All of the Rocky Movies, Ranked

The movie Rocky, released in 1976, captivated audiences with its inspiring story of a determined underdog boxer who gets a chance to fight for the world heavyweight championship. The film led to four sequels, and in 2015, the story continued with Creed, which has since launched three more films packed with exciting fights and heartfelt stories.

A fourth Creed movie is in the works, along with other projects related to the Rocky series, proving the franchise is still going strong. Until we know when the new film will be released, fans will likely revisit their favorite Rocky movies. While the Rocky series is incredibly popular, not all of the films have been as well-received as the very first one.

9. Rocky V Flips the Script

In Rocky V, Rocky hopes to retire quietly after defeating Drago, but he soon discovers he’s in financial trouble. Though he briefly considers a comeback to earn money, he’s forced to retire permanently due to brain damage. To solve his money problems, Rocky sells his mansion and returns to his hometown of Philadelphia, where he reopens Mighty Mick’s Gym and starts training boxers. He takes on Tommy Gunn as a protégé, but Tommy quickly becomes famous and leaves Rocky. Ultimately, because Tommy didn’t achieve championship success through Rocky’s direct guidance, Rocky challenges him to a fight.

It’s wonderful to see Rocky back in Philadelphia in Rocky V. The movie explores tough themes like Tommy’s disloyalty and Rocky’s difficult relationship with his son, but still manages to deliver the inspiring moments fans expect. However, Rocky V departs significantly from the series’ established style, and the climactic fight feels surprisingly weak. Ultimately, the film is a bit of a letdown, lacking the strong storytelling, complex characters, and realistic atmosphere of the previous Rocky movies.

8. Rocky IV Has Its Flaws

While Rocky IV is a beloved film, it’s not without its weaknesses. The movie features Ivan Drago, a powerful Russian boxer who comes to America and fights Apollo Creed, who wants one last chance in the ring. The fight is intense and devastating, ultimately leading to Apollo’s tragic death. Driven by a desire for revenge, Rocky travels to Siberia to train for a match against Drago. The film includes another iconic training montage, showing Rocky enduring harsh conditions in the snow, while Drago depends on performance-enhancing drugs and advanced technology.

Rocky IV is a very action-packed and quick-moving film. The fight scenes are gritty and realistic—so much so that Sylvester Stallone ended up in the hospital during production. While it’s full of ’80s charm and has a great soundtrack, the movie leans a bit too much into over-the-top exaggeration. The characters aren’t explored as deeply, and the death of Apollo Creed feels hurried and unsatisfying.

7. Critics Gave Rocky III Mixed Reviews

Just as Rocky Balboa is preparing to retire, a new challenger named James Lang publicly calls him out in Rocky III. Lang insults Rocky at the unveiling of his statue, claiming Rocky has been avoiding strong opponents to maintain his undefeated record. Rocky discovers Lang is right – his trainer has been hand-picking easy fights for him. Realizing he’s lost his edge, Rocky starts training to face the ambitious young fighter.

Compared to the first Rocky film, Rocky III doesn’t quite capture what made the character so appealing. Rocky feels less sympathetic, and his reasons for fighting aren’t as clear. The movie is over-the-top and feels cartoonish, and the villain, played by Mr. T, isn’t very complex. While Rocky III did give us the unforgettable song “Eye of the Tiger,” which became the series’ signature tune, the film overall doesn’t live up to the quality of the original.

6. Rocky II Is Often Underrated

It’s common for movie sequels to simply repeat what made the first film successful, and Rocky II does have some of that. However, it’s still a fantastic sports movie. The film opens by revealing that Rocky didn’t win against Apollo Creed in the first movie, and he’s now dealing with health problems after the fight. Apollo keeps challenging Rocky to a rematch, which he initially refuses. But when Rocky struggles financially, he’s forced to accept. Meanwhile, Rocky and Adrian have a baby, but Adrian falls into a coma before giving Rocky her support to fight again. Despite rigorous training, Rocky injures his right hand, putting him at a serious disadvantage.

I have to admit, while some of the story beats feel a little too familiar from the first Rocky, Rocky II still really delivers. It feels like a natural continuation of their rivalry, but with so much more on the line. What I especially appreciate is how driven both Rocky and Apollo are – you really understand what’s pushing them both forward.

5. Rocky Balboa Was the Final Rocky Film

After the less-than-satisfying conclusion of Rocky V, Rocky Balboa revisits the now-retired boxing legend. He’s living a peaceful but sad life as a widower and owns a restaurant. At the same time, the current heavyweight champion, Mason, is advised that he needs to fight a worthy opponent to earn true respect. A virtual reality simulation is created where a younger Rocky fights and defeats Mason, inspiring the older Rocky to return to boxing and take on Mason as his first opponent after years of retirement.

The film Rocky Balboa explores themes of getting older, never giving up, and finding forgiveness. While it delves into the personal life of Rocky, showing him as an underdog once again, it’s more of a drama than a traditional sports movie. However, many viewers felt this sixth film wasn’t needed and lacked the hopeful and motivating spirit of the original Rocky.

4. Creed II Felt a Little Too Familiar

Adonis Creed, now a successful boxer, moves to Los Angeles with his fiancée, Bianca, who is expecting their first child. Despite Rocky’s reservations, Adonis agrees to fight Viktor Drago, the son of the man who killed his father years earlier. Balancing the challenges of becoming a father and preparing for the fight proves difficult, and Adonis loses the initial match. However, because Viktor broke the rules, a rematch is set. Adonis, bruised both physically and emotionally, trains hard with Rocky and Duke, determined to reclaim his title and prove himself.

While Creed II relies on familiar boxing movie clichés and predictable story beats, it’s still a solid addition to the Rocky series. The film excels at capturing the heart of the originals, particularly its themes of fatherhood, leaving a legacy, and personal development. It’s rewarding to see both Rocky Balboa and Adonis Creed grow as individuals, separate from their training relationship, and the movie features exciting fight sequences and compelling villains.

3. Creed III Was Michael B. Jordan’s Directorial Debut

With Creed III, Michael B. Jordan makes his directorial debut and also breaks new ground for the series – it’s the first film without Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa. The movie begins with a flashback showing how Adonis met Damian, a close friend who took the blame for a fight Adonis had when he was younger. Years later, after Damian is released from prison, the two reconnect. Adonis hires Damian to help with training, but soon realizes Damian isn’t playing by the rules. Haunted by guilt and fueled by Damian’s taunts, Adonis is forced to come out of retirement and face his friend in a boxing match.

With Creed III, the series successfully moves forward, even without relying on the familiar elements of the Rocky films. The movie gives Bianca and her young daughter the attention they deserve, and delves into Adonis’s personal struggles with his family history. Michael B. Jordan’s strong directorial debut builds to a powerful and intense final fight, showcasing a dynamic visual style and exciting, anime-influenced action.

2. Creed Introduced the World to Michael B. Jordan’s Adonis Creed

By 2006, the Rocky movies were largely considered finished. However, the series unexpectedly returned in 2015 with Creed. The film begins with a look back at Adonis Creed’s difficult childhood, specifically his time in a juvenile detention center and an offer to be fostered by Mary Anne. In the present, Adonis is a talented but struggling boxer hoping to make it professional, so he seeks training from the legendary former champion, Rocky Balboa.

Critics and audiences loved Creed, which successfully updates the Rocky story for a new generation while still honoring the original films. A strong relationship between the aging Rocky Balboa and his new protégé, Adonis, is at the heart of the movie. Director Ryan Coogler delivers incredibly realistic and intense fight scenes, making the boxing matches feel truly gripping. Creed proved to be a fantastic way to bring the world of Rocky back to the big screen.

1. Rocky is An All-Time Classic

Sylvester Stallone famously wrote the screenplay for Rocky in only three and a half days, inspired by the 1975 Muhammad Ali vs. Chuck Wepner boxing match. The film, released the following year, is considered a classic. It tells the story of Apollo Creed, the heavyweight champion, who, after an injury, selects local underdog Rocky Balboa as his next opponent. Rocky then begins a challenging and unexpected training process to get ready for the biggest fight of his life.

Rocky isn’t just a boxing film; it’s a powerful story about a man’s personal journey and growth. It’s an inspiring, moving, and realistic film, and the famous training sequence is instantly recognizable. It’s hard not to root for Rocky Balboa whenever he’s on screen. Many consider it the best film in the Rocky series because it centers on a relatable, underdog hero and offers a genuinely uplifting message.

2026-04-08 06:07