What are the top 10 Sylvester Stallone movies of all time?

Whether it be during his heyday in the 80’s  and 90’s, or his career rebirth in the 2010’s and beyond, Sylvester Stallone has consistently been one of the top stars Hollywood has to offer. But while known for muscular roles, he also shows surprising depth. And the deeper you look into his six decade long filmography, the more evident this becomes.

With so many great films to his name however, it can often be difficult to know where to start. Luckily though, there  are some which stand out above the rest. In this list we’ll be taking a look at the top 10 Sylvester Stallone movies of all time.

Top 10 Sylvester Stallone movies of all time

10. Tango & Cash (1989)

In 1989, two of the biggest stars in Hollywood were Sylvester Stallone and Kurt Russell. And that’s was why when they finally came together that year to star in Tango & Cash, it was billed as the clash of the decade.

In the movie, two rival cops wrongly accused of a crime must team up to clear their names. But while critical reception to this one would be mixed, general audiences at the time flocked to see it nonetheless. And this made it all worth while for the stars involved. Stallone briefly risked his life when flames from an SUV scene didn’t extinguish quickly, burning his hair.

9. The Expendables 2  (2012)

The first Expendables movie established the series’ template: action-packed throwbacks with 80s and 90s stars. In 2012, the sequel perfected the formula. Sylvester Stallone and crew embark on a mission, facing rival mercenary Jean Vilain. Explosions and flexed biceps around, evoking the 80s vibe. Notably, it marks Stallone and Schwarzenegger’s first movie together, beyond a brief cameo in the original film.

8. Cliffhanger (1993)

By 1993, many people in Hollywood had already written off Sylvester Stallone as being a has-been and a relic of the prior decade. So, looking to prove his detractors wrong then, he’d set about creating an all new hit for the 90’s, Cliffhanger. And here, Stallone would play the role of Gabriel Walker, a former mountain climber and current rescue ranger who gets caught up in a heist involving a US Treasury plane flying over the Rocky Mountains. But while there were plenty of thrills which played out in this one, one thing the star could not abide was cruelty to animals. And that was why after seeing how negatively a test audience reacted to a scene of a rabbit being shot, he’d invest $100,000 of his own money so as to have it re-filmed with the bunny surviving.

7. Escape Plan (2013)

Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger first shared the screen in The Expendables. But they truly co-starred in Escape Plan (2013). Stallone plays Ray Breslin, an escape artist testing prison security. He befriends Schwarzenegger’s prisoner. When things go wrong, Stallone breaks free, taking his buddy along.

Escape Plan marks their first equal billing. But it wasn’t their first attempt at co-starring. In 1997, Face/Off was supposed to feature them instead of Nicolas Cage and John Travolta.

6. Demolition Man (1993)

Movies often like to speculate about the future, and 1993’s “Demolition Man” is no exception. Set in 2032 LA, it’s not the most accurate portrayal of the future, but it’s entertaining and action-packed. Sylvester Stallone shines as John Spartan, a 90’s police sergeant frozen and thawed out in the future.

Teaming up with Sandra Bullock’s character, they embark on a hunt for his archenemy, Simon Phoenix, played by Wesley Snipes. Every scene with Stallone and Bullock works seamlessly, creating an engaging storyline.

However, one scene Stallone disliked involved his character’s cryogenic freezing early in the film. He admitted it was one of his worst five hours on set, finding it terrifying.

5. Rambo (2008)

By 2008, the Rambo franchise had long been  dormant and was considered by many to be dead. But when Sylvester Stallone was able to successfully revive his Rocky series with the release of 2006’s Rocky Balboa, it made him  start to wonder if he shouldn’t do the same here. And just as well he did then because, after twenty long years away, John Rambo returns with a vengeance for this one. Of course, this includes much bloodshed as he helps a team of mercenaries sneak into Burma so as  to rescue a group of Christian Missionaries. But the real reason this one was set in Burma had nothing to do with glorifying war. No, it was because Stallone wanted to use  his star power to shine a light on a real life ongoing conflict which was largely being ignored by the media at the time.

4. Cop Land (1997)

At the time, CopLand may not have been a hit with critics or audiences. But over the years, more people appreciate it as a true hidden gem in Sylvester Stallone’s back catalogue. A large part of this appreciation is due to his performance as Freddy Heflin, a local sheriff of a small New Jersey town. He clashes with corrupt New York City police officers living among his community. Despite the character’s challenges, Sly had fun preparing for the role. He gained the necessary weight by eating giant pancakes from his local waffle house.

3. Creed (2015)

After the success of 2006’s Rocky Balboa, Sylvester Stallone quickly realized there was still more juice left in the series. That  said, with him feeling like his character’s story had now largely been told, he was left with a conundrum about what to do next. He decided to train Apollo Creed’s son, Adonis, played by Michael B. Jordan. And part of the reason the surrogate father son dynamic feels so strong here is because Stallone was directly channeling his relationship with his own son Sage, someone who had tragically died while the film was in pre production.

2. First Blood (1982)

The original First Blood is a quiet and contemplative affair. Sylvester Stallone stars as John Rambo, a Vietnam War veteran with PTSD. When the police try to arrest him for vagrancy, he escapes into the wilderness. Only one person dies in this film. Stallone considers it his favorite of the series.

1. Rocky (1976)

When it comes to the greatest Sylvester Stallone movie of all time, it’s Rocky. Stallone gives us the character of the titular boxer, delivering one of cinema’s greatest feel-good stories. In the film, Rocky falls in love, fights the World Champion, and goes the distance in an iconic screen fight.

Stallone, a struggling actor at the time, found inspiration in watching the 1975 fight between Chuck Wepner and Muhammad Ali. Seeing a relative nobody go the distance with the greatest of all time inspired him to write Rocky.

Rocky has an 8.1 on IMDb and a 70 on Metacritic. Rotten Tomatoes gave it 91% on the Tomatometer and 69% from the audience.

Conclusion

Sylvester Stallone has left an indelible mark on the world of cinema. His iconic performances and memorable characters captivate audiences. From “Rocky” to action films, Stallone’s contributions are undeniable. Whether boxer, soldier, or officer, his presence is commanding. Stallone has secured his place as a Hollywood legend.

And there we have it, The Top 10 Sylvester Stallone movies of all time.