Napoleon: release date, cast, plot, trailer, first look and all about the historical movie starring Joaquin Phoenix

Napoleon Bonaparte is being given the full Ridley Scott treatment in this new movie for both cinemas in 2023 and later on Apple TV Plus. Famous British director Ridley is no stranger to epic historical dramas, having been behind epic films such as Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven and Robin Hood, but in 2023 he’s now exploring the life of brutal French leader Napoleon Bonaparte.

The Joker star Joaquin Phoenix is taking on the role of the famous French emperor while Vanessa Kirby is his true love, Josephine. But while the story is viewed through the prism of their often volatile relationship, that doesn’t mean it will shy away from showing some of Napoleon’s famous battles in all their bloodthirsty glory.

Here’s all you need to know about the new Apple TV+ movie Napoleon…

Napoleon release date

Napoleon launches as streaming pay per view from Tuesday January 9 2024 before it arrives on on Apple TV Plus, and having premiered in cinemas worldwide on Wednesday November 22 2023.

* How to watch Napoleon

Is there a Napoleon trailer?

Yes a couple of Napoleon trailers have arrived with massive-scale war scenes, power struggles and an all-consuming love affair. Take a look at both below...

Napoleon plot

The movie takes a look at Napoleon’s origins and his rapid rise to power to become the Emperor of France. It explores his extraordinarily strategic mind and relentless ambition and focuses on his addictive but, at times, toxic relationship with Josephine.

Read our movie review of Napoleon right here...
Napoleon review: Ridley Scott, emperor of the epic

Napoleon cast — Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon

Joaquin Phoenix plays the French warmonger Napoleon. He’s the younger brother of the late River Phoenix and is known for playing dark, complex characters and has starred as The Joker and Commodus in Ridley Scott's movie Gladiator. In Walk The Line, he played country singer Johnny Cash, plus he's starred in Mary Magdalene, Her, Hotel Rwanda and Buffalo Soldiers. Joaquin is also about to reprise his role as Arthur Fleck/The Joker for the sequel Joker 2, which is due for release in 2024.

Vanessa Kirby as Josephine

Vanessa Kirby plays Napoleon’s famous wife, the Empress Josephine. It’s not her first time playing royalty as she took on the role of Princess Margaret in the first two series of The Crown. She’s also starred in Pieces of a Woman, Mission: Impossible – Fallout, Me Before You and The World to Come.

Who else is starring in Napoleon on Apple TV+

The remaining cast of Napoleon includes Ben Miles as Coulancourt, Tahar Rahim as Paul Barras and Paul Rhys as Talleyrand, Edouard Philipponat as Tsar Alexander, Matthew Needham as Lucien Bonaparte and Ludvine Sagnier as Theresa Cabarrus.

Doc Martin star Ian McNiece, John Hollingworth, Scott Handy, Youssef Kerkour, Benjamin Chivers, Gavin Spokes, Sam Crane, Phil Cornwell and Davide Tucci also star.

Fact File: Who was Napoleon in world history?

Corsican-born Napoleon Bonaparte was a political leader who rose to prominence during the French Revolution. He became the French Emperor from 1804 and was one of the greatest military leaders in history, defeating Prussia, Russia, Austria and causing the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire. He led the Napoleonic Wars, during which between three and six million civilians and soldiers died. Napoleon married Josephine in 1976 and then again in 1804, this time with religious rites, but theirs was a turbulent relationship. Napoleon was defeated by the Duke of Wellington in the Battle of Waterloo in June 1815 and was exiled by the British to Saint Helena in the Atlantic where he died in 1821, aged 51.

All about Ridley Scott

British film director and producer Sir Ridley Scott shot to fame with the 1979 sci-fi film Alien. He then went on to direct Blade Runner, Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, Thelma & Louise, The Martian, American Gangster and Black Hawk Down. He won an Oscar for best picture for Gladiator. In 2021 Ridley directed Lady Gaga in the movie House of Gucci, about the murder of the fashion icon.