Let’s be real for a second. If you grew up watching Sylvester Stallone, you probably think of him on a massive cinema screen, drenched in sweat, holding a machine gun or boxing gloves. For about fifty years, that was the deal. Stallone didn't do TV. He was a "Movie Star" with capital letters. But things have changed. Weirdly, some of his best work lately hasn't been in a theater at all.
It’s actually kinda wild how long it took him to make the jump. While peers like Arnold Schwarzenegger were dabbling in various projects, Sly held out. Then Tulsa King happened. Suddenly, the guy who gave us Rocky and Rambo was showing up in our living rooms every week.
If you're looking for tv shows with sylvester stallone, you’ll find that the list isn't huge, but the quality is surprisingly high. He isn't just doing cameos; he’s actually carrying these shows.
Why Tulsa King is the Big One
If you haven't seen Tulsa King yet, you're missing out on a very specific kind of magic. It’s basically "The Sopranos" meets "Yellowstone," which makes sense because it was created by Taylor Sheridan. Stallone plays Dwight "The General" Manfredi. He’s a mafia capo who gets out of prison after 25 years only to be "exiled" to Tulsa, Oklahoma, by his boss.
Honestly, the fish-out-of-water stuff is the best part. Watching a 75-year-old New York gangster try to understand how Uber works or why people are selling legal weed is hilarious. But it’s not just a comedy. It’s a legit crime drama.
What’s happening with Season 3 and 4?
As of early 2026, the show is a massive juggernaut for Paramount+. Season 3 premiered in late 2025 and honestly, it took a darker turn. Dwight had to deal with the Dunmire family—this old-money clan that basically owns the local authorities. It wasn't just about street brawls anymore; it was about political power.
✨ Don't miss: Priyanka Chopra Latest Movies: Why Her 2026 Slate Is Riskier Than You Think
- Renewals: Paramount+ already greenlit Season 4.
- The Payday: Rumor has it Sly is pulling in about $1.5 million per episode now. That’s "Friends" cast money.
- The Spinoff: Keep an eye out for NOLA King. It’s a spinoff starring Samuel L. Jackson that was teased during the third season. Stallone might show up there too.
The Reality Side: The Family Stallone
Okay, look. Reality TV isn't for everyone. I get it. When I first heard about The Family Stallone, I figured it would be a scripted mess. But if you want to see the "real" Sly—the guy who obsesses over his daughters’ dating lives and hangs out with his brother Frank—this is it.
It’s sort of the anti-Kardashians. You’ve got his wife, Jennifer Flavin, and their three daughters: Sophia, Sistine, and Scarlet. It’s light, it’s breezy, and it’s occasionally very touching. You see a side of him that isn't the tough guy. He’s basically just a girl-dad who happens to have three Oscars.
The Early Days and Random Appearances
Before he was a superstar, Stallone popped up in places you wouldn't expect. This is the deep-cut stuff that most "fans" don't even know about.
Back in the mid-70s, he had small roles in shows like Police Story and Kojak. We’re talking "blink and you’ll miss it" type stuff. He also famously hosted The Muppet Show in 1979. Watching a peak-physicality Stallone trade quips with Kermit the Frog is a fever dream, but it's 100% real.
Then there was Ultimate Beastmaster. Remember that? It was a Netflix obstacle course show. Sly wasn't a contestant (thankfully), but he was an executive producer and showed up to introduce the series. It didn't last long, but it showed he was starting to get interested in the streaming world long before Tulsa King was a thing.
🔗 Read more: Why This Is How We Roll FGL Is Still The Song That Defines Modern Country
Why the Move to TV Matters
Stallone himself has talked about how hard the transition was. In interviews, he’s mentioned that filming a TV show is way more grueling than a movie. In a film, you might shoot two pages of script a day. In TV? You’re doing ten.
"It's a different kind of acting," Stallone said in a 2025 interview. "Everything is tighter. You don't have months to find the character; you have to be him the second the camera rolls."
His move to television reflects a bigger trend. The "mid-budget" movie is dead. If you want to tell a complex story about a mobster in Oklahoma, you don't go to a movie studio anymore. You go to a streamer. Stallone realized this. By moving to TV, he’s actually extended his career by at least a decade.
What Most People Get Wrong About His TV Career
The biggest misconception is that he's "retiring" into TV because he can't do movies anymore. That's just wrong. He’s still producing big films—like the upcoming Navy SEAL project with Alan Ritchson that he’s producing for Amazon MGM Studios in 2026.
He chose TV because the writing in shows like Tulsa King is actually better than most of the action scripts he gets sent these days. It gives him a chance to actually act rather than just run away from explosions.
💡 You might also like: The Real Story Behind I Can Do Bad All by Myself: From Stage to Screen
Your Stallone TV Watchlist
If you're ready to start your binge, here is how I'd prioritize it. Don't feel like you have to watch everything.
- Tulsa King (Seasons 1-3): Essential viewing. Start here. No questions asked.
- The Family Stallone: Watch this if you want something "comfy" or if you're a die-hard fan of the man himself.
- The Muppet Show (Season 3, Episode 20): Seriously. Go find it. It's hilarious to see him in 1979.
- This Is Us (Season 2, Episode 3): He has a really sweet guest appearance where he plays himself. It's actually a very moving episode.
How to Keep Up With New Releases
Streaming moves fast. If you want to stay updated on the latest tv shows with sylvester stallone, you need to keep an eye on Paramount+ specifically. They have basically become the "Stallone Network."
Check for announcements regarding Tulsa King Season 4 production starts, which are expected to be in late 2026. Also, look out for the NOLA King premiere dates, as Dwight Manfredi is rumored to make a multi-episode crossover appearance to help establish that new series.
The best way to experience his "TV era" is to watch Tulsa King first. It’s the definitive proof that he’s still got the charisma that made him a star in 1976. Just don't expect him to start doing sitcoms anytime soon. He’s still Sly, after all.
Next Steps:
- Check out the first episode of Tulsa King on Paramount+.
- Look for the "This Is Us" cameo on Hulu or Disney+ if you want to see his softer acting side.
- Set a Google Alert for "NOLA King release date" to see when the Stallone-verse expands.