Last Chance Alert: Watch The Expendables Trilogy on Netflix Before It's Gone – A Rivalry That Defined Action Cinema
The Expendables trilogy is leaving Netflix in just 5 days. For fans of explosive action movies and Hollywood history, this is a chance to witness the culmination of a decades-old rivalry between two action icons: Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone.
A Rivalry Born in Hollywood's Golden Age
Their feud began long before The Expendables. In the 1980s and ‘90s, Schwarzenegger and Stallone dominated action cinema with iconic blockbusters like Terminator and Rocky. Their competition was legendary:
- Box Office Battles: Both stars routinely clashed at the box office, with films like Commando (1985) and First Blood (1982) setting box office records.
- Cover Wars: Fitness magazines and tabloids chronicled their race to the top of “Fittest Action Star” lists in the action film genre.
- The Golden Globes Incident: At the 1977 ceremony, Stallone’s Rocky won Best Drama, prompting Schwarzenegger to mock its early losses—until Stallone hurled a flower arrangement at him.
From Bitter Rivals to Reluctant Allies: The Expendables Effect
Their on-screen partnership in The Expendables (2010) surprised action movie fans. Director Simon West later revealed the tension during filming:
“They’d exchange barbs between takes, but when the cameras rolled, their chemistry was electric. That history made their scenes in The Expendables trilogy unforgettable.”
The Expendables trilogy’s success—grossing over $800 million globally—proved that their on-screen rivalry could fuel box office gold. Supporting stars like Jason Statham and Dolph Lundgren further amplified the franchise’s star power and appeal.