The Rocky Statue is a bronze sculpture of Rocky Balboa at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia. It was created by A. Thomas Schomberg for Rocky III (1982) and over time became one of the most recognisable film monuments in the United States. After years of debate over whether it belonged at the museum, the statue spent time at different sites before becoming permanently associated with the museum steps area. In 2026, Philadelphia’s tourism authority noted that the statue had been moved to the top of the Rocky Steps, while the original statue was temporarily displayed inside the museum for the Rising Up exhibition before its permanent installation there.
The Rocky Statue appears in Rocky III (1982), Rocky V (1990), Philadelphia (1993), Creed II (2018), and several later Rocky-related screen works and promotional features. Its most direct on-screen use is in Rocky III, for which it was originally commissioned, but the statue has also been brought back into later productions as a visual symbol of Rocky Balboa and of Philadelphia itself.
In Rocky III (1982), the statue is unveiled at the top of the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps as a public tribute to Rocky Balboa. This is the film for which the sculpture was created, and the unveiling scene gives the statue its original place in the series.
In Rocky V (1990), the statue was returned to the museum steps for filming and appears again as part of Rocky’s connection to Philadelphia and his own public legacy.
In Philadelphia (1993), the statue was again placed at the top of the steps during filming. Its appearance links the film to one of the city’s best-known cinematic landmarks.
In Creed II (2018), the statue appears as part of the continuing Rocky and Creed screen geography of Philadelphia, where it functions as a recognisable landmark tied to Rocky’s legacy. Philadelphia tourism material includes the statue among the key Rocky and Creed locations in the city.
Rocky III
Rocky III was shot across several American cities, but Philadelphia remains its centre, where the Philadelphia Museum of Art is the most famous location.
Philadelphia Museum of Art Steps
Philadelphia Museum of Art Steps appear most famously in Rocky (1976), and later returned in several other Rocky and Creed films. They also appear in Shazam.
Eastern State Penitentiary
As a filming location, Eastern State Penitentiary is used in three feature films: 12 Monkeys, Return to Paradise, and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.
Hook & Ladder 8
Hook & Ladder Company 8 appears in the Ghostbusters franchise, Hitch (2005), Seinfeld, and How I Met Your Mother.
Joe’s Pizza
Joe’s Pizza appears in Spider-Man 2 (2004), Seinfeld (1989–1998), Along Came Polly (2004), and Sex and the City. It is most famous on screen from Spider-Man 2, but in Seinfeld it is also used as Paisano’s Pizza.
Tacombi Nolita
Tacombi Nolita appears in The Jim Gaffigan Show (2015–2016). It is in Season 2, Episode 3, “Ugly,” and places the scene at 267 Elizabeth Street.
Katz’s Delicatessen
Katz’s Delicatessen appears in When Harry Met Sally… , Donnie Brasco, Across the Universe, We Own the Night, and The Jim Gaffigan Show (2015–2016).
Empire Diner
Empire Diner appears in both film and television, including Manhattan, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Men in Black II, Law & Order, and many more.
Peter McManus Cafe
Peter McManus Cafe appears in Highlander, Radio Days, Keeping the Faith, The Other Guys, Seinfeld, Law & Order, Saturday Night Live, and Broad City.
Pete’s Tavern
Pete’s Tavern appears in Two for the Seesaw (1962), Seinfeld (1989–1998), Rounders (1998), Sex and the City (1998–2004), and several other productions.
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