The Rambo movies can go on without the actor who launched them. Sylvester Stallone recently announced his retirement from the character of John Rambo. However, there has been some discussion that, following the success of 2008’s ‘Rambo’, the studio can continue the Rambo movie franchise without him. Since Stallone’s involvement with the series appears to be over, it’s a good time to wrap up his Rambo movies in order. Stallone has been involved in all four movies that have been made so far, First Blood, Rambo: First Blood Part II, Rambo III, and Rambo.

First Blood (1982):
The first of the ‘Rambo’ movies, First Blood, was based on the novel of the same name by David Morrell. It is sometimes referred to as ‘Rambo: First Blood’. The film features the character John Rambo played by Sylvester Stallone. It sets up Rambo as a Vietnam veteran who is trying to find his place in a society that doesn’t want him. He butts heads with Sheriff Teasle, who sees him as just a homeless man who doesn’t want him in town. He arrests Rambo, but PTSD from his time as a POW causes Rambo to panic. He insults several deputies and runs away. A manhunt ensues, where Rambo is revealed to be a killing machine, and the local police and volunteer army are no match for him. Eventually, Rambo’s mentor and former commander, Colonel Trautman, shows up and convinces Rambo to surrender.

Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985):
John Rambo is in a labor camp for his crimes in First Blood. Colonel Trautman visits him and offers him a chance at a presidential pardon in exchange for his help documenting the existence of POWs still in Vietnam. Instead of just photographing the prisoners, Rambo rescues one and the person in charge, Murdock, refuses to be picked up by the helicopter and Rambo is captured. Rambo escapes, rescuing all the prisoners and destroying all of Murdock’s equipment. He then refuses to return to the United States and walks away. Officially, George P. Cosmatos directed Rambo: First Blood Part II, but it was later revealed that Stallone actually had most of the directing control.

Rambo III (1988):
Now John Rambo lives in Thailand and is once again visited by Colonel Trautman. Trautman is planning a weapons delivery mission to Afghanistan’s fighters in their war against the Russians. Rambo refuses because he has had enough war. However, he later finds out that Trautman has been captured, so he goes in and successfully rescues him.

Rambo (2008):
In Stallone’s last outing as John Rambo, the character is still in Thailand. He now sells snakes to a village near the Burmese border. He eventually agrees to take them to Burma on his boat, though he believes nothing good can come of them bringing medical supplies to the war-torn region. He has stopped believing that things can change. As with Trautman in Rambo III, he once again discovers that the missionaries have been captured and goes in and successfully rescues two of them with the help of some mercenaries. At the end of the film, he finally returns to the United States, to a ranch that appears to be owned by his father.