Creed III's recent theatrical release marks the ninth entry in the Rocky series, which launched in 1976. The boxing franchise began with a relatively low-budget sports movie and has since spawned a hugely popular boxing series that has chronicled the life of underdog Rocky Balboa.
After numerous sequels and spin-offs, Sylvester Stallone's Rocky Balboa has become a beloved pop culture icon. Now, Michael B. Jordan has taken the proverbial boxing gloves to new heights as Adonis Creed, and he's showing no signs of slowing down. Like with any long-running movie franchise, some films have performed better than others.
9 Rocky V (1990) - 31%
At the time, Rocky V was meant to be the final film in the franchise. This time around, Rocky is struggling with a dangerous head injury and is forced to retire from boxing. While this is happening, Paulie has made some bad investments and the accountant has run off with all of Rocky's money. Rocky and his family have to start over, but a young boxer comes looking for his help.
Rocky V is the lowest rated movie in the franchise for a reason. Stallone had written every Rocky up to this point, and it just didn't seem like he had much to say anymore. It was a fun idea to retire Rocky and make him a trainer, but this film just missed the mark.
8 Rocky IV (1985) - 38%
With Rocky at the top of his game, Rocky IV sees a Russian boxer named Ivan Drago come to America to prove his worth. Apollo Creed stubbornly wants to box Drago, but the match ends up killing Creed. As such, Rocky goes to Russia to beat Drago in the ring.
Rocky IV is a decent attempt at a film centered around the relations between the Soviet Union and the United States. Drago is a compelling villain, but Apollo's character isn't fleshed out, as he only serves to get Rocky back in the ring. It's a silly movie with a robot and speech about how Russian and Americans aren't very different, and most critics found the film fell short from what Stallone wanted. With Rocky IV, the cracks in the franchise began to show.
7 Rocky III (1982) - 67%
Rocky III sees a new fighter named Clubber Lang come onto the scene. His ruthless boxing style has catapulted him to the top, and he wants a shot at Balboa's crown. After Micky dies, Apollo Creed trains Rocky to beat Lang. Rocky has the strength, but he needs Creed's speed if he's going to make win the fight.
Teaming up Apollo and Rocky for the third outing was a great idea. Balboa works best when he's an underdog and this film keeps him grounded, despite his newfound fame and wealth. It's a good sequel with a strong villain and a tense final fight.
6 Rocky II (1979) - 72%
With the success of the first Rocky film, it made sense that Stallone would write a sequel. This time, Stallone steps into the director's chair and tells the story of a Rocky and Creed rematch. Most boxing fans felt that Creed shouldn't have won the first fight, so Rocky goes for the title. Given that he has a kid on the way, winning the fight is a must.
Rocky II delivers enough heart to get people invested in Rocky's journey. His romance with Adrian, and watching them build a family together, is well worth the watch. Additionally, the rematch between Rocky and Creed is one of the most compelling fights in the franchise and will have everyone on the edge of their seat.
5 Rocky Balboa (2006) - 77%
A legacy sequel, Rocky Balboa follows a retired Rocky, who's wondering if there's something missing from his life. He's estranged from his son and his wife is gone, but he knows he's got one more fight in him. When a computer claims that Rocky could beat the current heavyweight champion, Rocky agrees to a match and promises that this would be his final fight.
Rocky fans had been waiting for this sequel. While it didn't reach the heights of the first film, Stallone gave another great turn as the titular boxer. His relationship with his son adds an emotional layer to the film and watching Rocky prove that he's still got something to offer the sport is very compelling.
4 Creed II (2018) - 83%
Now that there's a next-generation Creed in the boxing world, a new Drago comes to meet him. Ivan Drago's son comes to challenge Adonis Creed in Creed II. The stakes are high as Adonis is confronted with Ivan Drago, the man who killed his father. For Drago, this fight is a chance at redemption for his loss all those years ago.
Creed II does the emotional heavy lifting that Rocky IV could not. Both Rocky and Adonis have to wrestle with their emotions and regrets from that fateful fight. Critics were eager to point out how Creed II also develops Drago's character and makes him more than just a one-note boxer like he was in Rocky IV. The sequel is a solid followup to Creed and a great entry in the Rocky franchise.
3 Creed III (2023) - 87%
The latest film in the franchise, Creed III, has impressed audiences. With the title character now on top of the world, an old friend comes to find him. Damian has just been released from jail, and he's very upset to learn that Creed has the life Damian feels he deserves. When they were kids, Damian was a boxing prodigy, and he's ready to take everything Creed has earned.
For the first time in the franchise's history, Creed III doesn't bring back Stallone's Rocky. This turned out to be for the best, as it was time for Adonis Creed to step out of Rocky's shadow. Michael B. Jordan directed the film and gave fans another fantastic installment.
2 Rocky (1976) - 91%
In 1976, Rocky was an independent boxing movie with a lesser-known lead who surprised everyone. Rocky introduced the world to Rocky Balboa, a 30-year-old amateur boxer who gets a big opportunity when the heavyweight champion of the world, Apollo Creed, calls him up. Rocky knows he can't beat Creed, but he just wants to go the distance.
While the script was almost too predictable, critics fell in the love with the down-on-his-luck boxer. Sylvester Stallone wrote and starred in the film. He impressed with a nuanced performance, and Rocky has since become a pop culture phenomenon.
1 Creed (2015) - 95%
Creed introduces audiences to Michael B. Jordan's titular character. Apollo Creed had an affair shortly before he died and fathered Adonis. Wanting to make a name for himself as a boxer, Adonis goes to Rocky Balboa for help with his training. When it's revealed that he's a Creed, Adonis gets a shot at the title, but Rocky is diagnosed with cancer.
Most critics consider Creed to be one of the best boxing movies ever made. Creed comes out swinging with a solid story about emerging from legacy and features great performances. Notably, Stallone delivers his best performance as Rocky in the first spin-off movie. This is the first film that Stallone didn't write, but it successfully breathed new life into the boxing franchise.