Creed III | 2023 Movies RANKED - Episode 9

Follow along as RANKED reviews a new movie release every week of 2023, slowly compiling the best films of the year into a sacred hierarchical list.

Previous Episode RANKED List:
1. Infinity Pool
2. M3GAN
3. missing
4. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
5. Magic Mike’s Last Dance
6. Knock at the Cabin
7. Plane
8. Cocaine Bear

Creed three officially welcomes us to 2023 as we exit the obligatory doldrums of January and February. Finally, a real movie with real characters and drama and a clear theme we’re left to ponder: Regret, as an old friend of Adonis Creed comes back as an enemy looking to steal back the life he believes Creed stole from him.

It may not be as perfect as the first Creed, and it may not have the extreme dramatic highs and lows of the second Creed, but it certainly has the most interesting and unique nemesis of the Rocky/Creed franchise to date, leading to the ultimate message of the film:

Sometimes words are not enough. Sometimes when communication fails someone who can punch should aim their fist directly into the face of a dude that simply needs to get hit, a reminder that actions have consequences and so long as we live in a physical reality, “use your words” just doesn’t cut it.

Creed III may not be a list topper for the Rocky/Creed franchise or otherwise, but it certainly acts as a reminder that this franchise is always bringin it, and you should support it with your money and attention.