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They get older, they make mistakes, they hurt, and they bleed.

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(Theyre a hell of a lot more like us than Iron Man ever was.)

Sometimes thats all the drama you need.

WithCreed IIIupon us, weve ranked all nineRockymovies.

Only a handful are true knockouts, though a couple of others win on points.

We have no doubt it’s possible for you to guess which film is the champ.

Stallone brought back originalRockydirector John G. Avildsen to helm this one, but neither could recapture that underdog magic.

8.Rocky IV(1985)

James Brown sings!

Ivan Drago is the representation of the Soviet Union, Americas greatest threat ever!

(The guy may as well be a blond, bland Terminator.)

(Its worth remembering that Ryan Coogler didnt direct this sequel.

)Creedfelt like something new.Creed IIfelt like the same old, same old.

The ensuing publicity inspires Rocky to put on the gloves again and fight the guy.

from her hospital bed inRocky II.

Its the one youll still see on the jumbotron in pump-up-the-crowd moments.

But its an improvement onCreed IIand proof that Jordan may be quite a good filmmaker in his own right.

Its all about myth and franchise building here, but its expertly done.

And the final fight is a knockout, literally and figuratively.

Stallone received his second Oscar nomination for playing Balboa here, 39 years after the first one.

Those naysayers have a point, even if it can be somewhat overstated.

In its own way, though,Rockyalso ushered in a new era.

Punching above your weight never looked so good.