Rocky

Rocky is a popular American film franchise that has been influential in the sports film genre. The franchise was created by and stars Sylvester Stallone as the titular character, Rocky Balboa, a small-time boxer from Philadelphia who gets a shot at the world heavyweight championship.

Plot

The original film, Rocky, released in 1976, tells the rags-to-riches American Dream story of Rocky Balboa, an uneducated but kind-hearted working class Italian-American boxer. Rocky starts out as a small-time club fighter who later gets a shot at the world heavyweight championship.

The series went on to include Rocky II, Rocky III, Rocky IV, Rocky V, Rocky Balboa, and two spin-offs: Creed and Creed II, which focus on the story of Adonis Creed, the son of Rocky's former rival and friend Apollo Creed.

Reception

The Rocky series has generally been well received by critics and is widely considered one of the greatest sports films ever made. The original film was nominated for ten Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and won three, including Best Picture.

Legacy

The Rocky series has had a significant impact on popular culture, with its iconic training montages, its rousing theme music, and its inspirational story of an underdog rising to the top. It has also spawned a successful Broadway musical, a series of video games, and numerous merchandise.

See also

• List of American films of 1976
• List of sports films