Rocky
Movie, 1976, Rocky, Set in 1975
Rocky is #1 of 9 in release order and #1 of 9 in chronological order in the Rocky & Creed.
The story
Rocky Balboa is a Philadelphia club fighter who seems to be going nowhere. But when a stroke of fate puts him in the ring with a world heavyweight champion, Rocky knows that it's his one shot at the big time — a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go the distance and come out a winner!
Rocky recap
In 1975 Philadelphia, Rocky Balboa is a 30-year-old club fighter who works as an enforcer for a loan shark. He has a crush on Adrian, the shy sister of his friend Paulie, who works in a pet shop, and he slowly wins her over. The heavyweight champion Apollo Creed loses his opponent for a bicentennial title fight and decides to give an unknown local a shot as a publicity stunt, and he picks Rocky, "the Italian Stallion", from a list. Mickey, the old trainer who runs Rocky's gym and has always written him off, offers to train him, and after an angry argument Rocky accepts. Rocky trains in the cold, punching sides of beef in Paulie's meat-packing plant and running through the city to the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The night before the fight, he tells Adrian that he cannot win, but that if he goes the distance, he will know he is not just another bum.
Rocky ending explained
Rocky loses the fight on a split decision, but goes the full fifteen rounds, and all he cares about is Adrian. He knocks Apollo down in the first round, which no one expected, and both men are battered. When the bell ends the fight, Apollo tells Rocky there will be no rematch, and Rocky says he does not want one. As the decision is read, Rocky shouts for Adrian, who pushes through the crowd, and they embrace.
Post-credits scenes
No. There is no post-credits scene.
Where to watch Rocky
Rocky is streaming on Prime Video, Paramount+, and YouTube TV in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 8.1/10, Rotten Tomatoes 93%
Where it fits
What to watch before Rocky
Nothing. Rocky is the first of the Rocky & Creed essentials, so it's the place to start.
Cast
- Sylvester Stallone as Robert 'Rocky' Balboa
- Talia Shire as Adrianna 'Adrian' Pennino
- Burt Young as Paulie Pennino
- Carl Weathers as Apollo Creed
- Burgess Meredith as Mickey Goldmill
- Thayer David as George 'Miles' Jergens
- Joe Spinell as Tony Gazzo
- Jimmy Gambina as Mike
- Bill Baldwin as Fight Announcer
- Al Silvani as Cut Man
- George Memmoli as Ice Rink Attendant
- Jodi Letizia as Marie
Directed by John G. Avildsen.