The fourth instalment of The Expendables franchise is set to arrive in cinemas on 22 September 2023 and boasts an impressive ensemble line-up of action movie greats. The key draw of the series is the sheer number of Hollywood stars featured in each film, resulting in intense action sequences.
The first movie in 2010, directed by Sylvester Stallone, saw him star alongside Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Bruce Willis, Wrestler Steve Austin, and Mickey Rourke. The second movie, released two years later, saw Chuck Norris, Jean-Claude Van Damme, and Arnold Schwarzenegger added to the cast.
With all these renowned action movie actors, many great films are similar to The Expendables franchise to watch before the release of Expend4bles.
10 Movies You Should Before The Expendables 4
10. Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ (2005)
Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ is a 2005 American crime drama film starring 50 Cent and directed by Jim Sheridan. It is based on the true story of 50 Cent’s own life and focuses on his rise to fame and power in the world of hip-hop music. In the film, 50 Cent plays Marcus, a street hustler trying to make it as a rapper. As he climbs the ranks of the music industry, he has to deal with the consequences of his violent past and the people around him.
The film was a commercial success, grossing over $50 million at the box office. It is intriguing to observe the roots of 50 Cent’s acting profession as he takes on a substantially divergent character in The Expendables 4.
9. Triple Threat (2019)
Tony Jaa and Iko Uwais, both actors who will be featured in Expend4bles, join forces with Tiger Chen to safeguard the billionaire’s daughter from a band of mercenaries in the movie Triple Threat. The 2019 movie Triple Threat is well-known for its awesomely choreographed martial arts sequences. It has the same spirit of camaraderie and banter as The Expendables franchise, and if Jass and Uwais are involved, the upcoming fourth instalment could boast some truly remarkable fight scenes.
8. Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019)
The feud between The Rock and Vin Diesel had a tremendous effect on the Fast & Furious franchise, but Hobbs & Shaw improved it. The franchise has gone from being about a team of action heroes to a big-budget, serious series, leaving behind any fun banter and camaraderie. On the other hand, Hobbs & Shaw is much more enjoyable for lovers of The Expendables series than the main series.
7. Escape Plan (2013)
Escape Plan 2013 is an action thriller starring Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger. The film follows Ray Breslin (Stallone), a master prison-escape artist, who is framed and incarcerated in the world’s most secret and secure prison. With the help of Emil Rottmayer (Schwarzenegger), Ray must use all of his skills and knowledge to escape from prison. The film was released on October 18, 2013.
The Escape Plan series may not have the same production value as a blockbuster, but it still offers a thrilling ride with its action and over-the-top antics. It has even spawned two sequels, Escape Plan 2: Hades (2018) and Escape Plan 3: The Extractors (2019). 2019’s Escape Plan is much like a scaled-down version of The Expendables.
6. Smokin’ Aces (2006)
Smokin‘ Aces is a 2006 action thriller film written and directed by Joe Carnahan. The film follows a Las Vegas magician-turned-mobster, Buddy “Aces” Israel (Jeremy Piven), as he is hunted by an assortment of notorious figures wanting to collect the bounty on his head. It features an ensemble cast, including Ben Affleck, Andy García, Alicia Keys, Ray Liotta, Jeremy Piven, Common, Chris Pine, and Ryan Reynolds. The film is just as chaotic and lively as The Expendables series, with an especially impressive shootout in a hotel being the highlight.
5. The Meg (2018)
The Meg is a 2018 science fiction action horror film directed by Jon Turteltaub and written by Dean Georgaris, Jon Hoeber, and Erich Hoeber. It stars Jason Statham, Li Bingbing, Rainn Wilson, Ruby Rose, Winston Chao, and Cliff Curtis. Despite its negative reception from critics, the film was a big triumph at the box office, grossing $530 million around the world.
It was clear the movie knew its target audience as it was an entertaining, light-hearted popcorn flick about a deep-sea rescue team coming into contact with the prehistoric shark, Megalodon, also known as ‘The Meg’.
4. Rocky IV (1985)
The classic movie which saw Dolph Lundgren and Sylvester Stallone pitted against each other for the first time, Rocky IV, is worth taking a look back at as The Expendables 4 reunites the two actors. Here, the iconic boxer faces his toughest adversary yet, Drago, and it is the start of the Lundgren and Stallone partnership.
3. Transformers (2007)
Transformers is a 2007 sci-fi action film directed by Michael Bay and based on the Transformers franchise. The film stars Shia LaBeouf as Sam Witwicky, a teenager involved in a war between two factions of alien robots, the Autobots and the Decepticons. The Autobots, led by Optimus Prime, are on a mission to protect mankind while the Decepticons seek to destroy it.
The film also stars Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, John Turturro, and Megan Fox, and grossed over $709 million worldwide. Fox will also be seen playing a CIA Agent in The Expendables 4.
2. The Raid (2011)
The Raid follows a special operations team that sneaks into an apartment complex controlled by a drug kingpin. It is like a video game in that the team has to take down opponents one by one. This was the movie that launched Iko Uwais into stardom and showcased his martial arts abilities better than any other movie. The Raid 2 was just as good, with a broader plot involving prison riots, exciting motorbike chases, and even more gun-fu sequences.
1. First Blood (1982)
Sylvester Stallone has been the foundation of The Expendables 4 and the whole Expendables series, but it all began with First Blood. First Blood is a 1982 American action-adventure film directed by Ted Kotcheff and co-written by Sylvester Stallone, who also stars as John Rambo, a troubled and misunderstood veteran. The film was a critical and commercial success, launching the Rambo franchise and establishing Stallone as a major action star.
