As one of the biggest action movie heroes of all time, Sylvester Stallone’s filmography is packed with tense thrillers that have kept viewers on the edge of their seats. While many will know Stallone as the underdog boxer Rocky Balboa, he’s portrayed many more heroes across insightful crime stories, gritty neo-noir tales, and even futuristic sci-fi thrillers. With a brooding physique and endless onscreen chemistry, Stallone’s thrillers are an essential aspect of his legacy as one of the biggest box office draws of all time.
There have been plenty of unloved Stallone movies in need of more attention, and when looking at his catalog, there’s a lot more than just his exciting 1980s hits, like the Rambo franchise. As an actor, Stallone can deliver mindless popcorn entertainment and deeply thoughtful performances with equal measure, meaning he’s a performer with a role to fit all tastes. Audiences have long known they’re in for a treat when Stallone’s name gets top billing on a poster, and even though critics have occasionally dismissed his work, his films are never boring.
You are watching: Sylvester Stallone’s 10 Best Thrillers, Ranked
10
Escape Plan (2013)
Sylvester Stallone as Ray Breslin
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Escape Plan
pg-13
ThrillerAction
An action thriller film that stars movie action heroes, Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger, Escape Plan follows Lawyer Ray Breslin, a security tester who enters a supermax prison to study its defenses. To accomplish the breakout, he’ll enlist the help of an inmate named Emil, a self-proclaimed hero who steals from the rich and gives to the poor.
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Release Date
October 10, 2013
Runtime
116minutes
Cast
Sylvester Stallone
, Arnold Schwarzenegger
Writers
Jason Keller
Sequel(s)
Escape Plan 2: Hades
Budget
$54 million
Studio(s)
Lionsgate
Distributor(s)
Summit Entertainment
, Lionsgate
Expand
Although Sylvester Stallone and his longtime rival Arnold Schwarzenegger had already appeared together in The Expendables in 2010, Escape Plan was the duo’s first true feature-length pairing. While this would have been an action movie lover’s dream come true in the 1980s, this prison break story about a security tester incarcerated in the world’s most secure and secretive facility did not have the same bite as either hero’s best work. While Stallone and Schwarzenegger had great chemistry, Escape Plan paled in comparison to their glory days so many decades before.
Stallone played Ray Breslin, a man staging a prison breakout to test the facility’s security who quickly realized he’s been framed and the imprisonment was real. While there are enough thrills to keep viewers engaged, and Stallone even starred in two sequels, this franchise does not have the same enduring appeal as series like Rocky, Rambo, or The Expendables. Escape Plan is well worth a watch for those looking to see Stallone and Schwarzenegger share the screen, but it won’t go down in history as the epic team-up audiences had been craving since the early 1980s.
9
Daylight (1996)
Sylvester Stallone as Chief Kit Latura
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10/10
Daylight
PG-13
ActionAdventureDrama
Daylight is a disaster thriller film directed by Rob Cohen. Sylvester Stallone stars as Kit Latura, a former Emergency Medical Services chief, who must lead a group of survivors through a perilous journey after a catastrophic explosion traps them inside the Holland Tunnel. Joining him are Amy Brenneman as writer Maddy Thompson and Viggo Mortensen as adventurous celebrity Roy Nord.
Release Date
December 6, 1996
Runtime
114 Minutes
Main Genre
Action
Cast
Sylvester Stallone
, Amy Brenneman
, Viggo Mortensen
, Dan Hedaya
, Jay O. Sanders
, Karen Young
, Claire Bloom
, Vanessa Bell Calloway
Character(s)
Kit Laura
, Madelyne Thompson
, Roy Nord
, Frank Kraft
, Steven Crighton
, Sarah Crighton
, Eleanor Trilling
, Grace Calloway
Director
Rob Cohen
Writers
Leslie Bohem
Expand
From Armageddon to Twister, the 1990s were a great time for disaster movies, and one of the most underrated from this era was Daylight with Sylvester Stallone. While this thrilling release rarely gets spoken about among the actor’s best work, it deserves more recognition for its tense and well-crafted exploration of a crisis situation. With Stallone as a disgraced former New York City Emergency Medical Services chief trying to save trapped survivors, Daylight followed the destructive consequences of an explosion that caused a Manhattan tunnel to collapse from both sides.
With an earnest and sympathetic performance, Stallone got to show off his more dramatic side as Kit pulled out all the stops and put his life on the line to try and get the trapped citizens out alive. Daylight was full of disaster action movie tropes and clichés, and although it was badly received at the time, looking back on it today, it more than holds up. Stallone’s career is full of unloved movies in need of retrospective praise, and despite having a pretty predictable narrative, it was a surprisingly poignant story with strong visuals and plenty of suspense.
8
Lock Up (1989)
Sylvester Stallone as Frank Leone
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7.8/10
Lock Up
R
ActionAdventureCrimeThriller
Lock Up stars Sylvester Stallone as Frank Leone, a convict nearing the end of his sentence in a minimum-security prison. He is unexpectedly transferred to a maximum-security facility by a vengeful warden who harbors a personal grudge against him. Directed by John Flynn, the film explores themes of resilience and justice as Leone navigates brutal challenges to regain his freedom.
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Release Date
August 4, 1989
Runtime
109 Minutes
Main Genre
Action
Cast
Sylvester Stallone
, Donald Sutherland
, John Amos
, Sonny Landham
, Tom Sizemore
, Frank McRae
, Darlanne Fluegel
, William Allen Young
, Larry Romano
, Jordan Lund
, John Lilla
, Dean Rader Duval
, Jerry Strivelli
, David Anthony Marshall
, Kurek Ashley
Director
John Flynn
Writers
Richard Smith
, Jeb Stuart
, Henry Rosenbaum
Expand
The prison movie Lock Up had one of the most haphazard production processes of any movie in Sylvester Stallone’s filmography and even started shooting before the script was finished (via Shock Cinema.) While this meant the results were uneven, at its best, Lock Up made for thrilling viewing as Stallone portrayed a convict nearing the end of his sentence whose shot at freedom was upended by a vindictive prison warden. Stallone played Frank Leone after he was suddenly transferred to the violent maximum-security facility known as Gateway Prison after his sentence was extended by five years.
While Stallone gave a great performance, it was Donald Sutherland as the sadistic Warden Drumgoole who truly stole the show. With a sinister presence, Drumgoole had a deep hatred for Leone and did everything in his power to ensure his suffering. While Lock Up was badly received at the time of its release, it had built up a cult following, and although it was a mixed-bag movie, it’s often named a favorite by Stallone enthusiasts.
7
Assassins (1995)
Sylvester Stallone as Robert Rath
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6/10
Assassins
R
ActionCrimeThriller
Assassins (1995) is a thriller directed by Richard Donner, starring Sylvester Stallone and Antonio Banderas. Stallone plays Robert Rath, a professional hitman aiming to retire while Banderas portrays Miguel Bain, a younger assassin challenging Rath’s status. As they face off in a deadly game, Rath protects a target, played by Julianne Moore, from both Bain and his own dark past in a high-stakes battle of wits and survival.
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Release Date
October 6, 1995
Runtime
133 Minutes
Main Genre
Action
Cast
Sylvester Stallone
, Antonio Banderas
, Julianne Moore
, Anatoli Davydov
, Muse Watson
, Steve Kahan
, Kelly Rowan
, Reed Diamond
, Kai Wulff
, Kerry Skalsky
Character(s)
Robert Rath
, Miguel Bain
, Electra
, Nicolai Tashlinkov
, Ketcham
, Alan Branch
, Jennifer
, Electra’s Neighbor
, Bob
, Remy
, Buyer with Remy
Director
Richard Donner
Writers
Lilly Wachowski
, Lana Wachowski
, Brian Helgeland
Expand
Assassins explored a clever game of cat and mouse between the nearly retired assassin Robert Rath (Stallone) and the man who killed his mentor Miguel Bain (Antonio Banderas.) With a script written by The Matrix screenwriters the Wachowskis, the duo were unhappy with the changes made to it and tried to have their names removed after it was rewritten by Brian Helgeland (via Collider.) While viewers never got to see the film as its creators originally envisioned it, the result was still an action-packed Stallone vehicle that represents some of his best work during the 1990s.
Stallone played a level-headed assassin being pursued by a stressed and sweaty Banderas in a high-stakes mission of life and death. From Lethal Weapon director Richard Donner and with Julianne Moore as the love interest, there were plenty of big names behind this relatively unknown piece of 1990s action movie fun. While Assassins was at times a little bit too convoluted for its own good, it more than delivered when it came to Stallone-centric thrills.
6
Cobra (1986)
Sylvester Stallone as Lieutenant Marion “Cobra” Cobretti
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Cobra
R
ActionCrimeThriller
In Cobra, a genius mathematician turns vigilante and uses his intellect to execute intricate crimes while police attempt to apprehend him. As the story progresses, layers of mystery unravel, leading to a gripping narrative filled with suspense and intellectual duels.
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Release Date
May 23, 1986
Runtime
87 Minutes
Main Genre
Action
Cast
Sylvester Stallone
, Brigitte Nielsen
, Reni Santoni
, Andrew Robinson
, Brian Thompson
, John Herzfeld
, Lee Garlington
, Art LaFleur
, Marco Rodríguez
, Ross St. Phillip
, Val Avery
, David Rasche
, John Hauk
, Nick Angotti
, Nina Axelrod
, Joe Bonny
, Brad Bovee
, Kevin Breslin
, Roger Aaron Brown
, John Cahill
, Malik Carter
, Louise Caire Clark
, Christine Craft
Character(s)
Marion Cobretti
, Ingrid
, Gonzales
, Detective Monte
, Night Slasher
, Cho
, Nancy Stalk
, Captain Sears
, Supermarket Killer
, Security Guard
, Chief Halliwell
, Dan
, Low Rider
, Prodski
, Waitress
, Policeman #1
, Innocent Bystander
, Supermarket Kid
, Policeman #2
, Father of Blonde Girl
, Night Guard
, Woman in Car
, TV News Reporter
Director
George P. Cosmatos
Writers
George P. Cosmatos
, Paula Gosling
, Sylvester Stallone
Expand
While the ultra-violent antics of the Rambo sequels were essential in carving out Sylvester Stallone’s place as a quintessential 1980s action hero, Cobra took these tenets and pushed them even further. By turning the dial up to eleven and giving audiences a guns-blazing, sunglasses-wearing, no-nonsense cop with his characterization of Lieutenant Cobra, Stallone delivered a cult favorite in which he never looked cooler.
Cobra made for nail-biting viewing straight from its opening supermarket hostage scene, and everything culminated in its climactic showdown with a deranged serial killer. As a hero who was more than willing to go above the law in the pursuit of justice, Cobra’s vigilantism made it more violent and over-the-top than any other movie Stallone made in the 1980s. While it’s easy to criticize Cobra as a film without much substance, the way it condensed action movie tropes down to their barest ingredients was admirable.
5
Nighthawks (1981)
Sylvester Stallone as Sergeant Deke DaSilva
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9/10
Nighthawks
R
ActionCrimeThriller
Nighthawks is a 1981 action thriller featuring Sylvester Stallone and Billy Dee Williams as New York City detectives pursuing an international terrorist played by Rutger Hauer. Directed by Bruce Malmuth, the film follows the tense and perilous cat-and-mouse game between law enforcement and the cunning fugitive, presenting a gritty portrayal of urban crime and counter-terrorism efforts.
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Release Date
April 10, 1981
Runtime
99 Minutes
Main Genre
Action
Cast
Sylvester Stallone
, Billy Dee Williams
, Lindsay Wagner
, Persis Khambatta
, Nigel Davenport
, Rutger Hauer
, Hilarie Thompson
, Joe Spinell
Character(s)
Deke DaSilva
, Matthew Fox
, Irene
, Shakka
, Peter Hartman
, Wulfgar
, Pam
, Lt. Munafo
Director
Bruce Malmuth
, Gary Nelson
, Sylvester Stallone
Writers
David Shaber
, Paul Sylbert
Expand
Following the success of the Rocky franchise, Sylvester Stallone showcased a desire to explore a more gritty, neo-noir-style release with Nighthawks. This clever movie starred Stallone as Sergeant Deke DaSilva in a story whose menacing undercurrent showcased his talent as a serious actor with the chops to pull off a sinister political thriller that unpacked the dark underbelly of urban society. As a member of a newly formed anti-terrorist squad, Nighthawks saw DeSilva on the trail of a pair of lethal European terrorists.
Nighthawks featured an astounding performance from Rutger Hauer as the psychopathic terrorist Wulfgar, a true homicidal maniac responsible for the deaths of hundreds. With high stakes in a tense game of cat and mouse, Stallone proved he was capable of excelling in complex roles with real social and political relevance. Although Stallone would embrace franchise and blockbuster action movies throughout the 1980s, Nighthawks hinted he was capable of pushing past this typecasting when the role required it.
4
Cliffhanger (1993)
Sylvester Stallone as Ranger Gabe Walker
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Cliffhanger
R
ActionAdventureThriller
Cliffhanger, directed by Renny Harlin, follows former ranger Gabe Walker as he confronts his past on a treacherous peak. Initially returning to aid stranded climbers, Walker discovers they are hijackers searching for lost money, complicating an already perilous rescue mission.
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Release Date
May 28, 1993
Runtime
112 Minutes
Main Genre
Action
Cast
Sylvester Stallone
, John Lithgow
, Michael Rooker
, Janine Turner
, Rex Linn
, Caroline Goodall
, Leon
, Craig Fairbrass
, Gregory Scott Cummins
, Denis Forest
, Michelle Joyner
, Max Perlich
, Paul Winfield
, Ralph Waite
, Trey Brownell
, Zach Grenier
, Vyto Ruginis
, Don S. Davis
, Scott Hoxby
, John Finn
, Bruce McGill
, Rosemary Dunsmore
, Kim Robillard
, Jeff McCarthy
Character(s)
Gabe Walker
, Eric Qualen
, Hal Tucker
, Jessie Deighan
, Richard Travers
, Kristel – Jet Pilot
, Kynette
, Delmar
, Ryan
, Heldon
, Sarah
, Evan
, Walter Wright
, Frank
, Brett
, Davis
, Matheson
, Stuart
, Agent Hayes
, Agent Michaels
, Treasury Agent
, Treasury Secretary
, Treasury Jet Pilot
, Pilot
Director
Renny Harlin
Writers
Michael France
, Sylvester Stallone
Sequel(s)
Cliffhanger 2
Budget
70000000.0
Studio(s)
Carolco Pictures
, Pioneer
, Le Studio Canal+
, RCS Video
Expand
After a run of three consecutive flops with Rocky V, Oscar, and Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot, Sylvester Stallone was in dire need of a hit when he starred in Cliffhanger in 1993. Getting firmly back into classic action hero mode, Stallone teamed up with Die Hard 2 director Renny Harlin for a mountaineer heist story that gave audiences what they wanted. While critics were less kind toward Cliffhanger, the movie took in over $255 million (via Box Office Mojo) and proved Stallone was still a box office draw with the right role.
While the sheer ridiculousness of the Rocky Mountain setting and outrageous gadgetry may feel dated today, Cliffhanger was still one of Stallone’s most fun releases in the 1990s. John Lithgow also proved himself a formidable foe as the psychotic British intelligence agent robbing $100 million from the U.S. Treasury. Overall, Cliffhanger was just about everything a viewer could want from a Stallone movie, and it holds up quite well today.
3
Cop Land (1997)
Sylvester Stallone as Sheriff Freddy Heflin
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Cop Land
R
CrimeDramaMystery
Cop Land follows Freddy Heflin, the sheriff of a New Jersey town inhabited by New York City police officers, who uncovers a dangerous conspiracy within his community. As he faces moral dilemmas and corruption, Freddy must choose between his admiration for law enforcement and his duty to justice.
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Release Date
August 15, 1997
Runtime
104 minutes
Cast
Harvey Keitel
, Sylvester Stallone
, Ray Liotta
, Robert De Niro
, Peter Berg
, Janeane Garofalo
, Robert Patrick
, Michael Rapaport
, Annabella Sciorra
, Noah Emmerich
, Cathy Moriarty
, John Spencer
, Frank Vincent
, Malik Yoba
, Arthur J. Nascarella
, Edie Falco
, Victor Williams
, Paul Calderon
, John Doman
, Debbie Harry
, Vincent Laresca
, Oliver Solomon
, Terri Towns
, David Butler
, Brad Beyer
Character(s)
Ray Donlan
, Sheriff Freddy Heflin
, Gary “Figgsy” Figgis
, Lt. Moe Tilden
, Joey Randone
, Deputy Cindy Betts
, Jack Rucker
, Murray “Superboy” Babitch
, Liz Randone
, Deputy Bill Geisler
, Rose Donlan
, Leo Crasky
, PDA President Lassaro
, Detective Carson
, Frank Lagonda
, Berta
, Russell
, Hector – Medic
, Lassaro’s Aide
, Delores
, Medic #2
, Black Man
, Black Woman
, Thin Cop
, Young Cop
Director
James Mangold
YouTube Trailer
Expand
Sylvester Stallone has often been unfairly grouped with the long list of action stars with questionable acting talent, yet looking at his entire body of work there are numerous examples of his dramatic skills. One of the most impressive instances of this was Cop Land, a thrilling crime drama where Stallone held his own against legends like Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, and Harvey Keitel. As Sheriff Freddy Heflin, Stallone was the emotional core of the film as he uncovered injustices and stood up against crooked cops.
Stallone portrayed a small-town sheriff uncovering corruption within his police force and standing his ground as one of the few morally upstanding cops left. As a much more grounded character than what’s seen in the average Stallone film, he shed his action-hero persona for a much more realistic presentation of the challenges of police work. Cop Land was one of Stallone’s finest achievements as an actor and a testament that even after several decades as a star, he still had the potential to surprise audiences with new aspects of his dramatic skills.
2
Demolition Man (1993)
Sylvester Stallone as Sergeant John Spartan
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Demolition Man
R
ActionCrimeSci-FiThriller
In the 1993 action movie Demolition Man, Sylvester Stallone stars as time-displaced police officer John Spartan, who struggles to adapt to the year 2032 after being cryogenically frozen for messing up a job. However, his old-school skills come in handy for innocent cop Lenina Huxley (Sandra Bullock) and the futuristic city of San Angeles when the criminal Simon Phoenix (Wesley Snipes) is thawed and the complacent authorities don’t know how to react.
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Release Date
October 8, 1993
Runtime
115 minutes
Cast
Sylvester Stallone
, Wesley Snipes
, Sandra Bullock
, Nigel Hawthorne
, Benjamin Bratt
, Bob Gunton
Director
Marco Brambilla
Writers
Peter M. Lenkov
, Robert Reneau
, Daniel Waters
Budget
$57 million
Studio(s)
Warner Bros. Pictures
Distributor(s)
Warner Bros. Pictures
Expand
Demolition Man has only become more relevant in the years since its release and was one of Sylvester Stallone’s most interesting movies. Set in the future year of 2032, the world envisioned in Demolition Man predicted virtual meetings, self-driving cars, and even non-contact social greetings. With Stallone as John Spartan, a no-nonsense 1990s cop cryogenically frozen and awoken in a radically different world, the light satire and clever commentary of Demolition Man make it a fun and thrilling watch today.
However, the best thing about Demolition Man was Wesley Snipes’ incredible performance as Spartan’s archenemy Simon Phoenix, a deranged criminal whose violent ways shocked the peace-loving, utopian society he unwittingly found himself in. With an early performance from Sandra Bullock and plenty of clever worldbuilding, it’s a shame that Demolition Man didn’t get the franchise treatment, as its unique identity and thoughtful concepts could have sustained plenty of sequels.
1
First Blood (1982)
Sylvester Stallone as John J. Rambo
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First Blood
R
ActionAdventureDramaThrillerWar
First Blood is an action-thriller film starring Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo, a Vietnam War veteran who drifts into Hope, Washington, in search of an old buddy. However, he is mistreated by the local sheriff, leading to a violent confrontation that sets off a chain of events, forcing Rambo to rely on his combat skills to survive.
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Main Genre
Action
Cast
Sylvester Stallone
, Richard Crenna
, Brian Dennehy
, Bill McKinney
, Jack Starrett
, Michael Talbott
Director
Ted Kotcheff
Writers
David Morrell
, Michael Kozoll
, William Sackheim
, Sylvester Stallone
While the later Rambo films fully embraced action movie carnage, the original First Blood was a more grounded thriller with plenty to say about veterans and the dire consequences of PTSD. Based on the novel by David Morrell, Stallone played John Rambo, a former Vietnam War special agent using his combat and survival skills to evade a massive manhunt in the forests of a small Washington town. With triggering flashbacks and plenty of high-stakes action, First Blood was a major hit at the box office and went on to have four sequels and even an animated kids’ TV series.
While Stallone first gained worldwide recognition as Rocky Balboa, his characterization of John Rambo would become equally iconic. As a thrilling and tense story that highlighted the very real issue of a soldier’s unresolved trauma, the emotional resonance behind the story of First Blood made it stand out. In a career filled with thrilling movies, First Blood encapsulated everything that was great about this aspect of Sylvester Stallone’s action-hero persona.
Sources: Shock Cinema, Collider, Box Office Mojo
Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
Category: Entertainment