Rotten Tomatoes
Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Rocky

Play trailer 1:39 Poster for Rocky PG 1976 2h 0m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 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).
Watch on Fandango at Home Stream Now

Where to Watch

Rocky

Rocky

What to Know

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.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
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. Go to Full Review
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. Go to Full Review
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. Go to Full Review
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. Go to Full Review
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. Go to Full Review
Elisa Guimarães Collider 02/01/2024
John G. Avildsen’s movie packs more feelings than punches. Go to Full Review
Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
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. See more Jason R 10/20/2022 The single greatest movie in the history of movies. See more Taylor C. @Official_iT Apr 26 One of the greatest movies ever made from a drama standpoint, overall the fact that the budget was very little and the way it inspires & holds you to a standard of believing in yourself no matter what. Beautiful film that helped shape me as the man I am since first watching it at 7 years old. See more Blake- N @PBSAniDom Apr 25 Rocky isn’t just a boxing movie—it’s the boxing movie. No other film in the genre comes close to capturing the heart, grit, and underdog spirit the way this one does. It’s raw, simple, and incredibly powerful without needing flashy gimmicks. Sylvester Stallone delivers his best performance here, and honestly, this is his best film overall. Rocky Balboa feels real—an overlooked fighter with nothing handed to him, just trying to go the distance. That’s what makes it timeless. It’s not about winning, it’s about endurance, pride, and self-respect. The training montage, the music, the final fight—it all builds perfectly. Every scene has purpose, no filler, no wasted moments. You don’t just watch Rocky’s journey, you feel it. This is cinema at its most inspiring. I’d rate it a 10/10. See more Sergy A @Velkrin_skullsX663 Apr 25 The first movie of the franchise "rocky" was an absolute classic hit. Since it was the first time rocky fought Apollo creed, this movie should really not be skipped if you want to see the origins of rocky vs Apollo. Also, like everyone says "nothing beats the original". So yeah, if you want humor,sports drama, and rivalry, rocky is your way to go. 🥊🥊🫡 See more Jim P @RT29594290 Mar 28 One of the best movies ever. See more Read all reviews
Rocky

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING

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
Rocky III 65% 74% Rocky III Watchlist Rocky II 70% 82% Rocky II Watchlist F.I.S.T. 67% 55% F.I.S.T. Watchlist The Spook Who Sat by the Door 77% 83% The Spook Who Sat by the Door Watchlist The Last Tycoon 33% 40% The Last Tycoon Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

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