Creed II (2018), directed by Steven Caple Jr., is the follow-up to Creed (2015) and the eighth installment in the Rocky/Creed franchise. It continues the story of Adonis Creed as he steps further out of his father’s shadow and carves his own legacy.
Detailed Summary
The Opening: Legacy in the Spotlight
The film picks up with Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) at the top of his game. He becomes the new heavyweight champion of the world, with Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) still by his side as trainer and mentor. At the same time, in Ukraine, Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren) trains his son, Viktor Drago (Florian Munteanu), who is a physically imposing fighter raised in hardship after Ivan’s loss to Rocky decades earlier in Rocky IV.
The Challenge: Drago vs. Creed
The Drago family resurfaces, and the story’s central conflict is set: Viktor Drago challenges Adonis Creed. This isn’t just a fight—it’s a generational battle loaded with history. Ivan killed Apollo Creed (Adonis’s father) in the ring 33 years earlier, so emotions run high. Adonis feels compelled to defend his father’s honor, but Rocky warns him not to fight, fearing history will repeat itself.
Struggles Outside the Ring
Parallel to his boxing career, Adonis’s personal life evolves. He proposes to Bianca (Tessa Thompson), and they soon find out they’re expecting a child. Their daughter, Amara, is born with a hearing impairment, adding new emotional depth to the story as Adonis confronts fears of being a father and role model.
The First Fight: Painful Defeat
Against Rocky’s advice, Adonis accepts Viktor’s challenge. The fight is brutal. Adonis is badly beaten, hospitalized, and emotionally shaken. Though Viktor is disqualified for illegal blows, it feels like a hollow victory. Adonis spirals into self-doubt, questioning his motivations and whether he truly deserves to carry his father’s legacy.
Training for Redemption
After confronting his own fears, and with Bianca and his family’s support, Adonis finds his way back to Rocky. Their reconciliation leads to one of the film’s most memorable training montages, set in the desert, where Adonis pushes himself beyond his limits.
⇢ VIRAL RIGHT NOW
Movie Ending
In the climactic rematch between Adonis and Viktor Drago, Adonis fights not out of revenge but for himself and his family. The match is grueling, but this time Adonis refuses to stay down. With Rocky in his corner again, he endures Viktor’s power and gradually takes control of the fight.
In a powerful turn, Ivan Drago throws in the towel to save his son from further punishment—something he never did for Apollo Creed. This moment reflects growth for Ivan, showing that his love for Viktor outweighs his pride and desire for redemption.
After the victory, Adonis speaks at his father’s grave, acknowledging Apollo but also affirming his own identity: he is fighting as Adonis Creed, not just Apollo’s son. Rocky, meanwhile, reconnects with his estranged son Robert and meets his grandson, symbolizing healing across generations.
The film closes with a strong sense of closure—Adonis has proven himself, Rocky has found peace with his family, and the Dragos have begun to rebuild their bond.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, Creed II does not have any post-credits or mid-credits scenes. Once the film ends, the story is wrapped up without any teases for sequels.
Type of Movie
Creed II is a sports drama and boxing film with themes of legacy, family, forgiveness, and perseverance.
Cast
- Michael B. Jordan – Adonis Creed
- Sylvester Stallone – Rocky Balboa
- Tessa Thompson – Bianca Taylor
- Dolph Lundgren – Ivan Drago
- Florian Munteanu – Viktor Drago
- Phylicia Rashad – Mary Anne Creed
- Wood Harris – Tony “Little Duke” Evers
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Ludwig Göransson, blending modern hip-hop beats with classic orchestral boxing themes. The music emphasizes Adonis’s struggles while paying homage to Bill Conti’s iconic Rocky themes.
Filming Locations
Filming took place in:
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – staying true to the Rocky franchise’s roots, with iconic locations like Rocky’s restaurant and training gyms.
- New Mexico desert – used for the intense training montage scenes.
- Ukraine and Russia (stand-ins in Eastern Europe) – for Drago’s training environments, emphasizing Viktor’s harsh upbringing.
⇢ KEEP UP WITH THE TREND
Awards and Nominations
While it didn’t sweep awards, Michael B. Jordan and the film received recognition from various critics’ associations. It was praised for performances, direction, and emotional storytelling, though it wasn’t heavily nominated in major award shows.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Florian Munteanu, who played Viktor Drago, was a real-life boxer before being cast.
- Sylvester Stallone initially intended to direct but stepped back, handing the reins to Steven Caple Jr.
- Michael B. Jordan did much of his own training, undergoing a rigorous boxing regime.
- Dolph Lundgren admitted that revisiting Ivan Drago decades later was emotionally challenging, given how much the character had been vilified.
Inspirations and References
The film directly draws inspiration from Rocky IV (1985). It reimagines the Creed-Drago conflict but explores it through the lens of father-son relationships and generational trauma rather than Cold War politics.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
No alternate endings have been released. However, some deleted training footage and extended fight scenes were cut for pacing reasons.
Book Adaptations and Differences
There isn’t a book adaptation of Creed II. However, the Rocky franchise’s long history inspired novelizations of earlier films, and this entry stays consistent with the cinematic tradition.
⇢ MOST SHARED RIGHT NOW
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Adonis’s brutal first fight with Viktor, ending in disqualification.
- Adonis training in the desert, pounding tires and running with a weighted vest.
- Ivan throwing in the towel to protect Viktor.
- Rocky reuniting with his son and meeting his grandson.
Iconic Quotes
- Adonis: “This is our time now.”
- Rocky: “It’s your time. You’ve got to do it your way.”
- Ivan Drago: “Because of you, I lost everything.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Rocky doesn’t climb the Philadelphia Museum steps this time, symbolizing that it’s truly Adonis’s story now.
- The fight choreography mirrors some sequences from Rocky IV as a nod to the franchise’s history.
- The desert training sequence visually references Rocky’s training in Russia from Rocky IV, but inverted—heat instead of cold.
Trivia
- Sylvester Stallone announced Creed II would be his final appearance as Rocky (though rumors of returns always linger).
- Florian Munteanu’s casting was heavily influenced by his physique and authenticity as a boxer.
- Michael B. Jordan gained about 20 pounds of muscle for the role.
Why Watch?
Watch Creed II if you love powerful stories about family, redemption, and overcoming the weight of the past. It balances explosive boxing action with deep emotional arcs, making it more than just a sports movie.
Director’s Other Work (Steven Caple Jr.)
- The Land (2016)
- Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023)
