The film was followed by a sequel/spin-off, Creed, released November 25, 2015. Rocky Balboa was released in several formats for its home media release, and DVD sales have exceeded $34 million. It exceeded box office expectations and critical reaction was positive. The film was released on December 20, 2006, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Columbia Pictures and Revolution Studios. There are many references to people and events from previous installments in the series, especially the first.

A pair of minor characters from the original film return in larger roles: Marie, the young woman that Rocky attempts to steer away from trouble, and Spider Rico, the first opponent Rocky is shown fighting in the 1976 film. Milo Ventimiglia plays Rocky's son Robert, now an adult. Boxing promoter Lou DiBella plays himself and acts as Dixon's promoter in the film. The film also stars Burt Young as Paulie, Rocky's brother-in-law in his last appearance in the Rocky series and real-life boxer Antonio Tarver as Mason 'The Line' Dixon, the current World Heavyweight Champion in the film.

Stallone also mentioned that the storyline of Rocky Balboa parallels his own struggles and triumphs in recent times. It is the sixth installment in the Rocky franchise with Balboa in retirement, a widower living in Philadelphia, and the owner and operator of a local Italian restaurant called 'Adrian's', named after his late wife.Īccording to Stallone, he was 'negligent' in the production of Rocky V, leaving him and many of the fans disappointed with the presumed end of the series. Rocky Balboa (also known as Rocky VI) is a 2006 American sports drama film written, directed by, and starring Sylvester Stallone who reprises his role as the title character.

Rocky balboa 2006 plot