5 Best Sylvester Stallone Movies Fans Claim As Top Picks

EdNews compiles lists of consensus picks featured on credible review sites. We aim to lay out top consumer research finds for you by bringing expert rankings to one place.

Sylvester Stallone has carved out a legendary niche in Hollywood, known for his iconic roles that blend raw physicality with compelling storytelling. From his breakthrough as the underdog boxer Rocky Balboa to his portrayal of the unstoppable soldier John Rambo, Stallone's films have become cultural touchstones that resonate with audiences worldwide. This article delves into the best Sylvester Stallone movies, celebrating the performances that have defined his career and solidified his status as a cinematic powerhouse. Our list is based on the most mentioned titles across nine reviews to create this aggregate list. Whether you're a fan of adrenaline-pumping action or heartfelt drama, Stallone's diverse filmography offers something for everyone. Join us as we explore the standout films that showcase Stallone's talent, versatility, and enduring appeal. Don’t happen to see your favorite movie below? Drop us a comment and tell us why your favorite should be on our list! 

Best Sylvester Stallone Movies, According to Film Critics Across the Web

1. “Rocky” (1976)

Of course, you know we had to start the list off with “Rocky”! As a cinematic masterpiece, “Rocky” stands definitively as one of the best Sylvester Stallone movies of all time. As Slash Film puts it, “Rocky is one of the great Hollywood success stories.” Stallone, who was still an unknown actor, “wrote a boxing script in three days that became the highest-grossing film of 1976 and won the Academy Award for best picture.” To this day, “few films have impacted popular culture as Rocky.”

This underdog story strikes a chord in all of us, tapping into the deepest depths of our desires, hope, and pursuit of greatness. The raw emotion, sincerity, and struggle portrayed in this film extend beyond the screen making it one of his most iconic roles. As Buddy TV writes, “It’s a heartwarming story with an unforgettable theme song and iconic training montages.” Following the “story of Rocky Balboa, a small-time boxer from Philadelphia,” Rocky received critical acclaim upon release and for these reasons, it’s number one on our list.

Earning ten Academy Award nominations, “Rocky” was an absolute success at the box office. Going on to spur several sequels, Rocky won three Academy Awards and catapulted Sylvester Stallone into stardom. As Entertainment Weekly asks, “Is there a more iconic Sylvester Stallone character than Rocky Balboa?” And while the “popularity of Rambo certainly gives the Italian Stallion a run for his money, the underdog from Philly is the role that catapulted him onto the A-list.” Equally impressive would be how “his contributions to the sport through the Rocky franchise even landed him a spot in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.” 

Iconic “Rocky” quotes:

• “Cause all I wanna do is go the distance.”
• “If you stop this fight I’ll kill ya!”
• “I just want to say hi to my girlfriend, okay? Yo, Adrian! It’s me, Rocky.”

2. “Rocky II” (1979)

It’s not often that a sequel lives up to the height and expectations of its predecessor. Fortunately for us, “Rocky II” does just that. As Wealth of Geeks says, “This is how you make a dramatic sports sequel.” Captivating audiences worldwide, “Rocky II ups the antics” giving Sylvester a “personal story of revenge where he fights with all his will to take down the mighty Apollo Creed.”

Stallone's trademark resilience, inner conflicts, and character struggle in “Rocky II” made it an instant blockbuster success. More so, the sequel was a more complete film doing an exceptional job of capturing the challenges Rocky faced outside the ring. As Slash Film breaks down, “Rocky has the heart of a champion and is a true winner.” And while it “may be easy for some to dismiss Rocky II as a remake of Rocky,” that is simply not the case. As for this time, “he wins.” 

The boxing sequences in “Rocky II” are as electrifying as they are emotionally charged. With realistic fight choreography and immersive acting performances, you really feel like you’re watching ringside. As Game Spot states, “After losing to Apollo Creed, Rocky announced his retirement from boxing.” Sadly for him, “he can't escape his calling as a boxer” and “returns to have a rematch against the world heavyweight champion.”

Iconic “Rocky II” quotes:

• “Except for my kid being born, this is the greatest night in the history of my life.”
• “I feel like a Kentucky Fried Idiot!”
• “I was wonderin' if, uh, you wouldn't mind marryin' me very much.”

3. “Rambo: First Blood” (1982)

Rambo: First Blood showcases a perfect balance of vulnerability, stoicism, and raw intensity. Playing John Rambo, Stallone is a troubled Vietnam veteran who gets embroiled in a harrowing conflict with local police. As The Manual explains, “This action film is one of the all-time classics of the 1980s.” And if “Rocky is Stallone’s most famous character, then Rambo isn’t far behind” as Stallone “adds surprising depth to this character.” 

John J Rambo (First Blood) 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/UKSxVghyEG

— Victor Rivera (@vicrambo23) July 26, 2023

If big action movies are your thing, then you need to watch “Rambo: First Blood.” From start to finish, this film is a white-knuckled thrill ride that’ll have your heart pounding. As AARP puts it, “This 1982 film introduced the world to Stallone’s second big franchise hero, John Rambo, a veteran with impressive fighting skills who is left traumatized by his time in Vietnam.” In the first installment, Rambo travels to Hope, Washington “to see an old military buddy where upon arrival he is harassed for being a drifter.” From there the film escalates dramatically as “he reverts to the brutal guerilla war tactics he learned overseas to evade capture.” 

“First Blood” is one of Stallone’s biggest box office hits. Combining powerful storytelling and his magnetic performance, this film continues to captivate audiences with its timeless message. As Game Spot mentions, “The film follows a Green Beret who is returning to civilian life.” In the end, “It's a movie about PTSD” and “how America treats its veterans.”

Iconic “Rambo: First Blood” quotes:

• “Nothing is over! Nothing! You just don't turn it off!”
• “They drew first blood.”
• “Live for nothing, or die for something.”

4. “Creed” (2015)

Creed stands toe-to-toe as one of the best Sylvester Stallone movies. As The Manual breaks down, “Creed manages to capture all of the lovable underdog bravery as its predecessor while weaving in the drama that many former combat athletes might face later in life.” In usual fashion, the plot follows the Rocky formula, “an unknown boxer against a champion.” Instead this time, the story follows the will of “small-time boxer Adonis, whose father Apollo Creed died in the ring earlier in the Rocky franchise.”

#SuperSceneChallenge

Day 20, Mentor in a movie

Creed pic.twitter.com/hbIQCEgsoO

— Angela ❤️🐶🌈🌞 (@Angie_baby_25) July 19, 2023

In Creed, Stallone clears the dust off his mitts to reprise his iconic Rocky role. Not only was Creed a major success but the franchise went on to produce additional sequels. For a better understanding, Wealth of Geeks says, “Creed takes the unbelievably talented Michael B. Jordan and pairs him with a father figure in Sylvester Stallone, who trains him to be the next boxing champion.” As you can guess, “their relationship is unmatched” with “Stallone at the height of his acting game.”

Creed was quick to receive critical acclaim upon its release. Perhaps more surprising is how it was Stallone’s first Oscar nomination Stallone since the original Rocky film. All the same, “Creed is a well-crafted and emotionally powerful film,” claims Buddy TV. As expected, “Stallone brought charm and gravitas to his role” while “Jordan delivered a standout performance as Adonis.”

Iconic “Creed” quotes:

• “See this guy here staring back at you? That’s the toughest opponent you’re ever going to have to face.”
• “Time takes everybody out.”
• “As long as you're talking, you're not listening.”

5. “Cop Land” (1997)

“Cop Land” is a thought-provoking crime drama that often hides beneath the radar as one of Stallone’s best movies. Portraying Sheriff Freddy Heflin, Stallone plays the film’s protagonist which is a departure from his usual action-hero persona. As Far Out Magazine elaborates, “Stallone plays the sheriff of a suburban New Jersey town who steadily realizes that his community has been taken over by mobsters.” Including a stellar cast with the likes of “Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel, and the late Ray Liotta.”

Sylvester Stallone proved in “Cop Land” that he is more than capable of stepping up and doing challenging roles. As the plot thickens, the film transforms into an engrossing, heart-throbbing narrative that explores the gritty underbelly of corrupt law enforcement. As AARP put it, “Stallone holds his own against opposing acting legends while exploring mob connections.” For the best scene, “check out where he goes head-to-head with De Niro’s Internal Affairs agent as he begs for help on the case.” In a town whose “population is full of crooked New York City cops,” Stallone's character has a hard time learning who to trust. 

Stallone stands tall and delivers an outstanding performance in “Cop Land.” With underlying moral dilemmas and shifting internal conflicts, the turmoil behind this film will take your emotions for a spin. As Game Spot says, Stallone is neck-deep into trouble when “he finds out the town is filled with corruption.” 

Iconic “Cop Land” quotes:

• “Being right is not a bulletproof vest, Freddy.”
• “You blew it.”
• “I looked the other way. I didn't see you.”

Sources used to create our list: 

• AARP
• Buddy TV
• Slash Film
• Movie Web
• Game Spot
• The Manual
• Wealth of Geeks
• Far Out Magazine
• Entertainment Weekly

Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. EdNews is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.