Iconic 1956 movie is suddenly finding new viewers 70 years later. It already has a place among AFI’s most celebrated films

Some movies remain popular because people grew up watching them, while others manage to find a completely new audience many years after they were first released. Classic movies can take decades to find a new audience, and The Ten Commandments is proving that some old Hollywood spectacles still have plenty of life left. Cecil B. DeMille’s 1956 epic is once again attracting viewers nearly 70 years after its original release, appearing prominently on Pluto TV’s streaming charts.

According to FlixPatrol data cited by Parade and Collider, The Ten Commandments has recently been performing strongly on Pluto TV, the free, ad-supported streaming service known for its large collection of older movies. The film has spent weeks appearing prominently on the platform’s movie charts, putting a nearly seven-decade-old production alongside much newer titles.

A massive retelling of Moses’ story

The Ten Commandments stars Charlton Heston as Moses, with Yul Brynner playing Pharaoh Ramses II and Anne Baxter as Nefretiri. The story follows Moses from his discovery as a baby in the Nile and his upbringing in the Egyptian royal household to the moment he learns about his Hebrew roots and ultimately leads his people out of slavery.


DeMille’s movie was actually a remake of his own 1923 film. But the 1956 version was made on a much larger scale, with filming taking place in Egypt and the Sinai and huge sets created for the production.

According to the American Film Institute, contemporary sources estimated that between 7,000 and 10,000 extras were used, while 88 assistant directors helped manage the enormous production, particularly during the Exodus sequences.

The movie already had a place in AFI history

The renewed streaming interest comes years after the film received major recognition from the American Film Institute. The Ten Commandments was placed at No. 10 on AFI’s list of cinema’s greatest epics.

“The film was named, appropriately, No. 10 on AFI’s list of cinema’s greatest epics and appears at No. 79 on AFI’s list of the most inspiring movies of all time, with Charlton Heston’s performance as Moses ranked No. 43 on AFI’s list of the greatest heroes in movie history,” the film institute wrote.

The movie was also a major commercial success when it was released. It earned seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and won the Oscar for Best Effects.

Why viewers are returning to it now

The renewed attention also comes as The Ten Commandments reaches its 70th anniversary, giving the classic another reason to enter the spotlight. Its availability on streaming means viewers who never saw it during its original theatrical or television runs can now discover it easily.

The film was also DeMille’s final movie, bringing his career to a close after decades in Hollywood. For some viewers, its return may be driven by nostalgia. Others may simply be interested in seeing the huge sets, practical spectacle and old-fashioned scale that made the movie stand out.

Whatever the reason, a 1956 film appearing on a modern streaming chart is a reminder that some Hollywood epics can still find an audience long after their original era has passed.