If you’ve rewatched the 1997 Disney film more times than you can count and you’re ready for something new, here’s the short version: the closest films to Hercules combine a hero’s journey with mythology, a sharp villain, and just enough humor to keep things from getting too heavy. That combination is rarer than you’d think — but it shows up in a handful of films across the last three decades.
The 1997 original (7.3/10 on IMDb from over 277,000 votes) holds up remarkably well. Its gospel-driven Alan Menken score, hand-drawn Greek vase animation style, and James Woods as a rapid-fire Hades make it a tough act to follow. But the 2014 Dwayne Johnson version takes the character in a completely different direction — grittier, more ensemble-driven, more skeptical of the myth itself. Depending on which version you’re after, your watchlist looks different.
Below you’ll find 12 films grouped by what kind of Hercules fan you are: fans of the Disney animated version, mythology action fans, and adult epic fans. Each pick includes an IMDb rating and where you can stream it right now in the USA. For even more watchlist ideas, browse entertainment reviews on ChubbytIps.
Who Should Watch These Films (and Who Shouldn’t)
✅ Best For
- Disney Hercules fans looking for more animated mythology or same-era Disney films
- Families who want G and PG options with a mythological setting
- Fans of the Percy Jackson books or the Disney+ series who want more Greek mythology
- Action fans who enjoy ancient world settings and warrior heroes
- Anyone who enjoyed the hero’s journey structure — underdog discovers true strength
❌ Skip If
- You need mythologically accurate depictions of ancient Greece — nearly all of these take significant liberties
- You want present-day superhero movies (different category entirely)
- You’re looking for R-rated fare for young children — Troy and Immortals are not kid films
The 12 Best Movies Like Hercules
1. Aladdin (1992) — Disney’s Closest Sibling
If there’s one film that matches the energy of Hercules almost beat for beat, it’s Aladdin. Same Disney Renaissance era. Same Alan Menken-composed soundtrack. Same structure: a nobody from a difficult background discovers he’s capable of greatness, falls for someone out of his league, and defeats a charismatic villain. Robin Williams as Genie and Danny DeVito as Phil are two of the best comedic Disney sidekicks ever put to film, and Aladdin’s 8.0/10 on IMDb reflects just how well it’s aged.
MPAA: G | IMDb: 8.0/10 | Stream: Disney+
2. Mulan (1998) — Proving Yourself Against All Odds
The “prove your worth” arc at the center of Hercules applies just as directly to Mulan. A young woman who doesn’t fit the mold disguises herself to fight in her father’s place, earns respect through action rather than birthright, and ends up saving China. The villain, Shan Yu, is less comedic than Hades but just as threatening. Mulan holds a 7.7/10 on IMDb and remains one of the strongest entries in the Disney Renaissance era.
MPAA: G | IMDb: 7.7/10 | Stream: Disney+
3. The Prince of Egypt (1998) — Epic Mythology, Serious Tone
DreamWorks’ 1998 hand-drawn epic covers Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt — a story with mythological gravity that the Disney version of Hercules never quite reaches. Hans Zimmer’s score (with songs by Stephen Schwartz) is extraordinary, and the animation has a sweep and grandeur that still impresses. The film earned a 7.2/10 on IMDb. If you loved Hercules but wanted it slightly less funny and more emotionally weighty, this is the pick. You can watch it free on Tubi or with a subscription on Netflix.
MPAA: PG | IMDb: 7.2/10 | Stream: Netflix, Tubi (free)
4. Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas (2003) — The Underrated Adventure
Sinbad flopped at the box office in 2003, which is a shame because it’s one of the most overlooked animated features of its era. It follows a roguish sailor and thief who must recover the Book of Peace before the goddess Eris — voiced by Michelle Pfeiffer — destroys civilization. The Mediterranean mythology setting, antihero lead, and legitimately menacing villain make it a natural companion to Hercules. Sinbad currently sits at a 6.8/10 on IMDb and streams on Peacock.
MPAA: PG | IMDb: 6.8/10 | Stream: Peacock
5. Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010) — The Direct Modern Equivalent
Of all the live-action options on this list, Percy Jackson is the most spiritually similar to Hercules: a young demigod discovers his divine heritage, must go on a quest, and navigates a world where Greek gods walk among mortals with very human flaws. The 2010 film has its critics — book fans in particular found it a loose adaptation — but for viewers who haven’t read the novels, it’s an entertaining PG mythology adventure. It scores 5.9/10 on IMDb. You can stream it on Disney+.
If you enjoy this, the Disney+ series that premiered in December 2023 is a much more faithful adaptation of the books, with Season 2 (covering The Sea of Monsters) having wrapped in January 2026, and Season 3 currently in production. You can find more picks like this in our entertainment buying guides on ChubbytIps.
MPAA: PG | IMDb: 5.9/10 | Stream: Disney+
6. Clash of the Titans (2010) — Greek Mythology Goes Live-Action
Perseus, demigod son of Zeus, leads a mission to defeat Hades before he can seize control from the gods and destroy humanity. It’s a louder, more action-heavy take on Greek mythology than Hercules — more PG-13 monster-movie than family musical. Critics weren’t enthusiastic (27% on Rotten Tomatoes), but audiences who go in looking for creature battles and ancient world spectacle tend to enjoy it. IMDb rating: 5.8/10. Stream it free on Tubi or Plex.
MPAA: PG-13 | IMDb: 5.8/10 | Stream: Tubi (free), Plex (free)
7. Wrath of the Titans (2012) — The Sequel That Improves on the Original
Zeus has been captured by the Titans, and Perseus has to go get him back. Most fans of the first film consider this one a tighter, better-paced movie. The action sequences are more coherent, and the stakes feel genuine. IMDb gives it 5.7/10. Watch it after Clash of the Titans rather than on its own — the setup matters.
MPAA: PG-13 | IMDb: 5.7/10 | Stream: Check JustWatch for current availability
8. Hercules (2014) — Same Name, Different Story
Dwayne Johnson’s Hercules takes a deliberately skeptical angle: this Hercules may be the son of Zeus, or he might just be an exceptionally strong mercenary who’s built his own legend. The film leans into the ambiguity and works better for it. It’s an ensemble war movie dressed in mythology clothing — not a family film, but a solid PG-13 action feature. IMDb: 6.0/10, Rotten Tomatoes: 58%. Stream it on Prime Video or check JustWatch for current options.
MPAA: PG-13 | IMDb: 6.0/10 | Stream: Check JustWatch for current availability
9. Troy (2004) — Greek Epic for Adults
Brad Pitt as Achilles, Eric Bana as Hector, and the Trojan War told without divine intervention — the gods are referenced but never appear. Troy strips Greek myth down to its human core: honor, pride, love, and the cost of war. At 7.3/10 on IMDb, it’s one of the better-reviewed entries on this list. Rated R for battle violence — this one’s for adult viewers only.
MPAA: R | IMDb: 7.3/10 | Stream: Check JustWatch for current availability
10. Immortals (2011) — Dark Fantasy Mythology
Theseus, a mortal farmer, is secretly chosen by Zeus to fight against the tyrannical King Hyperion, who wants to free the Titans. Visually striking and stylized — similar aesthetic to 300 — with Freida Pinto and Henry Cavill in lead roles. Not for kids (rated R), but fans of darker Greek mythology settings will find plenty to like. IMDb: 6.0/10.
MPAA: R | IMDb: 6.0/10 | Stream: Check JustWatch for current availability
11. The Legend of Hercules (2014) — For Completionists
The other 2014 Hercules film — different studio, smaller budget, more romance-focused. Critics were not kind (5% on Rotten Tomatoes), and the IMDb rating of 4.3/10 reflects broad audience disappointment. That said, if you’re specifically a Hercules completionist who wants to see every screen version of the character, it’s available to rent. Don’t set your expectations high.
MPAA: PG-13 | IMDb: 4.3/10 | Stream: Rental only on Amazon, Apple TV
12. The Emperor’s New Groove (2000) — Same Disney Humor, Different Myth
Not Greek mythology — this one’s Inca-inspired — but the comedic DNA is almost identical to Hercules. A self-absorbed protagonist is taken down a peg by fate and learns to be a decent person through an unlikely friendship. The humor is sharper and more absurdist than any other Disney film of this era. The Emperor’s New Groove holds a 7.4/10 on IMDb and is on Disney+.
MPAA: G | IMDb: 7.4/10 | Stream: Disney+
Quick Comparison: Movies Like Hercules at a Glance
| Movie | Year | IMDb | MPAA | Stream (USA) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aladdin | 1992 | 8.0 | G | Disney+ | Families, Disney fans |
| Mulan | 1998 | 7.7 | G | Disney+ | Families, Disney fans |
| The Emperor’s New Groove | 2000 | 7.4 | G | Disney+ | Comedy lovers, Disney fans |
| The Prince of Egypt | 1998 | 7.2 | PG | Netflix, Tubi (free) | Families, animated epic fans |
| Sinbad: Legend of Seven Seas | 2003 | 6.8 | PG | Peacock | Animated adventure fans |
| Percy Jackson: Lightning Thief | 2010 | 5.9 | PG | Disney+ | Teens, mythology fans |
| Hercules (Dwayne Johnson) | 2014 | 6.0 | PG-13 | Check JustWatch | Action fans, adults |
| Clash of the Titans | 2010 | 5.8 | PG-13 | Tubi (free), Plex (free) | Action/mythology fans |
| Wrath of the Titans | 2012 | 5.7 | PG-13 | Check JustWatch | Fans of Clash of Titans |
| Troy | 2004 | 7.3 | R | Check JustWatch | Adults, Greek epic fans |
| Immortals | 2011 | 6.0 | R | Check JustWatch | Adults, dark fantasy fans |
| The Legend of Hercules | 2014 | 4.3 | PG-13 | Rental only | Completionists only |
What Actually Makes a Good “Hercules-Like” Movie
The Disney Hercules works because it nails three things simultaneously: a hero who starts out wanting the wrong thing (fame) and learns to want something worth having, a mythology setting that feels lived-in without requiring a history degree to follow, and a villain who’s genuinely threatening but funny enough that you enjoy his screen time. That’s a hard balance to strike.
Most of the features on this list nail two of the three. The animated picks — Aladdin, Mulan, Prince of Egypt — get the hero’s journey and emotional tone right, but they’re either more serious or less anchored in Greek lore. The live-action titles — Clash of the Titans, Immortals — deliver the setting and monster battles but drop the humor entirely. Percy Jackson (both the 2010 film and the Disney+ series) comes closest to the full package, especially the series. For more watchlists and guides, check ChubbytIps how-to guides.
A Disney live-action Hercules remake has been in development since 2020, produced by the Russo Brothers (Avengers: Endgame). As of early 2026, the picture has no confirmed release date, no finalized cast, and a script still reportedly in development — so don’t hold your breath for it anytime soon.
Frequently Asked Questions About Movies Like Hercules
What is the best movie to watch after Hercules (1997)?
For animated Disney fans, start with Aladdin (1992) or Mulan (1998) — both share the same era, sensibility, and Alan Menken soundtrack energy. If you want something with more mythological weight and less comedy, The Prince of Egypt (1998) is the natural next step.
Is Percy Jackson similar to Hercules?
Yes — both follow a young demigod navigating Greek mythology, discovering their divine parentage, and going on a quest to save the day. Percy Jackson leans more YA and modern, while Hercules has the timeless quality of a Disney musical. The Percy Jackson Disney+ series (Season 1: December 2023, Season 2 finished January 2026) is a more faithful adaptation than the 2010 film.
Are there animated movies like Hercules for adult viewers?
The Prince of Egypt is the most direct answer — same era of hand-drawn animation, but with more emotional and spiritual weight. Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas (2003) also holds up well for adult viewers who remember it from childhood.
Where can I stream Hercules (1997) right now?
Hercules (1997) is on Disney+. It’s also available to rent on Amazon Video and Apple TV for $3.99 if you don’t have a Disney+ subscription.
Is the 2014 Dwayne Johnson Hercules worth watching?
If you go in expecting a PG-13 action ensemble movie — not a family film, not a mythology deep-dive — it’s a solid two hours. The film’s smart move is keeping the myth itself ambiguous: Hercules may or may not actually be the son of Zeus, and the script plays with that uncertainty interestingly. IMDb: 6.0/10, Rotten Tomatoes: 58%.
Are Clash of the Titans and Wrath of the Titans related?
Yes — Wrath of the Titans (2012) is the direct sequel to Clash of the Titans (2010), with the same cast. Watch them in order. Most fans find Wrath the better of the two films.
What age is appropriate for Hercules (1997)?
It’s rated G and appropriate for all ages. There are scary moments — Hades, the Titans, and some intense action — but nothing beyond what young children can handle. It’s a Disney musical; the tone never gets truly dark.
Is there a Hercules live-action remake coming?
Disney has been developing a live-action Hercules remake since 2020, with the Russo Brothers producing and Dave Callaham (Shang-Chi) writing the screenplay. As of early 2026, no cast has been confirmed, no production start date has been announced, and the script is reportedly still in development. No release date exists yet.
Find Where to Watch These Films
Streaming availability changes regularly. The fastest way to check where any of these titles are currently available in the USA is JustWatch — it aggregates Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Hulu, Max, Tubi, Peacock, and more in one search. And if you want more curated watchlists and picks, ChubbytIps has you covered.
