Creed III

In 2002, Los Angeles, Adonis "Donnie" Creed sneaks out with his best friend and brother type figure, Golden Gloves champion "Diamond" Dame Anderson, to watch him compete in an underground boxing match. After Dame's victory, he tells Donnie about his aspirations to turn professional and become a world champion. During a detour at a liquor store, Donnie impulsively attacks a man named Leon, and Dame is arrested while Donnie escapes, running away from the scene.

In the present day, six years after beating Viktor Drago and three years after beating Ricky Conlan to avenge his only career defeat, Donnie has retired from boxing to focus on his wife Bianca and their 6-year-old daughter Amara, whose hearing impairment has since led the family to become fluent in American Sign Language. Donnie runs the Delphi Boxing Academy with Tony "Little Duke" Evers Jr. and is promoting his protégé, world champion Felix "El Guerrero" Chavez, in a match against Viktor Drago. While the two watch the declining health of Donnie's adoptive mother Mary-Anne, Amara aspires to become a boxer like Donnie, which gets her into trouble at school when she punches a bully.

Released from prison, Dame reconnects with Donnie and shares his desire to resume his boxing career. Donnie reluctantly invites Dame to the gym, and hires him as Chavez's sparring partner, but his presence draws scorn from Chavez and Duke as Dame is overly aggressive and hostile. Dame later visits Donnie's home, where he meets his family and recounts their time together at a group home, a story that Bianca had never heard. Privately, Dame asks for a title shot against Chavez, but Donnie declines. After Drago is attacked by an unknown assailant at a party for Bianca's record label, which casts doubt on his ability to participate in his upcoming fight, Donnie nominates Dame as Drago's replacement. Despite it being his first professional bout, Dame manages to win the unified heavyweight championship by implementing dirty tactics such as a knee and elbow, as well as targeting Chavez's shoulder, which Dame had intentionally damaged during one of their sparring sessions.

Following the match, an uneasy Donnie visits Mary-Anne, who shows him letters Dame had written to Donnie while in prison that she kept from him due to her believing that he was a bad influence. One letter contains a picture showing Dame with a fellow inmate that Donnie recognizes as Drago's assailant. Realizing that Dame planned the attack, Donnie confronts him, and Dame admits that he manipulated him into getting the title shot. Donnie is unable to open up to Bianca about his guilt over Dame, who revels in his newfound fame and publicly slanders Donnie as a fraud who turned his back on him.

Mary-Anne suffers another stroke and dies. After her funeral, Donnie confesses to Bianca about the night of Dame's arrest, revealing Leon to be the abusive caregiver in their group home before he was adopted. After Donnie attacked Leon at the liquor store, the ensuing brawl with Leon's friends caused Dame to brandish a gun. After Dame was arrested, Donnie never contacted Dame out of guilt.

Encouraged by Bianca, Donnie decides to come out of retirement and challenges Dame for the championship, which he accepts. After training with Duke and a recovered Drago, Donnie faces Dame in the "Battle of Los Angeles" at Dodger Stadium. The fight is a grueling, evenly-matched affair. In the final round, Donnie has visions of his abusive foster home and Dame's life in jail, which leads to Donnie being knocked down. He manages to just beat the count, then goes on to knock Dame out and regain the championship. Afterward, Donnie reconciles with Dame, with both men admitting it was not the other's fault. Donnie joins Bianca and Amara in the ring in the empty stadium, where he pretends to box with Amara. As Donnie and his family leave the ring, he looks out on to the empty Dodger Stadium.

{{see also|List of Rocky characters}}

{{div col}}

• Michael B. Jordan as Adonis "Donnie" Creed (né Johnson)
• Thaddeus J. Mixon as the 15-year-old Johnson
• Tessa Thompson as Bianca Taylor-Creed
• Jonathan Majors as Damian "Diamond Dame" Anderson
• Spence Moore II as the 18-year-old Anderson
• Wood Harris as Tony "Little Duke" Evers
• Mila Davis-Kent as Amara Creed
• Florian Munteanu as Viktor Drago
• Phylicia Rashad as Mary Anne Creed
• José Benavidez Jr. as Felix Chavez
• Selenis Leyva as Laura Chavez
• Anthony Bellew as "Pretty" Ricky Conlan{{Cite web |last=Massotto |first=Erick |date=October 18, 2022 |title=Creed III Trailer Highlights Michael B. Jordan and Jonathan Majors' Rivalry |url=https://collider.com/creed-3-trailer-michael-b-jordan-jonathan-majors/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018230335/https://collider.com/creed-3-trailer-michael-b-jordan-jonathan-majors/ |archive-date=October 18, 2022 |access-date=October 19, 2022 |website=Collider}}

{{div col end}}

Additionally, Barry Pepper provides the narration for the televised "Anderson v Chavez" promo. Sports television personality Stephen A. Smith, news anchor Jessica Holmes, boxer Canelo Álvarez and his wife Fernanda Gómez, and singer Kehlani make cameo appearances as themselves. Also appearing as themselves are: boxing referees Kenny Bayless, Russell Mora and Tony Weeks; ring announcers Jimmy Lennon Jr. and David Diamante; and broadcasters Todd Grisham, Jessica McCaskill, Al Bernstein, Mauro Ranallo, and Christopher Mannix. Michael B. Jordan's father, Michael A. Jordan, also cameos as a Golden Gloves referee. Boxer Terence Crawford also appears as a sparring partner.

In December 2018, in response to the suggestion that Deontay Wilder could play the son of Clubber Lang in a potential sequel to Creed II (2018), Sylvester Stallone and Michael B. Jordan expressed interest.{{Cite web |date=December 26, 2018 |title=Michael B. Jordan Clubber Lang's Son in Creed 3? ... I Like It! |url=https://www.tmz.com/2018/12/26/michael-b-jordan-creed-3-deontay-wilder-clubber-lang/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028220049/https://www.tmz.com/2018/12/26/michael-b-jordan-creed-3-deontay-wilder-clubber-lang/ |archive-date=October 28, 2020 |access-date=January 16, 2021 |website=TMZ Sports}}{{Cite web |last=Benjamin |first=Cody |date=December 13, 2018 |title=Sylvester Stallone says Deontay Wilder could play Clubber Lang's son in Creed III |url=https://www.cbssports.com/boxing/news/sylvester-stallone-says-deontay-wilder-could-play-clubber-langs-son-in-creed-iii/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518211828/https://www.cbssports.com/boxing/news/sylvester-stallone-says-deontay-wilder-could-play-clubber-langs-son-in-creed-iii/ |archive-date=May 18, 2020 |access-date=April 12, 2020 |website=CBS Sports |publisher=ViacomCBS}} In September 2019, Jordan confirmed that Creed III was officially in active development.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ontvN-rEW38 |title=Michael B. Jordan Teases Creed III |date=2019-07-06 |publisher=ET Canada |access-date=2021-02-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107121144/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ontvN-rEW38 |archive-date=2020-11-07 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}}

In February 2020, Zach Baylin was announced as screenwriter, with Jordan confirmed to reprise his role as Adonis Creed.{{Cite web |last=Galuppo |first=Mia |date=February 25, 2020 |title=Creed 3 Taps 'King Richard' Writer (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/creed-3-taps-king-richard-writer-zach-baylin-1281094 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225205647/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/creed-3-taps-king-richard-writer-zach-baylin-1281094 |archive-date=February 25, 2020 |access-date=February 25, 2020 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}} In October 2020, it was reported that Jordan would reprise his role of Adonis Creed and make his directorial debut in Creed III.{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |date=October 24, 2020 |title=Don't Hold Your Breath Waiting To See 007 Film No Time To Die On Streamer As Cursory Talks Died Quickly |url=https://deadline.com/2020/10/james-bond-no-time-to-die-streamer-talks-died-quickly-1234602960/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024201342/https://deadline.com/2020/10/james-bond-no-time-to-die-streamer-talks-died-quickly-1234602960/ |archive-date=October 24, 2020 |access-date=October 24, 2020 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}{{Cite web |last=Gemmill |first=Allie |date=2020-10-24 |title=Will Michael B. Jordan Make His Directorial Debut With Creed 3? |url=https://collider.com/creed-3-michael-b-jordan-director/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025095139/https://collider.com/creed-3-michael-b-jordan-director/ |archive-date=October 25, 2020 |access-date=2020-10-24 |website=Collider}}{{Cite web |last=Ilyas |first=Xavier |date=October 24, 2020 |title=Michael B. Jordan Reportedly Set to Star & Direct Creed 3 |url=https://screenrant.com/creed-3-movie-michael-b-jordan-direct-rocky/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129095717/https://screenrant.com/creed-3-movie-michael-b-jordan-direct-rocky/ |archive-date=November 29, 2020 |access-date=February 9, 2021 |website=Screen Rant}} Producers had expressed interest in having Jordan serve as director, with Irwin Winkler stating that he had personally offered the position to the actor.{{Cite web |last=Ellis |first=Philip |date=September 6, 2019 |title=Michael B. Jordan Got an Offer to Direct Creed III If and When It Happens |url=https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/a28938206/michael-b-jordan-might-direct-creed-3/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126123617/https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/a28938206/michael-b-jordan-might-direct-creed-3/ |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |access-date=February 9, 2021 |website=Men's Health}} In April 2021, Stallone announced he was not cast in the film.{{Cite web |last=Bumbray |first=Chris |date=April 5, 2021 |title=Creed 3: Sylvester Stallone's Rocky sitting this round out? |url=https://www.joblo.com/movie-news/creed-3-sylvester-stallone-rocky |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405194513/https://www.joblo.com/movie-news/creed-3-sylvester-stallone-rocky |archive-date=April 5, 2021 |access-date=April 5, 2021 |website=JoBlo.com}} By June 2021, Jonathan Majors entered talks to portray Adonis's new adversary.{{Cite web |last=Vlessing |first=Etan |date=June 2, 2021 |title=Jonathan Majors in Talks to Join Michael B. Jordan in MGM's Creed III |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/jonathan-majors-michael-b-jordan-mgms-creed-iii-1234961974/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602180019/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/jonathan-majors-michael-b-jordan-mgms-creed-iii-1234961974/ |archive-date=June 2, 2021 |access-date=August 20, 2021 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}} In November 2021, it was officially confirmed that Majors was cast.{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Angelique |date=2021-11-04 |title=Jonathan Majors on The Harder They Fall, Creed and His MCU Future as Kang the Conqueror |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/features/jonathan-majors-the-harder-they-fall-kang-creed-1235104429/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104202334/https://variety.com/2021/film/features/jonathan-majors-the-harder-they-fall-kang-creed-1235104429/ |archive-date=November 4, 2021 |access-date=November 6, 2021 |website=Variety}} In April 2022, it was announced that Wood Harris and Florian Munteanu would reprise their roles from previous Creed films, and Selenis Leyva, Thaddeus J. Mixson, Spence Moore II, and Mila Davis-Kent joined the cast.{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Angelique |date=April 7, 2022 |title=MGM's Creed III Casts Selenis Leyva, Thaddeus J. Mixson, Spence Moore II and Mila Davis-Kent (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/creed-3-selenis-leyva-thaddeus-j-mixson-spence-moore-ii-mila-davis-kent-1235227169/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901174954/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/creed-3-selenis-leyva-thaddeus-j-mixson-spence-moore-ii-mila-davis-kent-1235227169/ |archive-date=September 1, 2022 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |website=Variety}} In September 2022, Mexican boxer Canelo Álvarez was cast in as a cameo.{{Cite web |last=Pattle |first=Alex |date=September 16, 2022 |title=Boxing champion Canelo Alvarez to star in Creed 3, Michael B Jordan reveals |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/boxing/canelo-creed-3-cast-michael-b-jordan-b2168999.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220917035031/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/boxing/canelo-creed-3-cast-michael-b-jordan-b2168999.html |archive-date=September 17, 2022 |access-date=September 17, 2022 |website=The Independent}}

Stallone expressed distaste for the darker direction the filmmakers wanted to take the film in, stating: "That's a regretful situation because I know what it could have been. It was taken in a direction that is quite different than I would've taken it. It's a different philosophy — Irwin Winkler's and Michael B. Jordan's. I wish them well, but I'm much more of a sentimentalist. I like my heroes getting beat up, but I just don't want them going into that dark space. I just feel people have enough darkness."{{Cite web |last=Hibberd |first=James |date=2022-11-07 |title=Sylvester Stallone Gets Candid About Career, Regrets, Feuds: "I Thought I Knew Everything" |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/feature/sylvester-stallone-interview-rocky-rambo-tulsa-king-1235254384/ |access-date=2024-02-11 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}} He eventually refused to see the film when it was released due to the involvement of producer Irwin Winkler, whom Stallone has called a "parasite" for "picking clean the bones" of characters he (Stallone) created. Winkler purchased the rights for the Rocky character from Stallone in 1976.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-19 |title=Sylvester Stallone Explains Why He Will 'Never' Watch 'Creed III' |url=https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/a42008229/sylvester-stallone-explains-why-he-will-never-watch-creed-iii/ |access-date=2024-02-11 |website=Men's Health |language=en-US}} Jordan meanwhile wanted to explore Adonis' early life & backstory.{{Cite magazine |last=Mannix |first=Chris |date=2023-03-03 |title=Michael B. Jordan Q&A: Why Sylvester Stallone Isn't in 'Creed III' |url=https://www.si.com/boxing/2023/03/03/creed-iii-michael-b-jordan-director-rocky-franchise-sylvester-stallone |access-date=2024-02-11 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en-us}}

Principal photography began in late January 2022, and Jordan was seen on the set in Atlanta, Georgia.{{Cite web |last=Fuge |first=Jonathan |date=2022-01-20 |title=Creed 3 Production Begins as Michael B. Jordan is Spotted on Set |url=https://movieweb.com/creed-3-production-begins/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120155940/https://movieweb.com/creed-3-production-begins/ |archive-date=January 20, 2022 |access-date=2022-01-22 |website=MovieWeb |language=en-US}} Kramer Morgenthau returned as the cinematographer for the film, after having done so for Creed II.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}} The film was partially shot on IMAX-certified Sony CineAlta Venice cameras and the Panavision anamorphic format, making this the first film in the series, and the first sports film in history, to do so.{{cite web |last=Hellerman |first=Jason |date=December 19, 2022 |title=Go Behind The Scenes of Creed III in IMAX |url=https://nofilmschool.com/go-behind-scenes-creed-iii-imax |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221220041757/https://nofilmschool.com/go-behind-scenes-creed-iii-imax |archive-date=December 20, 2022 |access-date=February 24, 2022 |website=No Film School}} Filming later ended on April 6, 2022.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}

Jordan said the fight choreography was heavy influenced by anime series such as Megalobox, Naruto Shippuden, Hajime No Ippo, and Dragon Ball Z.{{Cite web |last=Egan |first=Toussaint |date=2023-02-28 |title=For Michael B. Jordan, Creed III{{'s}} anime influence goes way beyond the fights |url=https://www.polygon.com/23617380/michael-b-jordan-creed-3-interview-anime |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228220000/https://www.polygon.com/23617380/michael-b-jordan-creed-3-interview-anime |archive-date=February 28, 2023 |website=Polygon |access-date=2023-02-28 }}{{cite web |last=Sancheti |first=Pragya |date=2023-02-27 |title={{'}}From Hajime no Ippo, to Megalo Box, to Naruto, to My Hero Academia{{'}}: Michael B. Jordan Reveals Creed 3 Fight Scenes Are Straight Up Anime-Inspired |url=https://fandomwire.com/from-hajime-no-ippo-to-megalo-box-to-naruto-to-my-hero-academia-michael-b-jordan-reveals-creed-3-fight-scenes-are-straight-up-anime-inspired/ |website=FandomWire|access-date=February 17, 2023 }}

In May 2022, the final writing credits were officiated. Ryan Coogler (director and co-writer of Creed, executive producer on Creed II, and producer on Creed III) received story credit with Keenan Coogler and Baylin, and the latter two received screenplay credit.{{Cite web |date=25 May 2022 |title=Creed III |url=https://directories.wga.org/project/1203957/creed-iii |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220111212/https://directories.wga.org/project/1203957/creed-iii |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |access-date=10 June 2022 |website=Writers Guild of America West}} Tyler Nelson and Jessica Baclesse served as co-editors.{{Cite web |last=Kelley |first=Aidan |date=October 11, 2022 |title=Creed III: Final Trailer, Release Date, and Everything You Need to Know About Michael B. Jordan's Directorial Debut |url=https://collider.com/creed-3-cast-release-date-michael-b-jordan-directorial-debut/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019031912/https://collider.com/creed-3-cast-release-date-michael-b-jordan-directorial-debut/ |archive-date=October 19, 2022 |access-date=October 19, 2022 |website=Collider}}

{{Main|Creed III (soundtrack)}}

In October 2022, it was announced that composer Joseph Shirley would score Creed III. Shirley was previously part of Ludwig Göransson's team scoring the first two films in the series, as a technical score engineer and score programmer.{{cite web |date=2022-10-17 |title=Joseph Shirley Scoring Michael B. Jordan's Creed III |url=http://filmmusicreporter.com/2022/10/17/joseph-shirley-scoring-michael-b-jordans-creed-3/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303203958/http://filmmusicreporter.com/2022/10/17/joseph-shirley-scoring-michael-b-jordans-creed-3/ |archive-date=March 3, 2023 |access-date=March 3, 2023 |website=Film Music Reporter}} On November 20, 2022, Jordan announced that J. Cole and Dreamville executive produced the soundtrack.{{cite web |last=Shifferaw |first=Abel |date=2022-11-20 |title=Michael B. Jordan Exclusively Announces at ComplexCon That Dreamville Is Executive Producing Creed III Soundtrack |url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/michael-b-jordan-dreamville-executive-produce-creed-iii-soundtrack |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303203956/https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/michael-b-jordan-dreamville-executive-produce-creed-iii-soundtrack |archive-date=March 3, 2023 |access-date=March 3, 2023 |website=Complex}}{{cite web |last=Bustard |first=Andy |date=November 21, 2022 |title=J. Cole's Dreamville To Executive Produce Creed III Soundtrack |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/j-cole-dreamville-creed-3-soundtrack-executive-produce |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303203938/https://hiphopdx.com/news/j-cole-dreamville-creed-3-soundtrack-executive-produce |archive-date=March 3, 2023 |access-date=March 3, 2023 |website=HipHopDX}}

Creed III premiered in Mexico City on February 9, 2023,{{Cite Instagram|postid=CofS2X3DeRH|user=michaelbjordan|title=Mexico City, thank you for being the first place #Creed3 premiered. I'll never forget this night! & thank you for the birthday wishes. 🥳 🎂|date=2023-02-10|author-link=Michael B. Jordan|access-date=2023-02-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211060254/https://www.instagram.com/p/CofS2X3DeRH/|archive-date=2023-02-11|url-status=live}} and was released in the United States on March 3. It was originally scheduled to be theatrically released on November 23, 2022, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM) in the United States, and Warner Bros. Pictures internationally (excluding the Nordics),{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |date=March 10, 2021 |title=Michael B. Jordan Ready To Fight For New Title As Director Of Creed III; MGM Dates Film For Thanksgiving 2022 |url=https://deadline.com/2021/03/michael-b-jordan-director-creed-3-film-mgm-1234711695/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310221608/https://deadline.com/2021/03/michael-b-jordan-director-creed-3-film-mgm-1234711695/ |archive-date=March 10, 2021 |access-date=March 10, 2021 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} but on July 28, it was delayed to March 3.{{Cite web |last=Treese |first=Tyler |date=July 28, 2022 |title=Creed III Delayed to 2023, New Release Date Set |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1232799-creed-iii-delayed-to-2023-new-release-date-set |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220728214907/https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1232799-creed-iii-delayed-to-2023-new-release-date-set |archive-date=July 28, 2022 |access-date=July 28, 2022 |website=ComingSoon.net}}

It is the first MGM film to not be distributed by United Artists Releasing after Amazon shut down the distributor's operations and folded it into MGM.

Creed III was released on premium video-on-demand services on April 1, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Jordan |date=April 1, 2023 |title=How to watch Creed III: Michael B. Jordan's critically acclaimed sports drama is now available online |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/streaming/how-to-watch-creed-iii |access-date=April 1, 2023 |website=Business Insider}} The film was released for Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K UHD on May 23, 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.dvdsreleasedates.com/movies/10605/creed-iii|title=Creed III DVD Release Date|website=www.dvdsreleasedates.com|access-date=May 4, 2023}}

Creed III grossed $156.2 million in the United States and Canada, and $119.9 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $276.1 million.

In the United States and Canada, Creed III was released alongside Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Swordsmith Village and Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre, was projected to gross $38–40 million from 4,007 theaters in its opening weekend.{{cite web |last=Robbins |first=Shawn |date=March 1, 2023 |title=Weekend Box Office Forecast: Creed III, Demon Slayer: To the Swordsmith Village, and Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre Kick Off A Promising March |url=https://www.boxofficepro.com/weekend-box-office-forecast-creed-iii-demon-slayer-to-the-swordsmith-village-and-operation-fortune-ruse-de-guerre-kick-off-a-very-promising-march/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306012250/https://www.boxofficepro.com/weekend-box-office-forecast-creed-iii-demon-slayer-to-the-swordsmith-village-and-operation-fortune-ruse-de-guerre-kick-off-a-very-promising-march/ |archive-date=March 6, 2023 |access-date=March 3, 2023 |website=Box Office Pro}} The film made $22 million on its first day, including $5.45 million from Wednesday and Thursday night previews (the best total of the trilogy), increasing estimates to $50 million. The weekend totaled $58.7 million, topping the box office.{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=March 5, 2023 |title=MGM's Creed III $58M+ Franchise Record Opening A Gamechanger For Amazon Studios – Sunday Box Office |url=https://deadline.com/2023/03/box-office-creed-iii-michael-b-jordan-2-1235277748/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304232150/https://deadline.com/2023/03/box-office-creed-iii-michael-b-jordan-2-1235277748/ |archive-date=March 4, 2023 |access-date=March 5, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} The film made $27.3 million in its sophomore weekend, finishing second behind newcomer Scream VI,{{cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=March 12, 2023 |title=Scream VI Even Louder With $44M+ Franchise Opening Record, Creed III Punching $101M+ – Sunday Box Office |url=https://deadline.com/2023/03/box-office-scream-vi-2-1235284781/ |access-date=March 12, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} and then $15.3 million in its third weekend finishing in third place behind Scream VI and newcomer Shazam! Fury of the Gods.{{cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=March 19, 2023 |title=Shazam! Fury Of The Gods Doesn't Fly With Moviegoers At $30M Opening: Here's Why – Sunday Box Office |url=https://deadline.com/2023/03/shazam-fury-of-the-gods-box-office-bomb-1235303827/ |access-date=March 19, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}

{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|88|7.1|338|Stepping out from Rocky Balboa's iconic shadow at last, the Creed franchise reasserts its champion status thanks to star Michael B. Jordan's punchy direction and a nuanced heel turn by Jonathan Majors.}}{{cite web |title=Creed III (2023) |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/creed_iii |access-date=September 15, 2023 |work=Rotten Tomatoes}} {{Metacritic film prose |score=73|count=62}}{{cite web |title=Creed III Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/creed-iii?ref=hp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224140801/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/creed-iii?ref=hp |archive-date=February 24, 2023 |access-date=March 25, 2023 |work=Metacritic}} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A–" on an A+ to F scale, while those polled by PostTrak gave it a 92% positive score, with 80% saying they would definitely recommend it.

Lovia Gyarkye of The Hollywood Reporter praised the fighting sequences and said: "If we take its claims at face value, Creed III is a rousing success, a slick, cool and inspiring narrative about boxing's prince trying to defend his title and honor."{{Cite web |last=Gyarkye |first=Lovia |date=February 23, 2023 |title=Creed III Review: Michael B. Jordan-Directed Threequel Is Stronger on Style Than Narrative Sense |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/creed-iii-review-michael-b-jordan-jonathan-majors-1235332431/ |access-date=March 25, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}} Chicago Sun-Times{{'s}} Richard Roeper gave the film three out of four stars, writing "What makes Creed III a consistently engrossing watch is the gritty and violent back story, and the present-day tension between two former best friends whose lives were forever changed by a single confrontation that went sideways and who now have been reunited after nearly 20 years, with one man on top of the world and the other about two degrees from reaching the boiling point as he simmers with rage and resentment."{{Cite web |last=Roeper |first=Richard |author-link=Richard Roeper |date=February 28, 2023 |title=Creed III: Old friend has a score to settle with Adonis in engrossing boxing drama |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/movies-and-tv/2023/2/28/23617069/creed-iii-3-review-michael-b-jordan-movie-jonathan-majors |access-date=March 25, 2023 |website=Chicago Sun-Times}}

At the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards, Creed III was nominated for Best Performance in a Movie (Jordan).{{Cite web |last=Nordyke |first=Kimberly |date=May 7, 2023 |title=MTV Movie & TV Awards: Full List of Winners |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/mtv-movie-tv-awards-2023-winners-list-1235479868/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508014322/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/mtv-movie-tv-awards-2023-winners-list-1235479868/ |archive-date=May 8, 2023 |access-date=May 8, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}} It received a nomination for Best Viral Campaign for a Feature Film at the 2023 Golden Trailer Awards.{{Cite web |last=Tinoco |first=Armando |date=June 5, 2023 |title=Golden Trailer Awards Nominations List: Stranger Things, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Ted Lasso & Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery Among Most Nominated |url=https://deadline.com/2023/06/2023-golden-trailer-awards-nominations-list-1235408411/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605161252/https://deadline.com/2023/06/2023-golden-trailer-awards-nominations-list-1235408411/ |archive-date=June 5, 2023 |access-date=June 5, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}{{Cite web |last=Pedersen |first=Erik |date=June 29, 2023 |title=Golden Trailer Awards: Cocaine Bear, Only Murders In The Building & Oppenheimer Among Top Winners – Full List |url=https://deadline.com/2023/06/golden-trailer-awards-2023-winners-list-1235427612/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630063402/https://deadline.com/2023/06/golden-trailer-awards-2023-winners-list-1235427612/ |archive-date=June 30, 2023 |access-date=June 30, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} The film and Jordan was respectively nominated for Best Picture and Best Actor at the 6th Hollywood Critics Association Midseason Film Awards.{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Erik |date=June 30, 2023 |title=Hollywood Critics Association 2023 Midseason HCA Awards: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Past Lives, Air are Top Winners |url=https://awardswatch.com/hollywood-critics-association-2023-midseason-hca-awards-spider-man-across-the-spider-verse-past-lives-air-are-top-winners/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701114512/https://awardswatch.com/hollywood-critics-association-2023-midseason-hca-awards-spider-man-across-the-spider-verse-past-lives-air-are-top-winners/ |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |access-date=July 3, 2023 |website=AwardsWatch}} At the Black Reel Awards of 2024 the film received four nominations: Outstanding Director and Outstanding Lead Performance to Jordan, Outstanding Supporting Performance to Majors and Outstanding Soundtrack.{{Cite web |last=Complex |first=Valerie |date=December 15, 2023 |title=Black Reel Awards Nominations: 'The Color Purple' And 'Rustin' Dominate |url=https://deadline.com/2023/12/black-reel-awards-nominations-revealed-color-purple-and-rustin-dominate-nominations-1235669797/ |access-date=December 16, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}

On February 2, 2023, Jordan confirmed that a fourth Creed film was happening "for sure" and that spin-offs were also being considered.{{cite web |last=Valle |first=Ali |date=February 3, 2023 |title=Michael B. Jordan Confirms Creed 4, Talks Possibility of Spin-Off |url=https://movieweb.com/michael-b-jordan-creed-4-and-spin-off/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211193904/https://movieweb.com/michael-b-jordan-creed-4-and-spin-off/ |archive-date=February 11, 2023 |access-date=February 11, 2023 |website=MovieWeb}} When asked about the future of the Creed movie franchise in an interview with ScreenRant Plus, Jordan said: {{cquote|But you will see the Creed-verse continue to grow and expand. I think that we invested in some really interesting characters that I think a lot of people were responding to. I have to give a political answer to that. [laughs] There's going to be more of the Creed family, and there's gonna be more of some of the characters that you love from this movie. I just don't know what package it's going to be in yet.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgMgiE1IQpc |title=Michael B. Jordan Shares Directing Advice and Anime-Inspired Fights in Creed 3 |date=2023-03-01 |publisher=Screen Rant Plus |access-date=2023-03-09 |via=YouTube}}}}

In November 2023, producer Irwin Winkler confirmed that a fourth film was in active development, with Jordan returning as director.{{Cite web |last=Zee |first=Michaela |date=2023-11-19 |title=Michael B. Jordan to Direct 'Creed 4,' Says Producer Irwin Winkler |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/creed-4-michael-b-jordan-directing-1235799522/ |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} Jordan has also expressed interest in Stallone returning for a fourth film, believing there was always space for Rocky to return. In March 2025, Jordan told The Hollywood Reporter, "I would like to work with [Jonathan] Majors again. I would love to make Creed IV together — among other projects."{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/jonathan-majors-interview-trial-marvel-magazine-dreams-1236162848/|title=Jonathan Majors’ Moment of Truth|last=Keegan|first=Rebecca|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|date=March 14, 2025|access-date=March 14, 2025|language=en}}

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