Directed by Noam Murro, the movie follows Greek general Themistocles as he tries to unite the Greek forces against the Persian invasion. At the center of the opposing side is Artemisia, a powerful naval commander played by Eva Green, while Rodrigo Santoro returns as Xerxes.
The result is another highly stylized historical action movie with dramatic performances, large naval battles, and the same graphic-novel-inspired look that made the first 300 so recognizable.
If you’re searching for the 300: Rise of an Empire story, cast, ratings, box office, or where to watch, here’s everything you need to know.
300: Rise of an Empire Movie Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Movie Title | 300: Rise of an Empire |
| Release Year | 2014 |
| U.S. Release Date | March 7, 2014 |
| Director | Noam Murro |
| Writers | Zack Snyder, Kurt Johnstad |
| Based On | Frank Miller’s Xerxes |
| Genre | Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, War |
| Runtime | 102 minutes |
| Main Cast | Sullivan Stapleton, Eva Green, Lena Headey, Rodrigo Santoro |
What Is 300: Rise of an Empire About?
The Persian army is advancing under Xerxes, while Artemisia commands the Persian navy. Themistocles realizes that the sea could become the key battlefield and attempts to stop the Persian forces with a much smaller Greek fleet.
The movie moves between different parts of the conflict, showing how the events at sea connect with the famous battle involving King Leonidas and the Spartans.
This makes Rise of an Empire more than a straightforward sequel. It works as a companion story that expands the events surrounding the original 300.
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300: Rise of an Empire Cast
Sullivan Stapleton as Themistocles
Sullivan Stapleton plays Themistocles, the Greek general at the center of the story. Unlike Leonidas, Themistocles relies heavily on strategy and naval tactics.
His performance gives the movie a more grounded lead character while the surrounding world remains highly stylized.
Eva Green as Artemisia
Eva Green is arguably the standout performer in the movie. Artemisia is intelligent, aggressive, and determined to defeat the Greek forces. Green gives the character a strong screen presence that often makes her scenes more memorable than the larger battle sequences.
Rodrigo Santoro as Xerxes
Rodrigo Santoro returns as Xerxes. The film also explores more of the character’s transformation and his path toward becoming the powerful ruler seen in 300.
Lena Headey as Queen Gorgo
Lena Headey returns as Queen Gorgo. Her presence helps connect the new story with the events and characters of the first film.
The cast also includes Hans Matheson, Callan Mulvey, David Wenham, Jack O’Connell, Andrew Tiernan, and Yigal Naor.
What Makes the Action Different?
The biggest change is the setting.
The first 300 was heavily focused on land combat, while Rise of an Empire puts naval warfare at the center of its action.
The narrow sea routes give Themistocles opportunities to use smaller ships and clever formations against a much larger Persian force.
The movie also keeps the slow-motion photography, dramatic compositions, dark color palette, and exaggerated combat style associated with the original.
If you liked the visual style of 300, you will immediately recognize the connection.
Is 300: Rise of an Empire Historically Accurate?
Not completely.
Like the first film, Rise of an Empire uses real historical events as its foundation but presents them through the exaggerated style of Frank Miller’s graphic novel.
The actual Greco-Persian Wars were much more complicated than the movie suggests. Characters, battles, timelines, and personalities have been changed or dramatized for entertainment.
So it is better to approach the movie as a stylized historical action story, rather than a documentary-style recreation of ancient history.
Critical Reception
The movie received a mixed response from critics.
Rotten Tomatoes currently lists 45% from critics and 51% from audiences, while IMDb currently lists the film at 6.2/10.
One area that received particular attention was Eva Green’s performance as Artemisia. Even reviews that were less impressed with the overall movie often singled out her performance as one of its strongest elements.
The reaction is therefore quite different from viewer to viewer. If you mainly want realistic historical drama, the movie may not be the best choice. If you enjoy stylish action and large battle sequences, it has considerably more to offer.
300: Rise of an Empire Box Office
The movie was also a commercial success.
According to IMDb’s current production information, 300: Rise of an Empire had an estimated $110 million budget and earned approximately $337.6 million worldwide, including more than $106.5 million in the United States and Canada.
That performance showed that audiences were still interested in the visual world established by the original 300.
Where to Watch 300: Rise of an Empire
If you’re searching for where to watch 300: Rise of an Empire, availability depends heavily on your country.
For example, current U.S. listings show rental and purchase options through services including Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, and Spectrum On Demand. JustWatch’s latest U.S. listing also says there are currently no free streaming options there.
In other countries, the situation can be different. For example, current listings show subscription availability in some regions through services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or HBO Max.
Because streaming rights change frequently, always check availability in your country before choosing a service.
Is 300: Rise of an Empire Worth Watching?
If you enjoyed the first 300, there is a good chance you will appreciate this one for its visual style and action.
The movie does not try to repeat the exact same story. Instead, it introduces Themistocles, expands the Persian side of the conflict, and moves the main action toward naval warfare.
Eva Green is a major highlight, while the stylized cinematography and large battle sequences give the film its own identity.
Our Rating: 3.8/5
It may not have the same cultural impact as the original, but it remains an entertaining choice for viewers who enjoy graphic-novel-inspired action and historical fantasy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 300: Rise of an Empire a sequel or a prequel?
It is best described as a sequel and companion story. Its events take place before, during, and after the events of the original 300.
Is Gerard Butler in 300: Rise of an Empire?
Gerard Butler does not return for newly filmed scenes as Leonidas. However, Leonidas and events from the first movie are connected to the story through existing footage and references.
Who is the main character in 300: Rise of an Empire?
The main character is Themistocles, played by Sullivan Stapleton. He leads the Greek forces in the naval conflict against the Persian fleet.
Who plays Artemisia in 300: Rise of an Empire?
Eva Green plays Artemisia, the Persian naval commander. Her performance is one of the most frequently highlighted aspects of the movie.
Is 300: Rise of an Empire on Netflix?
Netflix availability varies by country. Current listings show the movie on Netflix in some regions, while it is unavailable there in others.
Is 300: Rise of an Empire on Prime Video?
It depends on your region. Current listings show Prime Video availability in some countries, while U.S. listings currently show rental and purchase options through Amazon Video.
How long is 300: Rise of an Empire?
The movie runs for approximately 102 minutes, or 1 hour and 42 minutes.
Is 300: Rise of an Empire based on a true story?
It is inspired by real historical events from the Greco-Persian Wars, but the movie heavily fictionalizes and stylizes those events.
Final Verdict
300: Rise of an Empire takes the world of the original movie and expands it onto the sea.
The story is built around Themistocles and the Greek resistance, while Artemisia provides a memorable opponent with a strong performance from Eva Green. The movie also gives viewers more of Xerxes and shows how the different battles of the war connect.
It is not a historically accurate retelling, and critics were divided about its story. But as a visual action movie, it delivers large battles, dramatic characters, and the distinctive style that fans associate with the 300 franchise.
If you’re looking for 300: Rise of an Empire, a fast-paced historical action movie with impressive visuals and naval battles, it is still worth checking out.