Rise of the Empire (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

Rise of the Empire follows Peter the Great after his Grand Embassy as he enters a difficult war with Sweden for access to the Baltic Sea. Setbacks, betrayal and political deceit test his ambitions, while the story also traces his path toward becoming Emperor and finding love.

Rise of the Empire is a Russian historical war drama centered on Peter the Great and the formative conflict that shaped his ambitions. After returning from the Grand Embassy, he faces a prolonged war with Sweden in pursuit of access to the Baltic Sea.

Directed by Andrei Kravchuk and written by Andrey Zolotarev, the film combines military and political stakes with a personal storyline involving power, loyalty and love. Its release is scheduled for October 29, 2026.

Rise of the Empire movie details

Story without spoilers

The film begins with Peter the Great’s return from the Grand Embassy, followed by his decision to confront Sweden in a long campaign for access to the Baltic Sea. Victory is far from straightforward: setbacks, treachery and deceit stand between Peter and his larger political goals.

Against this historical backdrop, the story follows Peter’s rise toward becoming Emperor. It also includes a romantic dimension, presenting his search for true love alongside the effort to establish Russia as a great empire. The supplied synopsis sets up an account of ambition tested by war and internal opposition without revealing how those conflicts are resolved.

What to expect

Viewers can expect a period drama shaped by military conflict, political maneuvering and the ambitions of a major historical ruler. The war with Sweden provides the central external struggle, while betrayal and deceit suggest continuing obstacles beyond the battlefield.

The film is also positioned as more than a campaign narrative. Peter’s movement toward imperial power and the promise of a love story give the historical material a personal dimension. As a Drama, History and War production, it is built around the intersection of national ambition and individual challenges.

Cast and creative team

Miloš Biković, Aleksandr Gorbatov, Mathe Kabe, Vitaliy Khaev, Aleksey Guskov, Yulia Peresild, Ksenia Utekhina, Sergey Shkoda, Victor Dobronravov and Sergey Shakurov lead the cast. Mathe Kabe is listed as playing Karl XII. The film is directed by Andrei Kravchuk, with a screenplay by Andrey Zolotarev.

• Miloš Biković
• Aleksandr Gorbatov
• Mathe Kabe as Karl XII
• Vitaliy Khaev
• Aleksey Guskov
• Yulia Peresild
• Ksenia Utekhina
• Sergey Shkoda
• Victor Dobronravov
• Sergey Shakurov

Release and production context

Rise of the Empire is listed as a 2026 production from Russia, with Russian as its spoken language. Its release date is October 29, 2026. The production companies are Studio Trite, Russia 1 and Central Partnership. No runtime is provided in the supplied details.

Production companies: Studio Trite, Russia 1, Central Partnership

Rise of the Empire official trailer

Watch the official trailer on YouTube

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With its focus on Peter the Great’s war against Sweden, the film presents a historical account of imperial ambition, political danger and personal stakes. The combination of Russian history, warfare and drama gives Rise of the Empire a clearly defined period setting ahead of its scheduled 2026 release.

Film data:
TMDB · IMDb