Sylvester Stallone is a Hollywood legend who burst onto the scene with his iconic role as Rocky Balboa in the 1976 film Rocky. Stallone not only starred in the film but also wrote the screenplay, showcasing his multifaceted talent. His portrayal of the underdog boxer who fights against all odds resonated with audiences worldwide, earning the film three Oscars, including Best Picture. This role catapulted Stallone to a stardom and solidified his reputation as the tough guy in Hollywood.
Over the decades, Stallone has continued to captivate audiences with his action-packed performances in movies like Rocky, Rambo and the latest one Expendables! His dedication to fitness and his ability to reinvent himself is the sole reason why he is still relevant in this ever evolving Hollywood industry. I mean the man is really hitting it out of the park even at the age of 78!
10 ACTION PACKED SYLVESTER STALLONE MOVIES
10- ESCAPE PLAN (2013)– Ray Breslin (Sylvester Stallone) is a security expert who is a prisoners nightmare. He is known for making prisons inescapable by going into them and then trying to break out. A woman approaches Breslin on behalf of CIA for a new jailhouse where the worst criminals are to be incarcerated. Breslin gladly takes up the job, only to find later that he is cheated.
Locked up in the worlds most secure and secret prison Breslin is now surrounded by notorious gangsters. Now his only mission is to escape this lock-up facility and take revenge. Co-staring Arnold Schwarzenegger, this film combines brains with brawn, and above all it brings together two iconic action heroes from the 90’s!
9- COBRA (1986) – Lieutenant Marion Cobretti (Stallone) is a no nonsense cop who has a reputation for taking down the worst criminals. In Los Angeles, a cult called “The new world” is on the rise and they believe in killing the weak and innocent people. “Night Slasher” (Brian Thompson) is the cult leader who is heading this social Darwinist movement. On one occasion model Ingrid (Brigitte Nielsen) witnesses a horrific killing incident which involves “Night Slasher” and she becomes an instant target of this cult.
In this high octane action thriller, Stallone delivers a solid performance with his; I don’t give a damn attitude! This is a pure 1980’s action flick, with a stylized approach and it’s a cult classic amongst Sylvester Stallone fans.
8. DEMOLITION MAN (1993) – The year is 1996 and John Spartan(Stallone) is a fearless police officer from Los Angeles. On one of his mission he fails to rescue the hostages from a notorious criminal Simon Phoenix (Wesley Snipes) and this leads to them being cryogenically frozen. Yes, that’s their penance.
Cut to 2032, Simon Phenix has escaped from the authorities and now he is on killing spree. The local police are unable to catch Simon and their only hope is to revive John Spartan. John wakes up and finds himself in a futuristic dystopian world, of which is has no clue. However, he remembers his enemy Simon and will do anything to stop him.
Starring Sylvester Stallone and Oscar winner Sandra Bullock, this sci-fi movie blends action with humor and social commentary, making it a unique entry in Stallone’s filmography.
7. CLIFFHANGER (1993)– Gabe (Stallone) is a mountain rescue ranger who looses one of his friend on one of his rescue mission. Few months later, guilt stricken Gabe returns to the rocky region and finds himself in a middle of a $100 million dollar robbery. And this time his best friend and his girlfriend’s life is at stake.
Directed by Renny Harlin, Cliffhanger is a stunning action thriller with some breathtaking stunts. Stallone’s performance as a man haunted by a past tragedy, yet determined to survive and save others, adds depth to this edge-of-your-seat adventure. Made on a budget of $70 million, this movie made a whopping $225 million on box-office.
6. THE EXPENDABLES (2010) – A CIA operative hires a team of legendary warriors to kill a Latin dictator and a corrupt ex CIA agent. In this movie Stallone brings together a star studded cast of 90’s action heroes. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Jason Statham, Jet li, Micky Rourke, Dolph Lundgren, and WWE star Steve Austin.
The film is packed with over-the-top action, explosive set pieces, and nostalgic references. Stallone as Barney Ross leads the team and makes this movie an enjoyable ride. As of 2024, this movie has had four sequels but nothing beats the nostalgia of the first one.
5. RAMBO (2008) – Directed by Sylvester Stallone this is the fourth installment in the Rambo series. After the traumatic events of Afghanistan and Vietnam war, John Rambo now leads a quite life in Thailand. He works as a snake catcher and provides boat rides to the civilians. Everything is calm until a group of missionaries are captured by Burmese soldiers and Rambo is the only person who is skilled for this type of rescue mission.
The film is brutally intense and showcases Rambo’s raw power and tactical prowess, with Stallone delivering a powerful performance as a man at war with the world.
4. RAMBO: FIRST BLOOD PART 2 (1985) – Colonel Sam Trautman unites with his brave soldier Rambo for another epic mission. After the nerve wrecking events in Hope, Washington, Rambo leads a lonely life imprisoned at a penal labor facility. One day Colonel Trautman arrives at the facility and convinces Rambo for a job in Vietnam in exchange of Presidential pardon.
Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) is sent to the jungles of Vietnam on a mission to rescue American POWs. Things turn ugly when Rambo is double crossed by the slick bureaucrat Murdock, who is in charge of this operation. Rambo finds himself behind the enemy lines and once again proves why he is the bad ass soldier that no can mess with.
This is a complete blockbuster movie filled with solid performance and mind blowing action sequence. No wonder this Sylvester Stallone movie made $300 million at the box office.
3. ROCKY 4 (1985) – In this Rocky movie it is Russia Vs America. Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren) is a Russian boxer who arrives in America and he is being promoted as the superior power by his entourage. Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) cannot stand Drago’s snobbish attitude and he decides to challenge him for an exhibition fight. Rocky is apprehensive about this match but he agrees to train Apollo.
The situation goes bad when Apollo gets killed by Drago in the ring. Pained by the loss of his friend Rocky challenges Drago for a match. The date is set in Soviet Union on Christmas day and Rocky gets ready to avenge his friend’s death. Cold War symbolism, electrifying training montages, and intense final fight. This Rocky movie will surely knock you out!
2. RAMBO: FIRST BLOOD (1982) -John Rambo is a former Vietnam war soldier, a lone wolf who is on his way to meet his war friend, Delmar Barry, at the lake house. After a long travel when John finally meets Delmar’s family he is shocked to find about his recent death.
Though from the outside John looks all tough and macho, internally he is battling the loss of his friend and the trauma of war. At Hope, Washington, Rambo meets this overly suspicious Sheriff, Will Teasle (Brian Dennehy) who wrongfully arrests him. In the police station Teasle’s deputies harass Rambo which triggers the memory of the torture he faced in Vietnam. Rambo quickly goes in to self defense mode and escapes the authority. Now the entire police force is on a hunt to capture Rambo, but they have no clue about the war this one man can unleash.
The film is a gripping tale of survival and a critique of how Vietnam veterans were treated upon returning home. With its intense action sequences and Stallone’s gritty performance, First Blood is a cult classic and my favorite action movie.
1. ROCKY (1976) -Directed by John Avildsen and written by Sylvester Stallone this is one of the greatest underdog story in cinema history. Rocky Balboa (Stallone) is a small time boxer from Philadelphia who works as debt collector for a loan shark. Rocky is aware that he has the potential to make it big as a boxer but life isn’t going as per his plan.
In midst of this chaos and uncertainty one day Rocky gets an opportunity to fight heavyweight champion Apollo Creed for an exhibition match. Considering this as an once in a life time opportunity Rocky takes up the offer and starts training under Mickey (Burgess Meredith) the local gym trainer. During this time Rocky falls in love with a beautiful shy woman Adrian (Talia Shire), who is his best friend Paulie’s sister.
All odds are against Rocky and everyone thinks that it’s a easy win for Apollo Creed. Nevertheless Rocky trains hard and he steps into the ring with full aggression. The film is more than just a boxing movie; it’s a story of determination, heart, and the American dream. The training montages and the unforgettable “Gonna Fly Now” soundtrack has become one of the iconic song in cinema history.
