Rambo: The Force of Freedom was the first animated series ever adapted from an R-rated film franchise, transforming the ultra-violent Rambo character from First Blood and Rambo: First Blood Part II into a children's cartoon hero.

The show set its own continuity separate from the film series, ignoring the events of Rambo III (1988), which was released after the cartoon.

Reviewers have noted the series was clearly inspired by the success of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, pointing out similarities between the villain group S.A.V.A.G.E. and Cobra, and between Colonel Trautman and General Hawk.

According to a 1987 interview, toy company Coleco spent $15 million on the show, which was produced alongside a companion action figure toy line.

Head writer Michael Chain denied claims that child psychologists advised the show to avoid references to Vietnam, POWs, or Rambo's experiences from the films, stating instead that his own background in children's programming guided him to ensure the show wouldn't have an adverse psychological effect on kids.

Chain was chosen for the series partly due to his background in martial arts and weapons, and he insisted on using real weapons in the stories except when an episode was specifically promoting a toy.

The voice acting was always recorded as an ensemble, with all cast members for a given episode recording their lines together rather than separately.

Neither Rambo creator David Morrell nor actor/screenwriter Sylvester Stallone were involved in producing the series; while Morrell spoke positively about the show and its use of Jerry Goldsmith's film music, Stallone was reportedly annoyed and embarrassed that Rambo was turned into a cartoon character, feeling it was inappropriate for children.

The series licensed and reused Jerry Goldsmith's film scores from First Blood and Rambo: First Blood Part II throughout its episodes, with music from the Part II trailer serving as the opening and closing themes; additional original music was composed by Haim Saban and Shuki Levy.