Arnold Schwarzenegger vs. Sylvester Stallone's Rivalry Is Now Better On TV Than Their Movies

Summary Schwarzenegger & Stallone shine in TV shows like FUBAR & Tulsa King despite recent movie struggles.

Schwartzenegger's comedic prowess makes FUBAR entertaining, while Tulsa King showcases Stallone's dramatic side.

Tulsa King edges out FUBAR with gripping writing, stellar performances, and a fresh take on crime drama.

Spoiler Warning: This article contains spoilers for FUBAR and Tulsa King.

While the big screen rivalry between action movie icons Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger remains one of the most influential to this day, the competition between their recent TV shows is much better than many of their recent movies. Although the two action movie legends have taken on a wide variety of projects throughout the decades, the feud between Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger has resulted in the creation of some of the best action movies of all time. While Stallone and Schwarzenegger are on friendly terms today, the competition between their recent TV shows has reignited the decades-long rivalry.

The success of their most recent shows continues their feud in a fun way.

Even though some of the best Sylvester Stallone movies and best Arnold Schwarzenneger movies have left an indelible impact on cinematic history, their recent big screen outings haven't quite recaptured the magic of years past. Nevertheless, Stallone and Schwarzenneger have enjoyed newfound success on the small screen in recent memory. Whether it be in both actors' comfort zone or attempts for both men to explore their comedic and dramatic sides more, TV has proven to be a better fit for Stallone and Schwarzenneger. Moreover, the success of their most recent shows continues their feud in a fun way.

Related 13 Action Heroes Played By Sylvester Stallone, Ranked Weakest To Strongest Sylvester Stallone has been in a huge number of action movies, and his cast of characters ranges from conventionally strong to superhuman.

All episodes of FUBAR and Tulsa King are available on Netflix and Paramount+.

The reception of FUBAR and Tulsa King highlights the failures of Stallone and Schwarzenneger's recent movie outings.

FUBAR Season 2 & Tulsa King Season 2 Are Schwarzenegger & Stallone's Most Exciting Projects

FUBAR and Tulsa King perfectly showcase Schwarzenegger and Stallone's comedic and dramatic range.

Even amid health concerns, Schwarzenegger is set to appear in FUBAR season 2 after the cliffhanger ending to the action comedy series' first season. Although the reviews for the series are mixed at best, FUBAR's greatest strength lies in the inspired and entertaining performance of its lead, Schwarzenegger, in the role of CIA Operative, Luke Brunner. With limited updates regarding Tulsa King's second season, the critical success and positive audience feedback of the Stallone-led dramedy ensures that the feud between Stallone and Schwarzenneger has found new life on the small screen.

Title Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score FUBAR 50% 68% Tulsa King 79% 91%

Whereas Stallone is notable for portraying morally righteous characters, Tulsa King sees him as Dwight "The General" Manfredi, a high-ranking mobster whose goals and aspirations of rebuilding the mob in Tulsa, Oklahoma are complicated by rival gangs and hard-nosed law enforcement agents. Although both shows demonstrate different sides of the action legends, their common thread lies in their ability to prove the lasting power and impact on both superstars, as demonstrated by both shows potentially receiving a second season. Furthermore, the reception of FUBAR and Tulsa King highlights the failures of Stallone and Schwarzenneger's recent movie outings.

Schwarzenegger & Stallone's TV Shows Are Better Than Any Recent Movies

Stallone and Schwarzenegger's appearances in various shows have worked out better than their recent movies.

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While both men carved highly influential careers that have turned them into cinematic icons, the reality is that Stallone and Schwarzenneger's more recent outings haven't been as successful as their respective filmography's from their heyday. Schwarzenegger's most recent movies have ranged from poorly-received entries in The Terminator franchise to generic action movies failing to recapture his '80s magic, and while Stallone has had more success with appearances in the MCU and DCEU, the failure that is Expend4bles brings into question his big screen action movie viability as well.

Title Director Box-Office Gross The Expendables (2010) Sylvester Stallone $274.5 million The Expendables 2 (2012) Simon West $315 million Escape Plan (2013) Mikael Håfström $137.3 million The Expendables 3 (2014) Patrick Hughes $214.7 million

Ironically, the rivalry between Stallone and Schwarzenegger has produced some of the latter's better received movies with his appearances and co-starring role in The Expendables franchise and Escape Plan respectively, contributing to Schwarzenneger's more recent movie successes. However, TV has proven to be a bigger success for both men, as Schwarzenneger's appearances in shows like Two and a Half Men, Superhero Kindergarten, and Little Demon have garnered him praise. Stallone's self-reflexive appearances in This is Us and Family Stallone have also proven hilarious. Nevertheless, between FUBAR and Tulsa King, one show is a clear winner of the TV feud.

Related 19 Arnold Schwarzenegger Action Movie Characters Ranked Weakest To Strongest From the Terminator to Conan the Barbarian, Arnold Schwarzenegger has played a multitude of incredibly strong characters in his action movies.

FUBAR vs. Tulsa King: Which Show Is Better

Tulsa King's blend of comedy, action, and suspense gives it a slight edge over FUBAR.

Tulsa King is arguably the better show between itself and FUBAR. While FUBAR effectively demonstrates Schwarzenneger's comedic acting chops seen firmly on display throughout his career in the '90s, the show is also muddled by generic spy writing, a cast consisting of mostly unlikable characters, and a tone that unsuccessfully yet consistently shifts between lighthearted and dramatic. Despite its flaws, Schwarzenneger delivers a fun performance that helps keep things consistent, and despite his age, he delivers some compelling action throughout the series.

The show's world feels real despite its blend of humor, which results in Tulsa King being a decidedly fresh entry in the crime drama genre.

Stallone's Tulsa King fares much better, as it benefits from the writing of crime savants Terence Winter and Taylor Sheridan, features many beloved actors from critically-acclaimed gangster crime shows, such as Max Casella and Vincent Piazza of The Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire, and showcases more of Stallone's rarely seen comedic side in Dwight Manfredi. Furthermore, the show's world feels real despite its blend of humor, which results in Tulsa King being a decidedly fresh entry in the crime drama genre. While Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenneger will always be legends, Tulsa King gives Stallone an edge in their TV feud.