Starting out as a small boxing story, Rocky became perhaps the most inspiriting sports movie of all time and launched a franchise that has spanned decades. The ninth installment in the franchise will be released at the end of the year with Creed III but there have already been so many great moments in the series to look back on.
As thrilling as the boxing scenes in these movies have been, it seems that certain lines of dialogue have really stayed with fans over the years. From inspiring to heartbreaking, these quotes capture what so many people love about the Rocky movies.
Rocky Takes It To The Street (Rocky V)
Rocky Balboa: "My Ring's Outside."
Rocky V is pretty much universally seen as the worst movie in the series and it is hard to argue against that. However, the movie does make some interesting steps to bringing the franchise back to its roots and showing Rocky back on the streets he started from.
This is especially seen in the climactic fight when Rocky faces off with his former protégé, Tommy Gunn. After Rocky challenges the arrogant young fighter, Gunn's promoter insists he only fights in the ring to which Rocky responds, "My ring's outside," showing that this fight isn't about glory.
Drago Kills Apollo (Rocky IV)
Ivan Drago: "If He Dies, He Dies."
Rocky has faced off with a number of formidable opponents over the course of the series, but Ivan Drago was perhaps the most intimidating. The Russian giant proves how scary he is during one of Rocky IV's best scenes with his early match against Apollo Creed which ends in tragedy.
After Drago delivers a brutal beating of Apollo, it looks as though he went too far. But as Apollo dies while in the ring, Drago coldly comments, "If he dies, he dies." It is a heartless moment that makes him an easy villain to hate.
Rocky Proposes (Rocky II)
Rocky Balboa: "I Was Wondering If, Uh, You Wouldn't Mind Marrying Me Very Much."
As inspiring as Rocky can be in these movies, there is also charm to him in how shy and awkward he can be. This is especially true with his touching romance with Adrian as his love for her is very apparent, even if he can't express it in the most eloquent way.
In Rocky II, Rocky takes Adrian to the zoo in the freezing cold and asks her what she is planning to do for the next few decades of her life. When Adrian gets confused, he manages to rumble out the sweet proposal that is very fitting to his character.
Clubber Lang Shares His Feelings About Rocky (Rocky III)
Clubber Lang: "No, I Don't Hate Balboa. But I Pity The Fool."
Though he was not as intimidating as Ivan Drago, Clubber Lang made for a very entertaining villain in Rocky III. The character was elevated beyond the simple antagonist role thanks to the fun performance from Mr. T who brought much of his own personality into the role.
Clubber Lang's arrogant and colorful style is seen when he does a television interview and is asked his opinion of Rocky Balboa. His dismissive remarks are so memorable, "I pity the fool" became Mr. T's iconic catchphrase.
Rocky Isn't The Underdog Anymore (Rocky III)
Mickey: "And He's Hungry! Hell, You Ain't Been Hungry Since You Won That Belt."
One of the most interesting aspects of Rocky III is how it changes Rocky. After winning the championship, the audience sees how he finds fame and fortune while losing his edge. When Clubber Lang comes along to challenge him, it is no longer Rocky who is the underdog.
Rocky might be the champ but Mickey points out that he no longer stands a chance against a fighter like Lang. He explains how victory has made Rocky weak while Lang is motivated like Rocky was in the earlier movies.
Rocky Remembers Apollo (Creed)
Rocky Balboa: "Time Beat Him. Time, You Know, Takes Everybody Out. It's Undefeated."
Creed was an interesting new way of approaching the Rocky franchise. And while Michael B. Jordan's Adonis Creed was the new lead of the story, Rocky Balboa was still a huge part of it. The story also showed Rocky in yet another new light.
Rocky tells Adonis that Apollo was the greatest fighter he ever faced. When Adonis asked how he beat him, Rocky insists it was just time. As sad as his views on time are, they are very true and speak to when Rocky was at that point in his journey, beaten by time rather than another fighter.
Apollo Wants A Rematch (Rocky II)
Apollo: "Man, I Won. But I Didn't Beat Him."
Perhaps part of the reason Rocky is a classic sports movie that still packs a punch is the unexpected ending in which Rocky doesn't actually win. It still makes for a triumphant story and also sets the stage for a sequel.
In the follow-up, Apollo finds himself unsatisfied by the result of the fight and wants a rematch. Even though he got the decision as the winner of the fight, he knows that he didn't actually beat Balboa and that hangs over him.
Mickey Trains Rocky (Rocky)
Mickey: "You're Gonna Eat Lightning. You're Gonna Crap Thunder."
One of the best characters in the franchise is Mickey, Rocky's no-nonsense and tough coach. Mickey provides a lot of moments of wise words for Rocky and even some tender moments as well. But he also provides a lot of laughs with his gruff nature.
When training Rocky for his big fight in the first Rocky, he has some colorful words to describe the kind of fighting god he is turning Rocky into. It is a hilarious description but it's also hard not to get fired up by such a line.
Rocky Motivates His Son (Rocky Balboa)
Rocky Balboa: "You, Me, Or Nobody Is Gonna Hit As Hard As Life. But It Ain't About How Hard You Hit. It's About How Hard You Can Get Hit And Keep Moving Forward."
While many sequels that are delayed too long don't turn out very well, many fans felt that Rocky Balboa was a fitting return to the franchise. While the plot about Rocky getting back in the ring against a much younger fighter was a little farfetched, it also explored Rocky's relationship with his son in a moving way.
Robert Balboa is now an adult and feels some resentment about living in the shadow of his father all those years. However, instead of apologizing to his son, Rocky gives a moving speech about overcoming the hardships of life instead of looking for others to blame.
Rocky Shares His Victory With Adrian (Rocky II)
Rocky Balboa: "I Just Got One Thing To Say... To My Wife At Home. Yo, Adrian! I Did It!"
Despite losing the match against Apollo in the first movie, Rocky embraces Adrian when it is over and they declare their love for each other. It makes for a different kind of victory that is still impactful.
However, it is hard to deny that it is even more rewarding to see him come out victorious in the rematch in Rocky II. But even with the championship title, Rocky still knows that in the end, it is all about Adrian and shares the victory with her.