Rocky II

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Rocky II

PG

Released Jun 15, 1979

1h 59m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

70%

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33 Reviews

82%

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250,000+ Ratings

Although working-class Philadelphia boxer Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) lost his high-profile bout with the cocky world champion Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), his Cinderella story has caught the national sports media's attention, and he now has the opportunity to capitalize on his sudden fame. Meanwhile, Creed is still smarting from nearly losing to some palooka no one has ever heard of, and arrogantly prods his newfound nemesis into getting back into the ring.

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Critics Consensus

Rocky II is a movie that dares you to root again for the ultimate underdog -- and succeeds due to an infectiously powerful climax.

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Bob Thomas

Associated Press

Rocky II contains the flaws of the original: simplistic characterizations, saccharine romance, a tendency to cuteness. But it also fills the heart and quickens the pulse.

Jul 17, 2019

Full Review

Ian Nathan

Empire Magazine

By the punishing heft of the big fight, there is the clear hint that the series will soon plunge into an unpalatable patriotic fervour. For now, though, with its leathery texture of working class Philly-life it felt enough like reality.

Rated: 3/5

May 30, 2018

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

Stallone and producers Irwin Winkler and Robert Chartoff know from experience audiences love to root for the underdog and have concocted an irresistible final 30 minutes.

Mar 26, 2009

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Grant Watson

Fiction Machine

It’s not the perfect sequel, in fact it’s a staggeringly uneven one, but it makes it across the line in the end and provides an immensely satisfying conclusion.

Rated: 7/10

Feb 6, 2024

Full Review

Jana Monji

Age of the Geek

This film is a predictable workhorse of a film with few surprises but an ending that will leave you satisfied.

Rated: 2/5

Mar 8, 2023

Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

Stallone captures much of the same look and feel of the original, and it works, even if it lacks the original's underdog appeal.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 28, 2022

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Zema K

Rocky II isn’t just a sequel, it’s a 15‑round love letter to grit. Between diaper changes and dead‑end jobs, Rocky’s fighting more than just an opponent — he’s fighting doubt, pride, and the clock. The training montage? Pure goosebumps. When the bell rings, this isn’t about who’s the champ — it’s about proving you can take life’s hardest hits and still rise before the count of ten.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/07/25

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MR. G

HE DID IT (SPOILER WARNING) Rocky 2 Is such a fun movie but does have its flaws. The film follows Rocky who after his SD loss to Creed doesn’t wanna fight no more and spends his fight purse on a dog and clothes. Creed is furious about it cause people think he lost the fight. After Rocky needs to find money he accepts the rematch with Creed and gets to training but during training Adrian gives birth to their son which Rocky goes full beast mode for his training. Fight Night comes and Rocky is getting beaten badly but after the 3rd round Rocky finds his way and start giving Apollo his best shots. In the final round both Rocky and Creed fall to the canvas which both of them fighting to get up Rocky the only one to beat the count beating Creed and winning the title. Rocky 2 like I said at the start a fun movie but is very dull for me. At some moments the movie is just really Rocky life after success and going back to beat Creed not like the true heart and passion in the first movie. Overall Rocky 2 is a fun edition to the franchise and gets a score of 6/10.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/08/25

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tommy J

Rocky is one of the rare franchises where every single movie is good. There are so many of them.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/28/25

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Ava S

Rocky II suffers from an excessive narrative focus on Balboa's family life, but its final thirty minutes and Carl Weathers' campy performance still deliver immense entertainment.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/24/25

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Mike W.

Rocky was better than Apollo by 1 second

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/17/25

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Mr.Homebody#18 M

Great sequel yo Adrian I did it!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/11/25

Full Review

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Sylvester Stallone

Director

Sylvester Stallone

Rocky Balboa

Talia Shire

Adrian

Burgess Meredith

Mickey Goldmill

Burt Young

Paulie

Carl Weathers

Apollo Creed

Rocky II: Official Clip - Beast Aftershave

1:56

Rocky II: Official Clip - Rocky Proposes to Adrian

1:48

Rocky II: Official Clip - Heated Press Conference

2:11

Rocky II: Official Clip - You Got the Heart, But You Ain't Got the Tools

2:29

Rocky II: Official Clip - Kentucky Fried Idiot

2:16

Rocky II: Official Clip - Rocky's Run

2:35

Rocky II: Official Clip - Adrian Comes Back

2:12

Rocky II: Official Clip - Yo Adrian, I Did It!

1:01

Rocky II: Official Clip - I Won, But I Didn't Beat Him

2:04

Rocky II: Official Clip - 200 Pound Italian Tank

2:45

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Synopsis

Although working-class Philadelphia boxer Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) lost his high-profile bout with the cocky world champion Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), his Cinderella story has caught the national sports media's attention, and he now has the opportunity to capitalize on his sudden fame. Meanwhile, Creed is still smarting from nearly losing to some palooka no one has ever heard of, and arrogantly prods his newfound nemesis into getting back into the ring.

Director: Sylvester Stallone
Producer: Robert Chartoff, Irwin Winkler
Screenwriter: Sylvester Stallone
Distributor: United Artists
Production Co: Chartoff-Winkler Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 15, 1979, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 31, 2015
Runtime: 1h 59m
Sound Mix: Surround

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