The original Rocky movie was released in the United States on December 3, 1976.

Quick Scoop

  • World premiere: New York City premiere on November 20, 1976.
  • Wide US release: December 3, 1976, which is the date most sources list when people ask “when was Rocky released.”
  • Country of origin: United States; the film went on to become the highest-grossing film of 1976 and a major pop‑culture touchstone.

In other words, when people ask “when was Rocky released,” they almost always mean the US theatrical release date: December 3, 1976.

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