On November 20, 1976, the iconic boxing film "Rocky" premiered in New York City. Directed by John G. Avildsen and starring Sylvester Stallone as the titular character, the film tells the story of Rocky Balboa, a small-time boxer from Philadelphia who gets a once-in-a-lifetime chance to fight the heavyweight champion, Apollo Creed, played by Carl Weathers.

Stallone, who also wrote the screenplay, famously penned the script in just three and a half days after being inspired by the Muhammad Ali vs. Chuck Wepner fight. He refused to sell the script unless he could star in the lead role, despite being a relatively unknown actor at the time.

The film was made on a modest budget of just over $1 million and shot in 28 days. Despite the low budget, "Rocky" became a massive critical and commercial success, grossing $225 million worldwide and receiving ten Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay for Stallone.

"Rocky" won three Oscars: Best Picture, Best Director for Avildsen, and Best Film Editing. The film's success launched Stallone's career and spawned a franchise that includes seven sequels and two spin-offs, "Creed" (2015) and "Creed II" (2018).

The film's iconic training montage, set to the Bill Conti's unforgettable score, featuring the famous track "Gonna Fly Now," has become a cultural phenomenon and is often imitated and parodied in popular media.

"Rocky" remains a beloved classic, celebrated for its underdog story, memorable characters, and inspirational themes of perseverance and determination. Its impact on popular culture and the sports film genre is still felt decades after its release.