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Rocky Movie Watch Order in the correct order

How to watch the Rocky and Creed movies in order

Last updated: April 8 2026

Written by: ChronoAlice

Rocky is one of cinema's most iconic underdog stories — an American classic that has inspired generations. Sylvester Stallone's Oscar-winning original launched a franchise spanning six Rocky films and two Creed sequels, following the legacy of heavyweight champion Rocky Balboa from the streets of Philadelphia to the halls of legend.

Few franchises have endured like Rocky. Sylvester Stallone's passion project became one of the greatest sports films ever made when it won the Best Picture Oscar in 1977, and the franchise it spawned has proven remarkably resilient — culminating in the excellent Creed trilogy that passes the torch to a new generation. Whether you're drawn in by the iconic training montages, the dramatic ring battles, or the heartfelt character drama, Rocky delivers it all.

🕐 Release Order

Release order is the best way to follow Rocky's journey from the streets of Philadelphia to the ring, and then witness how the Creed legacy continues his story.

  1. Rocky (1976)
  2. Rocky II (1979)
  3. Rocky III (1982)
  4. Rocky IV (1985)
  5. Rocky V (1990)
  6. Rocky Balboa (2006)
  7. Creed (2015)
  8. Creed II (2018)
  9. Creed III (2023)

The Rocky and Creed films form a single continuous saga, with the Creed trilogy picking up years after Rocky Balboa and following Adonis Creed — son of Rocky's greatest rival-turned-friend, Apollo Creed — as he forges his own legacy in the ring.

📖 Story Chronology

Story chronological order is the same as release order. The saga spans several decades of Rocky's life, progressing linearly from his early days as a club fighter in Philadelphia through his role as a mentor in the Creed trilogy.

  1. Rocky (1976)
  2. Rocky II (1979)
  3. Rocky III (1982)
  4. Rocky IV (1985)
  5. Rocky V (1990)
  6. Rocky Balboa (2006) — set 16 years after Rocky V
  7. Creed (2015) — set years after Rocky Balboa
  8. Creed II (2018) — set shortly after Creed
  9. Creed III (2023) — set years after Creed II

Which Order Should You Choose?

Start with the original Rocky (1976) — it's a masterpiece and essential context for everything that follows. Rocky II through IV are crowd-pleasing sequels that each have their fans, while Rocky V is widely considered the weakest entry. Rocky Balboa (2006) is a surprisingly moving return to form that provided the closure many fans needed. The Creed trilogy is excellent in its own right — Creed (2015) in particular is one of the best sports films of recent years, and you don't need to have seen all the Rocky films to enjoy it (though it certainly helps). Watch the full saga in order for the most rewarding experience.

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Did we miss anything? Let us know and we'll keep this guide up to date!