The best answer to “How to watch the Rocky & Creed movies in order” is release order: watch the six Rocky films from Rocky (1976) through Rocky Balboa (2006), then watch Creed (2015), Creed II (2018), and Creed III (2023). That sequence contains all nine released films as of August 14, 2026.
The Creed films continue the same fictional universe through Adonis “Donnie” Creed, Apollo Creed’s son. The three Creed movies can be watched alone, but the full nine-film sequence gives Rocky and Apollo’s history—and Rocky’s connection with Adonis—the intended context.
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Key takeaways
- The complete released Rocky and Creed movie order has nine feature films as of August 14, 2026: six Rocky films followed by three Creed films.
- The best first-watch order is release order, beginning with Rocky (1976) and ending with Creed III (2023).
- Creed follows Apollo Creed’s son, Adonis, and depends emotionally on Rocky’s history with Apollo and on Rocky’s later life.
- You can watch only the three Creed films in sequence, but that route skips the original films’ development of Rocky, Apollo, and the Drago storyline.
- Amazon’s official guidance describes Prime Video purchase or rental options for the Rocky films, AMC+ access through Prime Video, and purchase or rental access for the Creed trilogy; availability varies by country.
What order should I watch the Rocky and Creed movies in?
Watch the movies in release order. The six Rocky films come first, followed by the three Creed films:
- Rocky (1976) — Rocky Balboa receives an unlikely opportunity to challenge heavyweight champion Apollo Creed.
- Rocky II (1979) — The story continues directly from the first film as Rocky and Apollo’s rivalry develops into a more complicated relationship.
- Rocky III (1982) — Rocky is established as champion and faces a new major challenger.
- Rocky IV (1985) — Rocky confronts Ivan Drago after a devastating turning point in Apollo’s story.
- Rocky V (1990) — Rocky returns home and attempts to mentor a younger fighter.
- Rocky Balboa (2006) — An older, retired Rocky returns to the center of the story and receives a concluding chapter before the Creed branch begins.
- Creed (2015) — Apollo Creed’s son, Adonis “Donnie” Creed, begins his professional boxing journey, with Rocky as a central connective figure.
- Creed II (2018) — Adonis’s professional and family story continues while the film reconnects with the Drago legacy.
- Creed III (2023) — The third Creed film continues Adonis’s story and is the ninth released film in the broader Rocky franchise.
The American Film Institute’s Rocky II catalog entry cross-checks the sequel sequence from Rocky II through Rocky Balboa and into Creed. TIME also identified Creed III as “the ninth film in the Rocky franchise and the third in the Creed series,” confirming the nine-film count.
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Why is release order the best first-watch order?
Release order is the best first-watch order because the Creed films are continuations of the Rocky universe rather than a separate reboot. The earlier films establish Rocky’s career, his friendship and rivalry with Apollo, Apollo’s legacy, and the experiences that make Rocky’s role in Adonis’s life meaningful.
Watching Rocky Balboa before Creed is especially important for a first-time viewer. Rocky Balboa provides the older Rocky that the 2015 film inherits, while Creed introduces Adonis as Apollo Creed’s son. Skipping directly to Creed will not make the plot impossible to follow, but it removes much of the history behind the characters.
| Viewing route | Films included | Best for | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete release order | Rocky through Rocky Balboa, then Creed through Creed III; 9 films | First-time viewers and anyone wanting the full story | Longest route, but it preserves the character history |
| Rocky-only route | All six Rocky films, ending with Rocky Balboa | Viewers interested primarily in Rocky Balboa | Does not complete Adonis Creed’s story |
| Creed-only route | Creed (2015) → Creed II (2018) → Creed III (2023) | Viewers who want only the newer Adonis storyline | Skips Apollo and Rocky’s original development |
| Physical-media route | Six-film Rocky set plus the three Creed films separately | Viewers who want a durable collection | Edition, region, stock, video format, and included cuts vary |
Do I watch Creed before or after Rocky Balboa?
Watch Rocky Balboa before Creed. Rocky Balboa is the sixth Rocky film and the final Rocky-titled film released before the Creed series; Creed then introduces Adonis, Apollo Creed’s son, and places Rocky in a supporting and mentoring role.
The clean sequence is Rocky V → Rocky Balboa → Creed. There is no reason to move Creed earlier in a first viewing. The Creed films were released as a later continuation of the franchise and are designed to carry forward the consequences of the earlier films.
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Yes. The Creed-only order is Creed (2015) → Creed II (2018) → Creed III (2023). The three films form a coherent Adonis Creed trilogy and can be watched without completing all six Rocky films first.
The shorter route is less complete, not incorrectly ordered. The original Rocky films explain Apollo’s importance, Rocky’s career and personal history, the significance of Ivan Drago in Creed II, and why Rocky’s connection with Adonis carries so much weight. For that reason, the full nine-film order remains the stronger recommendation for a first viewing.
Where can I watch the Rocky and Creed movies?
Availability changes by country and over time. Check your local Prime Video listing before starting the marathon; buying or renting individually may be simpler than relying on a subscription catalog.
According to Amazon’s official viewing guidance, viewers can buy or rent the Rocky films on Prime Video or watch them through an AMC+ subscription accessed through Prime Video. Amazon’s guidance also identifies the Creed trilogy as available to buy or rent. The exact titles included, rental terms, subscription availability, and prices depend on the local Amazon site.
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| Access method | What the research supports | What to verify locally | Practical implication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual digital rental | Rocky films and the Creed trilogy may be rented through Prime Video | Each film’s current listing, rental window, price, and country availability | Useful if you want to watch the marathon once without buying every film |
| Individual digital purchase | Rocky films and the Creed trilogy may be purchased through Prime Video | Ownership terms, resolution, audio options, and local price | Useful when subscription inclusion is uncertain |
| AMC+ through Prime Video | Amazon identifies AMC+ access through Prime Video as a viewing option for the Rocky films | Whether the relevant films are included in the current local catalog | Do not assume that a subscription contains every title in every country |
| Physical discs | MGM presents Blu-ray/DVD purchase options for the Rocky franchise | Current stock, edition, region, included cuts, and format | Less exposed to streaming-catalog rotation, but requires compatible hardware |
Is a Rocky physical collection worth choosing?
A physical collection is the most durable option when the priority is watching the films in order without depending on changing streaming rights. MGM’s official Rocky franchise page presents Blu-ray and DVD purchase options, and a retail-media listing documents a Rocky I–VI Ultimate Knockout Collection 4K UHD Blu-ray.
A Rocky movie collection on Blu-ray or the documented Rocky I–VI 4K collection covers the six Rocky films, not automatically the Creed trilogy. Check the exact product listing before buying: the edition, region, disc formats, included cuts, bonus features, current stock, and whether the set contains only Rocky I–VI can differ. The Creed films are a separate group unless a specific listing explicitly says otherwise.
For a collector, the physical route has two clear advantages: a one-time purchase can keep the films available after a streaming catalog changes, and a 4K UHD edition may differ from standard Blu-ray or digital versions in resolution, audio, cuts, and extras. The trade-offs are higher upfront cost, storage, regional compatibility, and the need to buy the Creed films separately.
How many Rocky and Creed movies are there?
There are nine released feature films in the combined Rocky and Creed movie sequence as of August 14, 2026: six Rocky films and three Creed films. Creed III is the third Creed film and the ninth film in the wider Rocky franchise.
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Rocky also has a major awards distinction: the Academy’s official record lists it as the Best Picture winner at the 1977 ceremony for films released in 1976. The award is a useful piece of context for the original film, but it does not change the viewing order.
Are there other Rocky or Creed projects to place in the order?
Do not add the announced future projects to the nine-film movie order. Amazon announced Delphi as the first live-action series extension of the Creed universe, focused on young boxers at the Delphi gym, but the announcement said that a premiere date had not yet been announced. It is not one of the released films and should be treated as optional future context.
I Play Rocky is also separate from the fictional Rocky story. Amazon describes the 2026 film as a true story about a young Sylvester Stallone fighting to create and star in Rocky. Amazon lists a November 6, 2026 select-theater release followed by a wider theatrical release later in November. Watch it as behind-the-scenes context after the fictional films, or separately; do not count it as a tenth Rocky/Creed story entry.
For readers interested in the production story, the I Play Rocky release information is the appropriate reference because theatrical timing and availability can change. For the Creed-universe expansion, Amazon’s announcement of the upcoming Creed series Delphi is the relevant source; the series was not presented as currently available.
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Do I watch Creed before or after Rocky Balboa?
Watch Rocky Balboa before Creed. The 2006 film is the sixth Rocky movie and establishes the older Rocky whom Creed brings into Adonis Creed’s story.
Can I watch only the Creed movies?
Yes. Watch Creed, Creed II, and Creed III in that order. The trilogy is coherent on its own, although the six Rocky films provide important background about Apollo, Rocky, and the Drago legacy.
How many Rocky and Creed movies are there?
There are nine released feature films as of August 14, 2026: six Rocky films and three Creed films. I Play Rocky is a separate 2026 behind-the-scenes film about making the original movie, not part of the fictional story order.
Where can I stream Rocky and Creed?
Amazon’s official guidance identifies Prime Video purchase or rental options for the Rocky films, AMC+ access through Prime Video, and purchase or rental access for the Creed trilogy. Local availability and pricing vary, so check the relevant country’s listing before watching.
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For the complete experience, watch Rocky, Rocky II, Rocky III, Rocky IV, Rocky V, Rocky Balboa, Creed, Creed II, and Creed III in that order. Choose the three-film Creed route only if you specifically want Adonis’s story and are comfortable skipping the Rocky-era context.
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