Here are Cinephile Corner’s 10 recommendations for movies like The Odyssey:
The Northman
If The Northman isn’t Robert Eggers’ best movie, it’s at least his boldest. It’s finetuned and pinpoint beyond what you’d expect from an already exacting director, and the stunning ensemble cast is entirely dedicated to their profound roles – all led by Alexander Skarsgård and Anya Taylor-Joy.
The Green Knight
Few movies in recent memory feel as enigmatic and endlessly dissectible as The Green Knight, David Lowery’s bold retelling of the Arthurian legend Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Released in 2021, this hypnotic, slow-burning medieval odyssey stars Dev Patel as Gawain, a young knight whose fateful decision to strike down the Green Knight (Ralph Ineson) sets him on a surreal and deeply existential journey.
Napoleon
Ridley Scott’s Napoleon is an overtly ambitious cinematic endeavor, a sprawling historical drama that delves into the life and conquests of the iconic French military leader. Clocking in at well over two hours, the movie impresses with its visual grandeur, meticulous attention to detail, and breathtaking battle sequences reminiscent of many of Scott’s previous epics – most notably Gladiator or The Last Duel. The veteran director, now 86 years old, continues to demonstrate his mastery of the genre, particularly in capturing the ferocity and brilliance of Napoleon’s military campaigns.
Oppenheimer
Oppenheimer is undoubtedly one of the best movies directed by Christopher Nolan, who puts any doubt to rest that he wouldn’t be capable of capturing a story of this magnitude. Cillian Murphy gives an iconic performance that intensifies each moment rolling along this breakneck biopic of J. Robert Oppenheimer.
Dune: Part Two
There’s nothing like Dune: Part Two, which feels like it could only be conceived by Denis Villeneuve and the best crew around him possible. Everyone is working at the top of their game to create one of the best theatergoing experiences of 2024. Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya star in the science fiction movie that stands against the genre’s best.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
George Miller finds so much new ground to cover with Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga that perfectly justifies its own existence. While Fury Road was interested in such a contained story propelled by larger-than-life action sequences and big rig warfare spawning from a game of cat and mouse, Furiosa fills in the gaps of a world much larger than what is expected. Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth stun in a prequel well worth the wait.
The Revenant
The Revenant might be as close as I’ll ever get to fully enjoying an Alejandro González Iñárritu film. While his work often leans into self-indulgence—whether through the meta posturing of Birdman or the grating self-reflection of Bardo—this film largely sidesteps that pitfall. Instead, The Revenant strips things down to a primal survival story, focusing on raw spectacle rather than existential musings about art and life.
Dunkirk
Dunkirk may just be Christopher Nolan’s most improbable and precise movie. A technical revelation that feels like the stretched out third act of a war epic. All this time later, nothing has aged poorly in this cinematic achievement.
Avatar: The Way of Water
The Way of Water absolutely comes through and pulls off a better experience than the first Avatar film could ever dream of. It’s emotionally riveting and absolutely deserves to be seen on a big screen. The best films make you laugh, gasp, and cry. The Way of Water pulls off all three. Simply put, don’t bet against James Cameron.
The Last Duel
Ridley Scott’s The Last Duel is a medieval epic that trades grand battles for something far more harrowing—a Rashomon-style retelling of a brutal assault, where perspective shapes the truth. The film, based on true events, unfolds through three distinct narratives, each offering a different account of the same crime. With a stellar cast led by Matt Damon, Adam Driver, and Jodie Comer, the movie is as much a historical drama as it is a sobering commentary on power, justice, and gender dynamics.
READ MORE: The Odyssey (2026), Movies Like Oppenheimer, Movies Like The Green Knight
