotive war drama."

• 'Wicked,' 'Gladiator II,' and 'Moana 2' are all in theaters this Thanksgiving weekend.
• The three films may bring in more box office sales than pre-pandemic Thanksgiving weekends.
• 'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' hit theaters on November 22, and "Moana 2" premiered on November 27.

This Thanksgiving box office line-up will be the most successful of the post-pandemic era — and could be one of the most successful in history.

It started on November 22, when "Wicked" and "Gladiator II" premiered in theaters.

"Wicked," directed by Jon M. Chu, is based on one of Broadway's longest-running shows. Fans have been anticipating the film adaptation since the musical first hit the stage in 2003.

"Gladiator II" is a sequel to the original film, released in 2000.

The films topped the box office opening weekend. "Gladiator II" made $106 million in ticket sales, while "Wicked" brought in $164 million. "Wicked" also had a higher opening weekend than any other other film based on a Broadway show.

"Moana 2," the sequel to the 2016 Disney film, hit theaters on November 27 — day one of the five-day Thanksgiving weekend. It's projected to bring in between $135 and $145 million, per Variety.

In 2016, "Moana" topped box offices on Thanksgiving weekend with $81 million in ticket sales.

"The trifecta of 'Moana 2,' 'Wicked,' and 'Gladiator II' is a bona fide perfect storm for movie theaters this Thanksgiving," Fandango analytics director and Box Office Theory founder Shawn Robbins told CNBC. He predicted 2024 Thanksgiving weekend box office sales would surpass the $200 million made in 2019 — and be among the most lucrative in the history of cinema.

"The holiday used to regularly see major releases combining for all-audience appeal, but that's been a challenge for the industry to replicate in the post-pandemic era so far," he told CNBC. "This year is much different with such a holy trinity of tentpole releases that could anchor some of the biggest all-around box office results the holiday frame has ever seen."

• Ridley Scott compared one of the characters in "Gladiator II" to Donald Trump.
• The director said that Denzel Washington's character is "very close to Trump."
• Washington plays the scheming Macrinus, who plots to take over Rome.

Ridley Scott said he took inspiration from President-elect Donald Trump for one of his characters in "Gladiator II."

In the filmmaker's sequel to his 2000 epic, Denzel Washington plays an ambitious arms dealer who forces Lucius (Paul Mescal), the long-lost son of Russell Crowe's character Maximus, to be a gladiator — all while scheming his way into power.

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Scott said that the character, named Macrinus, was "very close to Trump."

Breaking down the role, the director said that his version of Macrinus "was a prisoner of war — probably at a North African state — and actually was taken to Rome probably as a gladiator. Survived. Got free. Got into the business of maybe making wine and bread. He evolved into a very rich merchant selling shit to the Roman armies — food, oil, wine, cloth, weapons, everything."

"He maybe had a million men spread around Europe. So he was a billionaire at the time," Scott continued. "He's also a gangster — very close to Trump. A clever gangster."

"He creates chaos and from chaos he can evolve," he added.

"Gladiator II," which also stars Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, Joseph Quinn, and Fred Hechinger, arrived in theaters last week, competing with "Wicked" for the top spot at the box office.

It has so far grossed over $140 million domestically and more than $300 million worldwide, per figures from Box Office Mojo.

Washington has also spoken about how he sees his character in the film, previously telling The Hollywood Reporter that Macrinus tries "to use everybody."

"He'd use his mother, he'd use his own children; he's already used up his soul, so he didn't have any left. He's in bed with the devil," the actor said.

Representatives for Trump did not immediately reply to a request for comment from Business Insider.

• Paul Mescal said that he has to "quit the internet."
• In the latest episode of "Happy Sad Confused," Mescal said his algorithm has "too much" of him.
• Mescal rose to fame after his role in the 2020 drama, "Normal People."

Paul Mescal might be in need of a digital detox.

On Monday's episode of "Happy Sad Confused," Josh Horowitz asked the "Gladiator II" star what his algorithm was like.

"I've got to quit the internet," Mescal responded. "It's like too much. It's too much of yourself. There's not enough bakeries, and there's too much of me."

He said that he would take "anything else other than me." "But I think it's just the way that the algorithms are cursed," he said.

Mescal plays Lucius in the action sequel "Gladiator II." In the same interview, he opened up about the growing media attention he has been receiving.

Acting was never on his radar, and he had no desire in his childhood to be "out in the world," said Mescal, who was nominated for Best Actor in the 2023 Academy Awards for his role in "Aftersun."

"But also, you're smart enough to realize that, like, that's the gig. You get out in front of the movie, and you do your job," said the Irish actor. "But there's a certain tax that comes with it."

In an interview with CBS Sunday Morning on November 17, Mescal said his break-out role as Connell Waldron in "Normal People" changed his career trajectory.

"That was so abrupt," he said. "I think it started the scale moving in the direction that just that was the new normal, which was totally abnormal."

A representative for Mescal did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours.

Going on a digital detox

Mescal is not the only celebrity to have considered taking a break from social media.

In January, Selena Gomez posted an Instagram story with the caption, "I'm off social for a while. I'm focusing on what really matters." Still, the pop star returned to the platform in less than 24 hours.

Instead of completely abstaining from social media, setting limits may be more helpful in managing phone addiction, Neha Chaudhary, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, previously told BI.

She recommends leaning on friends and family to stay accountable.

"Accountability plays a big role in trying to make any change," she said. "Maybe decide with a friend that you want to both reduce use, or tell your family member your goals so that they can check in with you about it. Whatever it is, find a way to have someone help keep you on track — breaking habits alone can be difficult."

Chaudhary recommends unfollowing accounts that can negatively impact your mental health to curate a more positive social media feed.

"I tell my patients that one of the biggest shifts they can make is to start to replace content that leaves them feeling worse with content that makes them feel better when they consume it," she said.

• Fred Hechinger plays Emperor Caracalla in Ridley Scott's "Gladiator II."
• The actor said that starring on "The White Lotus" changed his life.
• He'll next be seen in the Marvel movie "Kraven the Hunter."

On Fred Hechinger's first day on the set of "Gladiator II," he and his costar Joseph Quinn witnessed Paul Mescal's character face off against a rhino in a bloody battle at the Colosseum.

It didn't matter that they weren't in the actual Colosseum but a replica built by the movie's production, or that the rhino wasn't real but a remote-controlled animatronic creature. The result still rendered Hechinger, 24, "immediately speechless."

Day one ended up being a harbinger of the pinch-me experience Hechinger would have throughout filming Ridley Scott's epic sequel.

"The scale that I have felt watching Ridley's movies is mirrored in the experience of making them," Hechinger told Business Insider.

"Everywhere you looked, there was detail," he added. "The world felt like it was living around us and we were participating in it."

Those details helped Hechinger fully immerse himself in his role as Emperor Caracalla, one-half of the film's mercurial, unhinged ruling duo that turned Rome into a shadow of its former glory.

Hechinger's Caracalla is sick and twisted — a 'dangerous concoction'

"Gladiator II" is set 15 years after the death of Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe). Under the rule of the villainous fraternal twin emperors Caracalla and Geta (Quinn), Rome's citizens have become pawns and means for amusement. One of those gladiators forced to perform for them is Lucius (Mescal), the son of Maximus and Lucilla (Connie Nielsen).

The twins show off their excess wealth in gold-adorned outfits and accessories and laugh maniacally as gladiators fight to the death in the arena. The film also suggests that Caracalla's twisted persona is the result of syphilis corrupting his mind.

"He's sick in a lot of ways," Hechinger said. "I think there was something interesting about the story where you have a person who's really suffering, but in turn, creating immense suffering for an entire nation of people. His insularity matched with his sickness, which I felt was a very dangerous concoction."

"Gladiator II" is also a study of what unchecked power does to a civilization.

"People who are unwell, who have a lot of power, can frequently be surrounded by people who won't do anything about that," Hechinger added. "They'll just continue to let them destroy themselves and the world around them. And so I think everything that Caracalla is plagued by goes very untreated, both by himself and the people around him."

'The White Lotus' gave Hechinger his big break

Hechinger has come a long way since season one of HBO's "The White Lotus," in which he played Quinn Mossbacher, an awkward, tech-addicted teen visiting the titular resort's Hawaii location with his family.

"It completely changed my life," Hechinger said of the show, which became a sensation on HBO in 2021, earning 20 Emmy nominations for its first season. Filming on-location in Maui while quarantined during the pandemic also made for a unique bonding experience among the cast.

"We lived together. We broke bread every single night together," Hechinger said. "It felt like this troupe, this company of people, and in a more personal sense, it changed my life by getting to know them and becoming friends with those artists. I feel like I sought out such wisdom and had so much fun with everybody there."

That role opened doors for Hechinger to continue to grow in his career. Since then, he's starred in films and shows with Hollywood heavyweights like Nicolas Cage and Christian Bale.

"I always want to surprise audiences and tell stories that are entertaining and challenging at the same time," Hechinger said. "The wonderful reception toward that show has made that goal easier."

Hechinger prides himself on playing varied roles, whether he's a menacing emperor in "Gladiator II," a concerned grandson in "Thelma," or a school staff member in "Nickel Boys." Next month, he'll take his first foray into the superhero genre with "Kraven the Hunter," in which he reportedly plays the Marvel Comics character Chameleon.

Yet with his star on the rise, Hechinger isn't thinking too hard about his five-year plan.

"I don't have a particularly long view of things," he said. "I just think the most important thing is: are you telling vital stories?"

"Making something with a group of people is urgent a lot of the time," he added. "You're all deciding to gather in one place together and bring your heart and soul to the story. I feel revved by the people that are arriving at that."

"Gladiator II" is now in theaters.

• "Gladiator II" features a naval battle that occurs at the Colosseum for the crowd's amusement.
• The scene is rooted in real-life naval battles that began during Julius Caesar's reign in Rome.
• But it's unlikely that the staged fights included sharks in the water.

Ridley Scott's "Gladiator II" takes a few creative liberties and diverges from history to up the ante for audiences.

"Gladiator II" is set 15 years after Russell Crowe's Maximus Decimus Meridius died in the Colosseum in the 2000 movie "Gladiator." Now under the rule of the unhinged twin emperors Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger), cruel entertainment has reached new levels in the arena.

Lucius (Paul Mescal), the son of Maximus and Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), is one of the men who's forced to fight to the death in the Colosseum for the amusement of the emperors and the similarly bloodthirsty crowds.

In one scene, the Colosseum floor is flooded with water in honor of Poseidon, the god of the sea. To add to the danger, tiger sharks swim in the water, ready to feast on the humans.

Naval warfare ensues as two boats enter the arena to fight each other, the Romans versus Lucius and the other gladiators.

The boats circle the Colosseum before crashing into each other. Then, the men begin fighting viciously. As some of them fall off the boats and to their deaths, the sharks in the water swiftly tear them apart.

As far-fetched as the battle might seem, the scene was, at least partially, inspired by history.

Staged naval battles really did happen in Rome

Water spectacles in Rome go back to the first century BC. Areas, including the Colosseum, were flooded with water for staged fights. These mock naval battles, known as naumachia, began during Julius Caesar's rule in Rome.

According to National Geographic, in 80 AD, two naumachiae took place, one in an artificial lake and another in the Colosseum.

It's unclear if water entered the Colosseum via aqueducts or the arena's sluice gates and chambers that were used to drain and fill the space.

"It was quite amazing," Neil Corbould, special effects supervisor Neil Corbould of Industrial Light and Magic, said in the production notes for the film. "The boats they used in these battles were built only for that purpose. They were flat-bottomed because the water was so shallow."

Alison Futrell, an associate professor of Roman history at the University of Arizona, told Business Insider that the Colosseum's enclosed, limited size meant that actual boats were probably "cumbersome to maneuver" around the arena.

However, staged naval battles at the Colosseum could work if the boats were sized down.

"Maybe smaller sort of quasi-miniaturized boats that give the flavor of warships and that maybe accommodate greater visibility for the specifics of the combat too," Futrell said. "Because there are fans who want to really see what kind of fighting is going on there."

The battles probably didn't include sharks

History shows that people in Rome were at least aware that sea creatures existed.

"There are encyclopedists from antiquity who talk about sea creatures, and they're aware of shark-like things," Futrell said.

However, Futrell said that these shark-like creatures appear to have been located in the Indian Ocean rather than the Mediterranean. Plus, most of the sea animals referenced were mammals, not fish like sharks.

Futrell said that the Romans were aware of dolphins and orcas, which are both mammals. That said, there isn't a lot of evidence that the Romans were regularly building tanks big enough to allow people to interact with the creatures up close.

"But they knew about them as a draw and did make some effort at certain points in time to make them a kind of show in some ways," Futrell said.

There's evidence that in one such instance, under Emperor Claudius' rule, an orca traveled to the Tiber River and some effort was made to turn the event into a spectacle by blocking off access points so people could see the creature.

The sharks featured in "Gladiator II" are most likely an addition from Scott, who tends to include animals in his movies. There doesn't seem to be any historical evidence of sharks being part of these naval battles, though.

"Probably not sharks, specifically, and only rarely orca," Futrell said. "They're challenging to work with."

"Gladiator II" is now playing in theaters.

• "Gladiator II" and "Wicked" are both in theaters.
• While "Glicked" isn't as much of a viral double feature as "Barbenheimer," it would be pretty fun.
• If you have time for only one, though, see "Wicked."

"Gladiator II" and "Wicked" are facing off at the box office this weekend.

"Glicked," a portmanteau of the dueling releases, may not live up to the "Barbenheimer" phenomenon of 2023 — the two films would need to make over $2 billion at the box office to pull that off. But they're both positioned for success as blockbusters.

"Gladiator II," directed by Ridley Scott, is the sequel to his 2000 film starring Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix. Its protagonist is Lucius Verus (Paul Mescal), a long-lost Roman heir sent away for his own safety by his mother, Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), after the events of the first film.

"Wicked" is an adaptation of one of the longest-running Broadway musicals. Directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, this film covers only the first act of the musical, which serves as an origin story for the Wicked Witch of the West from "The Wizard of Oz." (The second part is coming in 2025.)

Having screened both of them, I can say it's absolutely worth seeing both movies eventually, ideally in theaters. The double feature would be a good time, and far less existentially depressing than "Barbenheimer."

But if you've got the time, money, and energy for only one movie this weekend, you should see "Wicked."

'Wicked' vs. 'Gladiator II,' by the numbers

Both movies have been well received so far and are certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, but critics and audiences generally seem to like "Wicked" a bit more.

If time is of the essence, there's no tie-breaker — they're nearly the same length.

If you want something you can see with the whole family, "Wicked" is more kid-friendly.

Now on to the more subjective stuff.

'Wicked' is a better movie than 'Gladiator II'

The witches have it, folks. To briefly summarize my "Wicked" review:

• Erivo and Grande are extraordinary as Elphaba and Glinda. It's not unlikely that Grande will pick up an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress (despite some hubbub over whether she belongs in that category) — and frankly, everyone should watch Erivo sing "The Wizard and I."
• "Wicked" does make some frustrating choices and feels a bit self-indulgent.
• It's still one of the best movie musicals in recent memory and makes a convincing argument for why it needed to be a two-part film.

"Gladiator II" is fun — but not quite as good, and narratively messy.

• It has trouble juggling its large cast and many contentious relationships. That results in an irritating underutilization of Pedro Pascal, who is otherwise just as heartstring-tugging as usual.
• But the action sequences are pretty fun, as long as you're not too pedantic about historical accuracy. (Colosseum sharks.)
• Denzel Washington is great, even if his character, Macrinus, is a little inscrutable.

'Gladiator II' has more Paul Mescal in it, though

Can't argue with that. Mescal is bloody, feral, leading-man material in "Gladiator II."

Be warned that people might start singing at 'Wicked'

Universal Pictures has scheduled sing-along screenings of "Wicked" that start on December 25. They can't really come soon enough, though. The New York Times reported on audience members' frustrations with their compatriots belting out songs — and that was just at early-access screenings.

Let's be clear: You should definitely not start singing along at "Wicked" unless it is a designated sing-along screening. It's rude and disrupts other people's enjoyment of the film. Do what the rest of us have done since we were children and strain your voice by belting "Defying Gravity" in the comfort of your own living room.

Ultimately, follow your own taste

"Wicked" and "Gladiator II" are both worth the price of admission (and maybe even of a popcorn and soda). Ultimately, it boils down to whether you have a strong preference for or against musicals.

If you're thirsting for blood, go see "Gladiator II." If you're craving off-the-charts theater-kid energy, obviously go see "Wicked."

• "Gladiator II" introduces Paul Mescal as Lucius, the son of Maximus (Russell Crowe).
• In the original "Gladiator" movie, the younger Lucius was played by Spencer Treat Clark.
• Here's why Clark doesn't reprise the role in "Gladiator II."

"Gladiator II" finally arrived on November 22, but fans are still wondering why Paul Mescal plays the slave fighter Lucius, instead of Spencer Treat Clark, who played him in the original movie.

Ridley Scott's "Gladiator" starred Russell Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius, a former Roman general who is betrayed and sold into slavery. Lucius, the heir to the Roman Empire, watches Maximus fight in the Colosseum.

Lucius disappeared after the events of the original movie and forged a new life for himself. But like Maximus, he's forced into becoming a fighter when he's captured by General Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal) and his soldiers.

It's not surprising that Scott cast Mescal as Lucius for the sequel considering the Irish actor has become a rising star after his critically acclaimed performances in"Normal People," "Aftersun," and "All of Us Strangers."

But "Gladiator" fans on social media have said it's odd that Scott didn't ask Clark to reprise the role since he's still working as an actor.

Scott said he needed someone younger to play Lucius in "Gladiator II"

Clark, who is now 36 years old, also played Joseph Dunn in "Unbreakable" opposite Bruce Willis — a role he later reprised in 2019's "Glass." And he's appeared in several TV shows, including "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D," "Animal Kingdom," and "Manhunt."

Last November, Scott told Deadline that he wanted to cast a younger actor to play Lucius in "Gladiator II" and that he was impressed by Mescal, who is 28, in "Normal People."

"I'm always looking for someone, something new and fresh. I mean, fresh is terribly important," Scott said. "So they're not carrying … baggage is a terrible word for what they've done before, because it's great stuff, but you will remember he just did this character already.

"I watched this show called 'Normal People.' It's unusual for me, but I saw one and thought, that's interesting. These actors are really good I watched the whole goddamn show and thought, damn."

He added, "So this came up at a time when I need a 23-year-old, 24-year-old to take up the mantle of Lucius. And I just said, 'You want to do it?' He said, 'Yeah.'"

Spencer Treat Clark says he's "excited" to see "Gladiator II"

Speaking to People ahead of the HBO Max horror remake, "Salem's Lot," Clark explained that he holds no ill will against Scott or Mescal for replacing him as Lucius in "Gladiator II.

"The movie looks so good, and Paul's going to do such a great job. I've actually heard great things about the movie... I feel like it was 25 years ago, but for some people, seeing me as an adult and being like, 'Oh my God, you're right. You were Lucius in Gladiator,' is so wild," He said.

"But I'm really excited to see the movie and to see what Paul brings to it. And yeah, it comes out soon. So I'm excited for it."

• "Gladiator II" is a sequel to Ridley Scott's 2000 film "Gladiator" starring Russell Crowe.
• The new movie doesn't work very well as a historical epic — or, frankly, a drama.
• If you want to see Paul Mescal go feral, or some sharks in the Colosseum, you'll have a great time.

"Gladiator II" is a messy sequel to Ridley Scott's Roman epic — but what it lacks in narrative connective tissue, it makes up for in spectacle.

After all, aren't we here to be entertained? With a cast led by Paul Mescal in his first blockbuster leading role, "Gladiator II" delivers on the action, and should definitely be seen on the biggest screen you can find. Just don't worry too much about the narrative — or the historical details.

The sequel, directed by Scott, picks up approximately a decade and a half after the death of Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris), the Roman emperor who dreamed of a better empire before being killed by his son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). Commodus was eventually taken down by Roman general-cum-gladiator Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe), who also died of his wounds in the battle at the end of the original 2000 film.

By the time "Gladiator II" picks up, not much has changed. Rome is ever-expanding, characterized by the hunger and decadence of its twin rulers, Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger). General Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal) has just conquered the African territory Numidia — unknowingly, he brings an unwilling (and initially unknown) prodigal son back with him.

That's Lucius (Mescal), the son of Marcus Aurelius' daughter Lucilla (Connie Nielsen, reprising her role from the first film), and Maximus himself, who has been living a quiet life in hiding since his mother spirited him away from Rome. Despite growing up in Rome, Lucius has little desire to return. Unfortunately, like his father, he's been taken as a slave following the death of his wife, picked up by the calculating Macrinus (Denzel Washington) as a fighter under a false name, and given the chance to slay his way to freedom in the Colosseum.

"Gladiator II" does its best to juggle its many contentious relationships, and the broader conflicts that they represent in the film, to middling success. Lucius chafes against Rome's carnivorous nature represented in Acacius, the depravity modeled by its twin emperors, and its social order embodied in Macrinus, a former slave who has clawed his way into power. Pascal's character, in particular, feels half-baked both as a person and as a symbol for the Rome Lucius must come to love and defeat — it's the actor's performance that drives any buy-in.

Some important dynamics, like the one between Lucius and his mother Lucilla, suffer amid rapid pacing. And Washington's Macrinus, though carried by the actor's intensely captivating presence, can be difficult to parse. Some of that is certainly by design, and Washington draws out Macrinus' calculating, jovial, and menacing facets with equal aplomb. However, it makes it difficult to buy into Macrinus' entire ethos.

What does work well are the fights, and rest assured that there are plenty of them.

"Gladiator II" is big, bloody, and vicious in its combat, and rarely holds back when it can cut deeper. Scott brings his sensibility for scale to gigantic battles, like the naval conflict that kicks off the film's action. "Gladiator II" shines best, though, in tightly choreographed sequences, like the battle between Acacius and Lucius teased in trailers, or more bombastic ones, like Lucius matching a feral monkey's freak in hand-to-paw combat. Leave your historical pedantry at the door for the much-decried Colosseum sharks.

Sillier combat experiences aside, the film derives most of its levity from Quinn and Hechinger's obscene twin emperors and Dundus, Caracalla's pet monkey. In particular, "Gladiator II" should serve as an excellent argument to keep casting Quinn — previously best known as "Stranger Things" breakout heartthrob Eddie Munson — in the most unhinged roles humanly possible, because he steals every single scene.

The biggest winner is Mescal, who proves with more than a few brooding glances and swings of the sword that he has the chops to carry a blockbuster. "Gladiator II" isn't shy about drawing blatant parallels between Lucius and Maximus' journeys. Mescal's performance, however, is grounded and more vindictive than Crowe's in the first film, and tips the balance toward Lucius feeling more like a successor to Maximus' mission than a carbon copy.

Ultimately, "Gladiator II" works better as an action flick than a focused historical drama. If you're here to watch Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal just absolutely go at it in the ring — or Denzel Washington gossip and plot his way through Roman court — you're in the right place. Just don't read too much into the broader narrative, and you'll be fine.

"Gladiator II" is now in theaters.

• Paul Mescal plays Lucius Verus in "Gladiator II."
• The film revealed in a trailer — and makes it clear in the movie — that Lucius is Maximus' son.
• In "Gladiator," Lucius is just a child — here's what you need to know about him.

Warning: Spoilers ahead for "Gladiator II."

In "Gladiator II," Paul Mescal's Lucius is a vengeful heir to the throne who's out for blood — but in the first "Gladiator" film, his character is just an innocent child who mucks up his parents' coup d'état.

"Gladiator II" picks up a few decades after Ridley Scott's 2000 film, which starred Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix. Long after general-turned-gladiator Maximus Decimus Meridius (Crowe) and Emperor Commodus (Phoenix) killed each other in battle, long-lost heir Lucius returns to Rome as a gladiator after the empire conquers his new home, Numidia.

Compared to his appearance in the first film, Lucius is a bit difficult to recognize. For one, he's no longer a child. More importantly, however, his time away from Rome has fostered a deep resentment toward the empire — and a desire to turn away from his lineage as the son of Empress Lucilla (Connie Nielsen, who reprises her role in the new film).

Here's what you need to know about Lucius, and how Mescal's storyline in "Gladiator II" connects to the first film.

Lucius is a child in the 2000 film 'Gladiator'

In the first "Gladiator," Rome falls to chaos after emperor Marcus Aurelius appoints Maximus, one of his generals, as his successor instead of his son, Commodus. In turn, Commodus kills his father, and does the same to Maximus' family when the general refuses to swear loyalty to him. Maximus ends up enslaved and eventually winds up fighting for his freedom at the Colosseum as a gladiator.

While in Rome, Maximus learns that his former soldiers are still loyal to him. Working with Lucilla, Commodus' sister, they attempt to plan a coup to remove Commodus from power. Unfortunately, Commodus finds out about it (more on that later), quashes the plan, and challenges Maximus to a duel. Despite Commodus stabbing Maximus before the fight, Maximus defeats him but succumbs to his wounds.

In the first film, Lucius (played by Spencer Treat Clark) is introduced as Lucilla's young son and the heir to the throne. He and Maximus briefly meet: Lucius gleefully inquires about Maximus' combat abilities, and tells Maximus that he'll cheer for him in the games. Lucius also tells Maximus that he was named after his father, who is dead.

Later in the film, however, Lucius playfully spars with his uncle Commodus and pretends to be "Maximus, the savior of Rome." The epithet clues Commodus into Maximus and Lucilla's plan, and after stopping Maximus' escape, he threatens Lucilla with Lucius' life so that she will provide him with an heir of his own.

At the end of the film, when Maximus is on the edge of death, he tells Lucilla that Lucius is safe, presumably from Commodus. Lucius looks on as Maximus dies.

'Gladiator II' clarifies Lucius' backstory

"Gladiator II" takes Lucius from boy to haggard man, filling in the gaps in his life after the events of the first film.

As the sequel recounts, Lucilla sent Lucius out of the city after Maximus and Commodus' deaths to keep him safe. Eventually, he found a home in the North African kingdom of Numidia, where he settled in with a wife and took a new name. After Rome conquers the kingdom under the command of General Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal), Lucius gets taken back as a slave. Eventually, Macrinus (Denzel Washington) acquires him as a gladiator.

Once he arrives in Rome — and crucially, after he crosses paths with his mother Lucilla — Lucius gradually begins to accept his royal heritage again. He also learns that his true father was Maximus, the legendary gladiator who fought in the same ring.

"Gladiator II" includes a few glimpses of the original film, including Spencer Treat Clark as young Lucius, to hammer down the connection. By the end of the film, Lucius has donned Maximus' armor and acknowledged his birthright as an heir to Rome. He proclaims his intent to reclaim it for the people, similar to Maximus' mission to turn the empire into a republic in the first film.

"Gladiator II" is now in theaters.

• Universal released "Wicked" on the same day as Paramount's "Gladiator II."
• The coincidental release date has seen the movies dubbed "Glicked" — an echo of "Barbenheimer."
• They will have to make over $2 billion to compete with "Oppenheimer" plus "Barbie."

There's a new "Barbenheimer" in town, as two other highly anticipated blockbusters, "Wicked" and "Gladiator 2," have premiered on the same day.

Last year, the polar-opposite movies "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" were coincidentally released on July 21.

This created a cultural moment, dubbed "Barbenheimer," that breathed life into a struggling industry as cinemagoers approached the films as a double bill.

Despite worries about the clash, "Barbenheimer" was a huge success.

"Barbie" became Warner Bros.'s highest-grossing movie, and "Oppenheimer" set a record for the highest-grossing biopic. They made over $2 billion combined.

In July, Universal announced that "Wicked" would be released on November 22 instead of November 27, clashing with Paramount's "Gladiator 2."

The coincidental pairing was promptly dubbed "Glicked."

Others complained that it seemed like an attempt to re-create the "Barbenheimer" phenomenon.

Last year, some fans who noticed that "Saw X" and a "PAW Patrol" movie had the same release date tried to make "Saw Patrol" happen, but it didn't generate a similar buzz.

"Wicked" and "Gladiator II" will likely fare better.

"Gladiator II," directed by Ridley Scott ("Alien," "House of Gucci"), is a sequel to one of the biggest movies of the 2000s, so it already has a fan base.

It stars buzzy actors including Pedro Pascal, Paul Mescal, and Denzel Washington, which could carry it to success.

Meanwhile, "Wicked," directed by Jon M. Chu ("Crazy Rich Asians," "Step Up 2: The Streets"), is the first of a two-part movie adaptation of one of the most famous musicals. Variety reported last year that the musical had made over $5 billion globally since its premiere in 2003.

Non-Disney movie musicals have been a tougher sell in cinemas, but "Wicked" has picked up momentum thanks to the star power of Ariana Grande, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, and Jonathan Bailey.

"Glicked" becoming a cultural moment like "Barbenheimer" would give Paramount, Universal, and movie theatres a welcome boost after a slow summer.

Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst for Comscore, told Business Insider via email that the success of "Barbenheimer" was a "first of its kind scenario" that will likely not be replicated. But he said this trend has likely raised awareness for "Wicked" and "Gladiator 2."

"The studios behind both films should embrace the social media conversation and excitement that this key pre-Thanksgiving multiplex match-up is generating in the movie marketplace," Dergarabedian said. "There's really no downside to something like this."

• The ending of "Gladiator II" pays homage to Russell Crowe's character in "Gladiator."
• The new sequel has many parallels with the first film.
• Here's what to know about the conclusion to the film and why there may be another sequel.

"Gladiator II" doesn't end on a cliffhanger, but there may still be room for another sequel.

The new movie battles with "Wicked" for the top spot at the box office this week after both films premiered in the US on the same day.

Scott, who directed the first two movies, told Total Film in October that he had started a script. "I've already got eight pages. I've got the beginning of a very good footprint," Scott said.

Spoilers ahead for "Gladiator" and "Gladiator II."

'Gladiator II' replicates many beats from the first film.

The first film, which premiered in 2000 and won 5 Oscars, followed a Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe), an honorable Roman general whose wife and child are killed when a new emperor takes power.

After becoming a highly favored gladiator, Maximus takes part in a failed coup to turn Rome into a democracy. When this fails, the emperor mortally wounds Maximus and challenges him in the Colosseum, where they both die.

As Maximus is dying, he encourages the people to follow the dream of the old emperor, Marcus Aurelius.

Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), Aurelius' daughter, then gives a rousing speech that Maximus' death should not be in vain.

Rome is still a mess in "Gladiator II," set 16 years after the first film.

The sequel replicates many of the first film's beats, with a few new developments.

Instead of one tyrannical emperor, there are twins: Caracalla (Fred Hechinger) and Geta (Joseph Quinn).

But the real twist is that both antagonists are killed by the real villain, Marcinus (Denzel Washington), a power broker who breeds chaos to take over Rome.

Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal), the new lead general and Lucilla's new husband, organizes a coup against the emperors, as Maximus did.

Like in the first film, the coup is cut short, and Acacius is killed in the Colosseum.

The sequel's protagonist is Lucilla's son, Lucius (Paul Mescal). After the first film, Lucilla sends her son beyond the empire for his own safety, which makes him hate Rome and his mother.

At the film's beginning, Rome attacks Lucius' new home. He is captured, becomes a gladiator, and learns from his mother that his father was Maximus.

Lucius eventually accepts his role as a leader when he hears his mother will be executed for her part in Acacius' coup. He sends a messenger to Acacius' militia to storm Rome and leads a group of gladiators to break from their prison and try to save Lucilla.

The gladiators overpower the Roman guards, but Marcinus kills Lucilla before riding out of the Colosseum to face Acacius' militia with his own army. Lucius gives chase and defeats Marcinus before the two armies can attack each other.

Lucius then wins over both armies with an inspirational speech about how he will rebuild Rome just as father, Maximus, and grandfather, Aurelius, would have wanted.

The hero will stay alive this time to ensure Rome is restored to glory.

There is a small homage to Maximus' death scene at the end.

In the final scene of the sequel, Lucius returns to the Colosseum to see where his mother died and mourn his fallen loved ones.

Calling back to Maximus and Lucius' favorite ritual, Lucius picks up dirt on the ground, looks up to the heavens, and asks his father for advice. Then, there is a brief shot of a hand touching a wheat field before the movie ends.

It is unclear if the clip was footage re-used from the old film, or if it was shot again.

It is an ambiguous ending, but suggests Maximus' spirit is still around to help Lucius.

Fans of the first film may remember that wheat fields in the first film symbolized the afterlife. Throughout the film, the audience sees glimpses of this wheatfield, and when Maximus dies, we see him fully in the field, walking to his wife and child.

Since Lucius is still alive and seemingly the new emperor of Rome, a third film could explore his attempts to save Rome and the new villains who will rise to stop him.

Mescal told Variety last week at the London premiere of "Gladiator II" that he would be "massively down" to appear in the next sequel.