I Play Rocky: Release Date, Cast, Reviews and Is It on Prime Video?
I Play Rocky is in theaters from 6 Nov 2026 (US wide 20 Nov), not on Prime Video yet. Cast, runtime, reviews, Stallone's reaction and streaming outlook.
I Play Rocky is in cinemas now, not on Prime Video. Amazon MGM Studios opened Peter Farrelly's film about how Sylvester Stallone got Rocky made in select US theaters on 6 November 2026, and it expands nationwide on 20 November. UK and Irish cinemas also have it from 6 November. Amazon hasn't announced when it will stream.
Below: where you can watch it right now, who plays whom (Anthony Ippolito as the young Stallone, Matt Dillon as his father), what critics are saying, how Stallone himself has reacted, and a realistic look at when it might come to Prime Video.
When does I Play Rocky come out?
| Where | Date | Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Int'l Film Festival | 12 Sep 2026 | World premiere | Wikipedia |
| United States | 6 Nov 2026 | Limited release ("select theaters") | Amazon, Rotten Tomatoes |
| United States | 20 Nov 2026 | Nationwide expansion | Wikipedia, CBR |
| UK & Ireland | 6 Nov 2026 | Cinemas (Entertainment Film Distributors) | Seen It |
| Prime Video | Not announced | Streaming | Amazon |
Wikipedia notes the US limited date was moved up from 13 November to 6 November. Amazon describes the release as arriving "nearly 50 years to the day" after the original Rocky debuted in 1976. Other countries have their own distributors and dates, so check local cinema listings. Amazon's own article tells readers to check their local Amazon site for availability.
Is I Play Rocky on Prime Video?
Not yet. I Play Rocky is a theatrical release, and Amazon's own guide doesn't list it as available on Prime Video. Neither Amazon MGM Studios nor Prime Video has announced a streaming or digital date.
What you can watch on Prime Video right now, according to Amazon, is the source material:
- The Rocky films are available to buy or rent on Prime Video, or to watch with an AMC+ subscription through Prime Video Channels.
- The Creed trilogy is available to buy or rent.
That's a useful warm-up if you haven't seen the 1976 original that the new film is about.
When will I Play Rocky stream? (Our estimate)
This is an estimate, not an announcement. Films that open in cinemas typically get an exclusive theatrical run first, then a paid digital rental or purchase, and only after that a subscription-streaming debut, and we'd expect the same pattern here. If you want to see I Play Rocky soon, go to a cinema. We'll update this page when Amazon gives a date.
Who is in the I Play Rocky cast?
Anthony Ippolito leads as the young Sylvester Stallone. Roles below are from the film's Wikipedia page (which also lists the full credits), checked against Rotten Tomatoes for the top-billed cast.
| Actor | Plays | Real-life role in the Rocky story |
|---|---|---|
| Anthony Ippolito | Sylvester Stallone | Writer and star of Rocky |
| AnnaSophia Robb | Sasha Czack | Stallone's then-wife |
| Matt Dillon | Frank Stallone Sr. | Stallone's father |
| P.J. Byrne | Irwin Winkler | Rocky producer |
| Toby Kebbell | Robert Chartoff | Rocky producer |
| Jay Duplass | John G. Avildsen | Rocky director |
| Stephan James | Carl Weathers | Played Apollo Creed |
| Kiki Seto | Talia Shire | Played Adrian |
| Robert Morgan | Burgess Meredith | Played Mickey |
| Tracy Letts | Sandy Maddox | A composite United Artists executive (not a real single person) |
| Rob Demery | Joe Frazier | Boxer |
Behind the camera: directed by Peter Farrelly (the Oscar winner behind Green Book) from a script by Peter Gamble. Producers include Toby Emmerich, Christian Baha and Farrelly, with Fireside Films and Baha Productions.
What is I Play Rocky about?
Amazon describes it as the story of an unknown Sylvester Stallone who fights to bring his vision of Rocky to the screen and to play the lead himself. He hears "no" at every turn and bets everything on himself. The title comes from Stallone's insistence, as CBR's review puts it, that "I play Rocky." The studio wanted the script, and Stallone wanted to be the actor who played the role.
How long is I Play Rocky, and what is it rated?
- Runtime: 2 hours 8 minutes (128 minutes) per Wikipedia and Rotten Tomatoes. CBR lists 127 minutes.
- US rating: PG-13 for brief sexual material, strong language and smoking (per Rotten Tomatoes).
- UK rating: Wikipedia's references list a BBFC 12A.
Is I Play Rocky good? What critics say
The reviews are good, with some reservations. As of 6 November 2026:
| Aggregator | Score | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Rotten Tomatoes (Tomatometer) | 88% | 76 reviews |
| Metacritic (Metascore) | 67 ("generally favorable") | 27 critic reviews: 21 positive, 4 mixed, 2 negative |
| Rotten Tomatoes audience (Popcornmeter) | No score yet | Fewer than 50 verified ratings |
Most critics praise Anthony Ippolito's performance as Stallone. The Wall Street Journal (as excerpted on Metacritic) called the film an "impeccable combination of lightness and soul" and warned readers: "You're gonna cry now." On the other side, ScreenDaily called it an "uninventive crowd pleaser" (per Wikipedia), and CBR's review says "Farrelly takes the safe road." Festival audiences liked it more than some critics did. It was runner-up for the People's Choice Award at TIFF 2026 and won the Audience Choice Award at Cinéfest Sudbury, according to Wikipedia.
What did Sylvester Stallone say about I Play Rocky?
At first Stallone didn't seem to be on board. According to Wikipedia, in September 2025 he said he hadn't been contacted about the film, and Farrelly disputed that, saying he had Stallone's approval. Stallone later sounded warmer. In an Instagram post that reshared the trailer, reported by JoBlo, he wrote:
"Every story has a beginning and I'm excited to see this one brought to life." … "Congratulations to the cast and crew of I Play Rocky. Keep punching."
We found plenty of press coverage of the TIFF premiere, but no fan threads (on Reddit or elsewhere) that we could verify and link to, so we're not quoting audience reactions. From search trends, these are the questions moviegoers are asking: where to watch it, showtimes near me, is it on Prime Video, and is it worth seeing in theaters.
The making of I Play Rocky: a timeline
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| May 2024 | Project announced: Farrelly to direct, Gamble to write |
| Aug 2025 | Anthony Ippolito cast as Stallone. Amazon MGM signs on for US distribution |
| Sep 2025 | Stallone says he hadn't been contacted. Farrelly disputes it |
| Oct 2025 | Robb, Dillon and James cast. Filming starts 15 October in New York, Philadelphia and Los Angeles |
| 12 Sep 2026 | World premiere at TIFF |
| 20 Sep 2026 | TIFF People's Choice runner-up |
| 6 Nov 2026 | US limited release and UK/Ireland release |
| 20 Nov 2026 | US nationwide expansion |
Timeline compiled from Wikipedia, Amazon and the release sources below.
How to watch I Play Rocky right now
- US: look up showtimes for "I Play Rocky" on your cinema chain's site or app. Until 20 November it's only in select theaters, so most people will have more options from 20 November.
- UK & Ireland: it's in cinemas from 6 November through Entertainment Film Distributors.
- Elsewhere: check local listings. Release dates and distributors vary by country.
- To stream later: add it to your Prime Video Watchlist once a page appears, and check back here. We'll post the date when Amazon announces it.
Editor's take
I Play Rocky is an important test for Amazon MGM. Amazon is trying to show it can open adult-skewing films in cinemas instead of sending everything straight to Prime Video, and this release is built for word of mouth: a limited opening, then a wide one two weeks later, right before Thanksgiving. Strong festival audience awards and a high-80s Tomatometer give it a reasonable chance. If you're in a market with a cinema release, the intended way to see it is on a big screen, and you'll likely be waiting a while if you hold out for Prime Video. Meanwhile, the originals are on Prime Video (buy/rent or AMC+), and our James Bond streaming guide shows how Amazon handles another MGM library franchise.
FAQ
Is I Play Rocky on Amazon Prime?
No, not yet. It's in theaters only. Amazon hasn't announced a Prime Video or digital release date.
When does I Play Rocky come out?
6 November 2026 in select US theaters and in UK/Irish cinemas. It expands across the US on 20 November 2026.
Where can I watch I Play Rocky?
In cinemas. In the US it's in select theaters until the nationwide expansion on 20 November.
Who plays Stallone in I Play Rocky?
Anthony Ippolito plays the young Sylvester Stallone. Matt Dillon plays his father, Frank Stallone Sr.
Who directed I Play Rocky?
Peter Farrelly, the Oscar-winning director of Green Book. Peter Gamble wrote the script.
How long is I Play Rocky?
About 2 hours 8 minutes (128 minutes). It's rated PG-13 in the US.
Is I Play Rocky a true story?
Yes. It dramatises how Stallone wrote Rocky and fought to star in it. Some characters are composites, such as Tracy Letts's United Artists executive, according to Wikipedia.
Did Sylvester Stallone approve I Play Rocky?
It's disputed. In 2025 Stallone said he hadn't been contacted, while Farrelly said he had Stallone's approval. Stallone later congratulated the cast and crew on Instagram.
More from Prime Video and Amazon MGM: Campus Drivers: cast, books and where to watch · The Greatest: the Muhammad Ali series · New on Prime Video in November 2026
Sources
- About Amazon: How to watch 'I Play Rocky'
- Wikipedia: I Play Rocky
- Rotten Tomatoes: I Play Rocky
- Metacritic: I Play Rocky reviews
- CBR: I Play Rocky review
- Seen It: I Play Rocky gets UK release date
- JoBlo: Sylvester Stallone gives his thoughts on I Play Rocky
Featured image: Anthony Ippolito as the young Sylvester Stallone in I Play Rocky. Official Amazon MGM Studios still via About Amazon. Source