# What is the best movie in the Rocky franchise?

> From the gritty original underdog story to the modern Creed legacy sequels, this lineup spans five decades of training montages and knockout finales. Which one takes the win?

*By YPB Team · Published September 13, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/what-is-the-best-movie-in-the-rocky-franchise*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Rocky** — score 1000/1000
   The 1976 Best Picture winner that launched the franchise, starring Sylvester Stallone as a struggling Philadelphia boxer given a title shot.
2. **Creed** — score 722/1000
   The 2015 spinoff directed by Ryan Coogler, following Apollo Creed's son Adonis as he trains under an aging Rocky Balboa.
3. **Rocky IV** — score 676/1000
   The 1985 Cold War-era sequel pitting Rocky against Soviet fighter Ivan Drago, played by Dolph Lundgren.
4. **Rocky Balboa** — score 357/1000
   The 2006 comeback film in which an aging Rocky returns to the ring for one final exhibition fight.
5. **Rocky V** — score 357/1000
   The 1990 sequel that follows a financially ruined Rocky mentoring a new young boxer after suffering brain damage.
6. **Creed II** — score 357/1000
   The 2018 sequel in which Adonis Creed faces Viktor Drago, son of the man who killed his father in the ring.
7. **Creed III** — score 269/1000
   The 2023 installment and directorial debut of Michael B. Jordan, pitting Adonis Creed against a childhood friend turned rival.
8. **Rocky II** — score 167/1000
   The 1979 sequel featuring Rocky's rematch against Apollo Creed after the first film's controversial split decision.
9. **Rocky III** — score 167/1000
   The 1982 sequel introducing Clubber Lang, played by Mr. T, in one of the series' most iconic rivalries.

Tags: movies, action, boxing, rocky