Starring in the new superhero action movie The Samaritan at the age of 76, Sylvester Stallone has proven time and time again to be one of the most unstoppable talents in Hollywood history. Although he has appeared in more than 80 roles since his screen debut in 1969, Stallone’s work as a screenwriter and director is often overlooked. Since his Oscar nomination for writing Rocky in 1976, Stallone has become a credited screenwriter for over 20 other feature film scripts, and has directed eight of them to date.
His IMDb directorial scores show that moviegoers are still very much in love with the iconic action star.
Staying Alive (1983) – 4.7
Stallone’s film with the lowest rating, shot during his entire career, is “Staying in Life”, a sequel to the popular disco hit “Saturday Night Fever”. The film resumes the story of Tony Manero (John Travolta), who will now appear on Broadway. Tony changes a disco in Brooklyn to a teaching job in Manhattan, trying to climb the career ladder in Broadway theater circles. He polishes his image and plays by the rules, but still tries his best to find his place in the ultra-competitive profession of a theater dancer.
Paradise Alley (1978) – 5.7
After the huge success of Rocky in 1976, Stallone used his influence to write, direct and star in Paradise Alley, a gritty drama about three Italian-American brothers struggling to make it in 1940s New York. years. Stallone plays Cosmo Carboni in the film, the eldest of three siblings with different callings in life. Cosmo is a small trader, Lenny works as an undertaker, and Victor makes a living selling ice on the streets. While the three go about their daily routine, Cosmo opens an underground wrestling club, Paradise Alley, where he and Lenny train Victor to become a better fighter.
The Expendables (2010) – 6.4
Stallone assembled an unrivaled action ensemble for The Expendables, a throwback action movie that starred some of the most famous action icons of the 80s and 90s. Stallone plays Barney Ross, a blunt Central Intelligence agent who recruits a team of hard-boiled mercenaries to assassinate a South American monarch and rogue CIA veteran. When plans go awry, an all-out battle royale begins. The film successfully won over action movie fans, spawning an ongoing franchise.RELATED:
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Rocky III (1982) – 6.8
After “Rocky” won “Best Picture” and established itself as one of the best Hollywood films of the 1970s, Stallone hired popular wrestling stars Hulk Hogan and Mr. T to give the main character new opponents and created another hit. According to the plot of Rocky, the former boxer from the working class Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) became rich and famous beyond his wildest dreams, which made him lazy and self-confident. As a result of a double blow, he loses his coach and father figure Mickey (Burgess Meredith), and then his title is stolen by the arrogant and threatening contender Clubber Lang (Mr. T).
Rocky IV (1985) – 6.9
“Rocky IV” became the favorite of fans in the long-term franchise. After reclaiming the boxing championship title, Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) plans to retire and live with his wife, Adrian (Talia Shire). However, during an exhibition match, Rocky’s friend Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) is mercilessly beaten to death by hulking Russian newcomer Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren). Rocky vows payback against Drago and flies to Russia to train for a Christmas Day fight.
Rambo (2008) – 7.0
Other than Rocky Balboa, Stallone is the most well-known for playing John Rambo, the Vietnam War vet who was introduced in First Blood in 1982. Stallone played the character thrice under someone else’s direction before helming a sequel on his own. Having long-since abandoned his life as a lethal soldier, John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) lives a solitary life near the Thai border. Two weeks after guiding a missionary (Julie Benz) and her comrades into Burma, he gets an urgent call for help. He is reluctant to embrace violence again, Rambo sets out to rescue the captives from the Burmese army.
Rocky Balboa (2006) – 7.1
In the Creed movies, Stallone ended his 30-year run as a beloved boxing champion in Rocky Balboa, a contemplative character who has received some of his highest accolades as a writer, director, and actor. Beaten and broken, Rocky agrees to a 10-round exhibition fight with the defiant Mason Dixon (Antonio Tarver), who is 30 years his junior. Stallone uses his insidious knowledge in the ring to overcome his physical limitations and prove once again who is the king of the ring.