Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Moderate
- bombastic
- inspirational
- sentimental
- motivational movie night
- sports watch party
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film commercially exhilarating and visually energetic but overly formulaic, politically simplistic, and emotionally hollow.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Rocky's boxing match against Soviet champion Ivan Drago is framed through the political tension between the United States and the Soviet Union.
Rocky responds to Apollo Creed's death by accepting responsibility, training intensely, and pursuing a rematch with Drago.
Rocky's preparation, including isolated conditioning in the Soviet environment, is central to the film's compressed, motivational structure.
Ivan Drago is presented as an imposing Soviet boxer associated with scientific training and overwhelming physical power.
Films like Rocky IV, and why
Rocky
uplifting underdog sports drama centered on perseverance, training, and a climactic boxing match
Creed
boxing drama combining personal redemption, emotional loss, and an inspirational comeback
Bloodsport
stylized sports spectacle built around national rivalry, muscular training montages, and an iconic champion-versus-challenger showdown
Movie Details
- Director
- Sylvester Stallone
- Release Date
- 1985-11-21
- Runtime
- 91 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (4989)
Cast
- Sylvester Stallone
- Dolph Lundgren
- Carl Weathers
- Talia Shire
- Burt Young
- Brigitte Nielsen
- Tony Burton
- Michael Pataki
- Stu Nahan
- R.J. Adams
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+, AMC, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Rocky IV about?
- Rocky Balboa turns grief over Apollo Creed’s death into a spectacular boxing comeback against the seemingly unbeatable Soviet champion Ivan Drago.
- What is Rocky IV like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Rocky IV as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Rocky IV violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Rocky IV as moderate.
- What did critics think of Rocky IV?
- Critics broadly found the film commercially exhilarating and visually energetic but overly formulaic, politically simplistic, and emotionally hollow.
- Which films are like Rocky IV?
- Films with a similar feel include Rocky, Creed, and Bloodsport.
- How long is Rocky IV?
- Rocky IV runs 91 minutes.
- Where can I watch Rocky IV?
- In United States, Rocky IV streams on Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+, AMC, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel.
