10 Must-Watch Greek Mythology Movies and Series Before Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey Comes Out

10 Must-Watch Greek Mythology Movies and Series Before Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey Comes Out

Epic quests don’t start at sea, and that’s why Greek mythology stories are the perfect warm-up for The Odyssey.

Between the Trojan War, the Olympian power plays, and the monsters that love ruining a hero’s day, the vibe is timeless.

Watching a few key movies and shows first makes the famous voyage feel bigger, because you understand what’s at stake.

Some picks below stick close to the myths, while others remix the gods into modern drama, comedy, or animated chaos.

Together, they build a bingeable bridge from spears and ships to sirens and survival.

1. Troy (2004) — Movie

Few big-budget films capture the brutal glamour of ancient war as confidently as this one does.

You get a crash course in the Trojan War’s biggest players, with larger-than-life heroics and hard consequences.

Even when the story streamlines the myths, it still delivers the core themes that matter for an Odyssey mindset.

Honor, pride, and reputation collide in ways that explain why so many warriors can’t simply go home and be normal.

Odysseus appears as the clever tactician, which is exactly the energy you want to track before the long voyage.

If you like your mythology loud, cinematic, and packed with battles, this is the easiest gateway drug on the list.

2. Troy: Fall of a City (2018) — TV miniseries

A series format lets this retelling slow down and linger on relationships, politics, and the emotional mess behind legend.

The story gives the Trojan War room to breathe, so betrayals feel personal rather than just “plot points.”

Divine interference and fate-driven choices hover over the characters, which mirrors how myths treat human agency.

You also get more time with the people who usually become footnotes once the fighting starts.

That longer runway makes the eventual fallout land harder, which is exactly what sets up post-war wandering stories.

If you prefer myth as layered drama instead of nonstop sword-swinging, this binge scratches the itch.

3. The Odyssey (1997) — TV miniseries

Long before prestige TV was the standard, this miniseries tried to put an entire legendary journey on screen.

It moves through the greatest-hits episodes you expect, including monsters, temptations, and divine roadblocks.

The pacing feels like a storybook come alive, which makes it an easy reference point for the original myth.

Because it follows the outline closely, you can actually learn the sequence of trials without needing a textbook.

That clarity is useful when newer adaptations start remixing characters or compressing events for modern audiences.

If your goal is “know the core tale so I can appreciate the twists later,” this is the most direct prep.

4. Jason and the Argonauts (1963) — Movie

Classic adventure filmmaking hits differently when the effects are handmade and the monsters feel proudly theatrical.

The voyage for the Golden Fleece is basically the prototype for every “assemble a crew and tempt fate” quest.

It’s packed with mythic set pieces that remind you Greek stories were never meant to be subtle or safe.

The tone balances wonder and danger, so the journey feels exciting even when you know disaster is around the corner.

You’ll also notice how often heroes win by grit and cleverness, not just strength, which is very Odysseus-coded.

If you enjoy the charm of older epics, this one still earns its legendary status.

5. Clash of the Titans (1981) — Movie

This is the kind of myth movie that throws you into a world where gods treat humans like chess pieces.

Perseus’ journey serves up iconic creatures and high-stakes trials that feel like a crash course in Greek monster lore.

The story is pulpy in the best way, with prophecies, weapons, and divine gifts driving the plot forward.

Because the Olympians are so present, you get a strong sense of how unpredictable the divine can be.

That constant meddling helps you understand why heroes in these stories never relax, even when they “win.”

Watch it when you want maximum myth flavor with a bold, old-school epic vibe.

6. Blood of Zeus (2020–2025) — Animated series

Animation gives this series permission to go huge, from heavenly battles to monsters that look genuinely frightening.

The plot leans into family secrets, grudges, and power struggles, because Greek myths love messy relationships.

Gods feel intimidating and volatile here, which matches the ancient vibe of “please don’t anger anyone on Olympus.”

It also delivers the kind of fate-versus-choice tension that sits at the heart of so many heroic journeys.

Even when it invents story threads, the spirit stays mythic, brutal, and surprisingly emotional.

If you want something modern that still feels ancient, this is an easy binge with serious momentum.

7. Percy Jackson and the Olympians (2023– ) — TV series

Modern mythology works best when it treats the gods as real, complicated forces instead of cute references.

This series turns Greek legends into an accessible adventure, but it keeps the stakes emotional and personal.

Monsters and prophecies show up with a playful edge, yet the characters still face consequences that grow heavier over time.

Because it’s built for contemporary viewers, it’s a great way to learn myth names and themes without feeling overwhelmed.

You’ll also get a clearer picture of how Olympian politics can ripple down and wreck ordinary lives.

If you want Greek mythology that feels bingeable, upbeat, and surprisingly sincere, start here.

8. Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (1995–1999) — TV series

Comfort TV and mythology mash together here, with weekly adventures that feel like campfire stories stretched into a series.

The show turns myths into approachable quests, making the world feel lived-in rather than museum-stiff.

Monsters appear often, but so do moral choices, friendships, and the recurring question of what makes someone heroic.

Because the tone is lighter, it’s a nice palette cleanser between heavier war epics and darker god dramas.

You’ll also see how flexible mythology can be, since the series remixes legends to keep the adventure rolling.

If you want something easygoing that still lives in the Greek myth universe, this is the cozy pick.

9. Xena: Warrior Princess (1995–2001) — TV series

This show thrives on bold energy, mixing mythic stakes with character arcs that feel surprisingly modern.

The world is full of gods, curses, and monsters, but the emotional core is redemption and chosen family.

Xena’s battles are entertaining, yet the real hook is how often the series turns legend into moral dilemmas.

Greek mythology becomes a playground here, with familiar figures popping up in unexpected, dramatic ways.

It’s also a reminder that myth stories aren’t only about male heroes, even if the oldest versions often center them.

If you like action, drama, and a cult-classic tone that commits fully, this belongs on your watchlist.

10. Kaos (2024) — TV series

A modern satire can still understand mythology deeply, and this series proves it by treating the gods as dysfunctional elites.

The humor comes from power, ego, and the way immortals can create chaos without ever facing consequences.

Under the jokes, you’ll recognize familiar myth themes like fate, punishment, and humans getting caught in divine crossfire.

It’s a clever contrast to more reverent adaptations, because it asks what these stories look like through a contemporary lens.

That perspective can make a serious epic feel even more epic, since you’ve seen how weird the god system truly is.

Watch it when you want Greek myth energy with sharp comedy and plenty of dramatic bite.