Ridley Scott’s Napoleon, starring Joaquin Phoenix as the French emperor, arrived in cinemas in November 2023 to a storm of debate. The epic historical war film blends sweeping battlefield spectacle with a close focus on Napoleon’s turbulent relationship with Joséphine, played by Vanessa Kirby. Yet for all its ambition, the movie has divided critics and sparked confusion online, particularly around historical accuracy and a phantom dog scene that has no place in this production.
From its theatrical run to its eventual streaming debut on Apple TV+, the film has generated both box office returns and a thicket of misremembered details. This guide sets out the confirmed facts: where you can watch it, what the reviews say, who appears on screen, and why some searching for “Napoleon movie dog” or “1980 Napoleon film” will need to look elsewhere.
All figures and quotes below come from public sources and are presented without embellishment. Where information remains uncertain, that is noted clearly.
Where to watch the Napoleon movie and when was it released?
| Release date (UK/Worldwide) | 22 November 2023 |
|---|---|
| Release date (US limited) | 21 November 2023 |
| Director | Ridley Scott |
| Lead actors | Joaquin Phoenix (Napoleon), Vanessa Kirby (Joséphine) |
| Streaming | Apple TV+ (from 1 March 2024) |
- Napoleon (2023) is Ridley Scott’s epic historical war drama, with Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon Bonaparte.
- The film launched in theatres in November 2023 and became available on Apple TV+ in March 2024.
- Critical reception was mixed: battle scenes and Phoenix’s performance were praised, but historical inaccuracies drew sharp criticism.
- The movie grossed over $220 million worldwide against a reported budget of $130–200 million.
- Viewers often confuse this film with unrelated works: the 1980 film Napoleon (Youssef Chahine) and the 1995 family film Napoleon about a golden retriever.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Film title | Napoleon (2023) |
| Running time (theatrical) | 157 minutes |
| IMDb rating (as of April 2025) | 6.5/10 |
| Rotten Tomatoes score | 58% critics, 71% audience |
| Budget | $130–200 million |
| Worldwide box office | $220.5 million |
What are the reviews and ratings for the Napoleon movie?
Critic responses
Rotten Tomatoes, which aggregates critic assessments, gives Napoleon a score of 58%. The consensus reads: “Napoleon’s spectacular battlefield sequences and Joaquin Phoenix’s performance are often overpowered by a sprawling narrative that lacks historical nuance.” At the same site, audience scores stand at 71%, suggesting general viewers were more forgiving.
Some reviewers praised the film as “mesmerizing” and Scott’s best since Gladiator, while others labelled it “NOT GOOD” and a “Ridley Scott Disappointment”. The polarised reactions reflect a tension between spectacle and storytelling.
The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw offered a more favourable verdict, writing that “Joaquin Phoenix makes a magnificent emperor in a thrilling biopic.” On IMDb, the film holds a 6.5/10 rating based on user votes.
Historical accuracy concerns
Historians have pointed to multiple factual errors, such as Napoleon firing cannons at the pyramids – an event that never happened. Ridley Scott dismissed the criticism, telling detractors to “get a life.” The film takes significant creative liberties with chronology and relationships, compressing years of European history into a single feature.
Who stars in the Napoleon movie and what is the story?
Lead cast
Joaquin Phoenix takes the title role, portraying Napoleon Bonaparte from his rise during the French Revolution to his final defeat at Waterloo. Vanessa Kirby co-stars as Joséphine de Beauharnais, Napoleon’s first wife. The supporting cast includes Tahar Rahim as Paul Barras, Ben Miles as Coulancourt, and Ludivine Sagnier as Theresa Cabarrus.
Director and screenplay
Ridley Scott directed the film from a screenplay by David Scarpa. It marks Scott’s return to the historical epic genre after The Last Duel (2021) and Gladiator (2000).
Plot overview
The narrative follows Napoleon’s ascent, his military campaigns (including Austerlitz and Waterloo), and his intense, often volatile relationship with Joséphine. The story covers his coronation as emperor, his exile to Elba, and his final defeat, though many details are compressed or altered for dramatic effect.
A director’s cut of Napoleon, reportedly running 250 minutes rather than the theatrical 157, has been discussed. No release date has been confirmed as of early 2025.
Clarifying common search queries: movie dog, old, and the 1980 version
Is there a dog in the Napoleon movie?
No. The 2023 Ridley Scott film does not contain a dog scene. This query almost certainly refers to the 1995 Australian family film Napoleon, directed by Mario Andreacchio, about a golden retriever who dreams of becoming a sheepdog. That unrelated movie is the source of the confusion.
What is the 1980 Napoleon movie?
There is no widely known 1980 film called Napoleon. The title likely stems from a mix-up with two distinct works: Abel Gance’s silent epic Napoléon (1927) and Youssef Chahine’s Napoleon (also titled El Moharer el Azim), which was released in 1978 and covers Napoleon’s Egyptian campaign from an Arab perspective. Neither is from 1980.
What does “Napoleon movie old” refer to?
This ambiguous phrase could point either to the age of the historical figure (Napoleon died in 1821) or to an older film. The 1927 Abel Gance film is the most likely cinematic reference. Alternatively, viewers may simply be searching for information about the 2023 film’s period setting.
None of the older Napoleon films – whether from 1927, 1978, or 1995 – feature a dog scene. The only Napoleon film with a canine protagonist is the 1995 Australian movie, which stars a golden retriever and has no connection to Ridley Scott’s epic.
What is the timeline of the Napoleon movie’s production and release?
- 2020 – Project announced; Ridley Scott attached to direct.
- January 2022 – Joaquin Phoenix cast as Napoleon.
- February–November 2022 – Principal photography in the UK, Malta, and other locations.
- November 2023 – Theatrical release worldwide.
- 1 March 2024 – Streaming release on Apple TV+.
- 2024 onward – A director’s cut has been rumoured but not officially announced.
Source: Wikipedia entry and the Apple TV+ product page.
What is clear and what remains uncertain about the Napoleon movie?
| Established information | Uncertain information |
|---|---|
| The film was directed by Ridley Scott and released in 2023. | Whether a director’s cut will be released and when. |
| Joaquin Phoenix portrays Napoleon Bonaparte. | Exact budget figures vary by source ($130–200 million). |
| The film was made available on Apple TV+ in March 2024. | The meaning of “Napoleon movie dog” – likely refers to the 1995 family film. |
| Historical accuracy has been widely debated by historians. | What exactly “Napoleon movie old” refers to – could be the age of the historical figure or confusion with an older film. |
What is the historical and cinematic context of Ridley Scott’s Napoleon?
Napoleon enters a landscape of historical dramas that have long tried to capture the French emperor’s life. Earlier portrayals include the 1970 film Waterloo and the 2002 miniseries Napoleon. Scott’s version focuses deliberately on the relationship with Joséphine and key battles, rather than delivering a comprehensive biography.
Critics note that the film prioritises spectacle over historical precision, a characteristic often seen in Scott’s previous epics like Gladiator and Kingdom of Heaven. The mixed reception reflects a tension between entertainment and education. While Phoenix delivers a layered performance, the script compresses decades of history into a feature-length runtime. The film’s box office success indicates strong audience interest, and its streaming debut on Apple TV+ expanded its reach significantly.
What are critics and historians saying about the Napoleon movie?
Joaquin Phoenix makes a magnificent emperor in a thrilling biopic.
Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian
Napoleon’s spectacular battlefield sequences and Joaquin Phoenix’s performance are often overpowered by a sprawling narrative that lacks historical nuance.
Rotten Tomatoes critics consensus
The film takes significant liberties with events, such as Napoleon firing at the pyramids.
Various historians
Additional analysis is available from the BFI’s review and the Rotten Tomatoes page.
Summing up the Napoleon movie
Ridley Scott’s Napoleon is an ambitious, visually striking historical drama that succeeds as spectacle but stumbles on historical accuracy. Its theatrical and streaming releases have ensured wide viewership, while the persistent myths about dog scenes and other films highlight the need for clear information. For a detailed critical take, see the Napoleon (2023) Review on this site.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Napoleon movie about?
The film chronicles Napoleon Bonaparte’s rise to power through his relationship with Joséphine and his military campaigns, including the Battle of Austerlitz and Waterloo.
Is the Napoleon movie historically accurate?
No, the film takes many creative liberties. Historians have pointed out factual inaccuracies, though Ridley Scott defends them as dramatic choices.
Who directed the Napoleon movie?
Ridley Scott directed the film, with a screenplay by David Scarpa.
What is the 1980 Napoleon movie?
A film titled Napoleon directed by Youssef Chahine, covering Napoleon’s Egyptian campaign from an Arab perspective. It is a separate work from the 2023 film.
What does “Napoleon movie dog” mean?
This likely refers to the 1995 Australian family film Napoleon, about a golden retriever who wants to be a sheepdog. It is unrelated to the 2023 historical epic.
How long is the Napoleon movie?
The theatrical cut runs 157 minutes (2 hours 37 minutes). A longer director’s cut has been rumoured.
Where can I watch the Napoleon movie in the UK?
The film is available to stream on Apple TV+ as of March 2024. It was previously in theatres in November 2023.
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Toby Marsh is Senior Reporter at Castradar.uk, covering film and TV stories across the UK.