Rocky is heading back to theaters for its 50th anniversary.
Amazon MGM Studios, Park Circus, and Fathom Entertainment announced Rocky 50, a 4K remastered theatrical re-release of the original 1976 classic. The anniversary event will take place in theaters from November 7 through November 11.
The release also comes with a bonus for fans, as screenings will include an exclusive first-look scene from Amazon MGM’s upcoming biographical movie I Play Rocky, along with an introduction from the cast.
Rocky returns to theaters for 50th anniversary
Fathom is bringing Rocky back to the big screen as part of a five-day theatrical event celebrating one of the most well-known sports movies ever made.
The original film starred Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa, the underdog Philadelphia boxer who gets the chance of a lifetime when heavyweight champion Apollo Creed picks him for a title fight.
The 4K remaster is being released under the Rocky 50 banner and will also feature a new anniversary logo tied to the event.
I Play Rocky footage to be shown with screenings
One of the biggest draws of the Rocky 50 event is the exclusive preview of I Play Rocky, the upcoming movie about how Stallone fought to get Rocky made and insisted on starring in it himself.
According to the announcement, I Play Rocky tells the true story of Stallone’s belief that he was meant not only to write Rocky, but to play Rocky Balboa.
The film comes from Amazon MGM Studios and Baha Fireside Production and is directed by Peter Farrelly, who won an Academy Award for Green Book. The movie will open in limited release on November 13 before expanding nationwide on November 20.
“The ultimate inspirational sports movie masterpiece”
Rocky remains one of the most important movies in Stallone’s career and one of the biggest underdog stories in Hollywood history.
The film earned ten Academy Award nominations and won three Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Film Editing. In 2006, it was also selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.
Fathom Entertainment CEO Ray Nutt said Rocky has a special place in American film history and called the re-release a must-see theatrical event for fans, especially with the added footage from I Play Rocky arriving ahead of that movie’s premiere.
“The ultimate inspirational sports movie masterpiece, Rocky has a special place in the hearts of American cinematic history. Sylvester Stallone’s remarkable career – mirroring the very underdog spirit that Rocky embodies – is on full display in Rocky 50. Fathom could not be more proud to partner with Amazon MGM Studios and Park Circus to bring Rocky back to the big screen remastered in 4K for a special 50-year celebration,” said Nutt. “Just in time with an exclusive look and welcome prior to the world premiere of I Play Rocky, Rocky 50 will be a must-see theatrical event beginning November 7.”
What Rocky is about
The original Rocky follows Rocky Balboa, a struggling boxer in Philadelphia who is stuck going nowhere. That changes when Apollo Creed creates a publicity stunt that gives an unknown fighter a shot at the heavyweight title.
What starts as a gimmick turns into something much bigger as Rocky trains hard and tries to prove he belongs in the ring.
The movie was directed by John G. Avildsen from a screenplay by Stallone. The cast includes Stallone, Talia Shire, Carl Weathers, Burt Young, Tony Burton, and Burgess Meredith.
When tickets go on sale
Tickets for Rocky 50 will be available later this fall through Fathom Entertainment and participating theater box offices.
Fans who want updates on ticket availability can sign up through Fathom’s website to be notified when sales go live.
