Sylvester Stallone has built his filmography on the back of action-packed films throughout his strong career, which began around 1970.
While his first real hit was the iconic boxing movie Rocky, Stallone starred in what became one of the most popular action franchises of all time just six years later.
In 1982, the very first Rambo film was released, and in many’s eyes, it’s not only the best of the entire series but also one of the best action movies ever released in the genre.
It was First Blood, directed by Ted Kotcheff and based on David Morrell’s 1972 survival thriller novel. The film followed Stallone in the role of John Rambo, a retired Vietnam War veteran and former Green Beret.
“A drifting veteran must weaponize the wilderness to survive a relentless manhunt led by a small-town sheriff who pushed his fragile psyche past the point of no return,” the movie’s plot explains via IMDb.
The movie holds a strong 7.7 out of 10 rating on IMDb and carries an exceptional 86% on Rotten Tomatoes.
t’s also been lauded by both MovieWeb and ScreenRant as one of the greatest action films ever.
“To call First Blood one of the most lauded action movies of all-time would be an understatement,” Archie Fenn of MovieWeb wrote. “The movie kicked off a billion-dollar franchise, turned Stallone into a Hollywood icon, and has a legacy as one of the most influential action films of the 1980s.”
Stallone Calls First Blood Best Action Movie He’s Ever Done
In a recent 2026 interview with GQ, Stallone admitted that First Blood is the best action movie he’s ever made.
“Inadvertently, I’d consider [‘First Blood’] the best action film I’ve ever done,” Stallone said. “And I think it might be one of the first, when you say ‘pure’ action films. You’ve had car chases. You’ve had gunfights. But I mean, it’s all action. You’re speaking with your body, your looks, your intentions, and the other characters are doing the dialogue. You are in action the whole time.”
What Followed First Blood in the Rambo Franchise?
While First Blood is regarded as the best of the entire series, the franchise continued all the way until 2019.
After First Blood, the studio released Rambo: First Blood Part II in 1985, which became another massively successful film that built off the original.
Three years later, Rambo III hit theaters in 1988 and was set during the Soviet-Afghan War. They didn’t release a fourth film until 2008, simply titled Rambo, before the final film, Rambo: Last Blood, arrived in 2019.
Related: ‘I Couldn’t Find Work’: One of Sylvester Stallone’s Best Movies Nearly Ended His Career
This story was originally published by Men’s Journal on Aug 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men’s Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.