Fifty years after Rocky Balboa first ran up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the story of how the film was made is heading to cinemas. I Play Rocky, directed by Peter Farrelly with Anthony Ippolito as a young Sylvester Stallone, opens in select US cinemas on 6 November 2026, while the Creed spin-off series Delphi is in production for Prime Video.
It is the ultimate underdog tale, on screen and off, and it still makes people want to sprint up the nearest flight of stairs. Find more cinema classics in our Movies collection.
Rocky Fact File
| Original release | Premiere 20 November 1976; US release 3 December 1976 |
|---|---|
| Franchise years | 1976–2023 (six Rocky films, three Creed films) |
| Creator | Sylvester Stallone (writer and star) |
| Director (Rocky) | John G. Avildsen |
| Studio | United Artists; Chartoff-Winkler Productions |
| Main cast | Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers, Burgess Meredith |
| Setting | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Budget / box office | About $1 million / about $225 million worldwide |
Key Films
| Year | Release | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Rocky | Dir. John G. Avildsen; three Oscars including Best Picture |
| 1979 | Rocky II | Dir. Stallone; the rematch with Apollo Creed |
| 1982 | Rocky III | Dir. Stallone; introduced the Rocky statue |
| 1985 | Rocky IV | Dir. Stallone; Rocky faces Ivan Drago |
| 1990 | Rocky V | Dir. Avildsen |
| 2006 | Rocky Balboa | Dir. Stallone; one last fight |
| 2015 | Creed | Dir. Ryan Coogler; Stallone wins a Golden Globe |
| 2018 | Creed II | Dir. Steven Caple Jr. |
| 2023 | Creed III | Dir. Michael B. Jordan |
The Rocky saga runs to nine feature films. Stallone wrote or co-wrote the Rocky films and directed four of them.
The Underdog Who Wrote Himself a Shot
Sylvester Stallone was a struggling actor when he wrote the script for Rocky, the story of a small-time Philadelphia boxer handed a shot at heavyweight champion Apollo Creed. He insisted on playing the lead himself.
Made for about $1 million, the film became a box-office sensation, taking around $225 million worldwide.
Start your own training montage in our Rocky Men's Hoodie.
Oscar Glory
Rocky received ten Academy Award nominations and won three: Best Picture, Best Director for John G. Avildsen and Best Film Editing. Stallone was nominated for both Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay.
In 2006 the film was added to the US National Film Registry for its cultural, historical and artistic significance.
Celebrate the Italian Stallion with our Rocky Balboa Boxing Icon Frame Men's Hoodie.
The Steps and the Statue
The training montage, scored by Bill Conti's "Gonna Fly Now", ends with Rocky celebrating at the top of the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps. Today they are known as the "Rocky Steps".
A bronze Rocky statue made for Rocky III was placed at the top of the steps in 1982 and, after several moves, has stood at the bottom of them since 2006.
Take the steps in style with our Rocky Balboa Men's T-Shirt.
From Rocky to Creed
The sequels gave us Clubber Lang, Ivan Drago and "Eye of the Tiger". In 2015 Ryan Coogler's Creed passed the gloves to Apollo's son Adonis, played by Michael B. Jordan, with Stallone back as his trainer. It earned Stallone a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination.
Awards
Academy Awards (Rocky, 1977 ceremony)
- Best Picture
- Best Director (John G. Avildsen)
- Best Film Editing
- Ten nominations in total
Golden Globes
- Stallone: Best Supporting Actor for Creed (2016)
Honours
- National Film Registry (2006)
Behind the Scenes
Rocky was shot largely on location in Philadelphia, and the city has embraced it ever since; the steps are one of its most-visited spots. Stallone, born on 6 July 1946, is now 80 and has said he is working on a Rocky prequel series.
FAQs
How many Rocky films are there?
There are six Rocky films (1976–2006) and three Creed films (2015–2023), making nine in total.
Where was Rocky filmed?
Mostly on location in Philadelphia, including the famous steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Did Rocky win Best Picture?
Yes. It won Best Picture at the 1977 Academy Awards, along with Best Director and Best Film Editing.
Who directed Rocky?
John G. Avildsen directed the original film. Stallone directed Rocky II, III, IV and Rocky Balboa.
How old is Sylvester Stallone?
Stallone was born on 6 July 1946, so he is 80.
When is I Play Rocky released?
It opens in select US cinemas on 6 November 2026, before a wider release later in November.
Shop the Rocky Collection
Our made-to-order Rocky fan designs are printed in the UK on hoodies and T-shirts.
Rocky Men's Hoodie
£39.99
Explore more classics in our Movies collection, or step into the ring with our Boxing collection. Want your own name on the back instead? Design a Custom Name Men's Hoodie.
Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: The Best Movie Motivational Quotes of All Time and The Greatest Boxers of All Time.
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