Sylvester Stallone Shares His Top Boxing Movies Beyond ‘Rocky’

Rocky was written by and starred Sylvester Stallone. Released in 1976, it became the highest-grossing film of the year and received ten Academy Award nominations, winning three, including Best Picture.

Its story of a small-time boxer getting a once-in-a-lifetime shot became legendary. The film spawned multiple sequels, spin-offs, and has stayed part of pop culture for decades.

Stallone told Rotten Tomatoes, “There aren’t many fight films like Rocky. Rocky is more of a fantasy in many ways.” He explained that its mix of hope, triumph, and underdog story made it special. But Stallone also has favorite boxing films beyond his own creation.

One of the films he praises is Fat City, directed by John Huston. Unlike Rocky, Fat City is much darker and more realistic. Stallone said it captures the tough lives of real fighters. “Because most fighters have these horrible lives,” he explained.

Fat City follows a washed-up champion and a young hopeful, showing the struggles outside the ring. Critics loved its raw and honest storytelling, calling it a poignant and realistic boxing movie.

Stallone also mentioned a classic by James Cagney called Winner Take All from 1932. In this film, Cagney plays a boxer who needs to recover after too many fights, drinks, and romantic troubles. “James Cagney did a great one,” Stallone said. The film was praised for Cagney’s performance and its mix of comedy and drama during Hollywood’s pre-code era.

Another favorite he listed was The Champion. While there are multiple movies with this title, Stallone might have been talking about the Charlie Chaplin version. In it, Chaplin’s Tramp finds himself in a boxing camp after discovering a lucky horseshoe, leading to funny moments as he trains and fights.

Critics loved Chaplin’s charm and comedic timing, calling it a classic silent-era gem. It’s also possible Stallone meant the 1979 remake by Franco Zeffirelli starring Jon Voight, which is more dramatic. That version tells the story of a former boxer trying to rebuild his life for his son. It received solid reviews for its heartfelt story and Voight’s strong performance.

Finally, Stallone praised Martin Scorsese’s Raging Bull. The film tells the life of Jake LaMotta, a boxer whose career and personal life were full of rage and conflict. Robert De Niro won his second Academy Award for portraying LaMotta, and critics consider it one of the best films ever made. Stallone said its realism and emotional depth make it unforgettable.

From comedies to dark dramas, these films show how boxing can tell many different kinds of stories. Stallone’s favorites show both the highs and lows of the sport and prove that while Rocky may be legendary, the boxing film world has many other classics worth watching.

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