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More than four decades later, the "greatest action film ever made" continues to cement its cinematic legacy as it climbs the streaming charts. Showing that even modern audiences cannot resist the action thriller greatness of this 80s genre masterpiece.
After entering the Hollywood fold with his knockout sports drama Rocky in 1976, Sylvester Stallone launched what would become his second most iconic character in 1982's First Blood, which introduced Stallone as John Rambo, a former elite soldier suffering from severe PTSD who still, to this day, is one of the most beloved action heroes of all time. Leaping from streaming platform to streaming platform over the last few years, First Blood is now climbing the charts once again.
'First Blood' Is a Different Kind of Action Movie
Somehow, even calling First Blood one of the most well-renowned and influential action movies of all time still feels like an understatement. The movie and character have had a profound impact on the genre ever since Rambo first moseyed into the wrong small town. But rather than the huge, expensive explosions, brutal and bloody violence, and endless gunfire that would come to define the Rambo franchise, First Blood is a different kind of action movie with a lot more going on under its seemingly no-nonsense surface.
Directed by Ted Kotcheff and based on the 1972 novel by David Morrell, First Blood is a scathing indictment of America's treatment of returning Vietnam veterans, as well as depicting the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that can come following the horrors of war. First Blood portrays John Rambo as a deeply sympathetic figure who is forced into unleashing his skills and becoming tantamount to a slasher villain after being falsely accused of murder by the local police force.
First Blood is also a rare instance where critics and audiences are in agreement, with the movie holding a score of 86% from both parties on Rotten Tomatoes. Many reactions on the review aggregator site hail First Blood as either "one of" or the "greatest action film ever made," with one five-star review concluding, "When I first saw this film on its original release, I thought it was a great action movie. On rewatching I see a thoughtful study about PTSD and prejudice."
John Rambo Is Now Getting a Prequel
First Blood is now climbing the charts on the streaming platform Canal+ in the U.K., as well as trending globally in the likes of Ireland, Greece, Argentina, Singapore, Algeria, and more across various platforms like Starz and Apple TV. In the U.S., the action movie classic is currently available to stream on AMC+, but be warned, it's leaving in 14 days.
The Rambo franchise has since spawned an assortment of sequels, with the (current) final outing being 2019's Rambo: Last Blood. While it seems Stallone has left the role behind, a prequel, John Rambo, starring The Recruit and Street Fighter star Noah Centineo and directed by Sisu's Jalmari Helander is now in the works and due to be released on June 4, 2027, by Lionsgate Films.
