Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) a small-time boxer is picked by current heavyweight champion Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) as his next opponent. Rocky hits the gym to train whilst romancing Adrian (Talia Shire) and preparing for a fight which will make him a household name, complete with an Oscar winning theme and a Seventies ending where even loss is inspirational. Look for B-movie icon and Stallone’s good friend Joe Spinell in a supporting role.

WINNER: Academy Awards 1977 (Best Picture; Best Director; Film Editing).

Listed in 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die