Rocky III

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Rocky III

PG

Released May 28, 1982

1h 39m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

65%

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43 Reviews

74%

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250,000+ Ratings

Following his crushing defeat by Clubber Lang, Rocky Balboa joins forces with Apollo Creed in an effort to regain his title.

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Critics Consensus

It's noticeably subject to the law of diminishing returns, but Rocky III still has enough brawny spectacle to stand in the ring with the franchise's better entries.

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Derek Malcolm

Guardian

It would be true to say that Stallone has improved as a director, delivering a short, almost staccato movie which zips through the whole fable fast enough to prevent familiarity breeding contempt.

Nov 11, 2021

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David Robinson

The Times (UK)

Stallone is distinctly at his best when the film takes off into almost abstract montages of ;music or images, or in the nifty choreography of the fights.

Sep 24, 2020

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Nigel Andrews

Financial Times

Rocky was a right hook that hit satisfying home: Rocky II was a good follow-up left: Rocky III is a redundant flurry of fisticuffs long after the match has been won and the referee has raised the victor's arm.

Sep 24, 2020

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Grant Watson

Fiction Machine

All up I think this is probably the best of the Rocky films in visual terms, but its story is severely lacking and its depth is non-existent.

Rated: 7/10

Feb 14, 2024

Full Review

Jana Monji

Age of the Geek

The Survivor song, "Eye of the Tiger," might be the best thing about this film which has Rocky going against Mr. T as Rocky's adversary.

Rated: 2/5

Mar 8, 2023

Full Review

Stephen Silver

Tilt Magazine

Very much a film of the ’80s. Not only did it co-star 1980s icons like Mr. T and Hulk Hogan, but it made Rocky a bit more musclebound than he’d been earlier, in line with the G.I. Joe aesthetics of the time. (40th anniversary)

Rated: B+

May 27, 2022

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Mike W.

Rocky’s Greatest Challenge thus far: Clubber Lang

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/17/25

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Tagen K

Definitely the best in the series with some amazing acting and great characters

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/14/25

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Mr.Homebody#18 M

"THERE IS NO TOMORROW"

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/11/25

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Shawn A

stallone could make a story about a mop bucket an academy award winning movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/30/25

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Jay W

"Rocky III" represents a shift in the series. Where the first two films in the franchise are drama films, the third and fourth films are action movies. A long-running franchise like Rocky should be able to change and prevent all of its entries from all feeling the same. In a similar way to how "Alien" shifts from being a horror film to an action film, Rocky is able to adapt and does well in this new genre. I love the "Creed" films, they are a great continuation of the series. But I do criticize its lack of an iconic musical score. And to a certain extent, I understand, how can someone expect to outdo the iconic music of Rocky? Can a series really expect to make, not one, but two different all-time great songs? Well, Rocky III did it. "Eye of the Tiger" managed to equal and surpass "Gonna Fly Now" as the go to work out song. The movie also introduces two quintessential 80's tough guys with Mr. T and Hulk Hogan. Apollo Creed has a lot of believable character growth. Mickey, Adrian and Paulie all have great scenes to shine as well. The movie does a good step up in the action department compared to its predecessors. There are a lot more fights, and Stallone gets into crazy good shape. And the story here is so tight and compelling that they reuse its formula for "Cars 3", "Dark Knight Rises" and "Black Panther" This film truly rises up to the challenge of its rivals.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/24/25

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Johnathan S.

Best one in the series

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/21/25

Full Review

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Sylvester Stallone

Director

Sylvester Stallone

Rocky Balboa

Mr. T

Clubber Lang

Talia Shire

Adrian

Carl Weathers

Apollo Creed

Burt Young

Paulie

Rocky III: Official Clip - Clubber Heckles Rocky

1:59

Rocky III: Official Clip - A Wreckin' Machine

2:08

Rocky III: Official Clip - Mickey's Heart Attack

2:10

Rocky III: Official Clip - Farewell to Mickey

2:04

Rocky III: Official Clip - I'm Afraid

2:58

Rocky III: Official Clip - There Is No Tomorrow!

1:10

Rocky III: Official Clip - Getting Stronger

2:19

Rocky III: Official Clip - Rocky Beats Clubber

3:00

Rocky III: Official Clip - Knocked Out

1:44

Rocky III: Official Clip - I Pity the Fool

1:00

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Synopsis

Following his crushing defeat by Clubber Lang, Rocky Balboa joins forces with Apollo Creed in an effort to regain his title.

Director: Sylvester Stallone
Producer: Robert Chartoff, Irwin Winkler
Screenwriter: Sylvester Stallone
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: United Artists
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 28, 1982, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 31, 2015
Runtime: 1h 39m
Sound Mix: Surround

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