20 Movie Sequels That Start Immediately After The First

The original Rocky ends at the most natural of stopping points - the fight between Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) and Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) is over, Creed's victory is announced, and Rocky embraces Adrian (Talia Shire), having proven himself able to go the distance.

While one might reasonably expect Rocky II to leap forward in time and pick up with Rocky enjoying a successful boxing career, that's not at all what Stallone opted to do.

Instead, as is incredibly rare for sports movie sequels, after a recap of the previous film Rocky 2 resumes from the aftermath of the Rocky-Creed fight. 

The duo are taken to the same hospital, where they're hounded by the press and an incensed Apollo challenges Rocky to a rematch, with Rocky initially declining the offer - but of course later accepting.

It's a strange initial path for a sports sequel to take, but considering the high drama surrounding that fight, it absolutely made sense to stay with it and follow what happened afterwards.