The 5.7 rating on IMDb is considered poor for a big-budget historical epic. For context, the 1959 Ben-Hur holds a near-perfect 8.1/10. The 2016 version’s score reflects three primary complaints consistently voiced in user reviews.
The 2016 remake of , directed by Timur Bekmambetov, remains one of the most discussed and scrutinized "re-imaginings" of a classic in modern cinema history. Released on August 19, 2016, by Paramount Pictures and MGM, the film attempted to modernize Lew Wallace’s 1880 novel, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ , for a new generation. However, it ultimately struggled to escape the monumental shadow cast by William Wyler’s 11-Oscar-winning 1959 masterpiece. IMDb Ratings and Audience Reception
Ben-Hur (2016) is a C+ effort. The lead performances are adequate, the chariot race is serviceable (if over-digital), and the emotional brotherhood arc is surprisingly effective in the final ten minutes. However, the bland script, rushed first act, and the ghost of a superior classic drag it down.
: A short, 15-minute silent film that was the first-ever motion picture adaptation of Lew Wallace's novel. Television & Other Media Ben Hur (TV Mini-Series 2010)
Before Gladiator II , there was Ben-Hur . But not the 1959 classic—the 2016 remake that became a legendary box office shipwreck.
Just queue up the race on YouTube. That’s where the 5.7 becomes a 7.5.