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Rocky

Play trailer 1:39 Poster for Rocky PG Released Dec 1, 1976 1h 59m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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93% Tomatometer 73 Reviews 69% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone), a small-time boxer from working-class Philadelphia, is arbitrarily chosen to take on the reigning world heavyweight champion, Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), when the undefeated fighter's scheduled opponent is injured. While training with feisty former bantamweight contender Mickey Goldmill (Burgess Meredith), Rocky tentatively begins a relationship with Adrian (Talia Shire), the wallflower sister of his meat-packer pal Paulie (Burt Young).
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Critics Consensus

This story of a down-on-his-luck boxer is thoroughly predictable, but Sylvester Stallone's script and stunning performance in the title role brush aside complaints.

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Critics Reviews

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Pauline Kael The New Yorker Rocky is a threadbare patchwork of old-movie bits, yet it's engaging, and the naive elements are emotionally effective. Jan 20, 2024 Full Review John Pym Sight & Sound Rocky, Stallone's alter ego, is sufficiently engaging to make one forget, momentarily at least, the script's milk-fed lack of originality. Feb 6, 2020 Full Review Kathleen Carroll New York Daily News Like the movies of Frank Capra, Rocky is a glowing tribute to the human spirit - a chin-up reminder that the decent, little guys of the world often accomplish the impossible if only because they try so hard. Feb 24, 2016 Full Review Grant Watson Fiction Machine The story is simple, and it’s told in a very traditional Hollywood fashion, but it’s entirely about people in which the audience can believe and recognise. Rated: 10/10 Feb 6, 2024 Full Review Elisa Guimarães Collider John G. Avildsen’s movie packs more feelings than punches. Feb 1, 2024 Full Review Mark Johnson Awards Daily The ultimate tale of the underdog. Rocky beautifully encapsulates the essence of the blue-collar worker, drawing a striking parallel to Sylvester Stallone’s own journey before this monumental breakthrough. Jun 8, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Steven C Such a classic. Was able to show this awesome movie to a younger generation and I'm sure they are fans now. Just wished Starlight was showing all of the Rocky movies in theaters. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/20/22 Full Review Jason R The single greatest movie in the history of movies. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/20/22 Full Review Jay W All-time great films can typically fall into one of two categories: those that pioneer and those that perfect. For example, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" (1937) pioneered animated films, but "Beauty and the Beast" (1991) perfected that formula. "Rocky" (1976) does both. It was a pioneer for the sports movie while at the same time perfecting that genre. Stallone's struggles of getting the movie made perfectly parallel the journey Rocky goes through in the film. Stallone was a man that had to live in his car, sell his dog and put everything on the line to get this film made. And through his struggles, the film was the highest grossing film that year, and walked away with 3 Oscars including "Best Picture". The underdog movie written by some bum from the neighborhood, had gone the distance and K. O'd the champ. You can feel the grit and passion in every frame of this movie. There is a genuine love to this film that can't be reproduced by any cynical corporate executive. Along with being a standout in sports movies and low budget films, the movie is also a technical achievement. This film incorporates the training montage. The technique that movies from this time forward would countlessly spoof and duplicate, this is the one that started it all. Along with the montage, the techniques of moving the camera through tight corridors and upstairs was revolutionary for the time. Typically, film dollies were too bulky to make those kinds of moves, but "Rocky" changed that. OK, now outside all the technical side elements of this movie, how is the movie itself? It is a masterpiece. The story is fairly simple. Heavyweight boxing champ, Apollo Creed gives a local underdog boxer an opportunity to fight for the Championship of the World. (This was 1976, so the championship belt was seen as the greatest title in the known world. Boxing was a really big deal back then.) Apollo Creed, of course, picks our hero: Rocky Balboa, as his challenger for the New Year's fight. Rocky trains the next five weeks to do the fight of his life. What this movie, and the whole series understands is the film is not about boxing, it is about the characters. I have actually heard people debate on whether this film counts as a "Sports Movie", that is how much the film focuses on its characters. I will emphasize, THE CHARACTERS are what makes this story work. Stallone as Rocky Balboa is an absolutely transformative performance. As the trailer announcer says, "When you see Stallone, you will only see: Rocky Balboa". He plays the line of being both likable to always root for, but relatable enough to feel real. Talia Shire as Adrian is wonderful. Burt Young as Paulie, Burgess Meredith as Mickey and Carl Weathers as Apollo are all absolutely golden in their roles. The same can be said with any of the minor characters as well. It can be tricky in under 2 hours to introduce and handle so many memorable characters, but "Rocky" absolutely pulls it off. Never do I feel like I am watching actors read from a script, I am just seeing characters talk, I am always 100% sucked into their world. Speaking of, this movie creates a city and community that feels real. It may lack some of the polish of other movies, but that dirt and grime is what helps this world feel real. The movie feels so real that I meet people to this day that think that "Rocky Balboa" is a real heavyweight champion. Yes, I am aware that Stallone based the story off of Chuck Wagner, the workout from Joe Frazier, Apollo from Muhammad Ali and his hero from Rocky Marciano. But art imitates life, and throughout history, we see life imitate art. Truth be told, this film has played such a large part of my life, I felt intimidated even writing a review for it. As if I didn't feel capable to put into words why it is I love this movie as much as I do. I don't think I can fully do justice to the film. Suffice it to say, just watch the movie. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/01/24 Full Review William C Greatest movie of all time. A lot of that has to do with the perfect combination of the story line and the music. Problem is that the ADD generation of today is not able to sit and comprehend a movie that has slower parts in it. Those parts are sheer genius if you follow the story line. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/17/24 Full Review Stephen H This is one of the greatest films of all-time! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/15/24 Full Review Marlon W Wonderful film, it has a captivating romance and a motivating story of overcoming, I love this classic work. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/27/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Rocky

Rocky: Official Clip - Gonna Fly Now Rocky: Official Clip - Gonna Fly Now 2:44 Rocky: Official Clip - Breakfast of Champions Rocky: Official Clip - Breakfast of Champions 1:20 Rocky: Official Clip - Rocky's Wasted Talent Rocky: Official Clip - Rocky's Wasted Talent 1:05 Rocky: Official Clip - Date at the Ice Rink Rocky: Official Clip - Date at the Ice Rink 3:16 Rocky: Official Clip - Women Weaken Legs Rocky: Official Clip - Women Weaken Legs 1:25 Rocky: Official Clip - Pain and Experience Rocky: Official Clip - Pain and Experience 3:32 Rocky: Official Clip - The Meat Locker Rocky: Official Clip - The Meat Locker 2:02 Rocky: Official Clip - Paulie Breaks Down Rocky: Official Clip - Paulie Breaks Down 2:31 Rocky: Official Clip - Adrian! Rocky: Official Clip - Adrian! 2:26 Rocky: Official Clip - Creed Gets Knocked Down Rocky: Official Clip - Creed Gets Knocked Down 2:51 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone), a small-time boxer from working-class Philadelphia, is arbitrarily chosen to take on the reigning world heavyweight champion, Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), when the undefeated fighter's scheduled opponent is injured. While training with feisty former bantamweight contender Mickey Goldmill (Burgess Meredith), Rocky tentatively begins a relationship with Adrian (Talia Shire), the wallflower sister of his meat-packer pal Paulie (Burt Young).
Director
John G. Avildsen
Producer
Irwin Winkler, Robert Chartoff
Screenwriter
Sylvester Stallone
Distributor
CBS/Fox, United Artists, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co
United Artists
Rating
PG
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 1, 1976, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 31, 2015
Runtime
1h 59m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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