The Most Popular Rocky Movie, Ranked

Choose the movie you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 30, 2024 06:47
Consider a group of friends debating animatedly about which Rocky film packs the most punch. Each friend champions a different installment, wielding plot points and knockout scenes as evidence. This common disagreement among enthusiasts shows just how diverse opinions can be regarding a series so beloved. Here, you have the power to cast your vote and see how your preferences stack up against others. By participating, you not only contribute to a broader consensus but also get to see in real time how each movie resonates with audiences. It's an engaging way to assert which installment really makes the heart of the franchise beat the hardest.

What Is the Most Popular Rocky Movie?

  1. 1
    49
    votes
    The original film that started the franchise and won three Oscars, including Best Picture.
    Rocky is a sports drama film released in 1976. It follows the story of Rocky Balboa, a small-time boxer from Philadelphia, who gets a shot at the heavyweight boxing title. The film showcases Rocky's journey as he trains and fights against all odds to prove himself in the ring and find his self-worth.
    • Release Date: December 3, 1976
    • Director: John G. Avildsen
    • Writer: Sylvester Stallone
    • Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers
    • Running Time: 119 minutes
  2. 2
    23
    votes

    Rocky IV (1985)

    Sylvester Stallone
    The most financially successful Rocky film and the one that introduced the iconic character Ivan Drago.
    Rocky IV (1985) is a sports drama film directed by Sylvester Stallone. It is the fourth installment in the Rocky film series, following the story of Rocky Balboa, a professional boxer. In this movie, Rocky fights against Ivan Drago, a Soviet Union boxer, in a high-stakes match that is not only a battle for personal pride but also a representation of the Cold War tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union.
    • Release Date: November 27, 1985
    • Genre: Sports, Drama
    • Running Time: 91 minutes
    • Budget: $30 million
    • Box Office: $300.4 million
  3. 3
    37
    votes

    Rocky III (1982)

    Sylvester Stallone
    The film that marked the transition of Rocky from an underdog to a successful boxer and introduced Mr. T's character Clubber Lang.
    Rocky III is a sports drama film released in 1982. It is the third installment in the Rocky film series and follows the story of Rocky Balboa, a world-renowned boxer. In this movie, Rocky faces a new challenge as he is pitted against the powerful and arrogant boxer Clubber Lang, played by Mr. T. As Rocky trains harder than ever before, he also deals with personal struggles and the sudden retirement of his trainer Mickey Goldmill. Rocky III is known for its entertaining and intense boxing matches, memorable characters, and iconic training montage scenes.
    • Release date: May 28, 1982
    • Director: Sylvester Stallone
    • Screenplay: Sylvester Stallone
    • Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers, Mr. T
    • Running time: 99 minutes
  4. 4
    10
    votes
    The spin-off film that introduced a new protagonist, Adonis Creed, and received critical acclaim for its performances and direction.
    Creed (2015) is a sports drama film that serves as a spin-off and sequel to the Rocky film series. The movie focuses on Adonis Johnson Creed, the son of the late boxer Apollo Creed, as he seeks to follow in his father's footsteps in the world of professional boxing. Throughout the film, Adonis forms a close relationship with his father's former rival and friend, Rocky Balboa, who becomes his trainer and mentor.
    • Film Title: Creed
    • Year: 2015
    • Genre: Sports Drama
    • Director: Ryan Coogler
    • Writer: Ryan Coogler, Aaron Covington
  5. 5
    17
    votes
    Rocky II (1979)
    Schreibwerkzeug · CC BY-SA 4.0

    Rocky II (1979)

    Sylvester Stallone
    The direct sequel to the original film that continued the story of Rocky and his relationship with Adrian.
    Rocky II (1979) is a sports drama film that serves as a sequel to the original Rocky (1976) movie. It was written and directed by Sylvester Stallone, who also stars as the titular character Rocky Balboa. The film follows Rocky's journey as he faces various challenges and overcomes obstacles in his pursuit of becoming a professional boxer.
    • Release Year: 1979
    • Genre: Sports Drama
    • Director: Sylvester Stallone
    • Writer: Sylvester Stallone
    • Lead Actor: Sylvester Stallone
  6. 6
    13
    votes
    Rocky Balboa (2006)
    Lance Cpl. Ray Lewis · Public domain

    Rocky Balboa (2006)

    Sylvester Stallone
    The sixth film in the series that brought back the character of Rocky as an aging boxer who returns to the ring for one last fight.
    Rocky Balboa (2006) is the sixth installment in the Rocky film series. It serves as a sequel and a reboot, following the life of Rocky Balboa, a retired professional boxer. The movie focuses on his struggles to adapt to a retired life and finds him returning to the ring for one last fight.
    • Box Office: $155.9 million
    • Language: English
    • Release Date: December 20, 2006
    • Director: Sylvester Stallone
    • Genre: Sports Drama
  7. 7
    10
    votes

    Creed II (2018)

    Directed by Steven Caple Jr.
    The sequel to Creed that brought back Ivan Drago as the antagonist and explored the legacy of Rocky and Apollo Creed.
    Creed II (2018) is a sports drama film directed by Steven Caple Jr. It is the sequel to the 2015 film Creed and the eighth installment in the Rocky film series. The movie follows Adonis Creed, the son of the late Apollo Creed, as he faces a new opponent in Viktor Drago, the son of Ivan Drago, who killed Apollo in the ring. Adonis must confront his past and find the strength to step into the ring once again.
    • Release Date: November 14, 2018
    • Running Time: 130 minutes
    • Genre: Sports drama
    • Writer: Sylvester Stallone, Juel Taylor
    • Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson
  8. 8
    4
    votes
    The film that marked the lowest point in the franchise, with a plot that was criticized for being too similar to the original film.
    Rocky V (1990) is the fifth installment in the Rocky film series. It was directed by John G. Avildsen and written by Sylvester Stallone. The movie follows Rocky Balboa as he retires from boxing due to a brain injury and begins training a talented young fighter, Tommy Gunn, who eventually becomes his rival. Rocky V explores themes of redemption, family, and the impact of fame.
    • Release Date: 1990
    • Director: John G. Avildsen
    • Writer: Sylvester Stallone
    • Genre: Sports/Drama
    • Main Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Sage Stallone
  9. 9
    8
    votes
    Rocky Balboa
    Lance Cpl. Ray Lewis · Public domain

    Rocky Balboa

    Sylvester Stallone
    The Best of Rocky (2006) - A compilation film that features the most iconic moments from the previous Rocky films.
    Rocky Balboa is the sixth and final installment in the Rocky film series. It serves as both a sequel and a reboot, following the story of Rocky Balboa, a former heavyweight boxing champion who returns to the ring for one final fight.
    • Release date: December 20, 2006
    • Director: Sylvester Stallone
    • Writer: Sylvester Stallone
    • Running time: 102 minutes
    • Box office: $155.7 million
    Rocky Balboa in other rankings
  10. 10
    9
    votes
    Rocky Marciano (1999)
    Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain

    Rocky Marciano (1999)

    Charles Winkler
    A biographical film about the real-life boxer Rocky Marciano, who inspired the character of Rocky Balboa.
    Rocky Marciano (1999) is a biographical sports film based on the life of the legendary American heavyweight boxer Rocky Marciano. The movie portrays Marciano's rise from a humble immigrant family to becoming the only undefeated heavyweight champion in the history of professional boxing.
    • Genre: Biography, Drama, Sport
    • Director: Charles Winkler
    • Writer: Larry Golin
    • Starring: Jon Favreau, Penelope Ann Miller, Judd Hirsch
    • Release Date: June 13, 1999

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Discussion

Ranking factors for popular movie

  1. Box Office Performance
    Analyze the revenue generated by each Rocky movie. A higher box office collection indicates a more popular film among the audience.
  2. Critical Reception
    Consider the reviews and ratings of each Rocky movie given by critics and reputable sources like Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb. Generally, a film with higher ratings is more popular and widely appreciated.
  3. Audience Reception
    Gauge the response of viewers by looking at user ratings and reviews on major platforms like IMDb and Letterboxd. The opinions of general viewers may differ from critics, and their preferences should be taken into account.
  4. Awards and Nominations
    Evaluate the success of each Rocky movie in terms of awards, nominations, and recognition by prominent industry organizations, such as the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, and BAFTAs.
  5. Cultural Impact
    Analyze how each Rocky movie has contributed to popular culture. This can include references in TV shows and movies, parodies, memorable quotes, and iconic scenes or characters.
  6. Legacy and Influence
    Consider the lasting impact of each film on the Rocky franchise and the movie industry as a whole. A popular movie may have influenced many other films in terms of storytelling, direction, and character development.
  7. Re-watchability
    Assess the overall entertainment value and re-watchability factor of each film. A popular movie is likely to be one that viewers want to watch multiple times and enjoy consistently.
  8. Character Development
    Evaluate how well each film explores and develops its central characters, including Rocky Balboa and other essential characters in the series.
  9. Storytelling
    Analyze the quality of storytelling, plot development, pacing, and execution of each Rocky movie. A film with a well-written and engaging storyline will generally be more popular and critically acclaimed.
  10. Direction and Cinematography
    Appreciate the technical aspects of each film, such as direction and cinematography. Films that have superior craftsmanship in these areas may be deemed more popular and influential.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Rocky movie. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Film is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1697 views
  • 178 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Film once every 24 hours. The rank of each Film is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular rocky movie

Rocky is one of the most iconic movie franchises in history, with millions of fans around the world. It tells the story of Rocky Balboa, a working-class boxer from Philadelphia who becomes a cultural icon and a hero for many. The franchise has produced six movies to date, each one with its own unique story and message. From the original film in 1976 to the most recent release in 2018, Rocky has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. In this article, we'll be exploring the question of what is the most popular Rocky movie, based on the opinions of fans and critics alike.

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