Rocky

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1:39

Rocky

PG

1976

2h 0m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

74 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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Pauline Kael

The New Yorker

01/20/2024

Rocky is a threadbare patchwork of old-movie bits, yet it's engaging, and the naive elements are emotionally effective.

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John Pym

Sight & Sound

02/06/2020

Rocky, Stallone's alter ego, is sufficiently engaging to make one forget, momentarily at least, the script's milk-fed lack of originality.

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Kathleen Carroll

New York Daily News

02/24/2016

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.

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Michael Clark

Epoch Times

Apr 11

4/5

Ultimately, it was "cinematic comfort food" for a deeply divided nation. Watergate and two assassination attempts on President Gerald Ford were barely in the rearview mirror, and record inflation was within sight on the near horizon.

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Grant Watson

Fiction Machine

02/06/2024

10/10

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.

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Elisa Guimarães

Collider

02/01/2024

John G. Avildsen’s movie packs more feelings than punches.

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Steven C

10/20/2022

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.

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Jason R

10/20/2022

The single greatest movie in the history of movies.

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Abdullah N

@RT19884846 17h

The film is wonderful, with a brilliant, unique, and moving story; the screenplay is tight, and the direction and the editing are outstanding. I admired the character of Rocky Balboa_I loved and grew attached to him_and both he and the story symbolize determination, endurance, and success; the character are excellent 👏.

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henlo 3

@henlo3101 1d

Great movie for anytime, especially written and starred in by a guy who never had too much experience in Hollywood. Stallone on top.

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Keith M

@kapm72 3d

The First Movie I Ever Saw & Still My Favorite! An Absolutely Perfect Film! Happy 50th Anniversary!

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Nick F

@NickMovieGuy Jul 20

So good. One of the best endings in movie history.

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John G. Avildsen

Director

Sylvester Stallone

Rocky Balboa

Talia Shire

Adrian

Burgess Meredith

Mickey

Burt Young

Paulie

Carl Weathers

Apollo

Rocky: Official Clip - Gonna Fly Now

2:44

Rocky: Official Clip - Breakfast of Champions

1:20

Rocky: Official Clip - Rocky's Wasted Talent

1:05

Rocky: Official Clip - Date at the Ice Rink

3:16

Rocky: Official Clip - Women Weaken Legs

1:25

Rocky: Official Clip - Pain and Experience

3:32

Rocky: Official Clip - The Meat Locker

2:02

Rocky: Official Clip - Paulie Breaks Down

2:31

Rocky: Official Clip - Adrian!

2:26

Rocky: Official Clip - Creed Gets Knocked Down

2:51

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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: 2h 0m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)