The Rocky star posted on Instagram on Dolly Parton Day, urging platforms to add the 1984 musical comedy to their catalogs.
Sylvester Stallone lit up his Instagram feed on Dolly Parton Day, insisting that the 1984 musical comedy Rhinestone deserves a spot on today’s streaming services. The actor, best known for the Rocky franchise, wrote, “Believe it or not, Rhinestone is my favorite film I’ve ever done – besides Rocky, of course! Because it’s the one where Dolly and I just had a ball,” and followed up with, “And now I can’t find it streaming anywhere. This special movie needs to see the light of day! In honor of Dolly Parton Day, let’s get this on streaming. Swipe through to see some of my favorite scenes.”
The post quickly gathered attention from fans who remembered the unlikely pairing of the tough‑guy star with the country‑music icon. In Rhinestone, Parton plays a singer trapped in a contract at a seedy nightclub and bets she can turn anyone into a country star in two weeks. Stallone, cast as a brash New York cab driver, becomes the reluctant apprentice. The film’s premise was as quirky as its reception – critics panned it and box‑office numbers were weak, though it did spawn two top‑ten country singles for Parton.
Despite the original’s poor performance, Stallone has never hidden his fondness for the project. In past interviews he admitted the comedy felt “silly” and outside his comfort zone, yet he repeatedly stresses that the experience was the most fun he’s ever had on set, thanks largely to Parton’s presence. Dolly herself reflected on the flop in her 1994 autobiography, noting, “I guess the public didn’t want to see Sylvester Stallone do comedy – or see me do Sylvester Stallone.”
What makes Stallone’s recent Instagram plea noteworthy is the current streaming landscape. A quick scan of North American platforms shows Rhinestone missing from every catalog, and the title has never been released on Blu‑ray in the region. For a film that features two cultural icons, its digital absence feels like an oversight.
Industry observers suggest that the lack of a home video release may be tied to rights tangled between the original studio and various music publishers. Others point out that the film’s reputation as a commercial misstep could make distributors hesitant to invest in a re‑release. Still, Stallone’s public push could tip the scales. Social media campaigns have resurrected forgotten titles before – think The Iron Giant or Donnie Darko – and a high‑profile endorsement from a Hollywood heavyweight adds weight.
If streaming services decide to act, the move would likely coincide with a broader trend of mining back‑catalogues for niche audiences. Nostalgia‑driven viewership has proven profitable, especially when paired with anniversary celebrations. In this case, Dolly Parton Day provides a natural promotional hook.
Until a platform bites, fans will have to rely on old VHS copies or rare televised airings. Stallone’s Instagram story, however, keeps the conversation alive and may finally bring Rhinestone out of the vault.
What’s next?
The actor has hinted he’ll continue to champion the film, promising to share more clips if the demand grows. Whether that translates into an official streaming deal remains to be seen, but the spotlight is undeniably on a movie that has long lived in the shadows of its more famous co‑stars.
Note: All quotes are taken from Stallone’s Instagram post. Other details are drawn from JoBlo.com’s coverage.
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