Sylvester Stallone is known for starring in some of the biggest action hits to come out of the 80s and 90s. It’s no surprise, then, that a 2010 movie featured the global superstar reliving some of the glory days, along with a plethora of other action greats who had carved out their own success in the space. Unfortunately, what should have been a fantastic throwback ended up being a critical flop that miraculously spawned three sequels. Now, the entire franchise is moving to a new streaming home for those that like the sort of mindless action movies that don’t require a lot of thinking.
That’s the consensus behind The Expendables series, which is almost available to stream in its entirety on Peacock, save for the fourth installment, which becomes exclusive to the service on November 20, 2025. Kicking off in 2010 with The Expendables, the franchise features a rotating cast of characters who are brought in as mercenaries to save the world from a slew of international terrorists, backstabbers, and, of course, corrupt government officials. Stallone stars as Barney Ross, co-founder and pseudo-leader of the group that was formed by him and Conrad Stonebanks (Mel Gibson). Yes, there is some lore to the movies that’s explained throughout, but all-in-all it’s more style over substance.
Holding an average rating of just 38% on Rotten Tomatoes across all four movies, The Expendables franchise has been called everything from “breathtakingly sleazy in its lack of imagination,” to a series that “does nothing to update anything for the new millennium.” That being said, its average audience rating sits at 62%, proving there’s clearly some who appreciate the nostalgic charm of The Expendables series, which is filled with over-the-top action, explosions, and enough one-liners to satiate any fan who grew up on catchphrases and zingers.
Is ‘The Expendables’ Franchise Over?
Jason Statham and Sylvester Stallone in The Expendables 4Lionsgate
Following The Expendables 3 in 2014, the series took a lengthy break after the third installment underperformed at the box office. Three movies in four years was the tipping point for fans, who were growing tired of their formulaic plots that featured very little character development. As such, it would be nine years before the fourth entry in the series, Expend4bles, hit theaters. However, audiences hadn’t recovered from the bad taste left in their mouths nearly a decade earlier.
Grossing just $51 million at the box office against a budget of $100 million, The Expendables 4 was a certified dud, becoming the worst-reviewed movie in the franchise. Rated just 14% on Rotten Tomatoes, critic Connor Petrey put it best when he wrote in his review:
“A glorified made-for-TV movie that, beyond all odds, made it to the cinemas — EXPEND4BLES is a callback to the direct-to-video sequels that exceeded their limit.”
While nothing has been officially confirmed, it’s safe to say that for now, The Expendables franchise has run its course and is on permanent hiatus. No other movies are currently in development, meaning those few fans who are eager for a fifth installment shouldn’t hold their breath. For those looking to binge all four movies back to back, you can do so when The Expendables 4 makes its way to Peacock on Nov. 20.
Release Date
August 13, 2010
Runtime
103 minutes
Sequel(s)
The Expendables 2, The Expendables 3
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