Why It Ranks
Over the Top is the definitive so-bad-it's-great sports film. Stallone's commitment to arm-wrestling drama is endearing. The tournament sequences are genuinely exciting. It proved that literally any sport can be the basis for a movie if you believe hard enough.
The Film
Over the Top is the arm-wrestling movie nobody asked for and everyone secretly loves. Stallone plays a trucker who arm-wrestles his way to a Las Vegas championship while trying to reconnect with his estranged son. The film is pure 1980s cheese: synthesizer soundtrack, training montages in a semi-truck, and the most dramatic arm-wrestling tournament ever filmed. It is impossible not to enjoy.
Fun Facts
Real arm-wrestling champions appear in the tournament sequences.
Stallone was paid $12 million for the role — more than the film's total domestic gross.
The film single-handedly increased interest in competitive arm wrestling throughout the late 1980s.
Kenny Loggins' theme song 'Meet Me Half Way' reached #11 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Get Glen's Musings
Occasional thoughts on AI, Claude, investing, and building things. Free. No spam.
Unsubscribe anytime. I respect your inbox more than Congress respects property rights.
Keep Exploring
Top 25 Sports Movies
See the full ranked list of the greatest sports films ever made.
Read moreMichael Jordan
The greatest basketball player of all time. Six rings. Zero debate.
Read moreBrad Pitt
From Fight Club to Moneyball. One of the most versatile actors alive.
Read moreTop 25 Basketball Players
The greatest basketball players of all time, ranked.
Read moreConsulting
Salesforce development and technical consulting.
Read moreWins
Track record of wins across investing, building, and creating.
Read more