300: Rise of an Empire

Queen Gorgo of Sparta narrates about the Battle of Marathon, in which King Darius of Persia was killed by Themistocles of Athens. Darius's son, Xerxes, witnesses his father's death and is advised to never wage war against the Greeks. Darius's naval commander, Artemisia, persuades Xerxes to become a god and sends Xerxes on a journey through the desert. Xerxes reaches a cave and bathes in an otherworldly liquid, emerging as a "God-King". He returns to Persia and declares war on Greece to avenge his father.

As Xerxes' forces advance towards Thermopylae, Themistocles meets with the council and convinces them to provide him with a fleet to engage the Persians at sea. Themistocles travels to Sparta to ask King Leonidas for help but is informed by Dilios that Leonidas is consulting the Oracle, and Gorgo is reluctant to side with Athens. Themistocles reunites with his old friend Scyllias, who infiltrated the Persian troops, and reveals Artemisia was born Greek but defected to Persia after her family was murdered by Greek hoplites. A Persian emissary took her in and trained her, and she eventually rose to become a naval commander. Themistocles also learns that Leonidas has marched to fight the Persians with only 300 men.

Themistocles leads his fleet of fifty warships and several thousand men, which include Scyllias, Scyllias's son Calisto, and Themistocles' right-hand man Aeschylus to the Aegean Sea, starting the Battle of Artemisium. They ram their ships into the Persian ships and attack them before retreating. The following day, the Greeks feign a retreat and lead the Persian ships into a crevice, where they become stuck. The Greeks attack the Persian ships from the cliffs above. Impressed with Themistocles, Artemisia brings him onto her ship and attempts to seduce him to the Persian side as her second-in-command, but he refuses her offer.

The Persians attack the Greek ships with tar and flame bombs, but an Athenian kills one of the Persians, who falls into the tar carrying a torch, damaging ships from both sides. Themistocles is thrown into the sea by an explosive carried onboard by a Persian swimmer, nearly drowns before being rescued by Aeschylus, and is by Scyllias's side as he succumbs to his arrow injuries inflicted by Artemisia in echo of King Darius's death. Believing Themistocles to be dead, Artemisia and her forces withdraw. After recovering from his injuries, Themistocles learns that only a few hundred of his warriors and six of his ships survived the disastrous attack.

Daxos, an Arcadian general, tells Themistocles that Leonidas and his 300 men were killed after Ephialtes betrayed the Greeks to Xerxes. Themistocles returns to Athens and confronts Ephialtes, who reveals that Xerxes plans to attack and burn Athens. Ephialtes regrets his betrayal and welcomes death but is spared so he can warn Xerxes that the Greek forces are gathering at Salamis. Themistocles visits Gorgo in Sparta to ask for help, but Gorgo, mourning Leonidas's death, refuses. Before departing, Themistocles urges Gorgo to avenge Leonidas.

In Athens, Xerxes' army is laying waste when Ephialtes arrives to deliver Themistocles' message. Upon learning he is alive, Artemisia leaves to ready her navy for battle. Themistocles inspires all of his remaining forces to continue fighting. The remaining Greek ships charge into the Persian ships, beginning the decisive Battle of Salamis. Themistocles and Artemisia engage in a duel, which ends in a stalemate.

Gorgo arrives at the battle along with ships from numerous Greek city-states including Delphi, Thebes, Olympia, Arcadia, and Sparta, all united against the Persians. Xerxes, watching the battle from a cliff, turns back, acknowledging his naval defeat and continuing the march of his army. Artemisia attacks Themistocles, but he stabs and kills her. While Dilios leads the Greek assault, Themistocles and Gorgo charge at the Persians with the entire Greek army.

{{Div col}}

• Sullivan Stapleton as Themistocles
• Eva Green as Artemisia
• Caitlin Carmichael as 8-year-old Artemisia
• Jade Chynoweth as 13-year-old Artemisia
• Lena Headey as Queen Gorgo
• Rodrigo Santoro as King Xerxes
• Jack O'Connell as Calisto
• Hans Matheson as Aeschylus{{cite web |url=http://www.300themovie.com/synopsis.html |title=synopsis |publisher=300themovie.com |access-date=August 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130805224649/http://www.300themovie.com/synopsis.html |archive-date=August 5, 2013 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}
• Callan Mulvey as Scyllias
• David Wenham as Dilios
• Andrew Tiernan as Ephialtes
• Yigal Naor as King Darius I{{cite web|url=https://pro.imdb.com/title/tt1253863/ |title=IMDb Pro : 300: Rise of an Empire Business Details |publisher=Pro.imdb.com |date=July 27, 2007 |access-date=August 15, 2013}}
• Andrew Pleavin as Daxos
• Ben Turner as General Artaphernes
• Ashraf Barhom as General Bandari
• Christopher Sciueref as General Kashani
• Peter Mensah as Artemisia's trainer / Persian messenger
• Gerard Butler as King Leonidas (archive footage){{cite news |author=Scott Foundas |url=https://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/film-review-300-rise-of-an-empire-1201122602/ |title='300: Rise of an Empire' Review: Eva Green Stars in Entertaining Sequel |work=Variety |date=2014-03-03 |access-date=2014-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210183500/http://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/film-review-300-rise-of-an-empire-1201122602/ |archive-date=December 10, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}
• Additionally, a computer-generated facsimile is used to represent Leonidas in a separate scene.
• Michael Fassbender as Stelios (archive footage)

{{Div col end}}

In June 2008, producers Gianni Nunnari, Mark Canton, and Bernie Goldmann revealed that work had begun on a sequel to 300.{{cite web |author=Frosty |url=https://www.collider.com/entertainment/interviews/article.asp/aid/8326/tcid/1 |title=Producers Mark Canton, Gianni Nunnari and Bernie Goldmann Exclusive Video Interview |work=Collider.com |date=June 25, 2008 |access-date=June 26, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080628132855/http://www.collider.com/entertainment/interviews/article.asp/aid/8326/tcid/1 |archive-date=June 28, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} Legendary Pictures announced that Frank Miller, who wrote the 1998 comic book limited series on which the film 300 was based, was writing a follow-up graphic novel, and Zack Snyder, co-screenwriter and director of 300, was interested in directing the adaptation, but instead chose to develop and direct the Superman reboot Man of Steel.{{cite journal |url=https://variety.com/2008/film/markets-festivals/new-300-rallies-troops-1117988284/ |title=New 300 rallies troops |author=Diane Garrett |journal=Variety |publisher=Reed Business Information |date=June 29, 2008 |access-date=June 30, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080703114423/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117988284.html |archive-date=July 3, 2008 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}{{cite journal |url=https://deadline.com/2011/06/xerxes-pic-down-to-noam-murro-and-jaume-collett-serra-for-300-spinoff-143658/ |title='Xerxes' Pic Down To Noam Murro And Jaume Collett-Serra For '300' Spinoff |author=Mike Fleming |journal=Deadline Hollywood |date=June 27, 2011 |access-date=June 27, 2011}} Noam Murro directed instead, while Snyder produced and co-wrote. The film was centered on the Greek leader Themistocles, portrayed by Australian actor Sullivan Stapleton.{{cite web |url=http://moviepilot.com/#movies/43660-300-the-battle-of-artemisium/stories/356994-sullivan-stapleton-to-star-in-the-prequel-of-300 |title='300' The Prequel: Meet The New Xerxes |work=Moviepilot.com |date=February 8, 2012 |access-date=February 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207220941/http://moviepilot.com/#movies/43660-300-the-battle-of-artemisium/stories/356994-sullivan-stapleton-to-star-in-the-prequel-of-300 |archive-date=February 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} During pre-production, the film was titled 300: Battle of Artemisium (although this was widely misreported as "Battle of Artemisia");{{cite web |url=https://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=35187 |title=300 Follow-Up Gets Official Title | Movie News | Empire |publisher=Empireonline.com |access-date=October 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127194721/http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=35187 |archive-date=November 27, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} the film was retitled 300: Rise of an Empire in September 2012.{{cite news|last=Kit|first=Borys|title=Warner Bros. Gives '300' Sequel a New Title|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/warner-bros-300-new-title-370080|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=September 13, 2012|date=September 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120913172040/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/warner-bros-300-new-title-370080|archive-date=September 13, 2012|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

Principal photography commenced in early July 2012 at the Nu Boyana Film Studios in Sofia, Bulgaria.{{cite journal|url=http://www.europost.bg/article?id=5163|title=A James Bond girl arrives in Bulgaria|journal=EuroPost|date=July 13, 2012|access-date=July 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202233209/http://www.europost.bg/article?id=5163|archive-date=February 2, 2014|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} Underwater greenscreen scenes were also filmed at Leavesden Studios.{{cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date= March 23, 2014|url=https://www.fxguide.com/fxfeatured/inside-the-battles-of-300-rise-of-an-empire/|title=Inside the battles of 300: Rise of an Empire|publisher=FX Guide.com|accessdate=April 20, 2021}} On May 10, 2013, it was announced the film's release date would be pushed back from August 2, 2013, to March 7, 2014.

{{Main|300: Rise of an Empire (soundtrack)}}

The film's score was composed by Junkie XL, being the first film in an ongoing partnership with Snyder.{{cite web |title=Junkie XL Scoring '300: Rise of an Empire' |url=http://filmmusicreporter.com/2013/05/07/junkie-xl-scoring-300-rise-of-an-empire |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012045524/http://filmmusicreporter.com/2013/05/07/junkie-xl-scoring-300-rise-of-an-empire/ |archive-date=October 12, 2013 |access-date=August 15, 2013 |publisher=Filmmusicreporter.com |df=mdy-all}} He attempted to research on the ancient Persian and Greek music instrumentation to match the time period and culture, while also being a fantasy film, he tried to blend the sounds with electronic instruments here and there.{{Cite web |last=Roberts |first=Sheila |date=2014-03-18 |title=Junkie XL Talks 300, Divergent, Mad Max, Interstellar and More |url=https://collider.com/junkie-xl-mad-max-300-rise-of-empire-interview/ |access-date=2023-04-17 |website=Collider |language=en}} The album featuring Junkie XL's score was released by WaterTower Music on March 4, 2014.

300: Rise of an Empire grossed $106.6 million in North America and $231 million in other territories for a worldwide total of $337.6 million, against a production budget of $110 million.

In North America, the film opened at number one in its first weekend with $45 million.{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2014&wknd=10&p=.htm |title=Weekend Box Office Results for March 7–9, 2014 |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=2014-03-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009210504/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2014&wknd=10&p=.htm |archive-date=October 9, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} In its second weekend, the film dropped to number two, grossing an additional $19.2 million.{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2014&wknd=11&p=.htm |title=Weekend Box Office Results for March 14–16, 2014 |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=2014-03-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009211523/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2014&wknd=11&p=.htm |archive-date=October 9, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} In its third weekend, the film dropped to number five, grossing $8.5 million.{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2014&wknd=12&p=.htm |title=Weekend Box Office Results for March 21–23, 2014 |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=2014-03-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009204400/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2014&wknd=12&p=.htm |archive-date=October 9, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} In its fourth weekend, the film dropped to number nine, grossing $4.2 million.{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2014&wknd=13&p=.htm |title=Weekend Box Office Results for March 28–30, 2014 |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=2014-04-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009210005/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2014&wknd=13&p=.htm |archive-date=October 9, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}

Review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes gives the film an approval rating of 45% based on 199 reviews, with an average rating of 5/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "It's bound to hit some viewers as an empty exercise in stylish gore, and despite a gonzo starring performance from Eva Green, 300: Rise of an Empire is a step down from its predecessor."{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/300_rise_of_an_empire/ |title=300: Rise of an Empire (2014) |work=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=July 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323155342/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/300_rise_of_an_empire/ |archive-date=March 23, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} On Metacritic, the film has a score of 48 out of 100 score, based on 34 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/300-rise-of-an-empire |title=300: Rise of an Empire |work=Metacritic |access-date=March 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307124446/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/300-rise-of-an-empire |archive-date=March 7, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale, down from the A− received by its predecessor.{{cite web |url=https://www.cinemascore.com |title=CinemaScore |work=cinemascore.com |access-date=December 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102130540/https://www.cinemascore.com/ |archive-date=January 2, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}

Several critics compared the film negatively to its predecessor. Todd Gilchrist of The Wrap wrote: "Rise of an Empire lacks director Snyder's shrewd deconstruction of cartoonish hagiography, undermining the glorious, robust escapism of testosterone-fueled historical reenactment with an underdog story that's almost too reflective to be rousing."{{cite web |url=https://www.thewrap.com/300-rise-empire-review/ |title='300: Rise of An Empire' Review: More of the Same, But Slightly Less |website=TheWrap |date=2014-03-03 |access-date=2014-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306041935/http://www.thewrap.com/300-rise-empire-review/ |archive-date=March 6, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} Nicolas Rapold of The New York Times gave a mixed review: "The naval collisions and melees play out in panel-like renderings that are bold and satisfying for the first half-hour but lack the momentum and bombastic je ne sais quoi of 300."{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/07/movies/in-300-rise-of-an-empire-greeks-under-siege-again.html?smid=tw-nytmovies&seid=auto&_r=0 |title=In '300: Rise of an Empire,' Greeks Under Siege Again |work=The New York Times |date=2014-03-03 |access-date=2014-03-08 |first=Nicolas |last=Rapold |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118124952/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/07/movies/in-300-rise-of-an-empire-greeks-under-siege-again.html?smid=tw-nytmovies&seid=auto&_r=0 |archive-date=November 18, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} Todd McCarthy of The Hollywood Reporter thought it was "more monochromatic and duller in appearance, lacking the bold reds and rich earth tones" of the earlier film.{{cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie/300-rise-an-empire/review/684621 |title=300: Rise of an Empire: Film Review |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=2014-03-03 |access-date=2014-03-08 |first=Todd |last=McCarthy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306041723/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie/300-rise-an-empire/review/684621 |archive-date=March 6, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} Scott Foundas of Variety gave a positive review: "This highly entertaining time-filler lacks the mythic resonances that made 300 feel like an instant classic, but works surprisingly well on its own terms." Soren Anderson of The Seattle Times thought it "very impressive in its single-minded dedication to creating a moviegoing experience designed to totally engulf its audience".{{cite web |last=Andersen |first=Soren |url=http://seattletimes.com/html/entertainment/2023051509_300risexml.html?syndication=rss |title='300: Rise of an Empire': This violent sequel means war | Entertainment |publisher=The Seattle Times |access-date=2014-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140829074159/http://seattletimes.com/html/entertainment/2023051509_300risexml.html?syndication=rss |archive-date=August 29, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} James Rocchi of Film.com gave the film a zero out of ten and called it "a 3D joke".{{cite web |author= James Rocch |url= http://www.film.com/movies/review-300-rise-of-an-empire |title= Review: '300: Rise Of An Empire' |publisher= Film.com |access-date= 2014-03-08 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140311090531/http://www.film.com/movies/review-300-rise-of-an-empire |archive-date= March 11, 2014 |url-status= live |df= mdy-all }}

James Berardinelli wrote, "The movie delivers all the necessary elements but their impact is dull."{{cite web |url=http://www.reelviews.net/php_review_template.php?identifier=2734 |title=Reelviews Movie Reviews |publisher=Reelviews.net |access-date=2014-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318101811/http://www.reelviews.net/php_review_template.php?identifier=2734 |archive-date=March 18, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} Joe Neumaier of the New York Daily News thought it looked "like an ashen video game. It's even more muddy in IMAX and 3-D."{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/300-rise-empire-movie-review-article-1.1712967 |title='300: Rise of an Empire,' movie review |publisher=NY Daily News |date=March 6, 2014 |access-date=2014-03-08 |location=New York |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307042425/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/300-rise-empire-movie-review-article-1.1712967 |archive-date=March 7, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} Colin Covert of the Star Tribune felt it "plays like a collaboration between the Marquis de Sade and Michael Bay. Or maybe the History Channel and the Saw franchise."{{cite web |author=Colin Covert |url=http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/movies/248870491.html |title=Sequel to '300': In your face, Themistokles! |publisher=Star Tribune |access-date=2014-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307114547/http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/movies/248870491.html |archive-date=March 7, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}} Guy Lodge of Time Out wrote, "It's flesh and carnage that the audience is here to see, and Murro delivers it by the glistening ton, pausing only for stray bits of backstory."{{cite web |author= Guy Lodge |url= https://www.timeout.com/london/film/300-rise-of-an-empire |title= 300: Rise of an Empire | review |date= March 4, 2014 |publisher= Timeout.com |access-date= 2014-03-08 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140311232444/http://www.timeout.com/london/film/300-rise-of-an-empire |archive-date= March 11, 2014 |url-status= live |df= mdy-all}} Ann Hornaday of The Washington Post said, "Rise of an Empire is no fun at all – even those famous six-pack abs from 300 seem to be missing a can or two."{{cite news|author= Ann Hornaday|url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/300-rise-of-an-empire-movie-review-sequel-is-no-fun-at-all/2014/03/05/ec76dd3e-a46f-11e3-84d4-e59b1709222c_story.html|title= '300: Rise of an Empire' movie review: Sequel is no fun at all|newspaper= The Washington Post|date= March 6, 2014|access-date= 2014-03-08|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171210183459/https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/300-rise-of-an-empire-movie-review-sequel-is-no-fun-at-all/2014/03/05/ec76dd3e-a46f-11e3-84d4-e59b1709222c_story.html|archive-date= December 10, 2017|url-status= live|df= mdy-all}} In a negative review, Drew Hunt of the Chicago Reader wrote: "The slow-motion battle scenes are technically impressive and occasionally elegant, but there's enough machismo here to choke a thousand NFL locker rooms."{{cite web |last=Hunt |first=Drew |url=http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/300-rise-of-an-empire/Film?oid=12496704 |title=300: Rise of an Empire | Chicago |date=March 6, 2014 |publisher=Chicagoreader.com |access-date=2014-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320043137/http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/300-rise-of-an-empire/Film?oid=12496704 |archive-date=March 20, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} Richard Roeper called the film "A triumph of production design, costumes, brilliantly choreographed battle sequences and stunning CGI".{{cite web |url=http://www.richardroeper.com/reviews/300riseofanempire.aspx |title=300: Rise of an Empire" Review |publisher=RichardRoeper.com |access-date=2014-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311224247/http://www.richardroeper.com/reviews/300riseofanempire.aspx |archive-date=March 11, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}

Scott Bowles of USA Today gave the film two out of four stars: "For anyone looking for a sense of script (forget plausibility), Empire is a Trojan horse."{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2014/03/06/300-rise-of-an-empire-review/5807971/ |title='300' sequel amps up blood, tamps down believability |publisher=Usatoday.com |date=2014-02-18 |access-date=2014-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171127221338/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2014/03/06/300-rise-of-an-empire-review/5807971/ |archive-date=November 27, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} Betsy Sharkey of the Los Angeles Times thought, "The spectacularly brutal fighting is the film's main calling card, and in that Rise of an Empire doesn't disappoint."{{cite news |last=Sharkey |first=Betsy |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-300-rise-movie-review-20140307,0,18039.story#axzz2vDXLviEI |title=Review: '300: Rise of an Empire' looks great but is weak in plot |work=Los Angeles Times |date=March 6, 2014 |access-date=2014-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307232844/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-300-rise-movie-review-20140307,0,18039.story#axzz2vDXLviEI |archive-date=March 7, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} David Hiltbrand of The Philadelphia Inquirer praised "its slo-mo ultraviolence" and "impressive 3-D effects", calling it "a fan boy's fantasy, a four-star wonderment".{{cite web |author=David Hiltbrand |url=http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/movies/20140307_The_Athenians_are_coming__The_Athenians_are_coming_.html |title=The Athenians are coming! The Athenians are coming! |publisher=Philly.com |date=2012-10-22 |access-date=2014-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307122947/http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/movies/20140307_The_Athenians_are_coming__The_Athenians_are_coming_.html |archive-date=March 7, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} Tom Long of The Detroit News gave the film a D, "a bloodbath and not much else".{{cite web |url=http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140307/ENT02/303070006 |title=Review: '300: Rise of an Empire' celebrates excessive, pointless violence |publisher=The Detroit News |date=2014-03-03 |access-date=2014-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308102437/http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140307/ENT02/303070006 |archive-date=March 8, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} Adam Nayman of The Globe and Mail called it "an add-on content pack for a video game".{{cite news |author=Adam Nayman |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/film-reviews/300-rise-of-an-empire-a-brutal-campaign-with-an-xbox-aesthetic/article17345647/ |title=300: Rise of an Empire: A brutal campaign with an Xbox aesthetic |publisher=The Globe and Mail |date=March 7, 2014 |access-date=2014-03-08 |location=Toronto |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210183458/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/film-reviews/300-rise-of-an-empire-a-brutal-campaign-with-an-xbox-aesthetic/article17345647/ |archive-date=December 10, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} Mark Jenkins of NPR gave the film a negative review, saying, "If the movie's action recalls video games, the dramatically artificial lighting suggests 1980s rock videos. Indeed, Rise of an Empire is so campy that it might work better as a musical."{{cite web |last=Jenkins |first=Mark |url=https://www.npr.org/2014/03/06/285871058/300-an-empire-rises-dripping-in-gore-and-glamour?ft=1&f=1045 |title=Movie Review – '300: Rise Of An Empire' – Gore, Glamour, And A Goth Warrior Maiden |website=NPR |date=March 6, 2014 |access-date=2014-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201030046/https://www.npr.org/2014/03/06/285871058/300-an-empire-rises-dripping-in-gore-and-glamour?ft=1&f=1045 |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} Stephen Whitty of the Newark Star-Ledger gave the film one and a half stars out of four, saying, "There is much grinding of teeth, and mauling of history, and anachronistic use of gunpowder, until we plug our ears and desperately pray to the gods of Olympus, or the brothers of Warner, that they might make an end."{{cite web |url=http://www.nj.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2014/03/300_rise_of_an_empire_review_its_greek_to_me.html |title='300: Rise of an Empire' review: It's Greek to me |date=March 7, 2014 |publisher=NJ.com |access-date=2014-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140315050623/http://www.nj.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2014/03/300_rise_of_an_empire_review_its_greek_to_me.html |archive-date=March 15, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}

Despite mixed reviews for the film as a whole, Eva Green's performance as the naval leader Artemisia received positive reviews, with some going so far as to say she was more interesting than the heroes, and saved the film. Ty Burr of The Boston Globe stated, "Rise of an Empire may strike some as an improvement on the first film, if only for two reasons: naval warfare and the glorious absurdity of Eva Green."{{cite news|last=Burr |first=Ty |url=https://www.boston.com/ae/movies/2014/03/06/takes-sidetrip/haLCZxBGjcGhR5TJpafe9I/story.html |title='300' takes a side trip, in 3-D – Movies |publisher=Boston.com |access-date=2015-12-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310030038/http://www.boston.com/ae/movies/2014/03/06/takes-sidetrip/haLCZxBGjcGhR5TJpafe9I/story.html |archive-date=March 10, 2014 }} According to Rafer Guzman's Newsday review, "The one bright spot is Eva Green as Xerxes' machinator, Artemesia, a raccoon-eyed warrior princess... Green plays a snarling, insatiable, self-hating femme fatale and completely steals the show."{{cite web |last=Guzman |first=Rafel |url=http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/movies/300-rise-of-an-empire-review-pointless-swordplay-1.7295401 |title='300: Rise of an Empire' review: Pointless swordplay |publisher=newsday.com |date=2014-03-06 |access-date=2014-08-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309064737/http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/movies/300-rise-of-an-empire-review-pointless-swordplay-1.7295401 |archive-date=March 9, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} Stephanie Zacharek writing for The Village Voice exclaimed, "Mere mortals of Athens, Sparta, and every city from Mumbai to Minneapolis, behold the magnificent Eva Green, and tremble!"{{cite web |last=Zacharek |first=Stephanie |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2014-03-05/film/300-rise-of-an-empire/ |title=300: Rise of an Empire Offers Delights for People of All Sexes and Persuasions |publisher=villagevoice.com |date=2014-03-05 |access-date=2014-08-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140803092341/http://www.villagevoice.com/2014-03-05/film/300-rise-of-an-empire/ |archive-date=August 3, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}

The Guardian's historical films reviewer, Alex von Tunzelmann, discredited the film's historical legitimacy, giving it the classification of "History grade: Fail". She itemizes numerous historical discrepancies in the film, including the pivotal scene in which Themistocles kills Darius the Great at the Battle of Marathon, although he was really absent and died of natural causes only years later.von Tunzelmann, Alex [https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/mar/12/300-rise-of-empire-reel-history-persians-greeks-salamis "300: Rise of an Empire – doesn't know its Artemisia from its elbow; Scarred by racist political stereotyping, the mighty Persian empire is dealt a blow by plucky freedom-loving Greeks – with the help of Bondage Nymphomaniac Revenge Barbie"], March 12, 2014, The Guardian, retrieved February 20, 2020 Tunzelmann further quotes the Persian Fire author and historian Tom Holland, who translated Herodotus's Histories, and who is an expert on the Greco-Persian wars, as comparing the film to a wild fantasy substitute for actual historic reality.

Paul Cartledge, a professor of Greek culture at Cambridge University, also noted historical inaccuracies in the film. For example, Darius was not killed as depicted, and neither he nor Xerxes was present at the Battle of Marathon. Artemisia, historically a queen and not an abused orphaned slave, actually argued against sailing into the straits and survived the Persian Wars. In addition, the Spartan Navy contributed a mere 16 warships to the Greek fleet of 400 warships in the ending battle scene, rather than the huge armada shown.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-26484784 |title=300: Five historical errors in the new film |work=BBC News |date=March 8, 2014 |access-date=June 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902225707/https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-26484784 |archive-date=September 2, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web | url = http://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelfaces/300-rise-of-an-empire/ | title = 300: Rise of an Empire | work = History vs. Hollywood | access-date = March 8, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140315073025/http://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelfaces/300-rise-of-an-empire/ | archive-date = March 15, 2014 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}

Some critics have identified the film as an example of Iranophobia.Weiler, Yuram Abdullah. "United States’ Cultural Terrorism against Iran: Punishing nonconformity to the American Protestant and republican image." (2015). Tunzelmann found the film being the same "massive gilded embodiment of orientalism from [its predecessor]".{{cite book |last1=Llewellyn-Jones |first1=Lloyd |author1-link=Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones |editor1-last=Augoustakis |editor1-first=Antony |editor2-last=Richie |editor2-first=Stacie |title=Epic Heroes on Screen |date=2018 |publisher=Edinburgh University Press |location=Edinburgh |page=199 |chapter=Trouble in the Tehran multiplex: Iranian perceptions of the heroic in 300 and 300 Rise of an Empire}} According to Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones, Professor of Ancient History at Cardiff University: "Indeed, the Persians of 300: Rise of an Empire remain the incarnation of every Orientalist cliché imaginable: they are as decadent and oversexed as they are weak and spineless. They are also incapable of winning battles without the help of a Greek traitor: Artemisia, a woman who may be costumed like Xena, a warrior princess, but whose heart is consumed by a crazy desire for power and destruction."

300: Rise of an Empire was released on the iTunes Store on June 3, 2014, and was released on DVD and Blu-ray 3 weeks later, on June 24.{{cite web |url=http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=13890 |title=300: Rise of an Empire Blu-ray |publisher=Blu-ray.com |access-date=2014-05-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416034649/http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=13890 |archive-date=April 16, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}

In a 2016 interview, Snyder stated that more sequels to 300 would focus on topics beyond Ancient Greece, such as the American Revolutionary War, the Battle of the Alamo, or a battle in China.{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/300-sequels-new-countries-zack-snyder/ |title=Exclusive: '300' Sequels Could Go Beyond Ancient Greece Says Zack Snyder |publisher=Collider |last=Goldberg |first=Matt |date=March 18, 2016 |access-date=March 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322074306/http://collider.com/300-sequels-new-countries-zack-snyder/ |archive-date=March 22, 2016 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}

In May 2021, Snyder revealed that he had written an Alexander the Great film that was intended to function as a conclusion to the 300 trilogy, adapting the Rise of Alexander segment of Xerxes, but it evolved into having a greater focus on a love story between Alexander and Hephaestion, leading Snyder to think it could not function as a third 300 film, but rather a stand-alone entry in the same fictional universe. The script was retitled Blood and Ashes but it failed to be greenlit by Warner Bros. Pictures.{{cite web|last=Barfield|first=Charles|title=Zack Snyder Wrote The "Final Chapter" Of '300' During Lockdown But WB Passed On It|url=https://theplaylist.net/zack-snyder-300-final-chapter-20210517/|date=May 17, 2021|publisher=The Playlist|access-date=December 4, 2022|df=mdy-all}}[https://www.indiewire.com/2021/05/zack-snyder-third-300-movie-warner-bros-killed-1234638081/ Zack Snyder Says Warner Bros. Passed on His Third 300 Movie, an Alexander the Great Romance]

In December 2023, Snyder revealed that he had regained the rights for Blood and Ashes from Warner Bros. Pictures and was planning on developing the film in the future.{{Cite web |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=2023-12-01 |title=Zack Snyder Regains Rights to 'Blood and Ashes', Script Originally Pitched as a '300' Sequel (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/zack-snyder-regains-rights-to-300-spinoff-1235705412/ |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}

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