Rocky

Rocky is the title of a 1976 American sports drama film and the subsequent film series centered on Rocky Balboa, a fictional Italian-American boxer from Philadelphia created by writer-star Sylvester Stallone. The original film, directed by John G. Avildsen, follows Balboa as he, an aspiring club fighter, gets a once-in-a-lifetime shot at the world heavyweight championship against reigning champion Apollo Creed. Balboa goes the distance with Creed in a bout that ends with Creed retaining the title, but Balboa earning lasting respect. The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1977, and Avildsen won Best Director; Stallone was nominated for Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay. Its score by Bill Conti and the widely imitated training montage became defining elements of the era.

The Rocky series expanded over several decades. Rocky II (1979) depicts Balboa winning the world title in a rematch. Rocky III (1982) introduces Clubber Lang, while Rocky IV (1985) features a televised confrontation with Ivan Drago set against Cold War tensions. Rocky V (1990) returns Balboa to his roots, and Rocky Balboa (2006) presents a late-career comeback. The character also spawned the Creed spinoff film series, beginning with Creed (2015), which centers on Adonis Johnson Creed, Apollo Creed’s son, and continues with Creed II (2018). These films further develop the relationship between Rocky and Creed’s legacy.

Rocky is widely regarded as a defining underdog narrative in American cinema. It is noted for its character arc, enduring lines such as “Yo, Adrian,” and its depiction of perseverance, training discipline, and the city of Philadelphia.