Creating a great movie requires a solid script, a talented cast, and, perhaps more than anything, a lot of hard work and dedication. Creating three great movies, on the other hand, is almost impossible, with very few trilogies able to boast a 100% record when it comes to both critical and commercial success. There are some, however, that have come incredibly close to doing so over the years.
Whether due to their excellent storylines, fantastic casts, or stunning cinematography, these iconic trilogies have left a lasting impression on audiences all over the world. Granted, a few of them may stumble a little in places, but, on the whole, they are widely considered to be amongst the very best movie trilogies ever made and are a must-watch for fans of their respective genres.
Updated September 29, 2021 by Tom Bowen: Given the level of competition in Hollywood these days, shooting a successful movie is often easier said than done. Putting together a trilogy of them is harder still, and something that very few filmmakers have been able to accomplish over the years. That's not to say that it can't be done, however, as evidenced by these fantastic movie trilogies.
15 Mad Max
- Movies: Mad Max (1979), Mad Max 2 (1981) & Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985)
- Director: George Miller
- Actors: Mel Gibson, Max Fairchild, Bruce Spence, Joanne Samuel & Brendan Heath
- Weakest Entry: Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985)
When Mel Gibson landed the titular role in the 1979 movie Mad Max, very few people knew the young actor's name. Fast forward a decade or so though, and the Oscar-winning director's moniker had become one of the biggest in Hollywood; thanks in large to the success of George Miller's fantastic post-apocalyptic movie trilogy.
When viewed side by side with the 2015 reboot starring Tom Hardy, the original trilogy might not seem all that special. For their era, however, the fantastically choreographed driving stunts were immensely impressive, as too were the dry and desolate backdrops against which all three movies were set.
14 The Jersey Trilogy
- Movies: Clerks (1994), Mallrats (1995) & Chasing Amy (1997)
- Director: Kevin Smith
- Actors: Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith, Brian O'Halloran, Shannen Doherty & Ben Affleck
- Weakest Entry: Mallrats (1995)
Kevin Smith's Jersey trilogy is a little different, in that there isn't really an overarching story connecting the three movies. Instead, it's the director's iconic Jay and Silent Bob characters that tie everything together, although, even then, they do so in the loosest possible way.
All three movies are incredibly different in tone, with the evolving humor from movie to movie arguably indicative of Smith's gradual evolution as a filmmaker. The narrative dissonance might make it a little tricky for fans of one movie to enjoy the others, but each one definitely has its merits as a standalone movie.
13 Austin Powers
- Movies: Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997), Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999) & Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002)
- Director: Jay Roach
- Actors: Mike Myers, Seth Green, Elizabeth Hurley, Verne Troyer & Robert Wagner
- Weakest Entry: Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002)
Though it started life as just another spy-movie spoof series, Austin Powers hits all the right notes when it comes to comedy. Mike Myers delivers yet another masterclass in playing multiple roles and is backed up by a strong supporting cast featuring the likes of Seth Green and Will Ferrell.
While the movies may not have broken any box office records, their playful jabs at British culture were surprisingly well-received on both sides of the Atlantic. The ridiculous storylines perfectly parody the former empire's most iconic agent too and although the action scenes aren't quite as flashy, the titular character somehow manages to be just as suave.
12 Iron Man
- Movies: Iron Man (2008), Iron Man 2 (2010) & Iron Man 3 (2013)
- Directors: Jon Favreau & Shane Black
- Actors: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Jeff Bridges & Samuel L. Jackson
- Weakest Entry: Iron Man 2 (2010)
The Iron Man trilogy performed strongly at the box office and didn't fair too badly with critics either. Perhaps its biggest achievement, though, was the way that it successfully launched the first phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe at a time when DC and Sony were well and truly leading the way when it came to comic book adaptations.
Of all of the main Avengers, few are cast anywhere near as well as Iron Man. Robert Downey Jr. makes for the perfect Tony Stark, and it's his charm and charisma that really helped the movies to find their success. Granted, the second one did suffer from some lazy writing at times, but, on the whole, Iron Man remains one of the best comic book trilogies of all time.
11 Pirates of the Caribbean
- 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)
- Director: Gore Verbinski
- Actors: Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Geoffrey Rush & Jack Davenport
- Weakest Entry: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007)
Based loosely on a theme park attraction of the same name, the original Pirates of the Caribbean made a huge impression when it hit movie theaters back in 2003. In Depp, Bloom, and Knightley, it offered up one of the most likable main casts ever assembled, and the chemistry between the trio was easy to spot on screen.
All three actors returned for the movie's first two sequels, though both Knightley and Bloom bounced before the series' fourth installment arrived. Their absence was definitely felt, though it was arguably the lack of Gore Verbinski magic that really made subsequent Pirates of the Caribbean movies feel mediocre.
10 The Matrix
- Movies: The Matrix (1999), The Matrix Reloaded (2003) & The Matrix Revolutions (2003)
- Directors: Lana and Lilly Wachowski
- Actors: Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Laurence Fishburne, Hugo Weaving & Jada Pinkett Smith
- Weakest Entry: The Matrix Revolutions (2003)
Such was the excellence of The Matrix that it was always going to be difficult for its sequels to stack up, and that definitely ended up being the case. When taken as a trilogy, however, the movies boast an excellent story arc, fantastic characters, and some of the coolest special effects to ever grace the silver screen.
Neo's journey from skeptical programmer to "The One" is scintillating from start to finish and the relationships that he forges along the way help a lot in this regard. Perhaps the most intriguing of these is his ongoing rivalry with Agent Smith, who is expertly portrayed by Hugo Weaving. The plot itself is one of the sci-fi genre's very best too and the Wachowskis did a rgreat job of translating it to the big screen.
9 Die Hard
- Movies: Die Hard (1988), Die Hard 2 (1990) & Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)
- Director: John McTiernan & Renny Harlin
- Actors: Bruce Willis, Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald VelJohnson, William Atherton & Alan Rickman
- Weakest Entry: Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)
The eighties spawned some fantastic action movie franchises, with Alien, The Terminator, and Lethal Weapon all making their debuts throughout the decade. If only for its incredible first entry though, the original Die Hard trilogy arguably has the edge over its contemporaries when it comes to pure, unadulterated action.
John McClane is one of the biggest badasses of all time and some of his antics are truly unforgettable. This extends to his interactions with the series' villains too, with his rivalry with Alan Rickman's Hans Gruber character providing some of the trilogy's very best moments. Like many action heroes, McClane did start to run out of steam as he got older, but that's not at all to say that Die Hard 2 and Die Hard with a Vengeance didn't still have their moments as well.
8 Back To The Future
- Movies: Back to the Future (1985), Back to the Future Part II (1989) & Back to the Future Part III (1990)
- Director: Robert Zemeckis
- Actors: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Thomas F. Wilson, Lea Thompson & Crispin Glover
- Weakest Entry: Back to the Future Part II (1989)
The Back to the Future trilogy is full to the brim of memorable moments and manages to strike an excellent balance between comedy and drama. The chemistry between Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd makes Marty and the Doc's friendship feel incredibly genuine, while their zany and often bizarre antics are nothing but a joy to behold.
The time travel trilogy also features an excellent story and incorporates plenty of positive messages as well. Like Doc Brown and his time-traveling DeLorean, Marty McFly is one of those characters that leave a lasting impression, and the energy and enthusiasm that Fox brings to the role make the movies just as fun to watch as they are exciting.
7 The Naked Gun
- Movies: The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988), The Naked Gun 2 1⁄2: The Smell of Fear (1991) & Naked Gun 33 1⁄3: The Final Insult (1994)
- Directors: David Zucker & Peter Segal
- Actors: Leslie Nielsen, Priscilla Presley, O.J. Simpson, Ricardo Montalban & Robert Goulet
- Weakest Entry: Naked Gun 33 1⁄3: The Final Insult (1994)
Anybody wondering how to make a great comedy movie would do well to spend some time watching the Naked Gun trilogy. The writing is excellent throughout and perfectly compliments the comedic stylings of the late, great Leslie Nielsen. Detective Frank Drebin at times redefines what it is to be funny, while simultaneously delivering the perfect parody of classic cop movies.
Everything about these movies is silly and over the top, but that's arguably what makes them so enjoyable. Just about every other line is a joke of some kind and while there are one or two duds loaded into the clip, most are able to cleanly hit their mark. There's a lot of variety in the humor too, with one-liners, innuendo, and physical comedy all blending together perfectly to produce a laugh-a-minute trilogy.
6 Batman
- Movies: Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008) & The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
- Director: Christopher Nolan
- Actors: Christian Bale, Michael Cane, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman & Heath Ledger
- Weakest Entry: Batman Begins (2005)
Plenty of people have attempted to bring Batman to the big screen over the years, but none have done so anywhere near as successfully as Christopher Nolan. Rather than leaning into the camp qualities of the series as Tim Burton had done before him, Nolan instead opted for a dark and gritty approach, and the results really do speak for themselves.
Some of the best Batman villains of all time show up throughout the trilogy, and each one is as believable as they are brilliant. Unsurprisingly, perhaps, it's the Joker who once again steals the show, with Heath Ledger's performance receiving rave reviews from audiences and critics alike. Christian Bale also deserves a special mention, with the actor providing what are arguably the best Batman performances to date.
5 Indiana Jones
- Movies: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) & Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
- Director: Steven Spielberg
- Actors: Harrison Ford, Denholm Elliot, John Rhys-Davies, Karen Allen & Sean Connery
- Weakest Entry: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
Written and directed by two of the biggest names in Hollywood, the original Indiana Jones trilogy raised the bar when it came to action-adventure movies. Four decades on from his onscreen debut, Indy remains one of the most iconic movie protagonists of all time and his adventures are still every bit as enjoyable to watch as they were back in the eighties.
The movies are full of memorable moments; from the iconic boulder dash scene to the stomach-turning monkey brains meal. The practical effects are impressive too, while the masterful cinematography does an excellent job of capturing the mystery and suspense that the storytelling so expertly lays out. More than anything though, the movies never take themselves too seriously and this, in turn, makes them a lot of fun to watch.
4 The Lord Of The Rings
- Movies: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Two Towers (2002) & The Return of the King (2003)
- Director: Peter Jackson
- Actors: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom, Viggo Mortensen & Christopher Lee
- Weakest Entry: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Adapting written works for the big screen isn't always easy, but Peter Jackson made it look that way with his excellent Lord of the Rings trilogy. Granted, it certainly helped that the director was working with such fantastic source material, but his achievements - and those of the rest of the cast and crew - are incredibly impressive nonetheless.
Each member of the fellowship is perfectly cast and does an excellent job of bringing their characters to life. The pacing is flawless throughout the trilogy too even in spite of its ludicrous length and each and every battle scene is wonderfully choreographed. Jackson did cut a few things from the books, but it's difficult to argue that he and his team didn't do Tolkien's work justice in the end.
3 The Dollars Trilogy
- Movies: A Fistful of Dollars (1964), For a Few Dollars More (1965) & The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
- Director: Sergio Leone
- Actors: Clint Eastwood, Mario Brega, Gian Maria Volonte, Lee Van Cleef & Marianne Koch
- Weakest Entry: For a Few Dollars More (1965)
While Clint Eastwood gets a lot of the plaudits for his role as the man with no name, director Sergio Leone deserves a lot of the credit for the success of not only the Dollars trilogy, but also the meteoric rise in popularity of Spaghetti Westerns. Back in the early sixties, many American critics looked down on the subgenre, but that all changed following the emergence of Leone.
Of course, Eastwood also played a pivotal role in this shift in attitudes, offering up some of the very best performances of his long and successful career. For fans of western movies, the Dollars trilogy remains quintessential viewing, with only a handful of movies having come close to matching their excellence in the half a century-plus since their original releases.
2 Star Wars
- Movies: Star Wars (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980) & Return of the Jedi (1983)
- Directors: George Lucas, Irvin Kershner & Richard Marquand
- Actors: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness & Peter Cushing
- Weakest Entry: Return of the Jedi (1983)
It's a little crazy to think that the Star Wars cinematic universe now consists of a trilogy of trilogies as well as several spin-off movies and shows. That said, nothing that's been released since the original trilogy comes anywhere close to matching its excellence. Luke's journey is full of exciting twists and turns and littered with unforgettable moments and larger than life characters from start to finish.
The practical effects used throughout the trilogy were revolutionary for their era and many of them still hold up well today. The story too is still just as enjoyable as ever, with both the prequel and sequel trilogies serving only to emphasize how special the original movies really are. The trilogy's cultural impact has now spanned multiple generations and will no doubt continue to do so as the years roll by.
1 The Godfather
- Movies: The Godfather (1972), The Godfather Part II (1974) & The Godfather Part III (1990)
- Director: Francis Ford Coppola
- Actors: Al Pacino, Diane Keaton, Robert Duvall, Marlon Brando & Robert De Niro
- Weakest Entry: The Godfather Part III (1990)
Francis Ford Coppola's Godfather trilogy is near-perfect in just about every way. The acting is incredible, the storyline is captivating and Nino Rota's hauntingly beautiful compositions provide the perfect accompaniment to the harrowing plot. They're also some of the most authentic organized crime movies ever made and have inspired countless other directors and actors since their release.
The first movie does a wonderful job of introducing its characters while also easing viewers into the world of organized crime. Its sequel takes this a step further, completing Michael's transformation from mild-mannered veteran to criminal mastermind and kingpin. Part III does drop the ball a little, but this is perhaps more the result of the great expectations set out by the excellence of the first two movies than anything else.