Achieving consistency is quite challenging for a franchise, as replicating success multiple times is no easy feat. While creating just one great film requires more painstaking effort and creative upheaval than outsiders might imagine, these stress factors become even more daunting for a franchise that spans three entries.
There are not many great movie trilogies because many are marred by a single poor film; the <em>Star Wars </em>sequel trilogy faltered due to The Rise of Skywalker, and Spider-Man 3 had a similar effect on Sam Raimi’s superhero trilogy. Additionally, franchises like Indiana Jones, Bourne, Toy Story, and the modern Planet of the Apes reboot ceased to be trilogies when they were followed by additional entries. Here are ten movie trilogies where every entry is a remarkable and worthwhile film.
10
The Apu Trilogy
Pather Panchali was the first film in the series loosely called “The Apu Trilogy” directed by Satyajit Ray, one of the most significant filmmakers in world cinema history. Ray followed a single protagonist from childhood to adolescence, where he became a writer and cultural observer. While Pather Panchali is arguably the best film in the trilogy due to its profound understanding of childhood complexities, both Aparajito and Apur Sansur are equally compelling.
The Apu trilogy stands out because it is not a spectacle-driven work, but rather an exploration of how one man defined his ideals and discovered his interests as an artist. Those who have not previously shown a strong interest in international cinema owe it to themselves to explore Ray’s films for their universal and accessible nature.
9
The Knives Out Trilogy
Knives Out may or may not become a trilogy, as it seems that Rian Johnson and Daniel Craig have not yet decided whether to create another Benoit Blanc adventure. While it’s understandable that Johnson has other original projects he wishes to pursue, and Craig is currently starring in a new Damien Chazelle film and Greta Gerwig‘s <em>Narnia </em>reboot, it would be disappointing if they stopped making these delightfully clever adventures.
The thematic subject varies with each film in the trilogy, even though they share a quirky sense of humor. Knives Out explored the wealth disparity within a dysfunctional and privileged family, Glass Onion dove into the tech boom and rise of influencer culture, and Wake Up Dead Man provided an oddly sobering assessment of faith with a standout performance by Josh O’Connor.
8
The Back to the Future Trilogy
Back to the Future is among the most influential film franchises in history, and will thankfully remain intact due to Robert Zemeckis‘ contract. Zemeckis’ ownership of the series rights ensures that no fourth film will be made without his consent, which is beneficial considering how easily a legacy sequel could tarnish his perfect trilogy.
Back to the Future is simply one of the greatest films ever created, often regarded as completely flawless. Back to the Future: Part II remains an entertaining yet darker sequel that complicates time travel implications, while Back to the Future: Part III winds up as a crowd-pleasing conclusion that successfully wraps up Marty McFly’s (Michael J. Fox) journey as he learns to embrace future responsibilities.
7
The Evil Dead Trilogy
The Evil Deadis a very consistent movie franchise, which expands beyond three films thanks to the remake Evil Dead, the sequel Evil Dead Rise, and the upcoming installment Evil Dead Burn. However, the first three entries are considered a standalone trilogy because they were all directed by Sam Raimi, following Ash’s (Bruce Campbell) story.
This trilogy takes wildly different tonal directions with each film. The Evil Dead is a terrifying film that showcases grotesque body horror achieved on a minimal budget. Evil Dead IIsustains the premise while amplifying dark comedy and transforming Ash into a smart-mouthed character. The third film, Army of Darkness, serves as a hilarious spoof of medieval fantasy epics and stands out as the funniest entry in the trilogy.
6
The Man With No Name Trilogy
Sergio Leone‘s innovative work essentially established the “spaghetti western” genre with his classic film A Fistful of Dollars, featuringClint Eastwoodas an enigmatic drifter navigating the American frontier as a bounty hunter. The sequel, For A Few Dollars More, adopted an even more dynamic approach by pairing Eastwood’s muted anti-hero with the villainousLee Van Cleef.
Leone’s “Dollars” trilogy concluded withThe Good, The Bad and The Ugly, often hailed as one of the greatest films ever made (not just within westerns). This epic promises fear, adventure, and danger at every turn but becomes even more entertaining for those familiar withA Fistful of DollarsandA Few Dollars Morewho can appreciate Leone’s growing ambition with each entry.
5
The Godfather Trilogy
The Godfather is an intriguing franchise due to its significant decline in quality by its final entry. It is widely acknowledged thatThe Godfather ranks among cinema’s greatest films and will appear on any respectable critic’s list of all-time masterpieces; meanwhile,The Godfather: Part II serves as an immersive second chapter deepening the Corleone story by exploring both its past and present through younger Vito (Robert De Niro) and older Michael (Al Pacino).
The Godfather: Part III is flawed with notable errors, particularly its failure to bring backRobert Duvall for his role. However, those who viewFrancis Ford Coppola’s director’s cut titledThe Death of Michael Corleone may find it offers a more satisfying conclusion consistent with its predecessors.
4
The Dark Knight Trilogy
The Dark Knight is undoubtedly regarded as the greatest comic book film ever made; however, every installment inChristopher Nolan’s trilogy stands as its own masterpiece. Strong >Batman Begins was pivotal in treating Bruce Wayne’s (Christian Bale) mythology seriously while erasing any goofy interpretations from previous films likeBatman & Robin
The Dark Knightis an obvious classic featuring one of contemporary cinema’s finest performances from late greatHeath Ledger’s Oscar-winning portrayal of Joker; meanwhile,The Dark Knight Rises< emphasizes its underrated status as it provides a satisfying conclusion—a rarity now that actors likeChris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., andHugh Jackman</ are returning to their Marvel roles after claiming they were done.
3
The Before Trilogy
Richard Linklater
is willing to make commitments most filmmakers avoid
by creating a trilogy spanning nearly two decades.
Before Sunrise
is an ideal romantic dramedy showcasing irreplaceable chemistry between
Julie Delpy
and
Ethan Hawke
;
however,
Linklater boldly continued this masterpiece with two sequels set nine years apart.
Before Sunset
is arguably one of cinema’s most perfect films about rediscovering love unexpectedly while committing oneself;
Before Midnight
offers sobering insights into mid-life crises with mature observations regarding long-term relationships and whether it’s possible to recapture initial excitement when two people first met.
2
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
The Lord of the Rings was one of cinema’s most ambitious productions given that J.R.R. Tolkien’s trilogy is considered one of fantasy literature’s greatest works. Since Tolkien wrote all three books simultaneously before dividing them into three parts, Peter Jackson embarked on an ambitious simultaneous shoot for all three films in The Lord of the Rings trilogy—each becoming masterpieces.
A legitimate argument can be made for any film in this trilogy being deemed the best; The Fellowship of the Ring stands out as an exemplary fantasy film exploring Frodo’s heartbreaking losses among allies; The Two Towers serves as an epic war drama depicting global devastation; while The Return of the King delivers powerful resolutions for arcs established throughout this entire trilogy.
1
The Original Star Wars Trilogy
The Original Star Wars Trilogy remains cinema’s most iconic franchise, poised for longevity under Disney’s stewardship. Although exceptional films exist across various series eras, this original trilogy crafted both world-building and mythology that redefined cinematic experiences while delivering a definitive story through three talented filmmakers who understood their universe’s versatility.
A New Hope seamlessly merges sci-fi elements with westerns, adventure narratives, coming-of-age themes, and fantasy tropes into an expansive hero’s journey; The Empire Strikes Back revolutionized sequels by introducing darker emotional complexities; while Return of the Jedi serves as an absolute crowd-pleaser providing emotional catharsis for characters while establishing redemption as this saga’s core theme.
The Dark Knight Trilogy
The Dark Knight is undoubtedly regarded as the greatest comic book film ever made; however, every installment inChristopher Nolan’s trilogy stands as its own masterpiece. Strong >Batman Begins was pivotal in treating Bruce Wayne’s (Christian Bale) mythology seriously while erasing any goofy interpretations from previous films likeBatman & Robin
The Dark Knightis an obvious classic featuring one of contemporary cinema’s finest performances from late greatHeath Ledger’s Oscar-winning portrayal of Joker; meanwhile,The Dark Knight Rises< emphasizes its underrated status as it provides a satisfying conclusion—a rarity now that actors likeChris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., andHugh Jackman</ are returning to their Marvel roles after claiming they were done.
3
The Before Trilogy
Richard Linklater
is willing to make commitments most filmmakers avoid
by creating a trilogy spanning nearly two decades.
Before Sunrise
is an ideal romantic dramedy showcasing irreplaceable chemistry between
Julie Delpy
and
Ethan Hawke
;
however,
Linklater boldly continued this masterpiece with two sequels set nine years apart.
Before Sunset
is arguably one of cinema’s most perfect films about rediscovering love unexpectedly while committing oneself;
Before Midnight
offers sobering insights into mid-life crises with mature observations regarding long-term relationships and whether it’s possible to recapture initial excitement when two people first met.
2
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
The Lord of the Rings was one of cinema’s most ambitious productions given that J.R.R. Tolkien’s trilogy is considered one of fantasy literature’s greatest works. Since Tolkien wrote all three books simultaneously before dividing them into three parts, Peter Jackson embarked on an ambitious simultaneous shoot for all three films in The Lord of the Rings trilogy—each becoming masterpieces.
A legitimate argument can be made for any film in this trilogy being deemed the best; The Fellowship of the Ring stands out as an exemplary fantasy film exploring Frodo’s heartbreaking losses among allies; The Two Towers serves as an epic war drama depicting global devastation; while The Return of the King delivers powerful resolutions for arcs established throughout this entire trilogy.
1
The Original Star Wars Trilogy
The Original Star Wars Trilogy remains cinema’s most iconic franchise, poised for longevity under Disney’s stewardship. Although exceptional films exist across various series eras, this original trilogy crafted both world-building and mythology that redefined cinematic experiences while delivering a definitive story through three talented filmmakers who understood their universe’s versatility.
A New Hope seamlessly merges sci-fi elements with westerns, adventure narratives, coming-of-age themes, and fantasy tropes into an expansive hero’s journey; The Empire Strikes Back revolutionized sequels by introducing darker emotional complexities; while Return of the Jedi serves as an absolute crowd-pleaser providing emotional catharsis for characters while establishing redemption as this saga’s core theme.
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
The Original Star Wars Trilogy
