Rocky, American boxing film, released in 1976, that was the highest-grossing movie of that year, earning more than $117 million at the box office. It was nominated for 10 Academy Awards and won three, including best picture, and made its writer and lead actor, Sylvester Stallone, a star. Rocky opens on a club boxing match taking place in Philadelphia on November 25, 1975, where Rocky Balboa (Stallone) defeats his opponent and then returns to his dingy apartment. The next morning, he visits a pet shop and tries to sweet-talk the shy clerk, Adrian (Talia Shire), before heading to the docks