The 20 best Sylvester Stallone characters, ranked

The 1995 film version of this somewhat popular comic book character was panned by critics. However, it still remains one of Stallone's most notable roles. By this point in his career, Stallone was a bonafide action film star, but there were a fair number of hit-or-miss projects on his resume. That said, Stallone's Dredd is actually one of the dystopian world's "street judges" who audiences should root for, even if the film falls short in terms of likability among others on this list. 

Stallone fans should know by now that he enjoys his franchises. When it comes to The Expendables, Stallone not only stars as the all-star mercenary group's leader, but he both directed the first offering from 2010 and co-wrote the screenplay, plus that of The Expendables 2 (2012) and The Expendables 3 (2014). Now, by this point in Stallone's career, characters like this became a little dated, even to his fan base, but there are plenty of badaśs Barney Ross moments to go around.

Another action-film moment from Stallone. In 1993's Cliffhanger, Stallone's Walker is a part of a mountain rescue crew before leaving following a colleague's death for which he feels responsible. However, he's drawn back into the job and nabs some mercenaries stranded in the mountains. The story is entertaining enough, and Walker is a decent character for Stallone to feel comfortable amid his legacy.   

Yet another 1993 action picture from Stallone, whose John Spartan might actually be the most far-fetched of characters from this genre. After being removed from his cryo-sentence where he's re-programed to change his irresponsible professional tendencies in future. Now, he's taken on the role of a crime fighter — though his history of causing collateral damage might still remain — to take down known foe Simon Phoenix (Wesley Snipes).

The best of Stallone isn't limited to his live-action roles. When it comes to this 1998 animated hit, Stallone's portrayal of dedicated soldier Weaver was well-received and largely celebrated. Of course, there is a certain stereotypical element to Cpl. Weaver, being a strong, tough guy and all — much like Sly and the majority of characters he has played during his career. Nonetheless, Weaver is still fun to watch.

It can be said that 1987's Over the Top is Stallone's top "guilty pleasure" pick. "Linc" Hawk is an everyman truck driver who also arm wrestles to make money, and gains a fan in his estranged son, with whom he tries to forge a relationship with after many years away. The movie is schlocky, predictable and filled with plenty of '80s synthesized soft rock, but there is something about Linc's grit that should keep viewers coming back time and time again.

This Taylor Sheridan comedy-crime drama found on Paramount+ features Stallone as a former New York City mafia captain who has just been released from prison. But, rather than return to that job in the big city, "The General" is sent to Tulsa, Okla. to establish the same role on a much smaller circuit, and with a new crew in tow. There's a lot to like about Stallone's character, who has a wry sense of humor that is appreciated from a man looking to regain his tough-guy status. The series, which began in 2022, is a bit inconsistent in terms of entertaining story value, but Stallone is naturally the highlight. 

Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger together for the first time in lead action roles. Now, the first installment of the Escape Plan trilogy of films (to this point) — from 2013 — is the only one of the bunch worth celebrating. The story is intriguing enough, with Stallone's Breslin as a prosecutor-turned-prison-security expert who goes inside to prove just how tough it is to escape from a supermax-type detention facility. Of course, there is plenty of drama and action that ensues. Again, stick with the original, which isn't a waste of time, thanks to the enjoyment of watching the world's two biggest action stars coming together.

A likely forgotten Stallone film from 1975. Set in the futuristic, yet dystopian world of the year 2000, a popular form of entertainment in this film's America features a national car race where drivers soup up their cars as weapons, kill civilians along the way, and survive themselves in a last-racer-standing competition. Stallone is "Machine Gun" Joe, the "roughest, tough guy of them all." One of the greatest drivers in the history of the event, Joe is "loved by thousands and hated by millions," while driving a race car complete with machine guns in place of headlights. 

In 1978, two years after Stallone earned fame with Rocky, he wrote, starred and made his directorial feature debut with this drama about a family involved in professional wrestling. Essentially forgotten among Stallone's body of work, the movie was panned critically, notably because none of the main characters seem all that likable. That said, Stallone's Cosmo, who gets bulkier younger brother Victor (Lee Canalito) into the wrestling business, only to eventually regret the decision, is the highlight of the movie.

It might be hard to keep up with the various versions of The Suıcide Squad. However, this 2021 take from James Gunn was actually fun to watch. Thanks, in part, to Stallone's King Shark, an Incredible Hulk-like character who is a larger-than life menace, but actually quite likable. In fact, King Shark might the funniest and most entertaining characters amid this cast of misfits. That's as long as King Shark remembers he cannot eat his human friends. 

From 1981, Victory was lauded for its star-studded cast, whiuch included Michael Caine, Max von Sydow and soccer legend Pelé, among several other professional soccer players. Stallone, however, garners the lead role is a World War II prisoner of war who gets himself onto an Allied soccer team comprised of fellow POWs scheduled for a match against a German team. More importantly, however, it provides an opportunity for him to break out of the prison camp. It's an underrated role that again shows off Stallone's strong ability to play dramatic characters.  

Though critics mostly panned this 1986 action flick, it remains one of Stallone's most well-known movies and roles. Starring alongside then-wife Brigitte Nielsen, Stallone plays Lt. Marion 'Cobra' Cobretti, a member of the LAPD and a typical no-nonsense cop, but certainly somebody you want on your side, and as a protector. The movie was a hit with action-loving audiences, and further solidified Stallone as one of the biggest movie stars in the world. 

Another early role from Stallone, who actually added some dialogue to the coming-of-age movie from 1974. Stanley is a member of the titular Brooklyn mini-gang (which is more like a social club) in the late 1950s. He's tough, but tender at times, and rather loyal, even when it comes to dealing with a sticky situation involving his girlfriend (Maria Smith). In terms of acting chops, the signs were there that Stallone was ready to hold his own in the business.

A loose interpretation of the Jimmy Hoffa story, Stallone stars as a warehouse worker in 1930s Cleveland, but finds himself causing a union dispute. That's after he leads a riot in support of poor workers' compensation and overall solidarity. From 1978, this might be an unknown role to the casual Stallone fan. However, it should be considered one of his best. At the very least, it's one of his more unheralded roles that the famed actor also co-wrote the screenplay with Joe Eszterhas.

Stallone's turn in a buddy cop role, and playing alongside Kurt Russell in this popular 1989 action film. Stallone is the strait-laced, buttoned-down Ray Tango, a superior detective who is forced to team with Russell's free-wheeling — but also exemplary — detective after both are framed for a crime. Sure, the plot is rather predictable, but this is a good-time film starring two of the planet's biggest stars amid the height of their fame. 

Trying to take down corruption amid of the police department of his New Jersey town, Heflin is one of Stallone's great characters that is not part of an iconic film franchise (we'll get to those, obviously). Sheriff Heflin is fighting against the odds in this 1997 drama, but he's determined, perhaps more so than any other character Stallone has ever played. Yes, we're safe in saying that. This is not one of Stallone's brighter films, but he does shine brightest amid a stellar cast that includes Harvey Keitel, Ray Liotta, and Robert De Niro.

Teammed with Billy Dee Williams for this 1981 action crime film, a bearded Stallone stars as a New York City detective working in a newly-formed anti-terrorist unit. DaSilva is gritty and gutsy, and it's a role that proved that Stallone was able to branch out and not be typecast or confined to the character he played from a certain famous boxing movie (yes, we'll get to him). That said, it should be noted that the late Rutger Hauer, as terrorist Heymar "Wulfgar" Reinhardt, might be the true star of the movie. 

A Vietnam War hero-turned-United States-government-sponsored mercenary, John Rambo was born to be a soldier but had trouble transitioning to life as a civilian when the war ended. However, his own personal fight, both at home in America and in other dangerous spots in the world, had just begun. Stallone's Rambo grew to become one of the most iconic action figures of all time. Beginning with 1982's film version of the novel First Blood, Rambo was featured in five movies, all enjoying various levels of commercial success, most recently 2019's Rambo: Last Blood.

Rocky Balboa is by far Stallone's defining role, and the character that made him famous — and he had himself to thank for creating him. A poorly educated South Philly brawler, Rocky had to work for his glory. After falling short amid a valiant effort against Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) in the initial Rocky film, the underdog Balboa pulled out a brutally tough, dramatic upset victory as the last man standing after both fell to the canvas in the legendary rematch. From there, Rocky experienced plenty of ups and downs — in and out of the ring — within both the Rocky and Creed film franchises.