The Toronto International Film Festival has come to a close, with the massive 11-day event offering audiences a range of movies, documentaries, and even TV shows. The global selection of over 200 titles appealed to both mainstream audiences and indie enthusiasts, with wide-releases coming to theaters soon as well as global cinema and independent films seeking distribution. There was absolutely something for everyone.
A notable part of TIFF is its ability to predict some of the titles that will contend during award season for Best Picture and other high accolades. The winners and runners-up of the TIFF People’s Choice Award are frequently nominated for the top Oscar, while a handful have won it outright. This year, three different streamers took the top three spots, including an inspiring title from Amazon MGM Studios. Here’s what you need to know about I Play Rocky and why it’s going to be around for many months to come.
- Release Date
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November 20, 2026
- Runtime
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127 minutes
- Director
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Peter Farrelly
Cast
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Anthony Ippolito
Sylvester Stallone
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Stephan James
Carl Weathers
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Matt Dillon
Frank Stallone Sr.
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AnnaSophia Robb
Sasha Czack
I Play Rocky is an inspirational Hollywood story
The true story follows a young Sylvester Stallone trying to make it big
From director Peter Farrelly, I Play Rocky is the most crowd-pleaser of all crowd-pleasing movies, filled with all the things that a portion of voting blocs love. The film follows the true underdog story of Sylvester Stallone, growing up poor with dreams of being a famous Hollywood star. Played by Anthony Ippolito, Stallone pens the screenplay of Rocky and, when he pitches it to studios, insists that he play the central character. As the title suggests, he bets on himself. And he wins.
Audiences know more or less how the story ends up, but this film is all about the journey rather than the destination. Just like the screenplay that would go on to be an iconic film that spurred countless sequels and spin-offs, I Play Rocky is also about a plucky afterthought determined to make waves, paralleling the Rocky film in spirit and tone. There is a great central performance paired with a lot of nostalgia, including references to notable moments in Rocky as well as montages. People love montages.
Still, critical reviews are mixed. While there are certainly enjoyable elements in the film, many critics take note of its rather light and fluffy nature. It seems pretty calculating in its efforts to be popular and fun, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing, but its sentiments may be fleeting. I already foresee plenty of arguments come January 2027 about this movie versus some more substantial and complicated stories that will also be nominated.
I Play Rocky earned second place in the TIFF Fan Choices awards, losing to the Spanish film La Bola Negra, while edging out Being Heumann in third place. Its success at TIFF gives it a great position ahead of the start of awards season, and it’s only one of many things playing in its favor. Hollywood loves a story about Hollywood, and that also puts I Play Rocky in the top tier as well. Hollywood also loves underdog stories, and the awards circuit already lauded Farrelly years ago with another film that pleases some crowds in Green Book.
All of that points to a film that, for better or worse, is going to be in the discourse for months to come. It seems destined to win Best Comedy at the Golden Globes.
How you can watch I Play Rocky
The true story will play in theaters before it hits streaming
I Play Rocky is getting a theatrical release during award season. It will have a limited release on November 6 followed by national availability two weeks later on November 20.
The film will eventually make its way to Prime Video, although Amazon may want to move it to its niche streamer, MGM+, in order to boost subscriptions there. At the moment, there is no specific streaming date. With an expected 90 days in theaters, the film is likely to drop on streaming in February. That will make it available to stream about a month ahead of the Academy Awards.
Other Film festival award buzz movies
Apple and Netflix have some popular titles coming soon
All three top picks from TIFF People’s Choice voting are likely to be around come awards season. La Bola Negra is Spain’s official entry for the Oscar’s Best International Feature Film category, joining a few other notable movies, including Minotaur (France), Possible Love (Korea), Coward (Belgium), and All of a Sudden (Japan) that all screened at TIFF and will be their country’s entry for the Academy Awards.
The third place film, Being Heumann, is also going to stick around. From Apple TV, this film by Coda director Sian Heder follows disability rights activist Judy Heumann as she and a group of dedicated Americans fight for access and support in the 1970s. The film is another crowd-pleaser with heart, charm, and truly inspiring stories. Notably, the film comprises disabled actors playing disabled characters, shown as nuanced, layered individuals rather than just clichés or stereotypes. The story touches on plenty of hardship and struggles, but champions dedication, diversity, and humanity.
Being Heumann is available to stream on Apple TV on Friday, November 13.
