9 Best Movies Like The Odyssey You Need to Watch Right Now

Troy is the most natural companion piece to The Odyssey because it lives in the same mythic world and draws from Homeric tradition. The film delivers large-scale warfare, legendary heroes, political tension, and the tragic aftermath of war that helps set the stage for Odysseus’ journey home. If you want the closest match in tone and ancient Greek atmosphere, this is the first movie to watch.

Gladiator is not a mythological retelling, but it absolutely captures the emotional and structural DNA of The Odyssey. Like Odysseus, Maximus is a man defined by loss, endurance, and a relentless path toward home and justice. The film’s mix of arena spectacle, political betrayal, and personal mission makes it one of the strongest epic alternatives on the list.

This is the most direct modern reimagining of The Odyssey on the list, even though it swaps ancient Greece for Depression-era America. Its structure, character dynamics, and episodic journey are deeply tied to Homer’s original story, but the tone is lighter, stranger, and more playful. It is essential viewing for anyone who wants to see how The Odyssey can be transformed into a fresh cinematic form.

The Fellowship of the Ring shares The Odyssey’s love of dangerous travel, impossible odds, and companions tested by the road ahead. Its scale is fantasy-driven rather than mythologically Greek, but the emotional shape is similar: a long journey full of monsters, temptation, and the burden of destiny. If you loved the quest structure of The Odyssey, this is a perfect fit.

Apocalypse Now is one of the best examples of a modern odyssey-style journey, with its descent into chaos, madness, and moral collapse. The film transforms the idea of a perilous voyage into something psychological and haunting, while still preserving the sense of each stop along the way changing the traveler. It is an essential pick if you liked the darker, more existential side of The Odyssey.

Lawrence of Arabia is a towering epic about identity, endurance, and the way long journeys reshape the person making them. Its desert setting, sweeping scale, and psychological complexity make it a natural fit for fans of The Odyssey. It is less about monsters and more about human ambition, but the emotional grandeur is every bit as powerful.

The Northman is a brutal, myth-soaked revenge tale that feels close to ancient legend in both tone and imagery. It combines fate, prophecy, violence, and spiritual obsession in a way that makes it appealing to viewers who want something darker and more primal than traditional fantasy. If you want an underrated modern epic with real mythic energy, this one belongs on the list.

Jason and the Argonauts is one of the most underrated and important Greek myth adventure films ever made. Its stop-motion creatures, quest structure, and classical setting make it a foundational text for anyone who loves ancient hero stories. While older and more theatrical than modern epics, it remains one of the clearest spiritual cousins to The Odyssey.

The Return is a quieter and more intimate take on the aftermath of the Trojan War, focusing on Odysseus’ homecoming rather than the full mythic sweep. That makes it especially interesting for viewers who want a more grounded and human version of the same legendary material. It is a strong underrated recommendation because it narrows the focus to grief, recognition, and reunion.