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Rocky is a 1976 American sports drama film directed by John G. Avildsen, written by and starring Sylvester Stallone that won the Academy Award for Best Picture. It follows the rags to riches narrative of Rocky Balboa, an illiterate, good-hearted working-class Italian-American boxer who works as a debt collector for a loan shark in Philadelphia’s slums. Rocky, a small-time club boxer, is given a chance to fight for the world heavyweight title. Talia Shire plays Adrian, Burt Young plays Adrian’s brother Paulie, Burgess Meredith plays Rocky’s trainer Mickey Goldmill, and Carl Weathers plays Apollo Creed, the defending champion.

The picture, which was created on a shoestring budget of just over $1.1 million, was a surprise smash, making $225 million worldwide and became 1976’s highest-grossing film. The picture was critically lauded, solidifying Stallone’s career and launching him into the spotlight as a big cinema star of the time. It garnered 10 Academy Award nominations, three of which it won, including Best Picture. The picture was chosen for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 2006 because it was “culturally, historically, or aesthetically important.” Rocky is widely regarded as one of the finest sports films ever made, with the American Film Institute ranking it second best in the category, after Raging Bull, which was released in 2008.

Rocky II (1979), Rocky III (1982), Rocky IV (1985), Rocky V (1990), Rocky Balboa (2006), Creed (2015), Creed II (2018), and Creed III (2017) are the eight sequels to the film (2022). In addition to portraying Rocky in all eight films, Stallone also authored six, co-wrote two, and directed four of the six sequels.

Apollo Creed, the heavyweight boxing world champion, announces preparations to fight for the championship in Philadelphia during the US Bicentennial in 1975. However, five weeks before the bout, he receives word that his intended opponent, Mac Lee Green, would be unable to compete due to an injury to his hand. Creed decides to liven things up by allowing a local competitor to fight him, as all other prospective substitutes are booked or otherwise unavailable.

Rocky Balboa, an Italian journeyman southpaw boxer who mostly fights in small gyms and works as a collector for a loan shark, is chosen by Creed. Rocky meets with George Jergens, the promoter, believing Creed is looking for local sparring partners. Rocky, who was first hesitant, finally agrees to the bout, which will pay him $150,000. Rocky goes through several weeks of unconventional training, including hitting beef sides as punching bags.

Rocky is eventually approached about more training by Mickey Goldmill, a former bantamweight fighter turned trainer whose gym Rocky frequents. Rocky first refuses since Mickey has previously showed little interest in assisting him and regards him as a squandered talent, but Rocky finally accepts the offer.

Rocky develops a love connection with Adrian Pennino, a part-time employee at the J&M Tropical Fish pet store. Adrian’s brother, and Rocky’s best buddy Paulie, assists Rocky in securing a date with his sister and offers to act as his corner man for the fight. Paulie is envious of Rocky’s success, but Rocky appeases him by offering to use the forthcoming bout to promote the meat packing company where Paulie works.

Rocky visits the Philadelphia Spectrum the night before the bout and begins to lose confidence. He admits to Adrian that he doesn’t think he can beat Creed, but he wants to go the distance against him to show himself to everyone; if he can go the distance, he won’t be just “another bum from the ghetto.”

The battle takes place on New Year’s Day, with Creed making a grand entry dressed as George Washington and later Uncle Sam. Rocky takes advantage of Creed’s arrogance and knocks him out in the first round, the first time he has ever been knocked out. Creed, humbled and concerned, takes Rocky more seriously for the remainder of the bout, though his ego remains intact.

The fight lasts the entire fifteen rounds, with both fighters suffering severe injuries. Rocky’s right eyelid must be removed to restore his vision due to head injuries and inflamed eyes. Apollo is struggling to breathe due to internal hemorrhage and a fractured rib. As the battle comes to a close, Creed’s greater talent is offset by Rocky’s almost limitless ability to absorb punches and his steadfast unwillingness to be knocked out. With both warriors wrapped in one other’s arms as the last final bell, they swear there will be no rematch.

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