<P> 300 is a 2006 American epic war film based on the 1998 comic series 300 by Frank Miller and Lynn Varley . Both are fictionalized retellings of the Battle of Thermopylae within the Persian Wars . The film was directed by Zack Snyder, while Miller served as executive producer and consultant . It was filmed mostly with a super-imposition chroma key technique, to help replicate the imagery of the original comic book . </P> <P> The plot revolves around King Leonidas (Gerard Butler), who leads 300 Spartans into battle against the Persian "god - King" Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) and his invading army of more than 300,000 soldiers . As the battle rages, Queen Gorgo (Lena Headey) attempts to rally support in Sparta for her husband . The story is framed by a voice - over narrative by the Spartan soldier Dilios (David Wenham). Through this narrative technique, various fantastical creatures are introduced, placing 300 within the genre of historical fantasy . The events are revealed to be a story told by Dilios, the only one of the 300 Spartans to survive the battle . </P> <P> 300 was released in both conventional and IMAX theaters in the United States on March 9, 2007, and on DVD, Blu - ray Disc, and HD DVD on July 31, 2007 . The film received mixed reviews, receiving acclaim for its original visuals and style, but criticism for favoring visuals over characterization and its depiction of the ancient Persians in Iran, a characterization which some had deemed racist; however, the film was a box office success, grossing over $450 million, with the film's opening being the 24th - largest in box office history at the time . A sequel, entitled Rise of an Empire, which is based on Miller's unpublished graphic novel prequel Xerxes, was released on March 7, 2014 . </P> <P> In 479 BC, one year before the Battle of Thermopylae, Dilios, a hoplite in the Spartan Army, begins his story by depicting the life of Leonidas I from childhood to kingship via Spartan doctrine . Dilios's story continues and Persian messengers arrive at the gates of Sparta demanding "earth and water" as a token of submission to King Xerxes - the Spartans reply by killing and kicking the messengers into a well . Leonidas then visits the Ephors, proposing a strategy to drive back the numerically superior Persians through the Hot Gates . His plan involves building a wall in order to funnel the Persians into a narrow pass between the rocks and the sea . The Ephors consult the Oracle, who decrees that Sparta will not go to war during the Carneia . As Leonidas angrily departs, a messenger from Xerxes appears, rewarding the Ephors for their covert support . </P>

How much did 300 make at the box office