The 33 Greatest Movie Trilogies Ever Made

Three is definitely better than one, and movie trilogies are the best proof of that. Here’s our list of the 33 best trilogies of all time.

1. The Dark Knight Trilogy

Movies: Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008), The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of the DC comic franchise and is considered to be the best version of the Batman films till date because of the way he re-invented the entire idea of Batman.

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2. The Matrix Trilogy

Movies: The Matrix (1999), The Matrix Reloaded (2003), The Matrix Revolutions (2003)

Although the sequels never really lived up to the original, this sci-fi action franchise about the fight against machine overlords is still said to be one of the finest trilogies ever made.

3. The Before Trilogy

Movies: Before Sunrise (1995), Before Sunset (2004), Before Midnight (2013)

This trilogy takes us into the day of the lives of couple Jesse and Celine, at three different stages of their lives.

4. Back to the Future Trilogy

Movies: Back to the Future (1985), Back to the Future II (1989), Back to the Future III (1990)

A sci-fi comedy about the adventures of Marty and Dr. Brown and their many encounters as they travel back in time, not once, not twice, but thrice.

5. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

Movies: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002), The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

The highly popular fantasy trilogy based on the novel by J. R. R. Tolkien of the same name. The entire franchise has garnished a large fan following over the years, both of the books and the films alike.

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6. Spider-Man Trilogy

Movies: Spider-Man (2002), Spider-Man 2 (2004), Spider-Man 3 (2007)

Though there were two other Spider-Man franchises that followed this one, fans have still not gotten over the trilogy directed by Sam Raimi, starring Tobey Maguire.

7. Toy Story Trilogy

Movies: Toy Story (1995), Toy Story 2 (1999), Toy Story 3 (2010)

Toy story is the highest acclaimed movie trilogy ever, according to Rotten Tomatoes, and we couldn’t agree more. Who doesn’t love the story of Woody, Buzz. and Andy’s other toys, who come alive when no one’s watching.

8. Hannibal Lecter Trilogy

Movies: The Silence of the Lambs (1991), Hannibal (2001), Red Dragon (2002)

The original ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ was followed by a prequel and a sequel, due to its tremendous success. There was another sequel made, not starring Anthony Hopkins, so that doesn’t really count as a part of the franchise. Fun Fact: Hopkins’s performance in the original film was the shortest ever performance to win the Oscar for Best Actor, his screen presence was only 16 minutes long.

9. The Millenium Trilogy

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2010), The Girl Who Played With Fire (2010), The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest (2009)

This is the Swedish adaptation of the trilogy written by Stieg Larsson. Though Hollywood was not slow to pick up and release the first part in 2011, directed by David Fincher, it doesn’t come close to the Swedish version of the films.

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10. Terminator Trilogy

Movies: The Terminator (1984), Judgment Day (1991), Rise of the Machines (2003)

Yes, we know that there are 5 Terminator films out there, but we are talking about the original three badass action-packed films starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.

11. The Vengeance Trilogy

Movies: Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance (2002), Oldboy (2003), Lady Vengeance (2005)

While most people might be aware of the popular Korean film Oldboy, not many might know that it has a prequel and a sequel, which are just as good, if not better.

12. The Godfather Trilogy

Though the last part was lacking in substance as compared to the first two films, we can’t deny that the Godfather Trilogy, based on the book by Mario Puzo, is still one of the best trilogies in history.

13. Star Wars Trilogy

Movies: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977), Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)

We only know the World in two parts; before Star Wars and after. The first part came out in 1977, and nothing has ever been the same.

14. Dollars Trilogy

Movies: A Fistful of Dollars (1964), For a few Dollars More (1965), The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (1966)

Sure, everyone knows The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, but have you heard of its prequels? Also known as The Man with No Name Trilogy, this is a Western film series directed by Sergio Leone.

15. The Apu Trilogy

Movies: Pather Panchali (1955), Aparajito (1956), The World of Apu (1959)

Satyajit Ray’s Apu Trilogy is considered by many film masters to be a cinematic masterpiece, with it’s way storytelling and camera techniques. The films follow the life of Apu as he grows and learns from boyhood to adulthood.

16. Three Colours Trilogy

Movies: Three Colours: Blue (1993), Three Colours: White (1994), Three Colours: Red (1994)

You might not have even heard of this trilogy till today, but don’t worry, not many people have. This European series directed by Krzysztof Kieslowski, has been called by many as “poetry through cinema”.

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17. The Evil Dead Trilogy

Movies: The Evil Dead (1981), Evil Dead II (1987), Evil Dead III: Army of Darkness (1992)

This one is for all the gore fans out there. Directed by Sam Raimi, this series is as gruesome as it is frightening.

18. Indiana Jones, parts 1-3

Movies: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

The original and best three Indiana Jones films.

19. Infernal Affairs Trilogy

Movies: Infernal Affairs (2002), Infernal Affairs II (2003), Infernal Affairs III (2003)

The Chinese crime series that later went on to inspire popular Hollywood flicks like The Departed and City of Damnation.

20. Iron Man Trilogy

Movies: Iron Man (2008), Iron Man 2 (2010), Iron Man 3 (2013)

The highly popular superhero franchise directed by Jon Favreau. Fun fact: Iron man is the first film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

21. The Ingmar Bergman Trilogy

Movies: Through A Glass Darkly (1961), Winter Light (1962), The Silence (1963)

Though some might argue about these films actually forming a trilogy, their similar themes of madness, sanity and faith have made fans believe that the films are connected.

22. The Death Trilogy

Movies: Amores Perros (2000), 21 grams (2003), Babel (2006)

This film series by Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu, are all centered around the themes of love, loss and betrayal, around various people whose lives are interconnected with one another.

23. The Mariachi Trilogy

Movies: El Mariachi (1992), Desperado (1995), Once Upon A Time In Mexico (2003)

Stylish and undoubtedly entertaining, this series is filled with Mexican stand-offs, gunfights and lots of guitar action.

24. The Blade Trilogy

Movies: Blade (1998), Blade 2 (2002), Blade: Trinity (2004)

The original movie series that started the comic-book superhero trend, directed by Stephen Norrington, Guillermo del Toro, David Goyer.

25. The Austin Powers Trilogy

Movies: Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery (1997) Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999) Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002)

A series of the adventures of Austin Powers, a British spy from the 1960s, who’s out to destroy his enemies.

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26. Scream Trilogy

Movies: Scream (1996), Scream 2 ( 1997), Scream 3 (2000)

We’re only including the first three parts, aka, the parts that actually matter. You got to admit, you love to hate this franchise.

27. Die Hard 1-3

Movies: Die Hard (1988), Die Hard 2 (1990), Die Hard: With A Vengeance (1995)

Die Hard is everything an action movie should be; lots of shooting, nasty villains, and a one against all hero.

28. Pirates of the Caribbean 1-3

Movies: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003), Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006), Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007)

Jack Sparrow might be the worst pirate you’ve ever heard of. But you have heard of him.

29. Alien Trilogy

Movies: Alien (1979), Aliens (1986), Alien3 (1992)

This series might not exactly be a trilogy, but with three A-class directors, this franchise offers a unique take on the same theme with every film.

30. The Mad Max Trilogy

Movies: Mad Max (1979), Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981), Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985)

Thirty years before George Miller brought the franchise back to life with Fury Road, he gave us the original dystopian-drama masterpiece trilogy.

31. Captain America Trilogy

Movies: Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Captain America: Civil War

The Marvel Comic based film adaptation starring Chris Evans, directed by Joe Johnston and the Russo brothers.

32. Jurassic Park Trilogy

Movies: Jurassic Park (1993), The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997), Jurassic Park III (2001)

The special effects, design of characters, and the overall artistry are what makes this franchise so beloved.

33. Men In Black Trilogy

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Movies: Men in Black (1997), Men in Black 2 (2002), Men in Black 3 (2012)

You can’t help but love the hilarious alien-fighting duo that is Agents J and K.

Fun Fact: Not many of you might know this but the franchise is based on the Malibu / Marvel comic book series The Men in Black by Lowell Cunningham.

Now that you have the list, you can go ahead and plan your next movie marathon party!

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