When it comes to action movie legends, Sylvester Stallone stands in a class of his own. Since his breakthrough role in 1976’s Rocky, he has consistently delivered box office hits that have shaped the landscape of action cinema. With a career spanning over five decades, Stallone has proven himself to be more than just another muscle-bound action hero – he’s a savvy filmmaker who understands what audiences want.

Sylvester Stallone | Credits: Gage Skidmore, Cc By-sa 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

From creating iconic characters like Rocky Balboa and John Rambo to adapting to modern franchise filmmaking, Stallone’s box office success tells the story of Hollywood’s evolution through the decades. Let’s dive into his most financially successful films, ranked by their worldwide box office earnings, and explore what made each one a hit with audiences.

10. Rocky III (1982) – $125 million Sylvester Stallone in Rocky III (1982) | Credits: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, United Artists, MGM/UA Entertainment Co.