Runner up - Creed
Oscar Tidbit: Sylvester Stallone’s role in Creed earned him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards in 2016. He was up against some great stars, Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies) – winner, Christian Bale (The Big Short), Tom Hardy (The Revenant) and Mark Ruffalo (Spotlight).
This is a rock-solid boxing movie, a worthy addition to the Rocky Balboa legacy. The most surprising part? Sylvester Stallone reminds us he can really act. Creed is the kind of movie any audience can enjoy. It’s got quiet, tender moments, stand-up-and-cheer triumphs, and a story that ties everything together beautifully.
The film introduces us to Adonis “Donnie” Creed, who we first meet in juvenile detention. He’s the product of an affair Apollo Creed had before he was killed in the ring in Rocky IV. He’s taken in by Mary Anne, Apollo’s widow, and raised as her own. But even with a stable life, Donnie feels the same pull his father did, the ring calls to him, no matter how much his mother warns him about the life of a boxer.
Eventually, Donnie heads off to track down his dad’s old rival and best friend, Rocky Balboa. At first, Rocky wants nothing to do with training him, but Donnie wears him down, and what starts as a coaching gig grows into something much deeper. They become family in their own way, standing in each other’s corners inside and outside the ring.
Donnie’s story isn’t just about boxing, though. He also finds love with his neighbor Bianca, a hearing-impaired singer. She’s not just the token pretty girl on the sidelines; she’s a fully developed character with her own dreams, struggles, and spark. Their relationship is one of the sweetest parts of the film. It grows slowly and naturally, full of genuine chemistry and moments that feel real, whether tender or passionate. Together, they lift each other up.
The film is filled with heartfelt nods to the original Rocky movies — from Stallone’s pitch-perfect return to the role, to that final, iconic shot. Creed really does have it all: a new story that stands strong on its own, while honoring everything that came before it.
