Top 10 Greek Gods and Goddesses in Movies

Top 10 Depictions of Greek Gods and Goddesses in Movies

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Top 10 Depictions of Greeks Gods & Goddesses in Movies Alright, Lords of Olympus, we’re ready for your close-ups. Welcome to WatchMojo and today we're counting down the top 10 depictions of Greek gods and goddesses in movies. For this list, we’re looking at ancient Greek deities who made an impact on the big screen. We’re looking only at fully-fledged gods (sorry, Hercules) who are recognizable as such in the film.

“Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief” (2010) Put simply, Sean Bean’s Zeus is a bad-ass, which is really a must when part of your job is to keep all the other gods in line. And besides, Bean has a right to be angry. Someone has made off with his precious lightning bolt, which is like taking Thor’s magic hammer. Let’s face it, Bean has the physical presence required to play a magisterial god. Intense and fierce, anyone bold enough to steal a lightning bolt from him is signing their own death warrant. Bean’s screen time is limited, but his Zeus fills the room whenever he’s on it.

“Fantasia” (1940) Okay, so Walt Disney’s version of Dionysus may not satisfy purists. After all, he’s played for laughs in the pastoral section of the classic “Fantasia.” And most Greek depictions of the God of Wine do give him a robust (if not so portly) physique. But there are many things that the film does get right, including the presence of centaurs and satyrs as companions. Dionysus’ amiability and sense of joie de vivre also shines through, not to mention the central role that wine plays in any tale involving him. True, the sequence lacks the bacchanalian frenzy associated with the god – this is Disney, after all – but it does hint at the sensuality inherent in the character.

“Hercules” (1997) Disney similarly played fast and loose with the gods in “Hercules,” but it still included several memorable depictions. Adopting a self-aware postmodern tone, the film’s take was refreshing. Take Hermes, for instance. The messenger of the gods was always considered quick and cunning; yet somehow in Paul Shaffer’s interpretation, he finds a way to incorporate a laid back style into all his swift movements. Shaffer makes Hermes hip – which seems strangely appropriate. After all, he was also the God of Transitions, so being up to date on what’s happening fits his personality.

“Clash of the Titans” (2010) It’s Zeus again, and it won’t be his last appearance on our list. He’s the King of the Gods, the ruler of the skies, the dude with the thunderbolts. But he also seems unable to keep his privates inside his toga, which is part of what sets this film in motion. You see, in addition to being our hero, Perseus is also Zens’ illegitimate son. Liam Neeson makes a memorable Zeus, capturing the regal air that is part of being both a king and a god. But Neeson is also adept at hinting at the burden that goes with being a ruler. Crucially, he makes it believable that this often somber, sometimes raging god could fall victim to the plotting of his brother Hades.

“Clash of the Titans” (1981) Okay, same god, same story – but different film and different actor. And what an actor! The role of Zeus may not have been the most challenging that the immortal Sir Laurence Olivier ever undertook, but he still made it memorable. The 1981 telling of the Perseus story is a bit ham-fisted and campy in style, but silver screen legend Olivier makes it work. Olivier thunders appropriately and knows how to take hold of a scene and command center stage. Watching him grab a scene by the horns, there’s no doubt that this Zeus is the rightful king of Olympus.

“Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas” (2003) As the Goddess of Strife and Discord, Eris is not one of your better-known Olympians because, face it, she’s really a big pain to have around. But that didn’t stop Michelle Pfeiffer and the DreamWorks animators from making her into a topnotch mystical presence in this Sinbad adventure. As cunning as she is beautiful and enticing, Eris is also spiteful and vindictive and holds a pretty cynical view of humanity. She’s adept at plotting and at manipulating others to get what she wants. As a devotee of discord, she also delights in creating situations that have people at each other’s throats. Not a nice lady – but she makes an indelible impression.

#4: Ares

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“Wonder Woman” (2017) What would it be like to live forever? As Sir Patrick Morgan AKA Ares, David Thewlis gives us an all too convincing answer. Cynical, jaded, and shrewd, his Ares is definitely a glass half-empty kinda guy; he despises we humans for our vices, seeing only the worst in our nature and history. For that reason, he orchestrates World War I to wipe us out. The God of War? According to him, he’s actually the God of Truth. Thewlis delivers a masterfully sinister performance, oozing bitter pessimism and power once his character is outed as Ares. Thank goodness Gal Godot’s Wonder Woman thinks we still deserve a chance.

“Clash of the Titans” (1981) Although in mythology Thetis was a minor water goddess, when Dame Maggie Smith plays her, she gets promoted to the Olympian pantheon. And why not? Thetis may not allow Smith the opportunity to really exercise her considerable acting chops, but that doesn’t stop this actress from making the character come to life. Even when it’s just her face poorly superimposed over a fallen statue head, Smith’s Thetis is as imperious as they come. Yet audiences feel some sympathy for Thetis, whose vengeful motives are rooted in her love for her mistreated son.

“Clash of the Titans” (2010) And now for a completely different take on Hades. Sure, this Hades also has a grudge against his brother Zeus and similarly tries to get back at him through one of his sons. But there’s no jocularity or mumbling wisecracks for this Hades. In Ralph Fiennes’ lethally vengeful interpretation, this is a Hades who has been wronged for too long and will stop at nothing for revenge. He’s dank and malevolent, oozing sourness even when at rest. And he captures the character’s sly cunning equally well. This is one Hades you don’t want to turn your back on. Before we reveal our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: Poseidon “Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief” (2010) Hera “Jason and the Argonauts” (1963) Apollo “Clash of the Titans” (2010) Zeus “Jason and the Argonauts” (1963)

“Hercules” (1997) As stated before, the Disney “Hercules” takes a fresh and irreverent approach to the gods, and this is especially true in the unforgettable performance of James Woods as Hades. The God of the Underworld is indisputably the villain here – yet he’s also far and away the most entertaining character in the film. Words tumble out of a mouth that is a perpetual sneer; Woods’ vocal performance is as dry as they come. He makes jokes and wisecracks constantly, but they only serves to distract from just how deadly serious his scheming is. And when Woods turns off the humor and goes for the jugular, the effect is all the more powerful for the contrast.