Every Rocky & Creed Movie, Ranked From Worst to Best

As a movie critic, I’ve seen a lot of sports films, and let me tell you, the Rocky series is iconic. It all started with the original 1976 film – a small, gritty boxing movie that somehow became a huge success, even winning Best Picture! Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky Balboa instantly captured the public’s imagination, and it launched a franchise that’s still going strong today. We’re now up to nine films – Rocky and the Creed sequels – and the story isn’t over yet, with plans for spin-offs like Delphi and even an animated series on the horizon. It’s a testament to the power of that first film that we’re still talking about Rocky Balboa all these years later.

I’m a huge fan of the Rocky series, and even though Rocky Balboa from 2006 seemed like the end, it was amazing to see Rocky and some familiar faces return in the Creed movies! Honestly, those Creed films starring Michael B. Jordan have really brought the whole franchise back to life and made it popular with a new generation. I’ve been debating with friends about which movie is the best, so I decided to put together a ranking of all the Rocky and Creed films, from what I think is the worst to the absolute best.

9) Rocky V

Most fans agree that Rocky V (1990) is the weakest film in the Rocky series. It disappointed audiences after the success of Rocky IV, essentially reversing the progress of earlier movies and leaving Rocky in a difficult financial situation. The villain, Tommy Gunn, isn’t very compelling, and later Rocky films largely ignore the events of Rocky V. In fact, the film was so poorly received that it nearly ended the series, until the release of a successful sequel in 2006 saved the franchise from finishing on a low note.

8) Rocky IV

While many fans love Rocky IV and consider it a classic 80s film, it’s not a particularly well-made movie. It’s much more over-the-top and cartoonish than the earlier Rocky films – things like Paulie’s robot and Gorbachev’s reaction to Rocky’s speech feel silly. Although Ivan Drago is a memorable villain, and his story was later expanded upon, Rocky IV presents him as a symbol of the Soviet Union rather than a complex character. The Ultimate Director’s Cut is a significant improvement, but the original version most people saw doesn’t measure up to the quality of the other films in the series.

7) Rocky II

It’s no surprise that a sequel was made after the first Rocky film became so popular. That sequel, Rocky II from 1979, unfortunately felt quite similar to the original. It simply revisited the rivalry between Rocky and Apollo Creed without adding much new to the story. While the movie is still enjoyable, and seeing Rocky finally win is thrilling, it diminishes some of the impact and nuance of the first film’s ending.

6) Rocky III

Compared to the realistic tone of the first two Rocky movies, Rocky III (1982) began to lean into more over-the-top territory. While still more toned down than the fourth and fifth installments, this shift is largely due to the introduction of Clubber Lang, played by Mr. T. As a rival to Apollo Creed, Lang is a memorable and entertaining villain who helped launch Mr. T’s career. The film also explores Rocky’s difficulties with newfound fame, a natural progression from previous storylines, and adds emotional weight with Mickey’s passing. Though not the strongest Rocky film, Rocky III is a prime example of a fun, uncomplicated sequel.

5) Creed II

Now we get to a really interesting part of the series. Creed II (2018) showed that the Rocky story could continue beyond just one nostalgic sequel, and it did so quite well. What makes Creed II stand out is how it developed the Drago family, transforming Ivan from a simple villain into a more complex character. The film introduces Viktor Drago, who serves as a similar challenge for Adonis Creed as Apollo Creed was for Rocky. However, Adonis’s storyline isn’t quite as compelling as in the other Creed films, making this the weakest of the three movies.

4) Rocky Balboa

Before the recent Creed movies, Rocky Balboa (released in 2006) was the first film to revisit the original Rocky story with an older Rocky. It’s a surprisingly strong entry in the series, successfully capturing the spirit of the very first film. The movie focuses on an aging Rocky returning to boxing after a long retirement. It’s more than just a boxing story, though; it deeply explores Rocky’s relationship with his son and his feelings after the loss of his wife, Adrian.

3) Creed III

Despite being the newest installment, Creed III is surprisingly one of the strongest films in the Rocky series. The movie centers on a compelling rivalry between Adonis and Damian Anderson, played by Jonathan Majors, and their shared history adds significant emotional weight to their conflict. Both actors deliver fantastic performances, and the film stands out with a distinctive visual style. While it’s the first in the series without Sylvester Stallone, Creed III more than compensates by offering a fresh and unique cinematic experience.

2) Creed

The 2015 film Creed surpassed Rocky Balboa as the better of the franchise’s legacy sequels, reaching a quality comparable to the original Rocky. Adonis is a compelling character, and his connection with Bianca, played by Tessa Thompson, is as strong and memorable as the relationship between Rocky and Adrian. The movie brilliantly builds upon the story of Apollo Creed and includes one of the most thrilling and intense final fights in the entire series.

1) Rocky

Despite numerous sequels, the original 1976 film, Rocky, remains the best. It’s widely considered the greatest sports movie and underdog story ever made, and also features one of cinema’s most memorable love stories. Beautifully filmed with a fantastic soundtrack and superb acting, Rocky stands out as the high point of the entire franchise.

2026-06-03 17:15