10 Movie Sequels That Started In Surprising Ways

6. Rocky Balboa

Rocky Balboa Adrian Grave
MGM

Barely two minutes into its run time, and before the opening credits have even finished, 2006's Rocky Balboa hits you with an absolute gut punch.

The first Rocky movie for 16 years - with the disappointing Rocky V released in 1990 - Rocky Balboa had long-time franchise fans holding back the tears as soon as we first catch back up with Sylvester Stallone's Balboa.

As we get reintroduced to the Italian Stallion, he feeds his pet turtles, does a couple of pull-ups in his yard, and then we get the major curveball of seeing Rocky at the grave of his wife Adrian. Yep, it turns out that between the events of Rocky V and Rocky Balboa, poor Adrian has passed away after a battle with cancer.

To start the film off on such an emotional note was a bold decision from writer/director Stallone, but it's one that immediately sets the table to let audiences know this is a picture that's far removed from the cheesier outings of the franchise. Likewise, to add further emotional weight, we're then soon introduced to the Adrian's restaurant Rocky owns - complete with plentiful portraits of his deceased bride.

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