GUEST COLUMN: Best and Worst "Rocky" Movies Ranked

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Best and Worst Rocky Movies Ranked

by Kevin Gardner

The Rocky franchise debuted in 1976 as the humble tale of a club fighter who gets an unlikely dream shot at the heavyweight championship of the world. It was a critical and box office success that spawned a franchise that spanned six films over more than three decades. These are the best and worst of the series ranked from worst to first.

Rocky V - 1990

Rocky comes crashing down from his wealth and fame in the final numbered installment in the series. Paulie has managed to cost the Balboas their entire fortune, forcing Rocky to sell all his stuff and move back to his old neighborhood in Philly. Though one wonders why Rocky didn't capitalize on his fame to sell a line of post workout shakes or something. Rocky starts training a young boxer and neglects his son in the process. Things get worse for Rocky when his young protege turns on him and the film ends with an unsatisfying street fight where Rocky teaches the young upstart a lesson. 

Rocky Balboa - 2006

The final installment in the Rocky films, not counting the two Creed spinoffs, is a nostalgia-fest that tries hard to hit all the notes from the first film. Adrian has died from "woman's cancer" and Rocky is having trouble dealing with the loss. His relationship with his son isn't great either. There are a few poignant moments, most of which involve Rocky and Paulie dealing with the pain of Adrian's death, but there are also a lot of cheesy one-liners, nearly unintelligible dialog and macho man platitudes.

Rocky IV - 1985

Rocky IV was a very '80s film that is a nostalgic favorite of many fans who grew up in that era but ultimately is a pretty goofy film. Apollo is struggling with his role as a retired fighter and accepts an exhibition bout with a roided up Russian giant who kills him in the ring. Rocky is devastated and challenges Drago to a fight, which his team refuses to accept unless it takes place in Russia. Adrian begs Rocky not to take the fight, but he mumbles something about being a man and does it anyway. Rocky gets the tar beat out of him but ultimately prevails against Drago. In the process, he wins the Russian crowd over to his side and ends the Cold War.

Rocky III - 1982

We get a role reversal in this film, as Rocky, who has lost his title to up and comer Clubber Lang and his manager to a heart attack, is trained by Apollo Creed for the re-match. Rocky works through the grief and guilt he feels about losing Mickey and some drama with Adrian to go on to defeat Lang and regain his title. The spectacle of Rocky being trained by his former rival is fun, but the rest of the film is just OK. 

Rocky II - 1978

Rocky is left unable to fight due to the injuries he suffered in his match with Apollo. He isn't very good at doing commercials and ends up working at a meatpacking plant to try to make ends meet for his new family. Apollo, angry at being accused of carrying Rocky in the first fight, wants a rematch. Rocky resists the idea at first but eventually accepts. This time, Rocky wins the fight. This was an entertaining sequel, though having them reverse the outcome and Rocky become the champ somewhat diminishes the gravitas of not having him win the fight in the first film.

Rocky - 1976

The film that started it all and won three academy awards was the best of the franchise. It is a gritty tale of a working-class, part-time mafia legbreaker trying to scratch out a living as a club fighter. He meets the love of his life and gets an unlikely shot at a title fight, which he loses but wins by going the distance against the champ. 

The Rocky franchise would never quite reach the level of the first film, but it did produce some iconic and entertaining films. Completists will want to check out the two spin-off films, Creed and Creed II that follow the tale of Apollo Creed's son.