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

Rocky III (1982)

In the third knockout drama, heavyweight champ Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) suffers a devastating defeat at the hands of mohawked club boxer Clubber Lang (Mr. T). With some unlikely help from former foe Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), Rocky prepares to step back into the ring and reclaim his title. With Talia Shire, Burt Young, Burgess Meredith, and Hulk Hogan as Thunderlips. Written and directed by Stallone. 99 min. C/Rtg: PG

Rocky IV (1985)

"Yo, Ivan!" Sylvester Stallone is back as heavyweight champ Rocky Balboa, this time squaring off against towering Soviet boxer Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren), an unstoppable fighting machine who has already killed one man in the ring. All this, and a plea for global understanding, too. With Talia Shire, Carl Weathers, Burt Young, Brigitte Nielsen, and James Brown as himself. Written and directed by Stallone. 91 min. C/Rtg: PG