Rocky Balboa stands as a towering figure in cinematic history. In 1976, the original Rocky film catapulted Sylvester Stallone to fame, becoming that year’s highest-grossing movie.
The film’s enduring popularity made it easy to approve sequels, and over the span of 43 years, nine films were produced, encompassing the Creed trilogy. However, the question remains: do these sequels measure up to the original? Let’s discover!
1. Rocky V (1990)
Rocky V might just be the runt of the litter in the Rocky saga. Picture this: it’s 1990, and Sylvester Stallone is trying to convince us he’s still got the eye of the tiger, but it looks more like he’s ready for a nap. The film’s budget was a cool $42 million, but you wouldn’t know it – maybe they spent it all on Rocky’s retirement fund? The side story with his son? Let’s just say it won’t be winning any father of the year awards.
The drama’s as flat as a pancake, and the action? Well, the punches are pulled. The earlier movies had us on the ropes with those boxing scenes, but Rocky V? It’s like watching two kids squabble over the last piece of Halloween candy. It’s unanimous: this flick is the underdog of the franchise, and not in the charming way.
2. Rocky IV (1985)
Rocky V attempted to diverge from the franchise’s norms, yet the second through fourth sequels largely adhered to the original’s blueprint, albeit with slight variations. Rocky IV, however, ventured to stand out by commencing with the startling demise of Apollo Creed.
This event was impactful, but the film then reverted to the expected training and combat sequences, albeit set against the frigid backdrop of the USSR. The film isn’t entirely disappointing, as it adeptly manages the drama, and the initial showdown between Creed and Drago is gripping. Nevertheless, the climactic battle between Balboa and Drago falls short, marred by its predictability.
3. Rocky III (1982)
The third installment of the Rocky series appears superfluous and fails to capture the depth of its predecessors. It features a new challenger to Rocky, whose character lacks inspiration, resulting in a feeble plot. The narrative primarily revolves around Rocky’s defeat and subsequent victory to honor his friend, which constitutes the whole story.
However, the film does manage to portray the death of a cherished character with sensitivity and poignancy. Additionally, the rekindled camaraderie between Rocky and Apollo, with Creed stepping in as Rocky’s trainer, is a highlight. Nevertheless, the movie disappoints in terms of both action and narrative, casting doubt on its necessity in the franchise.
4. Creed II (2018)
The first two Creed movies earned critical acclaim, reviving the Rocky franchise that had almost ended after the fifth installment due to declining box office sales. Sylvester Stallone resurrected his iconic character, and in 2015, we witnessed a soft reboot as Rocky passed the torch to his late friend’s son. The first Creed, while somewhat repetitive, was well-received. Its success led to a sequel, the eighth installment in the franchise.
This time, the story resurrects Dolph Lundgren’s character, responsible for Apollo Creed’s death, setting up a revenge plot. Each new installment followed a similar story with slight variations. Creed 2, however, recycled script elements from previous Rocky films, failing to capture the original’s success. While the first Creed tried to explore new themes, Creed 2 feels like a collection of tired franchise clichés.
5. Creed III (2023)
By the time the third Creed film was released, Michael B. Jordan had taken on the dual role of star and director. Despite a five-year wait, the film fails to impress. The supposed brotherly bond of Adonis Creed comes off as an afterthought, while Jonathan Majors’ character contributes little substance.
The movie recycles the “Eye of the Tiger” theme of vengeance, echoing its predecessor and resulting in a sense of déjà vu. The production seldom excites, save for a few inventive touches like the ring bars. The action is devoid of suspense, and the conclusion is foreseeable. As the series’ ninth entry, it brings nothing innovative to the table and is overall uninspiring.
6. Rocky Balboa (2006)
Sylvester Stallone is a true superstar. His films ruled the box office for years, but by the ’90s, they started underperforming. In 2006, he gave his iconic character Rocky a fitting closure in “Rocky Balboa,” akin to “Logan.” The film took a darker tone, with Rocky dealing with the loss of his wife, Adriana, and the challenges of running a restaurant. Meeting a young woman named Marie adds meaning to his life. While not a perfect movie, it’s a great sequel with compelling drama, impressive action scenes, and, most importantly, a good script. Stallone’s physical shape and the fight with his opponent are remarkable. “Rocky Balboa” is arguably the second-best in the franchise, and it marked a resurgence in Stallone’s career.
7. Rocky II (1979)
Rocky II is the only sequel in the franchise that the critics didn’t hate. While it closely follows the original, it actually improves upon it in some ways. The film’s training sequences, for instance, are iconic. The final scene is also well-executed, falling between the high quality of “Rocky Balboa” and the disappointment of the fifth installment. While Rocky’s victory may seem predictable after his loss in the original film, it still feels like the right choice. Surprisingly, Rocky II is many people’s favorite in the franchise, even more so than Rocky and Rocky Balboa.
8. Creed: The Rocky Legacy (2015)
The franchise’s soft reboot shifted the focus from Rocky to Adonis Creed. Surprisingly, Creed succeeded despite following a familiar storyline of an underdog fighter rising to become a champion. Creed benefits from Rocky Balboa’s character arc, where he’s left alone and deals with cancer. The action and fight sequences are also iconic, earning it a high rank for presentation in the franchise. However, when considering the film as a whole, it falls a bit short in terms of story, characters, and script. While the Rocky and Adonis plot threads work well, it’s ultimately a solid but not outstanding movie. Still, second only to…
9. Rocky (1976)
… The original Rocky. Of course, Stallone’s breakthrough debut belongs to the top spot, which gave us a plethora of iconic scenes. The memorable musical score by Bill Conti, alongside iconic themes like those from Back to the Future, Mission: Impossible, and Indiana Jones, has left a lasting impact.
The film’s cinematography has stood the test of time despite its modest budget of $1 million. The Balboa vs. Creed fight, while not being a technical highlight, effectively conveys tension and suspense. Rocky paints a classic rags-to-riches story for Rocky, depicting his struggles with money and early boxing career, much like how pitching the idea for this movie was Stalone’s last chance to get into Hollywood.
But, as certain popular YouTube channel claims, “no movie is without a sin.” Rocky’s self-reliance and a somewhat lengthy runtime with unnecessary scenes are quite noticeable on consecutive viewings. Additionally, the portrayal of Rocky’s relationship with Adriana feels awkward, as if the writer didn’t really know how to handle a love subplot. Nevertheless, Rocky has earned its cult status thanks to its many successful moments and remains an enduring classic to this day.
