My Ranking of the series
Rocky
Rocky II
Balboa (underrated)
Creed
Rocky III
Rocky IV
Rock V
My approach for these movies is one ongoing story.
Stallone has me hooked. They are all good stories... IMO.
Rocky (just wanna go the distance, prove it wudn't no bum!)
Rocky III (you ain't been hungry since you won that belt ... Mr. T.)
Rocky IV (friend, death, honor, against Goliath, Adrian, you can't win...victory)
Rocky II (same as 1 but he wins the title) sort of like planet of the apes and beneath poa)
Balboa (underrated, yes, but really could have done without it)
Creed (very close to Rocky, wanted to prove I wasn't no mistake)
Rock V (this wasn't so bad, believable story based on the goings on in boxing) was living vicariously through protege)