The Rocky movie saga spans 42 years from the original 1976 film to Creed II, and here's how old Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) was in each film. One of the greatest sports movie franchises of all time, Rocky was created by Sylvester Stallone, who also wrote every Rocky movie and directed 4 of the 6 films. Rocky's story then continued in 2015's Creed, where Balboa became the mentor to Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan). Stallone retired from the role in 2018's Creed II and he won't be part of 2022's Creed III.
Rocky is a rags-to-riches-back-to-rags saga. When fans first met "The Italian Stallion" in 1976, he was a no-name club fighter in South Philadelphia. Balboa was handpicked by Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), the heavyweight champion of the world, to be his novelty opponent but he shocked Creed by going the distance. In Rocky II, Balboa won the rematch and the heavyweight title. Rocky III saw Balboa riding high as the champ until he was humiliated by a new adversary, Clubber Lang (Mr. T). Rocky had to regain "the eye of the tiger" and he beat Clubber to regain the title. In Rocky IV, Balboa traveled to the Soviet Union to get revenge on Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren), who killed Apollo in the ring. Despite triumphing against the Russian, Rocky took a severe beating and brain damage forced him to retire. Rocky V saw a broke Balboa and his family return to South Philly where he mentored a new fighter, Tommy Gunn (Tommy Morrison) at the expense of his son, Robert (Sage Stallone). 2006's Rocky Balboa saw him mount a comeback for one more fight with the new champ, Mason Dixon (Antonio Tarver).
In 2015, Adonis Creed entered Rocky's life and Balboa guided him to the championship in Creed and Creed II, which saw Adonis face Ivan Drago's son, Victor (Florian Munteanu). Recently, Stallone pitched a Rocky prequel streaming series set in the 1960s about a 17-year-old Rocky Balboa, which would be fascinating since every generation of Rocky fans only know "The Italian Stallion" as an adult, a husband, and a father. Rocky's age would occasionally be mentioned in some of the films yet the franchise has a few timeline inconsistencies. Here's how old Rocky Balboa was in every movie appearance.
Rocky (1976) - Rocky takes place between November 1975 and January 1, 1976, which was the date of the first Creed vs. Balboa fight to celebrate America's Bicentennial. Rocky was said to be 30 the first time he faced Apollo Creed and he lost the fight in a split decision after going the full 15 rounds with the champ.
Rocky II (1979) - By the time the rematch between Apollo and Rocky took place in November 1976, Rocky had turned 31, married Adrian (Talia Shire), and she gave birth to their son, Rocky Jr. Balboa beat Creed by knockout in round 15 to become the new heavyweight champion of the world.
Rocky III (1982) - Rocky III blazes through the years 1976-1982 but the movie creates problems with the timeline. It's repeatedly said that 3 years have passed since Rocky II. Rocky's manager Mickey Goldmill (Burgess Meredith) dies in August 1981 and a news report states Rocky is 34. But that means Rocky II would have happened in 1978, which is when the movie was filmed, contradicting Rocky II's 1976 timeline. In Rocky's 3 years as champion, he had 10 title defenses that made him a millionaire and celebrity, and Balboa's physical appearance became more handsome and muscular. It's not clear if the Clubber Lang rematch as well as a private third Rocky vs. Apollo fight took place later in 1981 or in 1982 so Rocky may have turned 35.
Rocky IV (1985) - Rocky IV also fudges the timeline by making it seem like it starts right after Rocky III but the movie then jumps forward to 1985 when Ivan Drago arrives in the U.S. Apollo was killed by Drago and Rocky defeated the Russian in a fight held in Moscow on Christmas 1985 when Rocky was 38 or 39. Rocky also forfeited the heavyweight title before his unsanctioned fight with Drago.
Rocky V (1990) - Rocky V creates new timeline issues. The events of Rocky V took place a year after Rocky IV which makes it 1986 when the Balboa family lost their fortune and moved back to South Philly and Rocky began training Tommy Gunn. Rocky was about 40 in Rocky V. However, Rocky's son Robert was aged several years to about 12 years old so he could be played by Sylvester Stallone's son, Sage, contradicting Rocky IV.
Rocky Balboa (2006) - In Rocky Balboa, Rocky was a widower running an Italian restaurant after Adrian died of cancer. Balboa mounted his one-time comeback right against Mason Dixon and it's stated that Rocky was in his late 50s.
Creed (2015) - By the time Adonis Creed sought out Rocky to train him, Balboa was about 68 or 69 and his fighting days were long behind him.
Creed II (2018) - Rocky was about 71 or 72 in his final cinematic appearance in the saga (so far), which saw him coach Adonis to the heavyweight championship before Adonis fought Viktor Drago twice and finally defeated the Russian to cement his championship.
