Every Rocky movie in order: from Rocky to Creed III

The Rocky franchise spans nearly 50 years and nine films, starting with Sylvester Stallone's 1976 underdog classic and continuing through the Creed spinoff series. Here's the complete timeline in order, with what happens and which ones are worth your time.

The Original Rocky Series (1976–1990)

Rocky (1976): Stallone plays Philadelphia fighter Rocky Balboa, a small-time club fighter who gets a shot at heavyweight champion Apollo Creed. Rocky just wants to go the distance, not necessarily win. This is the one that started everything and still holds up completely.

Watch it: Rocky: The Complete Saga Blu-ray Collection on Amazon (Watch all nine films in order from the 1976 original through Creed III with the best picture quality available)

Rocky II (1979): After the first fight ends in a split decision, Apollo demands a rematch. Rocky trains for round two while his relationship with Adrian deepens. Worth watching.

Rocky III (1982): Enter Clubber Lang, a hungry young fighter played by Mr. T who demolishes Rocky in the ring. Rocky loses his title and confidence. He travels to Los Angeles to train with Apollo Creed (now his friend and trainer) and rebuild himself. The training montages are iconic and the comeback is earned. Still great.

Rocky IV (1985): The Cold War comes to the ring when Rocky faces Soviet boxer Ivan Drago after Drago kills Apollo Creed in an exhibition match. The film is pure 80s spectacle—propaganda, synthesizers, over-the-top patriotism—and it's entertaining as hell. Not realistic, but a time capsule of the era and fun to revisit.

Rocky V (1990): Rocky retires after brain damage and trains his protégé Tommy Gunn while dealing with financial ruin and health problems. The film struggles tonally and the street-fight ending divides fans. Most consider it the weakest of the original series.

The Stallone Comeback (2006)

Rocky Balboa (2006): Stallone wrote and directed this comeback film. An aging Rocky trains one last time to fight a young champion. The film respects the character, the training montages work, and it sets up a natural ending to the original saga. This one is worth watching if you want to see Rocky done right before Creed.

The Creed Series (2015–Present)

Creed (2015): Michael B. Jordan plays Adonis Creed, Apollo's son, who seeks out an aging Rocky in Philadelphia to train him. The film passes the torch respectfully, the boxing is well-shot, and it revived the franchise with genuine heart. Still holds up.

Creed II (2018): Adonis fights Viktor Drago, son of Ivan Drago from Rocky IV. The film mirrors Rocky IV's structure but adds emotional depth through Adonis and Rocky's relationship. Solid sequel that respects what came before.

Creed III (2023): Adonis faces Damian Anderson, a childhood friend and former boxer. Michael B. Jordan directs this one. The film focuses entirely on Adonis's story, and Stallone does not appear. Audiences had mixed reactions to the shift in tone and Rocky's absence.

Quick Reference: Release Order

• Rocky (1976)
• Rocky II (1979)
• Rocky III (1982)
• Rocky IV (1985)
• Rocky V (1990)
• Rocky Balboa (2006)
• Creed (2015)
• Creed II (2018)
• Creed III (2023)

Which Ones to Watch

Start with the original four: Rocky, Rocky II, Rocky III and Rocky IV. Those are the core of the franchise and they're all entertaining in different ways. Rocky (1976) is a genuine masterpiece. Rocky III and IV are 80s spectacle done right. If you want to continue, jump to Rocky Balboa (2006) and then Creed (2015). Both respect the material and deliver real emotional weight. Skip Rocky V unless you're a completist. Creed II and III are solid but they're for fans who want to follow Adonis's story past Rocky's era.

Why Rocky Still Matters

The original films work because they're about more than boxing. They're about a guy who refuses to quit, who wants to prove himself, and who builds something real with the people he loves. That's timeless. The training montages, the Philadelphia streets, the underdog mentality—it all resonates with guys who grew up in the 80s and still does in 2026. The franchise stumbled in the 90s and early 2000s, but Stallone's 2006 film and the Creed series proved the story still has legs when it's told with respect for what came before.

Quick answers

Do I need to watch all the Rocky movies to understand Creed?

No. Creed (2015) works as a standalone film, but watching Rocky (1976) and Rocky Balboa (2006) first will give you the full emotional impact of Rocky and Adonis's relationship. Creed II references Rocky IV, so watching that helps, but it's not required.

Is Rocky IV really that good or is it just 80s nostalgia?

It's entertaining spectacle that captures 1985 perfectly, but it's not realistic boxing. If you grew up in the 80s, it hits different. If you're watching it now, enjoy it as a time capsule of Cold War cinema, not as serious drama.

Can I skip Rocky V?

Yes. Most fans do. It's the weakest film in the series and doesn't add much to the story. Jump from Rocky IV to Rocky Balboa (2006) if you want the next good one.

Does Sylvester Stallone appear in Creed III?

No. Stallone does not appear in Creed III (2023). The film focuses entirely on Adonis Creed's story. Some fans were disappointed by his absence.