Creed (2015)

Creed (2015) is a follow-up to the Rocky series that lacks the tired, B-grade quality of many drawn-out series. Creed, while very similar to Rocky in terms of story arc, is original and powerful enough to stand alone, and stand alone it does. Break-out star Michael B. Jordan stars as Donnie, the son of Apollo Creed, a man who never met his famous father and was eventually adopted by his partner. Initially resistant to following in his dad's footsteps, Donnie works an office job and fights on the side. Ultimately, however, he gives in to the calling and Rocky himself (still played by Silvester Stallone) takes him under his wing. Follow that with a romance of his own (Tessa Thompson, who does more than one underwear-clad sex scene with the titular character), and you have a recipe that is familiar but still incredibly satisfying.