20 Movies Where The Hero Winning DIDN'T Matter

10. Rocky IV

Sylvester Stallone's Rocky Balboa is as iconic as sporting movie characters can get, as the original in 1976 told a story of a true underdog that resonates as strongly now, 50 years later, as it did back then. As his success grew however, it no longer became about merely taking part.

The journey of the storytelling throughout the Rocky franchise is quite an ironic one, as it didn't matter that the Italian Stallion lost in the original film, while nine years later in Rocky IV, it didn't matter that he won.

After fighting Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) twice, and Clubber Lang (Mr. T) in Rocky III, the fourth film became more personal than ever. In what should have been an exhibition bout, Dolph Lundgren's Ivan Drago killed Apollo Creed in the ring, resulting in Rocky challenging the monster to a fight in Russia, in order to avenge his fallen friend.

Of course, Rocky ultimately won, and Apollo was avenged to a degree, but honestly what would have been different had he lost? That's the thing with revenge flicks, in that success is never going to achieve what the protagonist truly wants it to. Apollo couldn't be brought back, there were no professional stakes since the fight was unsanctioned, and it was driven by pride, grief, and anger, three things that were never going to be satiated by victory in the ring.