Napoleon (2023)
12-month trend
12-month trend
Monthly article views
2025-09 to 2026-08
A sprawling epic depicting the meteoric rise of Napoleon Bonaparte and his complex romantic entanglement with Josephine.
The story
Set against the backdrop of the French Revolution, the film follows the meteoric rise of a young officer, Napoleon Bonaparte. Following the execution of Marie Antoinette and the Siege of Toulon, Napoleon begins his ascent in the French military. The narrative weaves his ambitious pursuit of power with his intense, complicated relationship with his wife, Josephine. As he navigates the political instability of the Revolution, he secures his position as a dominant force in Europe, eventually leading to his coronation as Emperor of the French.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1793, during the French Revolution, Napoleon Bonaparte witnesses the execution of Marie Antoinette and later triumphs at the Siege of Toulon. Following the fall of Robespierre, he helps stabilize the government and eventually marries the aristocratic widow Josephine. His military career takes him to Egypt, where he wins at the Battle of the Pyramids, and later to the Coup of 18 Brumaire, where he becomes First Consul. In 1804, he crowns himself Emperor. The film depicts major victories at Austerlitz and the invasion of Russia, where he faces a brutal winter and retreats. After being exiled to Elba in 1814, he returns for the 'Hundred Days' before his final defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. The film concludes with his exile to Saint Helena, where he writes his memoirs and dies in 1821. The narrative highlights his complex bond with Josephine, including their marriage, his divorce from her in 1810, and her death in 1814.
- First release year
- 2023
- Runtime (minutes)
- 157
- Production countries
- United Kingdom; United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Ridley Scott
- Writers
- David Scarpa · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Joaquin Phoenix · Napoleon; Vanessa Kirby · Joséphine; Robin Soans · Pope Pius VII; Tahar Rahim · Paul Barras
- Genres
- historical war; biographical; drama
- Themes
- Ambition; Power; Love; War
- Tone and mood
- Epic; Intense
- Setting
- Late 18th to early 19th century France and Europe.
- Premise and plot tags
- Historical Drama; War Epic; Biopic
- Source material / true-story basis
- Based on the life of Napoleon
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the battle sequences and performances but criticized its tone, pacing, and historical inaccuracies.
- Reported review scores
- PostTrak · score: 72% · scale: percentage
- Awards and nominations
- Best Production Design · Academy Awards · 96th · Nomination; Best Costume Design · Academy Awards · 96th · Nomination; Best Visual Effects · Academy Awards · 96th · Nomination
- Production trivia
- The film's working title was 'Kitbag'.; The film features six major battle sequences.; The film's coronation scene is portrayed as it was depicted in the painting 'The Coronation of Napoleon' by Jacques-Louis David.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
Your lists
Loading your lists…