Ben-Hur

Play trailer

0:55

Ben-Hur

PG-13

2016

2h 5m

Adventure

Action

History

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

24%

Tomatometer

186 Reviews

52%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Judah Ben-Hur loses everything after his adopted brother Messala, now an officer in the Roman army, returns to Jerusalem and accuses the young prince of treason. Stripped of his title and separated from his wife and family, Ben-Hur must endure years of slavery on a galley at sea. When fate brings the estranged brothers to an epic and deadly chariot race, Ben-Hur finally gets the chance to exact vengeance on the man who destroyed his life.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

How do you fight an idea? By filming a remake that has too few of its own, and tries to cover it up with choppy editing and CGI.

Read Critics Reviews

Kristen Lopez

Spectrum Culture

Nov 20, 2017

1.5/5

Ben-Hur isn't the worst film of the year, but from a technical standpoint it certainly looks it.

Go to Full Review

K. Austin Collins

The Ringer

Aug 10, 2017

Very rarely does it try to impress us, or overwhelm us, shock us, move us.

Go to Full Review

Danny Leigh

Financial Times

Dec 28, 2016

1/5

Rankly incompetent.

Go to Full Review

Matt Oakes

Silver Screen Riot

Oct 14, 2026

C-

Ben-Hur’s failure rests more in its antiquated religious tactics than its admittedly impressive technical achievements.

Go to Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

May 31, 2024

2/5

…Ben-Hur: Full Throttle Drift Racer might have been a better title for this misconcieved, sprawling folly…

Go to Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Aug 18, 2021

2/4

The decision to film the major set-pieces in extreme close-up was ill-advised, and these murky and incoherent bits are further crippled by obvious CGI as well as rapid-fire editing that recalls those Ginsu blades in action on late-night infomercials.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Robert P

@Superbad Oct 26, 2026

Ben-Hur is a 2.5 star Movie!

See more

Ted P

@Fasteddie463 Oct 18, 2026

This is enjoyable enough if you just want to veg out and watch the spectacle. Not much of a movie and the dramatic scenes are mostly anger and not drama. The overall arch is kind of "Ben Hur meets Gladiator". Except Gladiator had more depth and intrigue.

See more

Jimmson J

@RT07774137 Oct 3, 2026

Fabulous movie. Didnt watch the original, maybe that one is even better and thats why the hatred this one is receiving

See more

Diane N

@Niedi737 Oct 1, 2026

Making a remake of the original which was excellent & far superior to this film just proves one thing: Don't mess with a classic! (Mike Drop).

See more

Tony H

@RT98015106 Jul 28, 2026

I did not know anything about this movie going into it other than it was a historical fiction. I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. Sure the cgi was obvious but the story was a good story even if you are not particularly religious. Also the cast is excellent.

See more

Thomas E

@RT22372176 Jul 12, 2026

Worth maybe a one time watch but overall a mediocre remake. The Cons : - bad CGI at the horse races, shipwrecks scene, weird costume choices and a lot of historical inaccuracies with hair styles and so on , weird romantic relationships between the protagonist and his wife, not book accurate adapted plot with some holes, questionable animal treatment during the races, heavy depiction of Christian morality The Pros : some acting is good especially by Jesus, Judah, Mesala, and the African merchant depicted by Morgan Freeman, the musical Score is touching , some scenes were beautifully shot while others seem like it was done by an amateur. A lot of physical action and male physique which may appeal to some viewers. The remake ,while being entertaining, fails to capture depth and simplifies the plot of the OG work for CGI action and a quick emotional roller coaster ride.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Timur Bekmambetov

Director

Jack Huston

Judah Ben-Hur

Toby Kebbell

Messala Severus

Morgan Freeman

Ilderim

Rodrigo Santoro

Jesus Christ

Nazanin Boniadi

Esther

Exodus: Gods and Kings

29%

35%

Exodus: Gods and Kings

Watchlist

Pompeii

27%

34%

Pompeii

Watchlist

Robin Hood

43%

58%

Robin Hood

Watchlist

In the Heart of the Sea

42%

54%

In the Heart of the Sea

Watchlist

TRAILER

for In the Heart of the Sea

The Eagle

39%

41%

The Eagle

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Ben-Hur: Trailer 3

0:55

Now Playing

Ben-Hur: Trailer 2

2:40

Now Playing

Ben-Hur: Trailer 1

2:32

Now Playing

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Judah Ben-Hur loses everything after his adopted brother Messala, now an officer in the Roman army, returns to Jerusalem and accuses the young prince of treason. Stripped of his title and separated from his wife and family, Ben-Hur must endure years of slavery on a galley at sea. When fate brings the estranged brothers to an epic and deadly chariot race, Ben-Hur finally gets the chance to exact vengeance on the man who destroyed his life.

Director: Timur Bekmambetov
Producer: Sean Daniel, Duncan Henderson, Joni Levin
Screenwriter: Keith Clarke, John Ridley
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Lightworkers Media, Paramount Pictures, Sean Daniel Company, Sony Classical, Bazalevs
Rating: PG-13 (Sequences of Violence|Disturbing Images)
Genre: Adventure, Action, History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 19, 2016, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 4, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $26.4M
Runtime: 2h 5m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings