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Rocky IV

Rocky IV is a 1985 American sports drama film written, directed by, and starring Sylvester Stallone.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Rocky IV is a 1985 American sports drama film written, directed, and starring Sylvester Stallone. It is the fourth film in the Rocky franchise and follows Rocky Balboa as he faces Soviet boxer Ivan Drago after a tragedy involving Apollo Creed.

Plot

The film follows Rocky Balboa after Apollo Creed is killed in an exhibition match by Ivan Drago. Rocky travels to the Soviet Union and prepares for a climactic fight against Drago.

Production

Rocky IV was written and directed by Sylvester Stallone and released in 1985. It was produced in the United States and is associated with Chartoff-Winkler Productions and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in later listings.

Cast and characters

The main cast includes Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa, Talia Shire as Adrian, Burt Young as Paulie, Carl Weathers as Apollo Creed, Brigitte Nielsen as Ludmilla Drago, and Dolph Lundgren as Ivan Drago.

Reception and legacy

The film is widely recognized for its Cold War setting, training montages, and rivalry between Rocky and Drago. Later descriptions note its cultural impact as a defining 1980s sports-action film.

Key facts

  • Rocky IV is the fourth installment in the Rocky film series.
  • The story centers on Rocky Balboa’s fight against Ivan Drago, a Soviet boxer.
  • Apollo Creed’s death in the film is the event that drives Rocky’s revenge mission.
  • The film was directed and written by Sylvester Stallone.
  • Its runtime is commonly listed as 91 minutes.
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Canadian context

Rocky IV has been widely distributed and discussed in Canada as part of the internationally successful Rocky film series, but it is not specifically Canadian in setting or production.

Frequently asked questions

What is Rocky IV about?
It follows Rocky Balboa as he seeks revenge and enters a fight with Soviet boxer Ivan Drago after Apollo Creed is killed in the ring.
Who directed Rocky IV?
Sylvester Stallone directed Rocky IV and also wrote and starred in it.
When was Rocky IV released?
It was released in 1985, with listings showing late-November theatrical release dates.
Who plays Ivan Drago?
Ivan Drago is played by Dolph Lundgren.
Is Rocky IV part of a franchise?
Yes. It is the fourth film in the Rocky franchise.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_IV
    Supports: Basic film identification, year, franchise position, director, writer, cast, and plot premise.
  2. Biyografiler — https://www.biyografiler.com/en/movie/rocky-iv-1985
    Supports: Release date, cast, runtime, genre, and synopsis details.
  3. Apple TV — https://tv.apple.com/by/movie/rocky-iv/umc.cmc.59frzuu5jxxcr29ydegryu87i
    Supports: Plot summary involving Apollo Creed, Ivan Drago, and Rocky’s trip to Russia.
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/rocky_iv
    Supports: Synopsis, director, rating, runtime, genre, and U.S. box office listing.
  5. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/rocky-iv
    Supports: Runtime, rating, and release timing.
  6. French Wikipedia — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_4
    Supports: Director, writer, music, cast, production country, genre, duration, and year.