1. Creed
IMBD Score: 7.6
Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
Remember this slice of Boxing Cinematic History: Well over 50 films in the boxing genre exist. Five. Zero.
That leaves a ton of debate-saturated ground between the generations, the “My day” is better than “Your day.” But it’s difficult to argue the imagery that comes with saying the name, Rocky.
With that being considered, what Creed managed to do when it was released in 2015 was nothing short of a genuine sports upset. Films, especially franchises, are set up to be ridiculed. Don’t try to make something that was already the best…better. (And let’s face it, the Rocky Franchise had lost some steam.) Even if the concept is more of a spinoff, you’re basically treading in very rough waters of opinion.
Yet, Stallone and company delivered a storyline that made both traditionalists and non-traditionalists come out of the theater battling an emotional lump in their throats, while shortness of breath reminded them that what they just saw is what makes boxing films so enjoyable.
And that’s why Creed is the top dog of the 2010s, Champion of the Decade, and will await the next round of contenders.