Rambo Movies: Release Order

1982 - 20195 Films7h 52m3.8 Average

The Rambo series follows the journey of John Rambo, a traumatized Vietnam War veteran with exceptional combat skills, across five films spanning nearly four decades. The franchise begins with First Blood, a character-driven drama that explores Rambo's struggles with PTSD and his clash with small-town prejudice.

Starting with the second film, the series transforms into a more action-oriented spectacle, with Rambo embarking on increasingly explosive military missions around the world before facing his final battle in Last Blood. Since the story progresses chronologically through Rambo's life, this release order provides the most coherent viewing experience.

Linear Timeline: Release Order = Story Order

1
First Blood poster

First Blood

19821h 33m4.4
Director: Ted Kotcheff
Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Richard Crenna, Brian Dennehy, Bill McKinney, Jack Starrett

A troubled Vietnam War veteran and former Green Beret finds himself pursued by local law enforcement through the mountains, leading to an escalating conflict that tests his survival skills and military training.

ActionAdventureThrillerWar
2
Rambo: First Blood Part II poster

Rambo: First Blood Part II

19851h 36m3.8
Director: George P. Cosmatos
Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Richard Crenna, Charles Napier, Steven Berkoff, Julia Nickson

John Rambo is released from prison by the government for a dangerous covert mission that takes him back to the jungles of Vietnam, the last place he'd want to return.

ActionAdventureThrillerWar
3
Rambo III poster

Rambo III

19881h 42m3.4
Director: Peter MacDonald
Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Richard Crenna, Marc de Jonge, Kurtwood Smith, Spiros Focás

When his friend and mentor Col. Trautman is captured during a secret mission in Afghanistan, the war-weary Rambo must leave his peaceful monastery retreat to mount a rescue operation.

ActionAdventureThrillerWar
4
Rambo poster

Rambo

20081h 32m3.8
Director: Sylvester Stallone
Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Julie Benz, Matthew Marsden, Graham McTavish, Reynaldo Gallegos

Ex-Green Beret John Rambo comes out of retirement in Thailand to lead a rescue mission into war-torn Myanmar, where Christian aid workers have been captured by a brutal military unit.

ActionThrillerWar
5
Rambo: Last Blood poster

Rambo: Last Blood

20191h 29m3.6
Director: Adrian Grünberg
Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Paz Vega, Sergio Peris-Mencheta, Adriana Barraza, Yvette Monreal

John Rambo lives peacefully on his Arizona ranch until his surrogate granddaughter disappears after crossing into Mexico to find her father. The aging warrior embarks on a dangerous rescue mission that forces him to confront his violent past one final time.

ActionThrillerDrama