I Play Rocky Scores 97% Audience Rating
The Peter Farrelly-directed film earns strong audience praise ahead of its November 20 wide release.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Comedy
Live Poll
Would you go see the Rocky biopic I Play Rocky in theaters?
I Play Rocky, directed by Peter Farrelly, has received a 97% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes after premiering at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival. The film expands to wide release in theaters on November 20.
Why it matters
The strong audience response and limited-run box office performance may help the film find a larger national audience as it goes wide. Its awards-season prospects, including a possible Best Actor nomination for Anthony Ippolito, could also draw attention from viewers across the country.
Rotten Tomatoes audience scores put I Play Rocky at 97% and critics at 88%, based on over 100 audience ratings, surpassing Creed III's 95% audience score among Rocky films. The film earned $44,984 from seven screens in its limited run, and its wide-release performance has not yet been reported.
The players
Peter Farrelly
Peter Farrelly is an American filmmaker known for co-directing comedies such as Dumb and Dumber and There's Something About Mary.
Anthony Ippolito
Anthony Ippolito is an actor who won the Breakthrough Award at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival for his performance in I Play Rocky.
The details
I Play Rocky premiered at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival, where it won a runner-up spot for the People's Choice Award. Written by Peter Gamble and directed by Peter Farrelly, the film stars Anthony Ippolito as Sylvester Stallone, who consulted with the actor during production.
Timeline
2026 Toronto International Film Festival: I Play Rocky premieres to positive reviews.
Ahead of Thanksgiving weekend: limited-run gross estimated to rise.
November 20: I Play Rocky goes wide in theaters.
Season Trajectory
At 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, I Play Rocky edges past Creed III's 95% audience score, the previous high among Rocky movies. The result positions the film as a possible dark horse in the current awards season.
Moviegoers can see I Play Rocky in theaters starting November 20 as it moves from limited release to wide release. The expansion gives viewers across the country the chance to see the film on the big screen.
The takeaway
The film's strong audience reception shows that a biographical comedy about a beloved franchise can connect with viewers. Those interested can watch for its wide release beginning November 20.
What happens next
I Play Rocky expands to wide release in theaters on November 20.
Further reading
Explore more on Comedy to see how this film fits into the wider genre landscape.
Live Poll
Would you go see the Rocky biopic I Play Rocky in theaters?
