Want to know the basic details of the Rocky film series, but don’t have the time to watch the movies, or simply can’t be arsed? No problem, I can fill you in with my handy guide: The Rocky/Creed series in less than 350 words!

Below you will find a quick summary of all the entries including:

  • Rocky (1976)
  • Rocky II (1979)
  • Rocky III (1982)
  • Rocky IV (1985)
  • Rocky V (1990)
  • Rocky Balboa (2006)
  • Creed (2015)
  • Creed II (2018)
  • Creed III (2023)
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Rocky (1976)

Image: ©UA/MGM

In Rocky, Rocky Balboa, a southpaw boxer, takes part in a boxing match with Apollo Creed, the heavyweight world champion. Although seemingly mismatched, Rocky manages to last 15 rounds against Creed and becomes a national hero.

Rocky II (1979)

Image: ©UA/MGM

In Rocky II, Rocky marries girlfriend, Adrian who becomes pregnant with Rocky’s Son, Robert. Creed asks Rocky for a rematch, which eventually he agrees to and Rocky wins.

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Rocky III (1982)

Image: ©UA/MGM

Newcomer, Clubber Lang challenges Rocky to a match. Creed – who is now friends with Rocky – trains his former opponent and watches as Rocky defeats Lang.

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Rocky IV (1985)

Image: ©UA/MGM

Creed challenges Soviet boxer, Ivan Drago to a match. Creed dies. Rocky fights Drago and wins.

Rocky V (1990)

Image: ©UA/MGM

Rocky befriends and trains a new fighter, Tommy Gunn – alienating his son, Robert in the process. Eventually, Rocky and Gunn come to blows and Rocky tries to repair his relationship with his son.

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Rocky Balboa (2006)

Image: ©MGM

Rocky is now retired, he’s a widower and is estranged from his son. He comes out of retirement to fight Mason Dixon.

Rocky holds his own, with both fighters still standing at the end of the match. However, Dixon is announced as the winner.

Creed (2015)

Image: ©New Line/MGM

Adonis Creed – son of Apollo – enlists Rocky to help him fight world light heavyweight champion ‘Pretty’ Ricky Conlan. Rocky agrees, but is also dealing with his own mortality – having been diagnosed with cancer.

The Conlan/Creed match goes the distance, with Conlan winning on a split decision.

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Creed II (2018)

Image: ©New Line/MGM

Viktor Drago – son of Ivan – challenges Creed to a match. Ultimately, Ivan throws in the towel to protect his son, leading to a win for Creed.

Rocky is in remission and begins to rebuild his relationship with Robert.

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Creed III (2023)

Image: ©MGM

Creed’s old friend, Damian Anderson, gets out of jail after twenty-one years and is keen to pick up his boxing career from where he last left off. Creed agrees to help his former friend, because he feels guilty about Anderson’s incarceration.

However, Anderson’s attitude isn’t right, and the two clash. With Anderson trying to sully Creed’s name, Creed decides the two should take it to the ring to settle their differences.

Creed wins the match, and is given the title of Heavy Weight Champion.

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OK, so I condensed the Rocky/Creed story considerably, missing key characters such as Mickey and Paulie in the process, but in essence that’s the story.

What else do you need to know?

  • The Rocky/Creed movie series is highly enjoyable – with most entries being very good
  • Rocky, Rocky II, Rocky III, and Creed are the strongest movies
  • Rocky IV is considered the ‘fan favourite’
  • Rocky V is the weakest

And now you know.

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Thank you for stopping by It’s A Stampede! to read this post about the Rocky/Creed movies. For more posts, be sure to check out the recommended reads below.

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