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Rocky II

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Rocky II

PG

Released Jun 15, 1979

1h 59m

Drama

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Tomatometer

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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Stephen C

Rated PG for Language and Boxing Action and Violence Throughout. 1 hour and 59 minutes of the rematch of Rocky Balboa vs. Apollo Creed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/13/25

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Audience Member

This movie is absolute cinema

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/11/25

Full Review

Peter V

Less then the first one but still good.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/23/25

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Angry M

It’s not PC to say but Rocky 2 is a better film than Rocky it tells the story of a man humiliated into a rematch with the Master of disaster himself the ridiculous talented Apollo Creed ! And the film has better fight scenes the characters are more well rounded it is a better film in every way and deserves 92% on rotten tomatoes no question about that unfortunately instead of just asking my opinion we have to let everyone have a say , But Rocky 2 tell the story not just of Rocky but Apollo Creed himself and ya can’t ask for more then that can you !

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/02/25

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Julian L

Pretty good, and less outdated, but more predictable.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/12/25

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Obi-wan K

My same thought as the last movie

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/05/25

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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