How to Watch Gladiator II on Netflix in the US with a VPN (2026)

Gladiator II (2024) is currently available on Netflix in Germany. The official Netflix Germany page confirms that the historical action movie starring Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Denzel Washington is part of the country’s streaming catalog, with original English audio and subtitles.

However, Gladiator II is not currently available on Netflix US. If you’re in the United States, you can try connecting to a German VPN server using Private Internet Access, ExpressVPN, or NordVPN. All three providers offer German IP addresses.

Keep in mind that connecting to Germany does not guarantee access to the movie. According to Netflix’s VPN guidelines, the service may recognize VPN connections and limit the available catalog to titles with worldwide licensing rights.

How to watch Gladiator II on Netflix with a VPN

Since Netflix Germany currently carries Gladiator II, you can try connecting to a German VPN server before opening Netflix. Follow these steps:

1. Choose a VPN. Private Internet Access is our first recommendation, followed by ExpressVPN and NordVPN.
2. Download and install the VPN app.
3. Connect to a server in Germany.
4. Fully close Netflix if it is already open.
5. Reopen Netflix after the VPN connects.
6. Sign in with your existing Netflix account.
7. Search for Gladiator II.
8. Start playback if the title appears.

Germany is a suitable country to try because the Netflix Germany listing currently displays Gladiator II without an unavailability warning. The page also confirms original English audio, German audio, English subtitles, and offline downloads.

Make sure you select the 2024 movie directed by Ridley Scott rather than the original Gladiator (2000). Both films feature ancient Rome and gladiatorial combat, but their Netflix availability may differ.

Best VPNs for watching Gladiator II on Netflix

Private Internet Access, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN all provide German VPN connections. PIA includes a dedicated streaming-optimized location, while ExpressVPN and NordVPN offer multiple German server choices.

VPN	Germany locations	Option to try first
Private Internet Access (Editor’s Choice)	Berlin, Frankfurt, Germany Streaming Optimized	Germany Streaming Optimized
ExpressVPN	Berlin, Frankfurt – 1, Frankfurt – 3, Nuremberg	Frankfurt – 1
NordVPN	240+ German servers; Berlin, Frankfurt, automatic Germany selection	Automatic Germany server selection

These options come from the VPN providers’ official server directories. Although all three services offer German IP addresses, none guarantees access to Gladiator II through Netflix.

1. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access is our Editor’s Choice for Gladiator II because it offers a dedicated Germany Streaming Optimized location alongside standard German VPN servers in Berlin and Frankfurt.

According to the official PIA server directory, updated October 1, 2026, the available German locations include DE Berlin, DE Frankfurt, and DE Germany Streaming Optimized.

Start with Germany Streaming Optimized. PIA provides this location specifically for streaming performance, making it a practical first connection to try when accessing German streaming services.

To find it, open the PIA application, navigate to the VPN server list, and search for Germany. Select DE Germany Streaming Optimized and connect before reopening Netflix.

If Gladiator II does not appear, disconnect and try Frankfurt. Berlin provides another German IP location if you need an alternative connection.

PIA also supports WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols. WireGuard is a practical starting point because its lightweight design can provide efficient encrypted connections without complicated settings.

There is also an important distinction between physical and virtual VPN servers. A virtual location provides an IP address associated with one country while the physical server hardware operates somewhere else.

According to PIA’s virtual server documentation, Germany does not appear among the provider’s virtual IP locations. The company also identifies Frankfurt as a physical hosting location for several of its virtual servers serving other countries.

This confirms that PIA maintains physical infrastructure in Germany, although the documentation does not establish the hardware location of every individual German server, including its streaming-optimized location.

If Netflix does not display Gladiator II, try switching between Germany Streaming Optimized, Frankfurt, and Berlin. Clearing browser cookies, updating the VPN application, or changing connection protocols may also help with connection problems.

PIA provides additional instructions in its streaming support guide. The provider also advises users to follow streaming platforms’ regional restrictions and terms.

Even with a streaming-optimized connection, Netflix may recognize PIA’s IP addresses and restrict regional content. PIA cannot guarantee that Gladiator II will appear or play.

2. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is another option for connecting to Germany. The provider maintains several German server locations, including two separate Frankfurt entries, giving users alternatives when one connection experiences problems.

The official ExpressVPN server directory currently lists Germany – Berlin, Germany – Frankfurt – 1, Germany – Frankfurt – 3, and Germany – Nuremberg.

Start with Frankfurt – 1. ExpressVPN identifies this location as part of its upgraded 40Gbps server infrastructure, making it a reasonable first option for streaming and other bandwidth-intensive activities.

Open ExpressVPN, search for Germany in the location list, and select Frankfurt – 1. Wait until the application confirms the connection before reopening Netflix and searching for Gladiator II.

If the movie does not appear, switch to Frankfurt – 3 or Nuremberg. Berlin provides another German IP location if you want to test a different connection.

ExpressVPN also offers automatic location selection, but choosing a German server manually ensures that you remain connected to the country used throughout this guide.

According to its Germany VPN page, ExpressVPN operates physical 40Gbps servers in Frankfurt and Nuremberg. These locations provide German IP addresses through server hardware physically located in Germany.

Unlike virtual locations that provide an IP address for one country while using hardware elsewhere, ExpressVPN’s documented Frankfurt and Nuremberg infrastructure operates within Germany.

The company does not publish the physical hosting details of every individual Berlin or Frankfurt endpoint, so users should not assume that all German connections use identical hardware.

ExpressVPN supports Lightway, WireGuard, and OpenVPN at its listed German locations, depending on the device and application version.

Lightway is ExpressVPN’s own protocol, designed to establish encrypted connections efficiently. You can try another supported protocol if your connection becomes unstable or you experience buffering.

Its Frankfurt and Nuremberg infrastructure provides multiple German connection choices. However, actual speeds depend on your internet service, distance from the server, and current network congestion.

If Netflix does not display Gladiator II, try another German location and restart Netflix. A different German IP address may help resolve connection problems, but Netflix can still recognize ExpressVPN traffic and restrict regional playback.

3. NordVPN

NordVPN provides another way to connect to Germany, with hundreds of German servers and automatic connection options.

According to NordVPN’s official Germany server page, the provider currently advertises more than 240 German servers across three server locations. Its connection instructions specifically identify Berlin and Frankfurt as available cities.

For the first connection, open NordVPN, select Germany, and allow the application to choose an available server automatically. This is a convenient starting point if you do not have a preferred city.

You can also select Frankfurt manually. If Netflix does not display Gladiator II, switch to Berlin or reconnect through automatic German server selection.

NordVPN’s published server count may change as the company expands or adjusts its network. Its official directory confirms the available German IP locations but does not document the physical hosting arrangement of every individual endpoint.

NordVPN also includes SmartPlay, a feature that combines VPN encryption with DNS technology to improve streaming compatibility while maintaining a secure connection.

According to NordVPN’s SmartPlay documentation, the feature activates automatically when you connect through the NordVPN application.

You do not need to enable SmartPlay separately, install another extension, or change your DNS settings. It works in the background as part of the regular VPN connection.

NordVPN also offers NordLynx, a protocol based on WireGuard technology that aims to provide efficient encrypted connections.

If you experience slow loading times or buffering, reconnecting to another German server may help. Your actual performance depends on your internet connection, server distance, and network conditions.

However, SmartPlay does not guarantee access to Gladiator II or any other regional Netflix movie. Netflix may still recognize NordVPN and limit the available catalog.

What to do if Gladiator II does not appear

If Netflix does not display Gladiator II after you connect to Germany, your browser may retain previous location information, or Netflix may have recognized your VPN connection. Try these troubleshooting steps:

1. Close Netflix completely.
2. Disconnect from the VPN.
3. Reconnect to Germany.
4. Try another server or location in the same country.
5. Clear Netflix cookies and your browser cache.
6. Open a private or incognito browser window.
7. Reopen Netflix and sign in again.
8. Search for Gladiator II.

Private Internet Access users should start with Germany Streaming Optimized, followed by Frankfurt or Berlin. ExpressVPN users can switch between Frankfurt – 1, Frankfurt – 3, Nuremberg, and Berlin. NordVPN users can reconnect automatically or select Frankfurt or Berlin.

Make sure you search for Gladiator II (2024), starring Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Denzel Washington. The original Gladiator (2000) is a different movie, so checking the release year and cast can help you identify the sequel.

If the movie still does not appear, Netflix may be restricting its catalog because of VPN detection. The Netflix missing titles guide explains other possible causes, including regional licensing changes, profile maturity settings, and language preferences.

Netflix may detect the VPN

A VPN changes the public IP address Netflix sees when your device connects to the service. For example, connecting to a German VPN server generally gives Netflix a German IP address instead of your regular US address.

However, a German IP address does not guarantee access to the country’s Netflix catalog. Netflix may recognize that the connection comes from a VPN provider and limit which movies and shows appear.

According to Netflix’s official VPN support page, users connecting through a VPN may only see titles for which Netflix holds worldwide distribution rights.

That means Gladiator II may remain unavailable in your Netflix search results even when your VPN application shows Germany as the connected country.

Trying another German server may resolve some connection problems, but Netflix can still restrict regional playback. No VPN provider guarantees access to every Netflix catalog.

Can you use a Netflix ad-supported plan with a VPN?

No. Netflix currently states that its ad-supported experience does not support VPN connections.

If you subscribe to Netflix with ads, you may encounter playback errors or VPN-related restrictions when connecting through Private Internet Access, ExpressVPN, or NordVPN.

Netflix confirms this limitation in its VPN support documentation. To use an ad-supported subscription normally, disconnect your VPN.

An ad-free Netflix subscription avoids this particular restriction, but Netflix may still detect VPN connections and limit access to region-specific movies.

Does changing the VPN location change your Netflix account?

No. Connecting to a German VPN server does not change your Netflix email address, password, profiles, or existing account credentials.

The VPN changes the public IP address Netflix sees. It does not automatically convert your US Netflix subscription into a German account or modify your login information.

You can continue signing in with your existing Netflix credentials. However, the movies and shows Netflix displays may depend on regional licensing restrictions, account settings, and whether the service recognizes your VPN connection.

The Netflix US title URL does not provide independent confirmation of US streaming availability. Current US streaming listings instead identify Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, MGM+, and other services.

When you disconnect from the VPN, Netflix generally recognizes your regular internet location again without changing your account settings.

Which VPN should you use?

Private Internet Access is our first recommendation because it offers a dedicated Germany Streaming Optimized location alongside standard servers in Frankfurt and Berlin. These options give users several German connections to try, although Netflix may still detect the VPN.

ExpressVPN is a useful alternative thanks to its physical high-capacity servers in Frankfurt and Nuremberg, alongside its Berlin location. NordVPN also offers more than 240 German servers and includes SmartPlay, which activates automatically when you connect.

Netflix Germany currently carries Gladiator II (2024), making Germany the verified international region for this guide. However, licensing agreements, VPN detection, and server availability can change, so connecting to Germany does not guarantee playback from the United States.