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The Expendables

The Expendables is an American action film franchise that began with *The Expendables* in 2010.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Expendables is an American action film franchise that began with *The Expendables* in 2010. Conceived by David Callaham and developed with Sylvester Stallone, the series is known for assembling veteran action stars in ensemble roles and for paying homage to 1980s and 1990s action films. The franchise includes four feature films released in 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2023.

Premise

The films follow a team of mercenaries taking on dangerous missions. The central cast changes over time, but the series remains focused on large-scale action set pieces and veteran action performers.

Development and style

The franchise was conceived by David Callaham and developed with Sylvester Stallone, who co-wrote the first three films. It is widely described as a tribute to older action movies and their stars.

Film entries

The franchise includes *The Expendables* (2010), *The Expendables 2* (2012), *The Expendables 3* (2014), and *Expend4bles* (2023). A comic titled *The Expendables Go to Hell* expanded the property in 2021.

Key facts

  • The franchise began with *The Expendables* in 2010.
  • The first three films were co-written by Sylvester Stallone.
  • The series features an ensemble cast of action stars, including Stallone and Jason Statham.
  • The films are described as an homage to action cinema of the 1980s and 1990s.
  • The franchise includes four feature films released in 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2023.
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Canadian context

The franchise has been widely released and covered in Canada through the same international action-film distribution channels as in the United States, but it is not specifically a Canadian production.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Expendables?
The Expendables is an American action film franchise about a team of mercenaries, launched with a 2010 film.
Who created The Expendables?
The franchise was conceived by David Callaham and developed with Sylvester Stallone.
How many Expendables films are there?
There are four feature films in the main series, released in 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2023.
What is the tone or style of the franchise?
It is known as an ensemble action series that pays homage to 1980s and 1990s action films.
Who stars in the series?
The franchise features an ensemble cast including Sylvester Stallone and Jason Statham, with many other veteran action actors appearing across the films.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Expendables_(franchise)
    Supports: Franchise concept, creator, development, film list, and comic extension.
  2. The Movie Database — https://www.themoviedb.org/collection/126125-the-expendables-collection?language=en-US
    Supports: Main series premise and recurring characters.
  3. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/70117698
    Supports: Film synopsis and cast listing for the 2010 film.
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_expendables
    Supports: 2010 film synopsis, genre, and release information.
  5. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expend4bles
    Supports: 2023 film as the fourth installment in the franchise.