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The Best Sylvester Stallone Movies

Updated March 22, 2021 23.8k votes 3.6k voters 233.3k views62 items

List RulesVote for your favorite movies, regardless of critic reviews or how big the role was.

List of the best Sylvester Stallone movies, ranked best to worst with movie trailers when available. Sylvester Stallone has been working in Hollywood since 1970, but he didn't become a star until he wrote and starred in Rocky in 1976. Sylvester Stallone's highest grossing movies have received a lot of accolades over the years, earning millions upon millions around the world.

The order of these top Sylvester Stallone movies is decided by how many votes they receive, so only highly rated Sylvester Stallone movies will be at the top of the list. Sylvester Stallone has been in a lot of films, so people often debate each other over what the greatest Sylvester Stallone movie of all time is. If you think the best Sylvester Stallone role from his illustrious filmography isn't at the top, then upvote it so it has the chance to become number one. The greatest Sylvester Stallone performances didn't necessarily come from the best movies, but in most cases they go hand in hand.

Examples of films on this list: The Expendables, First Blood and more.

"This list answers the questions, "What are the best Sylvester Stallone movies?" and "What are the greatest Sylvester Stallone roles of all time?" If you are a fan of Stallone's action-packed films, you might also like our list of the best Arnold Schwarzenegger movies and best Bruce Willis movies.

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First Blood
Sylvester Stallone, Brian Dennehy
Released: 1982
Directed by: Ted Kotcheff
Character: John J. Rambo

First Blood is a 1982 American psychological thriller and action film directed by Ted... more
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#141 of 370 The Best Movies Based On Books#129 of 549 The Greatest Epic Movies Ever Made
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Rocky
Sylvester Stallone, Joe Frazier
Released: 1976
Directed by: John G. Avildsen
Character: Robert "Rocky" Balboa

Rocky is a 1976 American sports drama film directed by John G. Avildsen. A small-time boxer... more
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#121 of 1,184 Every Oscar Winning Film Ever#56 of 126 The Greatest Date Movies Of All Time
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Rocky III
Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire
Released: 1982
Directed by: Sylvester Stallone
Character: Robert "Rocky" Balboa

Rocky III is a 1982 American sports drama film directed by Sylvester Stallone, and the third... more
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#35 of 291 The Greatest Soundtracks of All Time#54 of 152 The Most Inspirational Sports Movies
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Rambo
Sylvester Stallone, Julie Benz
Released: 2008
Directed by: Sylvester Stallone
Character: John J. Rambo

Rambo is a 2008 American-German independent action film directed, co-written by and starring... more
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#128 of 375 The 50+ Best War Movies Ever Made, Ranked#56 of 88 The Goriest Movies Ever Made
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Rocky II
Sylvester Stallone, Burgess Meredith
Released: 1979
Directed by: Sylvester Stallone
Character: Robert "Rocky" Balboa

Rocky II is a 1979 American sports drama film directed by Sylvester Stallone, and the second... more
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#13 of 175 The Best Movie Sequels Ever Made#62 of 553 The Best '70s Movies
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Rocky IV
Sylvester Stallone, James Brown
Released: 1985
Directed by: Sylvester Stallone
Character: Robert "Rocky" Balboa

Rocky IV is a 1985 American sports film written and directed by Sylvester Stallone, who also... more
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#258 of 372 'Old' Movies Every Young Person Needs To Watch In Their Lifetime#16 of 99 The Most Patriotic Movies of All Time
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Rambo: First Blood Part II
Sylvester Stallone, Charles Napier
Released: 1985
Directed by: George P. Cosmatos
Character: John J. Rambo

Rambo: First Blood Part II is a 1985 American action film directed by George P. Cosmatos and... more
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#27 of 71 The Dumbest Movie Sequel Titles#27 of 43 The Best Adventure Movies That Take Place in the Jungle
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Cliffhanger
Sylvester Stallone, John Lithgow
Released: 1993
Directed by: Renny Harlin
Character: Gabriel "Gabe" Walker

Cliffhanger is a 1993 American action adventure film directed by Renny Harlin and starring... more
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#28 of 196 The Best Adventure Movies#35 of 37 The Best Snowy Thriller Movies, Ranked
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573
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Demolition Man
Sandra Bullock, Sylvester Stallone
Released: 1993
Directed by: Marco Brambilla
Character: Sgt. John Spartan

Demolition Man is a 1993 American science fiction action film directed by Marco Brambilla in... more
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Demolition Man Remains One Of The Most Underrated Movies Of The '90s#46 of 102 The Best 1990s Action Movies
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Rocky Balboa
Sylvester Stallone, Milo Ventimiglia
Released: 2006
Directed by: Sylvester Stallone
Character: Robert "Rocky" Balboa

Rocky Balboa is the sixth installment in the Rocky franchise, written, directed by, and... more
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#4 of 15 15 People Share The Movie Pep Talks They Turn To When They Need To Be Inspired#13 of 92 The Best Movies Directed by the Star
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Creed
Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone
Released: 2015
Directed by: Ryan Coogler
Character: Robert "Rocky" Balboa

Awards: Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture

Creed is a 2015 American sports drama film directed by Ryan Coogler. The former World... more
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#837 of 1,506 The Most Rewatchable Movies#137 of 277 The Top Tearjerker Movies That Make Men Cry
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490
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Cobra
Sylvester Stallone, Ron Jeremy
Released: 1986
Directed by: George P. Cosmatos
Character: Lt. Marion "Cobra" Cobretti

Cobra is a 1986 American action film directed by George P. Cosmatos, and written by Sylvester... more
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Tango & Cash
Sylvester Stallone, Teri Hatcher
Released: 1989
Directed by: Andrei Konchalovsky, Albert Magnoli
Character: Lt. Raymond "Ray" Tango

Tango & Cash is a 1989 American buddy cop action comedy film directed by Andrei Konchalovsky,... more
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#218 of 512 The Greatest Movies Of The 1980s, Ranked#90 of 305 The Funniest '80s Movies

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Lock Up
Sylvester Stallone, Donald Sutherland
Released: 1989
Directed by: John Flynn
Character: Frank Leone

Lock Up is a 1989 American prison action film directed by John Flynn. The film stars Sylvester... more
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#35 of 114 The Best Prison Movies#98 of 101 The Best Donald Sutherland Movies
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Rambo III
Sylvester Stallone, Omar Sharif
Released: 1988
Directed by: Peter MacDonald
Character: John J. Rambo

Rambo III is a 1988 American action film. It is the third film in the Rambo series following... more
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#176 of 206 The Best R-Rated Action Movies of All Time, Ranked#35 of 99 The Best Cold War Movies
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The Expendables 2
Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham
Released: 2012
Directed by: Simon West
Character: Barney Ross

The Expendables 2 is a 2012 American action film directed by Simon West, and the sequel to the... more
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#70 of 306 The Best Ensemble Movies#11 of 18 18 Times Movies And TV Shows Re-created Leonardo's 'The Last Supper'
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The Expendables
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone
Released: 2010
Directed by: Sylvester Stallone
Character: Barney Ross

The Expendables is a 2010 American ensemble action film written by David Callaham and... more
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#42 of 89 The Greatest Movies About CIA Agents & Operatives#145 of 451 The Best Movies For Guys
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Cop Land
Sylvester Stallone, Robert De Niro
Released: 1997
Directed by: James Mangold
Character: Sheriff Freddy Heflin

Cop Land is a 1997 American drama film written and directed by James Mangold, and starring... more
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#33 of 123 The Best Mafia Films Of All Time#6 of 85 The Best Movies About Corrupt Cops
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Over the Top
Sylvester Stallone, Terry Funk
Released: 1987
Directed by: Menahem Golan
Character: Lincoln Hawk

Over the Top is a 1987 action drama film starring Sylvester Stallone. It was produced and... more
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#54 of 112 The Best Action Movies Of The 1980s#392 of 625 The Greatest Action Movies Of All Time
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Escape Plan
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone
Released: 2013
Directed by: Mikael Håfström
Character: Ray Breslin / Anthony Portos

Escape Plan is a 2013 American prison action thriller film directed by Mikael Håfström. After... more
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Nighthawks
Sylvester Stallone, Billy Dee Williams
Released: 1981
Directed by: Gary Nelson, Bruce Malmuth
Character: Det. Sgt. Deke DaSilva

Nighthawks is a 1981 American thriller film directed by Bruce Malmuth and starring Sylvester... more
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#79 of 92 The Most Rewatchable Action Movies#59 of 93 The Best Movies About Terrorism
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Assassins
Sylvester Stallone, Julianne Moore
Released: 1995
Directed by: Richard Donner
Character: Robert Rath

Assassins is a 1995 American action thriller film directed and produced by Richard Donner,... more
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#24 of 123 The Best Assassin Movies#39 of 53 The Most Unrealistic Action Films
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Daylight
Sylvester Stallone, Viggo Mortensen
Released: 1996
Directed by: Rob Cohen
Character: Cf. Kit Latura

Daylight is a 1996 American disaster thriller film directed by Rob Cohen and starring... more
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#27 of 318 The Greatest Disaster Movies of All Time#12 of 16 Movies That Will Drive Anyone With Claustrophobia To The Edge

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Creed II
Michael B. Jordan, Tessa Thompson
Released: 2018
Directed by: Steven Caple Jr.
Character: Robert "Rocky" Balboa

Creed II is a 2018 American sports drama film directed by Steven Caple Jr., and a sequel to... more
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#86 of 112 Movies That Need Sequels#216 of 225 The Worst Sequels Of All Time
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The Expendables 3
Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham
Released: 2014
Directed by: Patrick Hughes
Character: Barney Ross

The Expendables 3 is a 2014 American action film directed by Patrick Hughes, and the third... more
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#47 of 136 The Best Third Films In A Movie Series#26 of 40 The Greatest Arnold Schwarzenegger Movies