Iconic 'Rocky' Steps Scene Was Unplanned and Filmed Without Permit

The famous training montage in the 1976 hit film was an impromptu decision by Sylvester Stallone.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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In 1976, the film Rocky became a box office smash, grossing $225 million worldwide on a $1.1 million budget. One of the movie's most iconic scenes is the training montage where Rocky Balboa, played by Sylvester Stallone, runs up the 72 steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. However, Stallone recently revealed that the scene was completely unplanned and they filmed it without a permit, quickly setting up the shot before the police could arrive.

Why it matters

The Rocky steps have become a major tourist attraction in Philadelphia, with thousands of fans annually recreating the famous moment. Stallone's impromptu decision to film the scene has cemented it as one of the most memorable movie moments of all time, showcasing the scrappy determination of the title character.

The details

Stallone admitted he hadn't even thought about shooting a scene at the Philly landmark and didn't have a location permit. 'When I got to Philadelphia and did the movie Rocky, I wasn't even thinking about the steps. We didn't have any money to shoot there. We didn't have the license,' he told host Jimmy Fallon. 'I just got out of the car, I said, 'Let me just run up the steps, get a shot of it, and we'll get out of here before the police come.''

  • In 1976, Rocky became the top film of the year, grossing $225 million worldwide.
  • In 2025, Stallone appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and revealed the story behind the iconic steps scene.
  • Fifty years after the first Rocky film, the art museum steps remain a major tourist attraction in Philadelphia.

The players

Sylvester Stallone

The star of Rocky, who played the title character Rocky Balboa.

Rocky

The 1976 film that became the highest-grossing movie of the year, launching Stallone to stardom.

Philadelphia Museum of Art

The landmark location where the famous Rocky training montage scene was filmed.

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What they’re saying

“When I got to Philadelphia and did the movie Rocky, I wasn't even thinking about the steps. We didn't have any money to shoot there. We didn't have the license. I just got out of the car, I said, 'Let me just run up the steps, get a shot of it, and we'll get out of here before the police come.'”

— Sylvester Stallone (The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon)

“Ever since I was 10 years old, I've always been fascinated with steps. I felt like you could see the whole world from up there, which basically you're seeing your own future. It's like look, this is what I have to survive and surpass to make a life. The symbolism on those steps ...it's like unbelievable; it's like it's almost a pathway to your life. So that has always been an incredibly monumental image in my eyes. Plus it's so filled with challenges and symbolism, so people come, they're not running the Rocky steps, they're running like the steps of their life. Like, this is. If he can do it, I can do it.”

— Sylvester Stallone (The Philadelphia Inquirer)

The takeaway

Stallone's impromptu decision to film the iconic Rocky steps scene without a permit has cemented it as one of the most memorable movie moments of all time, showcasing the scrappy determination of the title character and inspiring fans to recreate the scene for decades.