The 10 Best Sylvester Stallone Movies, According To Metacritic

Sylvester Stallone has been starring in movies since the 70s, that's 50s years in Hollywood. Outside of his iconic characters like Rocky Balboa and John Rambo, Stallone dominated the '90s action movie scene with legendary movies like Demolition Man and Judge Dredd. But what were his best movies?

Taking a look at GameSpot's sister site Metacritic--which gives an average score for critical reviews--we're breaking down the top 10 Stallone movies. Currently, many folks online are talking about the actor's work in the new Prime Video movie Samaritan, where the he plays Joe, a superhero everyone thought disappeared 20 years ago. Of course, he'll have to take on that role again in the movie. Currently, it sits at a 45 on Metacritic.

For this list, we didn't include animated movies because you want to see Stallone's facial expressions, and the animated movies tended to be ensembles, where you really didn't get your Stallone fill. And speaking on ensembles, those aren't included on this list either--sorry The Suicide Squad. We want Stallone to be one of the main stars of the film.

Below, you'll find the top 10 Sylvester Stallone movies, according to Metacritic. For more actor movie lists, check out the top 10 films of Nicolas Cage, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Johnny Depp.

10. Rocky III (1982)

Metacritic score: 57

Yes, there's going to be a lot of Rocky Balboa on this list because those movies are great. Stallone wrote, directed, and starred in this movie. This time around Rocky loses to Clubber Lang (Mr. T), and gets a little help from Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) to get back on track.

9. Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003)

Metacritic score: 57

Stallone took on the role of the villain for the third movie in Robert Rodriguez's family series. He plays the Toymaker, a virtual reality game designer.

8. Cliffhanger (1993)

Metacritic score: 60

The film follows expert rock climber Gabe (Stallone), who has to rescue a group of stranded people in the mountains where his friend died one year prior. However, these stranded people are looking for boxes filled with money.

7. Rocky II (1979)

Metacritic score: 61

After losing to Apollo Creed, Rocky announced his retirement from boxing. However, he can't escape his calling as a boxer and returns to have a rematch against the world heavyweight champion.

6. First Blood (1982)

Metacritic score: 61

The first Rambo movie is not what the series would eventually become. The film follows a Green Beret who is returning to civilian life but finds himself harassed by a sheriff and his deputies. It's a movie about PTSD and how America treats its veterans.

5. Rocky Balboa (2006)

Metacritic score: 63

The final movie about Rocky's boxing career, the 2006 movie follows Balboa coming out of retirement to face the heavyweight champ Mason "The Line" Dixon. This movie was written and directed by Stallone.

4. Cop Land (1997)

Metacritic score: 64

Stallone plays a New Jersey sheriff in a town filled with New York City police officers. He finds out the town is filled with corruption.

3. Creed II (2018)

Metacritic score: 66

Stallone returns as Balboa to help Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) take on the son of Ivan Dragon, Viktor. Ivan killed Creed's father in Rocky IV.

2. Rocky (1976)

Metacritic score: 70

The very first Rocky movie is still considered the best in Balboa's journey as a boxer. In this film, Rocky is still a small-time boxer who gets the chance to fight the world heavyweight champion Apollo Creed.

1. Creed (2015)

Metacritic score: 82

The best rated Rocky movie isn't even about Rocky. It's about Apollo Creed's son. Stallone reprises his role as Balboa, training Adonis Johnson--Creed's son.