Western culture is steeped in Greek mythology, with the most popular Gods being featured in film and culture again and again by the world’s top actors. Helena, a 1924 masterpiece by Manfred Noa, is thought to be one of the first portrayals of Greek mythology on the silver screen based on Homer’s epic tale Iliad. Today, over 100 years later, Greek Gods still dominate the box office, with the most popular renditions featuring Zeus, Hades, and Artemis.
The God of Thunder
Zeus, the King of Gods, is by far the most popular character from Greek mythology, presiding over the sky, thunder, lightning, law, order, and justice. Most recently, Zeus was played by Russell Crowe in Taika Waititi’s 2022 Marvel release, Thor: Love and Thunder. In 2011, Zeus was portrayed by Luke Evans as a younger, hunky shirtless version who was a bit less ruthless than usual in Immortals.
Some of the most popular movies featuring Zeus include Hercules, Clash of the Titans, and Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, with big-name actors mastering the role, including Liam Neeson, Laurence Olivier, and Sean Bean. The 1963 film Jason and The Argonauts are seen today as a cult classic that paved the way for future Greek mythology movies with Zeus played by Niall MacGinnis. Zeus can also be seen in the popular video game God of War and the best-selling novel Circe.
The God of the Underworld
Although some may consider Zeus villainous in classic Greek myths, his brother, Hades, takes the number one spot as the villain of choice in modern films and popular culture. As God of the Underworld, Hades is depicted as a maniacal ruler lording over demons and lost souls in the dark, fire-lit bowels of the earth.
In Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, Hades is played by Steve Coogan. Ralph Fiennes takes over the role in Clash of the Titans and Wrath of the Titans. In the Disney animated film Hercules, Hades is the main antagonist James Woods voiced. He even appears in the 1972 Italian film The Canterbury Tales under his Roman name, Pluto.
You can see Hades pop up in pop culture, in television shows such as Xena: Warrior Princess and Smallville. He appears in DC comics, video games, and cash-drop jackpot games such as Power of the Gods: Hades. In this game, Hades is portrayed with a long, brown beard and his symbols include a malicious fireball, Cerberus the three-headed guard dog, and of course, the Grim Reaper known as Thanatos in Greek mythology.
Goddess of the Hunt and the Moon
Artemis is one of the most well-known women in popular culture, but you may know her by her Roman name: Diana. Yes, this famous Greek Goddess is best known as Wonder Woman. Artemis got her start in popular culture with DC Comics. The first actress to give Artemis international fame was Lynda Carter in the 1970s with actress Gal Gadot portraying the Goddess in many modern films.
The classic 1977 film Iphigenia features Artemis, the Percy Jackson books and movies, and even the 1940 masterpiece Fantasia. Today, Artemis can also be seen in video games, television shows, and as an action figure.
