Few people in the movie biz have as much of a claim to the title of “icon” as multi-talented filmmaker and actorSylvester Stallone. The man didn’t just write and star in one of the ultimate “rags to riches” American Dream stories ever made (we’re talking aboutRocky, of course), but helived ittoo. Starting out as a struggling actor on the hard streets of New York City, Stallone’s path to stardom wasn’t easy. Although he did score a couple of acting gigs before his major breakthrough withRocky, he was still just barely getting by.According to Screen Rant, “Up until 1976, Stallone didn’t have much more than a dream and a script for his legendary boxing movie. As a result, around 1975, Stallone had to sell his dog Butkus due to his being unable to continue caring for the animal.” Fortunately, the success ofRockycame soon thereafter, and Sly was able to buy back his beloved pet.
Once he finally became a bona fide Hollywood star, Stallone never slowed down to rest on his laurels; he’s one of the most dedicated and industrious filmmakers working today, who has written, produced, directed and acted in dozens of movies over the course of his long career. In the list below, we’ve counted down all the Italian Stallion’s movies that have been certified fresh by Rotten Tomatoes!
18Demolition Man (1993) – 62%
One ofthe best action movies of the ‘90s,Demolition Manis a satirical sci-fi actioner about a cop and a killer who awake from cryogenic stasis in the year 2032, and continue their chase amidst the utopic future city of San Angeles. Along the way, Stallone’s fish-out-of-water cop teams up with a seasoned peace officer played by Sandra Bullock. With the two incredible leads bringing boatloads of star power and chemistry, plus a charismatic and memorable villain played by Wesley Snipes,Demolition Manmakes the most of its somewhat corny premise.
Although it may not be a top-tier Stallone movie, it’s got more than enough creative action to justify its fresh rating from the Tomatometer.As Collider explains, “With imaginative world-building, over-the-top action sequences, and snappy dialog,Demolition Manis a hugely entertaining sci-fi adventure and one of Stallone’s most purely enjoyable films.”
Related:Why Demolition Man Was One of the Best Action Movies of the 1990s
17The Lords of Flatbush (1974) – 64%
The Lords of Flatbushis a classic coming-of-age drama film about a group of leather jacket-clad “greasers” growing up in 1950s Brooklyn, New York. The movie is notable for being among the first of Stallone’s starring roles, as well as launching the careers of Perry King and Henry Winkler. While it’s definitely noRocky, the movie is a fine example of the New York City low-budget and independent film scene of the 1970s, and features some excellent acting from the Italian Stallion. Sitting at a respectable 64% on the Tomatometer, this early Stallone flick should not be missed by big fans.
16Rocky III (1982) – 65%
Rocky IIIis the beloved threequel to Stallone’s smash hit that put him on the map. As with the previous entry,Rocky II, Stallone returns to star and direct this sequel, and does a great job at both. The movie is about Rocky whiling away his time as the rich and famous world heavyweight champion boxer, and ultimately losing his title due to his arrogant overconfidence. Boasting new twists to theRockyformula and lots of stylish directing,Rocky IIImay not be the ultimate entry in the series, but it is a massive crowd-pleaser with near-endless re-watch value.
Related:Sylvester Stallone Would Never Have Written His “Horrible” Rocky Script if His Early Career Had Been More Successful
15Escape to Victory (1981) – 67%
Escape to Victoryis a sports war film about a high-profile football (soccer) match taking place at a German POW camp during World War II. Although the film drummed up lots of attention at the time of its release in 1981, it has been more or less forgotten about in the decades since, not managing to make it into most lists of the best Stallone or Michael Caine movies. That doesn’t mean it’s not worthy of your time, however, as it tells a thrilling story and features a plethora of wonderful performances. The film remains a fascinating watch for football fans, as it is the only place where one can see Stallone and international football legend Pelé share the screen, shooting glorious goals over the Nazis, which more than justifies its score of 67%.
14Shade (2003) – 67%
Shadeis an underrated neo-noir thriller about a group of swindlers who attempt to take on a legendary card shark – Stallone’s “The Dean” – in an ultra-high stakes poker game. The star-studded cast includes Jamie Foxx, Stuart Townsend, and Thandiwe Newton, and the movie is stylishly directed by Damian Nieman. While it’s ultimately not a Stallone-starring classic,Shadeis a lot of fun and worth checking out for the Sly completionists out there.
13The Expendables 2 (2012) – 67%
The Expendables 2is the second, and, according to the Tomatometer, the best film in theExpendablesseries. It was directed with a lot of flair by Simon West, and stars a whole slew of old-school action heroes in addition to Stallone, including Dolph Lundgren, Chuck Norris, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jason Statham, Jet Li, and Jean-Claude Van Damme. Make no mistake, the movie is pure dumb fun, but it’s well-made dumb fun that’s got a great sense of self-deprecating humor and plenty of tricks up its sleeve.
12Cliffhanger (1993) – 68%
Cliffhangeris an action thriller about a former mountain rescue ranger who comes into conflict with a band of sadistic crooks who lose their $100 million stolen from the U.S. Treasury in the Rocky Mountains. Chock-full of death-defying stunt work and edge-of-your-seat suspense,Cliffhangeris a rock-solid survival-action movie that has only gotten better with age. Although it may not be the apex of Stallone’s action output, it comes very close with all its dazzling visuals and perilous location photography.
11Rocky II (1979) – 70%
Rocky IIis the second film in theRockyfranchise and the first to be directed by Stallone himself. The movie proves that Stallone is just as capable on-camera as he is behind it, as it is taut and satisfying from start-to-finish. The movie is, in the eyes of many, one of therare sequels that live up to the original, and does a great job at furthering the story of the working-class boxing hero. The lovable underdog once again squares off with Apollo Creed, and his romance with Adrian is given new layers of depth.
10Nighthawks (1981) – 71%
Nighthawksisa long-forgotten B-action classicthat deserves more recognition. Originally devised as a sequel toThe French Connectionof all things,Nighthawkswas later picked up by Universal and made as a Stallone vehicle. Also featuring Billy Dee Williams and Rutget Hauer, this action-packed extravaganza pits Stallone’s gruff and street-wise cop against a meticulous evil mastermind intent on blowing up New York City. The film’s production was plagued with on-set difficulties, but the finished product is nothing but fun.
9F.I.S.T. (1978) – 73%
F.I.S.T.is a neo-noir thriller from internationally acclaimed director Norman Jewison, which stars Stallone as a Cleveland warehouse worker who becomes an influential figure in the “Federation of Interstate Truckers” (F.I.S.T.), a labor union with ties to the mob. Loosely based upon the story of Teamster president Jimmy Hoffa, this crime drama boasts an intriguing story, some solid action, and a thoughtful portrayal of the main character by Stallone.
