If you're craving some old-school action with a modern twist, you're in luck. The Expendables, the 2010 blockbuster that brought together some of the biggest names in action cinema, is now streaming for free on Pluto TV. That's right—you can watch Jason Statham, Sylvester Stallone, and a who's who of Hollywood tough guys without spending a dime.
The film's tagline says it all: "Every movie has a hero. This one has them all." Directed by Stallone, who also co-wrote the script, The Expendables is a love letter to the action genre. It features cameos from Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger—marking the first time Stallone and Schwarzenegger shared the screen—and a cast that reads like a Mount Rushmore of macho stars: Dolph Lundgren, Terry Crews, Randy Couture, Jet Li, and even Stone Cold Steve Austin as a villain. Mickey Rourke rounds out the ensemble as a tattoo artist with a heart of gold.
The plot is straightforward: a team of elite mercenaries, led by Barney Ross (Stallone) and including knife expert Lee Christmas (Statham), martial artist Yin Yang (Li), weapons specialist Hale Caesar (Crews), and demolition man Toll Road (Couture), are hired to overthrow a rogue CIA agent on a Gulf island. It's a classic setup that delivers non-stop explosions, one-liners, and jaw-dropping stunts.
If you're looking to binge the entire series, all four Expendables movies—including Expendables 2, Expendables 3, and the 2023 installment Expend4bles—are available on Pluto TV and Paramount+ (subscription required). The sequels added even more heavy hitters like Jean-Claude Van Damme, Chuck Norris, Mel Gibson, Harrison Ford, and Megan Fox.
But what about the future of the franchise? After Expend4bles, Stallone hinted that he's stepping away from the series, passing the torch to Statham. In a 2021 Instagram video, Stallone said he was "ready to pass the baton on to [Statham] and his capable hands." The fourth film saw Stallone's character seemingly die in a fiery crash, only to reveal it was a fake-out—a fittingly over-the-top exit for the action legend.
Meanwhile, a female-driven spinoff called The Expendabelles is in development, promising to introduce a new generation of elite operatives. Producer Heidi Jo Markel describes it as "a stylized, action-driven cinematic event designed to expand the mythology of the franchise."
For now, you can relive the glory days of '80s and '90s action heroes with The Expendables on Pluto TV. It's the perfect way to spend a weekend—grab some popcorn, kick back, and watch the boys (and girls) get back in town.
Looking for more binge-worthy content? Check out our list of 3 Must-Binge Netflix Shows This July 18 or dive into Netflix Shows With Shocking Plot Twists. And if you're in the mood for something different, don't miss How a $1.5M Western Outshone Fast & Furious 9 on Netflix's Charts.
