Rocky / Rocky II

Rocky (1976)

This rousing underdog tale from writer/star Sylvester Stallone and director John G. Avildsen struck a chord with audiences around the world and won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture. When flamboyant heavyweight champ Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) announces a Bicentennial bout in Philadelphia, local pug boxer Rocky Balboa (Stallone) gets a dream shot at taking the title. With Talia Shire, Burt Young, and Burgess Meredith. 120 min. C/Rtg: PG

Rocky II (1979)

Retired from the ring and having trouble carving out a new career, Philly’s own "Italian Stallion," Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone, who also wrote and directed), reluctantly accepts champ Apollo Creed’s (Carl Weathers) challenge to another fight. Though both had promised no second fight, Creed--who needs to prove the first bout wasn't fixed--and a cash-strapped Rocky set the stage for the rematch of the century. Talia Shire, Burt Young, and Burgess Meredith also star. 119 min. C/Rtg: PG