Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Feel-good Black-led film continues Rocky saga; has violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
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Creed
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 12 parent reviews
Based on 35 kid reviews
Kids say it's a great movie with strong performances, especially from Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone, who return as a mentor. While some reviews note minor issues with language and a brief sexual scene, most agree that the film successfully combines emotional depth with engaging boxing sequences, making it a compelling addition to the franchise.
- great performances
- emotional depth
- boxing violence
- minor language
- engaging sequences
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Adonis "Donnie" Johnson (Michael B. Jordan) never knew his father, boxing legend Apollo CREED; Apollo died before Adonis was born (the boy was the product of an affair). After Donnie bounces around from one group home to another, Apollo's widow (Phylicia Rashad) takes him in, providing him with a loving family and the education to pursue what she hopes is a journey different from his father's, who died because of a difficult fight. But Adonis is Apollo's son through and through, and soon the young man, who's boxing under the radar in Mexico, feels called to the ring. He quits his investment banking job and moves to Philadelphia, where he hopes to make a name for himself outside of the Creed legacy and under the tutelage of Apollo's former foe and later friend, Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone). But earning his stripes means facing not just other established fighters, but his own demons.
Is It Any Good?
This movie has elements that are terrific, no question, but it disappoints, too. Still, it's well worth seeing, if only to witness how Rocky's cinematic and boxing legacy continues. First, the good stuff: Decades after the first Rocky hit the big screen, the pull of the franchise endures. When Stallone makes his first appearance, it's hard not to root for him. We've known this character for years, and there's something fundamentally appealing about him.
Adonis, meanwhile, is much more complicated -- though perhaps not as complicated as he deserves. We don't get to know him as deeply as we did Rocky, and therefore we aren't as invested in him as we should be. He comes alive when he's in the ring, as the star of a Rocky movie should (though nostalgia buffs might wish they'd hear more of the iconic theme song), thanks to fight choreography that taps into both the balletic and brutal elements of the punishing sport. But Adonis also needs to be compelling away from the ropes. A hero's journey deserves a hero who's mesmerizing; through no fault of the talented Jordan, Adonis still stands in the shadow of Rocky Balboa.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Creed fits into the Rocky legacy. What themes of the previous movies does it also address? How does it depart from its predecessors?
Does the movie glamorize the sport of boxing (and the violence inherent in it) or provide an even-handed view of it? How does this kind of violence compare to what you might see in an action movie? Which has more impact, and why?
Do you consider Rocky a role model? What do Rocky and Adonis bring to each other's lives?
How do the characters in Creed demonstrate perseverance and self-control? Why are these important character strengths?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 25, 2015
- On DVD or streaming : March 1, 2016
- Cast : Michael B. Jordan , Tessa Thompson , Sylvester Stallone
- Director : Ryan Coogler
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Director(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Drama
- Character Strengths : Perseverance , Self-control
- Run time : 95 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence, language and some sensuality
- Awards : Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Winner , NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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