Rambo movies in order Rambo Marathon
Page Last Modified:
4 December 2025
Most Recent Release:
Rambo: Last Blood - 2019
Total Runtime:
472 Minutes
Total Items:
5
Average User Score:
(6.8)Rambo movies in order
Craving some raw, unfiltered action? Explosions that make your heart race and a hero who lets his fists do the talking? Welcome to the Rambo franchise. This legendary series of military action films delivers pure adrenaline, with Sylvester Stallone as the indomitable John Rambo a Vietnam veteran, guerrilla warfare expert, and 80s action icon. If you're gearing up for a Rambo movie marathon, knowing the correct viewing order is essential. Don't worry, we've got you covered. Whether you're diving in for the first time with First Blood or revisiting Rambo: Last Blood, this guide ensures you experience the saga in its full glory.
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1
First Blood Movie 93 min. 1982When former Green Beret John Rambo is harassed by local law enforcement and arrested for vagrancy, he is forced to flee into the mountains and wage an escalating one-man war against his pursuers.USER SCORE 7 -
2
Rambo: First Blood Part II Movie 96 min. 1985John Rambo is released from prison by the government for a top-secret covert mission to the last place on Earth he'd want to return - the jungles of Vietnam.USER SCORE 7 -
3
Rambo III Movie 102 min. 1988Combat has taken its toll on Rambo, but he's finally begun to find inner peace in a monastery. When Rambo's friend and mentor Col. Trautman asks for his help on a top secret mission to Afghanistan, Rambo declines but must reconsider when Trautman is captured.USER SCORE 6 -
4
Rambo Movie 92 min. 2008In Thailand, ex-Green Beret John James Rambo joins a group of mercenaries to venture into war-torn neighboring Myanmar to rescue a group of Christian aid workers who have been kidnapped by a ruthless local infantry unit.USER SCORE 7 -
5
Rambo: Last Blood Movie 89 min. 2019After fighting his demons for decades, John Rambo now lives in peace on his family ranch in Arizona, but his rest is interrupted when Gabriela, the granddaughter of his housekeeper María, disappears after crossing the border into Mexico to meet her biological father. Rambo, who has become a true father figure for Gabriela over the years, undertakes a desperate and dangerous journey to find her.USER SCORE 7
First Blood (1982):
Your marathon kicks off in a small American town where John Rambo, a Vietnam War veteran haunted by his past, searches for an old comrade. What unfolds is a gripping clash between Rambo and the local authorities, featuring Brian Dennehy as the tenacious Sheriff Teasle and Richard Crenna as Colonel Trautman, the only one who truly understands Rambo. Set in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, First Blood is a raw, emotional tale of survival. It lays the foundation for the Rambo franchise, showcasing Stallone's character as more than just a killing machine he's a man scarred both physically and mentally.
Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985):
Three years later, the stakes are raised. In Rambo: First Blood Part II, our hero is pulled from prison by Colonel Trautman for a covert mission: rescuing POWs in Vietnam. Here, Rambo evolves from survivor to full-fledged action hero, armed with an iconic survival knife, explosive arrow tips, and the infamous M60 machine gun. The tone shifts dramatically from First Blood, cementing this film as a legendary entry in the series. Expect jungle warfare, stealth kills, and the quintessential "one-man army" vibe. Julia Nickson shines as Co Bao, and Steven Berkoff delivers an over-the-top performance as the villain Podovsky. This is the Rambo most people recognize: shirtless, sweaty, and unstoppable.
Rambo III (1988):
Think it can't get more intense? Enter Rambo III. This time, our lone warrior ventures to Afghanistan to rescue Trautman from the Soviets. It's an explosive mix of guerrilla tactics, desert horseback riding, and improvised weaponry. Set against the backdrop of the Soviet-Afghan War, the film adds a geopolitical edge but remains focused on relentless action. Marc de Jonge plays Colonel Zaysen, and while the plot is straightforward, the visuals are stunning. Stallone is at his physical peak, the stunts are jaw-dropping, and the pace is relentless. It's 80s action at its finest.
Rambo (2008):
Two decades after Rambo III, Stallone returns as an older, quieter, yet still lethal Rambo. In this fourth installment, simply titled "Rambo," he lives in seclusion in Thailand until a group of Christian aid workers enlists his help to navigate the perilous war zone of Burma. What follows is perhaps the most brutal film in the series. The body count is staggering, the action is raw and unfiltered, and Stallone also the director opts for a dark, gritty tone. This film proves that Rambo is not just an 80s icon but remains relevant and terrifyingly effective. The jungle scenes, guerrilla survival tactics, and nihilistic atmosphere make for a tough yet impressive viewing experience.
Rambo: Last Blood (2019):
Finally, after nearly four decades, comes the conclusion: Rambo: Last Blood. John lives on a ranch in Arizona, seeking peace, but is drawn back into chaos when someone he loves is taken by a Mexican drug cartel. The result is a brutal, personal vendetta culminating in a bloody finale reminiscent of Home Alone meets apocalypse. Paz Vega plays Carmen Delgado, Yvette Monreal is Gabrielle, and Sergio Peris-Mencheta impresses as cartel leader Hugo Martinez. The vibe shifts: less jungle, more underground cartel tunnels and booby traps. Yet the themes trauma, loss, revenge remain true to Rambo's core. It may not be the fan favorite, but when watched in sequence, this film provides a fitting, albeit dark, conclusion.
Why This Order Works Perfectly:
While each Rambo film can stand alone, watching them in chronological order reveals the full journey of John Rambo from a traumatized veteran to a man seeking peace. You'll witness the evolution of style: from the psychological drama of First Blood to the explosive action of Rambo III and the raw brutality of the later films. Each installment builds on the last, not always in plot but in character development, themes, and tone. Plus, you'll enjoy a nostalgic journey through decades of action cinema, with Stallone as a constant force.
Pro Tip: Make It a Themed Night:
Four words: Rambo. Night. Survival. Snacks. Transform your living room into a bunker, don an old-school army jacket, and serve snacks with names like "Explosive Popcorn" and "Jungle Jerky." Invite friends who can shout out iconic quotes ("They drew first blood!") and keep a scoreboard of the Rambo body count. For the full experience, explore Rambo video games or dive into the expanded universe for additional background. Remember: dim the lights, silence your phone, and let the adrenaline flow.
Finally: The Legacy of Rambo:
The Rambo franchise is more than just muscles and bullets. It's a snapshot of its era, an evolution of the action genre, and a character study of a man at war with the world and himself. Whether you're meeting Sylvester Stallone's John Rambo for the first time or rediscovering him, his journey is worth experiencing in the right order. From Ted Kotcheff's intense First Blood to Stallone's directorial debut in 2008 and Millennium Films' raw conclusion in 2019, this marathon is a tribute to one of the most iconic action heroes ever.