Rocky movies in order Rocky Marathon
Page Last Modified:
4 December 2025
Most Recent Release:
Rocky Balboa - 2006
Total Runtime:
636 Minutes
Total Items:
6
Average User Score:
(7)Watching orders for Rocky
Rocky movies in order
The moment you hear the opening notes of "Gonna Fly Now," you know it's time for a Rocky movie marathon. But how do you watch this iconic boxing series in the right order? Which film comes first, and where does Rocky Balboa's final comeback fit in? Don't worry, we've got the perfect sequence lined up for you. Whether you're climbing the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art for the first time or you're a seasoned fan who knows Mickey's gym by heart, this marathon is packed with uppercuts, rivalries, and pure motivation. So grab your popcorn, throw on your hoodie, and get ready for that training montage.
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1
Rocky Movie 120 min. 1976Rocky 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!USER SCORE 8 -
2
Rocky II Movie 119 min. 1979After Rocky goes the distance with champ Apollo Creed, both try to put the fight behind them and move on. Rocky settles down with Adrian but can't put his life together outside the ring, while Creed seeks a rematch to restore his reputation. Soon enough, the "Master of Disaster" and the "Italian Stallion" are set on a collision course for a climactic battle that is brutal and unforgettable.USER SCORE 7 -
3
Rocky III Movie 100 min. 1982Following Rocky Balboa's intense battle with his most powerful adversary yet – the ferocious Clubber Lang – Rocky joins forces with former rival Apollo Creed in an effort to get back his fighting spirit.USER SCORE 7 -
4
Rocky IV Movie 91 min. 1985Rocky Balboa holds the world heavyweight championship, but a new challenger has stepped forward: Drago, a six-foot-four, 261-pound fighter who has the backing of the Soviet Union. This time, Rocky's training regimen takes him to Siberia, where he prepares for a globally televised match in the heart of Moscow. But nothing can truly prepare him for what he's about to face – a fight to the finish, in which he must defend not only himself, but also the honor of his country!USER SCORE 7 -
5
Rocky V Movie 104 min. 1990A lifetime of taking shots has ended Rocky’s career, and a crooked accountant has left him broke. Inspired by the memory of his trainer, however, Rocky finds glory in training and takes on an up-and-coming boxer.USER SCORE 6 -
6
Rocky Balboa Movie 102 min. 2006When he loses a highly publicized virtual boxing match to ex-champ Rocky Balboa, reigning heavyweight titleholder Mason Dixon retaliates by challenging the Italian Stallion to a 10-round exhibition bout. To the surprise of his son and friends, Rocky agrees to come out of retirement and face an opponent who's faster, stronger and thirty years his junior. Rocky takes on Dixon in what will become the greatest fight in boxing history!USER SCORE 7
Rocky (1976)
The first film in the Rocky franchise sets the stage with raw emotion and heart. Sylvester Stallone not only wrote the script but also became the face of this underdog boxing story. We meet Rocky Balboa, the small-time boxer from Philadelphia with the heart of a lion. His nickname, the Italian Stallion, is born, along with his relationship with Adrian Pennino (Talia Shire) and his friendship with Paulie (Burt Young). But it's his rivalry with Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) that gives the film its punch. Add in the iconic training montage ending on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and you know this is the start of something big.
Rocky II (1979)
We dive right back in with Rocky II, picking up the story exactly where the first film left off. Without giving too much away, the aftermath of the big match with Apollo is felt in every scene. Rocky tries to lead a normal life, but the boxing world won't let him go. The film deepens his relationship with Adrian and explores the struggle between fame, family, and identity. Director John G. Avildsen returns, along with the familiar team: Mickey Goldmill (Burgess Meredith) as his trainer and Tony "Duke" Burton as Apollo’s coach. Rocky II is the perfect second round, offering more emotional depth and a finale that will keep you glued to your seat.
Rocky III (1982)
Rocky may be a household name now, but that doesn't make him invincible. In Rocky III, the hunger of new challenger Clubber Lang (Mr. T) comes charging at him. This film is where glamorous boxing meets raw street mentality once again. It's also where Apollo Creed and Rocky's relationship takes a surprising turn, leading to one of the most unexpected team-ups in film history. The training changes, the pace quickens, and the montage? More iconic than ever. Get ready for a Rocky with both shine and doubt, and a foe you won't soon forget.
Rocky IV (1985)
Welcome to the 80s, where Cold War sports symbolism and intense training scenes collide in the most explosive film of the series. Rocky IV is about more than boxing: it's America vs. the USSR, heart vs. machine. Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren) is the epitome of a powerhouse, and his high-tech training facility starkly contrasts with Rocky's back-to-basics approach in Siberia. Everything you expect from a motivational sports film is here: loss, sacrifice, comeback, and a soundtrack you'll want to add to your playlist immediately. This is Rocky at his most epic.
Rocky V (1990)
After the heights of part IV, Rocky V brings us back to the streets. Literally. The film leaves the grand arenas and returns Rocky to his roots in Philly. The aftermath of his career forces him into a new role: trainer. Enter Tommy Gunn (Tommy Morrison), who has potential but finds the path of the student fraught with challenges. The film explores themes of betrayal, honor, and family ties, featuring a gritty street fight instead of a traditional ring match. It may not be the franchise's most popular film, but it's essential for the Rocky timeline.
Rocky Balboa (2006)
Twenty years after the previous film, Sylvester Stallone returns to the ring, both literally and figuratively. In Rocky Balboa, we see an older, wiser Rocky grappling with age, loss, and nostalgia. But when he gets the chance to fight one last time, he seizes it with both gloves. The film feels like a tribute to the entire Rocky legacy. We see familiar faces (like Duke) and new ones, such as his son Robert Jr. (Milo Ventimiglia). This film is the definitive closure of Rocky's personal boxing career and a reminder that you're never too old to fight for what you believe in.
Why This Viewing Order Works
Watching the Rocky films in chronological order allows you to experience the full evolution of the Italian Stallion from underdog to legend. You witness how his relationships develop, how his style changes, and how the world around him shifts. From Mickey's gym to the technological arenas of the 80s, from street fights in Rocky V to the quiet strength of an aging fighter in Rocky Balboa, the story unfolds like a true character arc. Trust us, each part feels more powerful when you know what came before.
Tips for Your Rocky Movie Marathon
Plan your marathon wisely: six films mean a hefty session, so spread it over two or three evenings. Start with a training montage (read: snacks ready, hoodie on, theme song on Spotify), and make sure you have at least one friend who’s just as invested. Pay attention to details: Paulie's behavior, the rivalry between Apollo and Rocky, the transformation of Rocky's home, the subtle callbacks between films. And yes, you have permission to shout "Yo Adrian!" whenever you feel like it.
What Next?
If you're hooked, extend your Rocky binge with the Creed films, where Apollo and Rocky's legacy continues. You'll see familiar faces through the eyes of a new generation. And believe us, there are plenty of legendary training montages, rivalries, and surprising twists there too. But first, give yourself a high five because you're ready for the ultimate Rocky movie marathon.