Mel Gibson’s Revolutionary War Epic Marches Onto Netflix
Mel Gibson’s Revolution-era epic The Patriot storms onto Netflix in November, following a grieving farmer turned reluctant freedom fighter—and adding one of Gibson’s signature performances to the streamer’s lineup of classic Hollywood epics.
Netflix is dusting off a 2000-era Mel Gibson star vehicle for November. If you have a soft spot for sweeping Revolutionary War drama, thunderous John Williams music, and large-scale battles, you’re getting exactly that with The Patriot.
When and where to watch
The Patriot (2000) hits Netflix in the U.S. on November 1, 2025. It’s part of the streamer’s fresh batch of November arrivals.
What it is
Roland Emmerich, better known for blowing up landmarks, trades aliens for redcoats in this historical war drama written by Robert Rodat. Mel Gibson leads as Benjamin Martin, a widower farmer who tries to stay out of the American Revolution until the war crashes into his home, forcing him into the fight. The character isn’t a straight biopic; Rodat has said Martin is a composite of several real Revolutionary War figures, including Francis Marion, Daniel Morgan, Andrew Pickens, and Thomas Sumter.
Who is in it
Alongside Gibson, the cast includes Heath Ledger, Joely Richardson, Jason Isaacs, Chris Cooper, and Tom Wilkinson.
How it did back in 2000
The movie premiered in June 2000, pulled in $215.3 million worldwide on a $110 million budget, and landed three Oscar nominations: Best Cinematography, Best Original Score (John Williams), and Best Sound. It was shot primarily in South Carolina, with locations in Charleston, Rock Hill, and Georgetown.
Reception and the thorny parts
Critics were mixed-to-positive at the time: it sits at 61% on Rotten Tomatoes, while audiences gave it an 'A' CinemaScore, which tracks with the film’s sturdy box office. The performances and big battle sequences got the love. The history… less so. The movie takes plenty of liberties, and it stirred controversy in the U.K. for its depiction of British troops and for drawing uncomfortable parallels to later wartime atrocities. None of this is new if you’ve seen a Hollywood period epic, but it’s worth flagging.
What else is joining it on Netflix in November
Netflix is stacking the month with a mix of historical dramas, glossy blockbusters, and comfort rewatch material. Alongside The Patriot, you’ll also see:
- Tenet
- The Nun II
- Elvis
- Crazy Rich Asians
- Ready Player One
Bottom line: The Patriot isn’t a history lesson, but as a rousing, old-school studio epic with Gibson in one of his signature leads and Emmerich staging muscular combat, it does exactly what it says on the tin. And now it’s just a click away.