Summary
The Rocky and Creed franchises are filled with uplifting and inspiring sports films, showcasing stories of hard work, dedication, and perseverance.
The training montages in the movies, including Creed, play a significant role in establishing character growth and the bond between coach and athlete.
The series is known for its iconic moments, such as Rocky winning over the crowd in Russia and Rocky’s inspiring speech to his son, which resonate as much as a knockout punch.
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The Rocky and Creed franchises contain some of the most uplifting and inspiring sports films of all time, with plenty of scenes from the franchise becoming iconic. The first Rocky film was released in 1976, and the story of how it was made was a real-life testament to the hard work, dedication, and perseverance of the writer and star, Sylvester Stallone (via Forbes). Stallone had written the script and shopped the movie around with no success until one studio decided to take a chance. The film became a massive success and earned over $225 million upon release.
Since then, the franchise has grown to include a total of six Rocky movies, and three Creed films, following the story of Rocky’s rival-turned-mentor’s son, Adonis Creed. Each film has shown a journey of individual growth, perseverance, dedication, and striving towards a greater goal that is deeply inspiring. From iconic training montages to powerful speeches delivered by a loving coach, the series includes a lot of these moments throughout.
10 Taking The Title Back From Clubber Lang
Rocky III (1982)
Clubber Lang is the first real villain of the Rocky franchise as a truly detestable character. When Rocky loses the title to Lang, it’s a heartbreaking moment that pushes the narrative forward for the film. Rocky has gotten a little older, and become somewhat complacent at the top, so it’s no wonder the younger, hungrier fighter won their fight. But when the ending of the film sees Rocky win the rematch by knockout and the iconic theme music starts playing, it’s a highlight for the entire series.
9 Donnie’s Training Montage
Creed (2015)
The training montages in the Rocky movies are a big part of what made the movies special. As a result, the spin-off series, Creed, had to include a powerful training montage with its own unique spin. The film delivers as Rocky coaches Donnie from the hospital chair during his treatments. Seeing Donnie progress, getting stronger and faster, and the bond between him and his coach growing is pivotal for the series and this scene is important in establishing the spin-offs as another branch of the same series.
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8 “Let Go Of Whatever Was And Walk Into What Is.”
Creed III (2023)
With Rocky not in the picture for Creed III, the source of tension, motivation, and drama needed to come from a new and deep relationship. For Donnie Creed, that comes in the form of his old friend, Damian Anderson. As kids, Donnie and Dame grew up together, but when they were in a tight spot, Dame took the fall and ended up serving time in prison. When Donnie and Dame fight, a lot is going through Donnie’s head, but his coach has the sense and the exact words he needs to give Donnie a boost and get his head back in the game.
7 Rocky Wins Over The Crowd In Russia
Rocky IV (1985)
After a grueling 10-minute fight sequence with Ivan Drago in Rocky IV, Rocky has taken hit after hit. Just as the fight is about to end, Drago is clearly exhausted from putting his all into every punch and Rocky is somehow still standing. The man who literally killed Apollo Creed with his fists has dished out all he could, and the Italian Stallion is still on his feet. When Drago drops his guard and Rocky starts to take control, the whole Russian crowd swaps sides and starts chanting Rocky’s name, and it carries him through until Drago hits the floor.
6 Adonis Creed Fights Ricky Conlan
Creed (2015)
The entire Creed movie revolves around a young and unproven Adonis trying to follow in his father’s footsteps. When he finally gets his chance at a title fight with Ricky Conlan, he gets a serious beating and almost gets knocked out. However, the movie inserts a brief montage of the things motivating Donnie to fight, and he manages to get back up. Add to this the interaction between him and his coach, Rocky Balboa, where they commit to keep fighting and proving themselves together, and this scene alone makes this film a worthy sequel to the original franchise.
5 Donnie & Rocky Climb The Steps
Creed (2015)
Forty years may have passed between the events of the first film and Creed, but when Rocky and Donnie Creed climb the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum together, it’s a magical moment. Things are different, but the impact of the scene hits as hard as ever. When Rocky struggles part way through and his young companion pushes him forward with the words “one step at a time,” it’s a perfect bonding moment and another great connection between the original movies and this one.
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4 Rocky Wins Against Apollo Creed
Rocky II (1979)
In Rocky II, when Rocky gets a chance to fight Apollo Creed again. As the fight winds down and Rocky and Creed trade blows in the center of the ring, the two men collapse, unable to stand any longer, and it becomes a race to see who gets back up. Mirroring the symbolism of it all, Rocky tirelessly crawls to the rope and gradually lifts himself back up again, as Creed sinks back down to the floor and proves he is ready to let go of the title. This transition is powerful and shapes the rest of the series.
3 The Training Montage
Rocky (1976)
Not much can beat the original training montage from Rocky in 1976. Paired with the iconic music and Rocky’s gradual and sure progression with the speedbag, skipping, running, and push-ups, Rocky packs in months of training work in a masterfully crafted scene that pumps up anyone who sees it. This scene will forever define the franchise and serve as an inspiration to anyone chasing a goal and putting their whole selves into working hard to achieve it.
2 “One Step At A Time. One Punch At A Time. One Round At A Time.”
Creed (2015)
Before Donnie convinces Rocky to train him, he has to prove himself and his commitment. But, when he does and Rocky sees his drive, he decides to help and train Donnie. Donnie starts out with very little experience but with Rocky’s help and the mantra to take “One step at a time. One punch at a time. One round at a time,” Donnie is able to improve and learn the techniques he needs to succeed and compete.
1 Rocky’s Inspiring Speech To Robert
Rocky Balboa (2006)
Rocky Balboa had its flaws, but there is no denying that the movie had one of the most inspiring and defining speeches of the entire franchise. Rocky and his son Robert have a lot of conflict in the film after the death of Adrian. However, when Robert confronts his dad, he begs him to hang up the gloves and stop making a spectacle of himself. Rocky then delivers a powerful speech about self-belief and doing things for himself instead of living in the shadows, which hits just as hard as a knockout punch from Rocky or Creed.