Every Rocky Movie Ranked Worst To Best

A film so messy and far removed from what came before that Stallone has disowned it and its drama has never been mentioned again, Rocky V is the standout flop of the franchise, despite some brief highs its flaws easily overshadow.

Directed by John Avildsen -- returning to the series for the first time since Balboa's Oscar-winning debut -- the fifth Rocky film deserves plaudits for recapturing the gritty appeal of the first film, pulling Rocky back to his roots as he works to recapture some peace after years of fighting.

But that's about it. As bittersweet as it is to see Stallone acting alongside his young son Sage, the film's emotionally manipulative twists and gruelling final fight (the only one of the franchise to take place outside the ring, a baffling creative decision) make it impossible to accept as a Rocky film.

Better than Rocky IV but it least gives its characters something real to work with, Rocky V is still the bottom of the barrel.