All Rocky and Creed Movies Ranked by Tomatometer
In 1976, on the country’s bicentennial, America got the the great underdog movie of its time: Rocky. The story of Rocky Balboa is one borne out of the streets, a place where a young fighter could emerge from working class Philadelphia chasing a dream of victory in the ring and in love, paralleling writer/actor Sylvester Stallone’s own rags-to-riches story. Stallone directed the next three movies in the series, including the communism-defeating Rocky IV, while original Rocky John G. Avildsen returned for part V.
Not one to squander a good redemption arc, Stallone revived the character 16 years later in 2006’s Rocky Balboa, delivering the respectful ending his creation deserved. Stallone was able to rest easy until a young upstart director named Ryan Coogler came knocking, screenplay in hand about the son of Rocky’s rival, Apollo Creed. Inspired by Coogler’s vision and passion, and the opportunity to bet it all on Rocky once more, Stallone came on-board to train the next generation’s underdog hero, Michael B. Jordan. The two Creed movies are among the highest-rated of the franchise, with a third incoming, the director’s chair to be filled by Jordan himself. Until then, we’re ranking all Rocky and Creed movies by Tomatometer!
#8
Adjusted Score: 33.007%
Critics Consensus: Rocky V’s attempts to recapture the original’s working-class grit are as transparently phony as each of the thuddingly obvious plot developments in a misguided installment that sent the franchise flailing into longterm limbo.
Synopsis: Touted upon its release as the finale of the Rocky saga, this fifth entry in the long-running series of sports… [More]
#7
Adjusted Score: 43.212%
Critics Consensus: Rocky IV inflates the action to absurd heights, but it ultimately rings hollow thanks to a story that hits the same basic beats as the first three entries in the franchise.
Synopsis: Stallone is back for the fourth time (as Rocky) when an invincible computer-trained Soviet boxer kills his friend in a… [More]
#6
Adjusted Score: 66.004%
Critics Consensus: It’s noticeably subject to the law of diminishing returns, but Rocky III still has enough brawny spectacle to stand in the ring with the franchise’s better entries.
Synopsis: Sylvester Stallone returns to the character which made him famous in this wildly successful sequel. Rocky III starts with the… [More]
#5
Adjusted Score: 73.15%
Critics Consensus: Rocky II is a movie that dares you to root again for the ultimate underdog — and succeeds due to an infectiously powerful climax.
Synopsis: After scoring a personal victory (though a physical defeat) in his «Cinderella» bout with Apollo Creed, Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone)… [More]
#4
Adjusted Score: 83.137%
Critics Consensus: Implausible but entertaining and poignant, Rocky Balboa finds the champ in fighting form for the first time in years.
Synopsis: The greatest underdog story of our time is back for one final round of the Academy Award-winning Rocky franchise. Former… [More]
#3
Adjusted Score: 96.04%
Critics Consensus: Creed II’s adherence to franchise formula adds up to a sequel with few true surprises, but its time-tested generational themes still pack a solid punch.
Synopsis: Life has become a balancing act for Adonis Creed. Between personal obligations and training for his next big fight, he… [More]
#2
Adjusted Score: 100.973%
Critics Consensus: This story of a down-on-his-luck boxer is thoroughly predictable, but Sylvester Stallone’s script and stunning performance in the title role brush aside complaints.
Synopsis: A slightly dimwitted amateur boxer from Philadelphia’s tough neighborhood gets a surprise shot at fighting for the heavyweight championship, while… [More]
#1
Adjusted Score: 107.016%
Critics Consensus: Creed brings the Rocky franchise off the mat for a surprisingly effective seventh round that extends the boxer’s saga in interesting new directions while staying true to its classic predecessors’ roots.
Synopsis: Adonis Johnson Creed (Michael B. Jordan), the son of former heavyweight champion Apollo Creed, attempts to follow in his father’s… [More]
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Rotten Tomatoes
