#30: Rocky, 49th Academy Awards, 1977

Categories: Winner of 3 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director

Best Picture nominees that lost at the 49th Academy Awards:

• All the President’s Men
• Bound for Glory
• Network
• Taxi Driver

A cherished classic in the heart of Philadelphia, Rocky exemplifies the ultimate underdog narrative done right. Yet, in the grand scheme of cinema, it falls short of its contemporaries. While it spawned a timeless franchise, Rocky itself can be seen as a formulaic sports flick, spoon-feeding emotions to its audience.

Amidst its peers, Rocky stands out as a sentimental boxing yarn, overshadowed by films that delved into deeper societal critiques post-Vietnam. Its legacy, however, shines through its sequels like Rocky Balboa and Creed, surpassing the original in both substance and resonance. It’s a reminder that sometimes, even legends must step aside for their successors to truly shine.