Sylvester Stallone is best known for his work in front of the camera in TV series like Rocky and Rambo, but he has also directed eight feature films of varying quality. Stallone often directs films from scripts that he wrote himself, and of all the projects he has directed, there has only been one that he did not star in himself. While Stallone’s directorial work isn’t often spoken of with the same respect as some of his contemporaries, he has helmed franchises that have grossed over $1 billion and been responsible for some of the biggest box office successes ever released.
Stallone demonstrated a deep understanding of his characters John Rambo and Barney Ross in his directorial work and always created tense, action-packed stories that left audiences wanting more. Here Are All 8 Movies Directed By Sylvester Stallone
7. Staying Alive (1983)
Many will be surprised to learn that Sylvester Stallone directed and co-wrote a sequel to Saturday Night Fever called Staying Alive. With John Travolta reprising his role as Tony Manero, Staying Alive sadly did not have the flair of the original film and amounted to an unengaging follow-up with uninspired dance numbers. The gritty nature and realism of Saturday Night Fever was wholly missing from Staying Alive and the tough-guy bravado Stallone, who was featured in an uncredited, was wholly unsuitable to this type of movie.RELATED:
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6. Rocky III (1982)
By the time Rocky III was released in 1982, Stallone and the character of Rocky Balboa had become pop culture icons. However, Rocky III, which Stallone wrote and directed, was one of the weakest entries in the entire franchise and felt like a disappointment following the previous two movies. While Rocky III did provide the world with one of the best theme songs ever with “Eye of the Tiger”
5. Rambo (2008)
The fourth installment in the Rambo franchise was the only time Sylvester Stallone took on directorial duties, playing the character of Vietnam War veteran John Rambo. The result is a highly entertaining action movie that takes Rambo’s penchant for chaos to its absolute extreme as he joins mercenaries in war-torn Burma to violently rescue aid workers. Stallone knew Rambo better than anyone and demonstrated that he was capable of creating high-octane cinematic spectacle.
4. The Expendables (2010)
After already helming two major franchises with Rocky and Rambo, Sylvester Stallone later in his career created a new series with The Expendables, the first film of which he directed, starred in and co-wrote. Combining incredible action sequences, a stellar cast, and a commitment to delivering the ultimate spectacle, The Expendables is everything a Stallone enthusiast could have dreamed of, and it was great to see Stallone create something completely new. The Expendables series had several sequels starring Stallone. However, he only directed the first recording.
3. Rocky IV (1985)
Rocky IV was one of the most successful films of 1985, pitting Rocky Balboa against his Russian adversary Ivan Drago, played by Dolph Lundgren. Rocky IV featured a much more compelling villain than Rocky III and showcased Stallone’s talent for making this type of boxing blockbuster. Rocky IV had some of the best training montages of the entire series, and the 2021 director’s cut, titled Rocky IV: Rocky vs. Drago, received even better reviews than the original.
2. Rocky II (1979)
Sylvester Stallone took over directorial duties for Rocky II and showed that Rocky Balboa has what it takes to helm the ongoing franchise. With the help of Stallone’s captivating script, Rocky II told the story of the newly famous Rocky as he prepares for a rematch against his greatest enemy, Apollo Creed. Although Rocky II didn’t pack the same emotional punch as its predecessor, Rocky II ended up being one of the best in the series.