Trilogies can be fantastic, but their quality really varies. Sometimes they’re made simply because the first movie did well, and those can often feel forced. However, when a trilogy is planned from the start to tell one big story, it can be a really rewarding experience. Of course, some trilogies are better than others. The Star Wars sequels, for example, seemed to lose their direction midway through, and the resulting changes weren’t as engaging to many viewers. Similarly, The Matrix trilogy started with a brilliant first film, but the sequels struggled to live up to the original, despite their ambition. Today, though, we’re focusing on the very best movie trilogies – those where all three films are consistently good, even if one isn’t quite as strong as the others. We’re looking for trilogies without any truly weak entries.
Even if a movie series originally planned as a trilogy continued with additional films, we still considered the initial three movies as a complete story. For example, while the Planet of the Apes reboot eventually led to Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, that film continued the story after Caesar’s arc was finished. The core point is that the original trilogy fully told Caesar’s story, and the other examples we looked at also represent satisfying and complete narratives.
10) Planet of the Apes Reboot Trilogy
Many great movie trilogies are strongest in the second film, and the recent Planet of the Apes trilogy follows that pattern. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is easily one of the best big-budget films from the 2010s, and thankfully, the first and third movies are also very good.
Despite its insightful social themes and beautiful visuals, and even with strong direction from Matt Reeves on both Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and War for the Planet of the Apes, the true strength of the trilogy lies in Andy Serkis’ performance as Caesar. It’s as impressive as his work as Gollum in The Lord of the Rings.
You can watch all three of the recent Planet of the Apes movies on Hulu right now. Eventually, they’ll move to Disney+ as Hulu changes its offerings.
9) Back to the Future
Some might argue Back to the Future doesn’t belong on this list, since the original is clearly the strongest film. However, the sequels aren’t bad – they just don’t quite reach the same level. Back to the Future Part II feels surprisingly timely with its portrayal of Biff in the future, and Back to the Future Part III is arguably the most emotionally resonant of the three movies.
What I really loved about this series is how cleverly everything comes back around. We jump through time, but somehow it always leads us back to Marty McFly’s house in 1985, tying everything together. Some might say revisiting those same characters feels a little repetitive, but honestly, the casting is just so spot-on. When you have actors this good, you absolutely have to use them, and they really deliver!
8) The Dark Knight Trilogy
It’s become common for superhero stories to aim for realism, but Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy was groundbreaking when it did so. These films were able to appeal to even skeptical viewers by presenting a serious and believable take on the genre.
The Batman trilogy is best known for its second film, but the first, Batman Begins, was incredibly significant. It marked director Christopher Nolan’s entry into blockbuster filmmaking, launched the careers of Christian Bale and Cillian Murphy, and introduced a now-famous musical score by Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard. While The Dark Knight Rises isn’t as strong as the previous two films and occasionally feels slow, it’s still a grand and impressive movie, notably featuring a memorable performance by Anne Hathaway and a large-scale story.
Stream The Dark Knight Trilogy on HBO Max.
7) Dollars Trilogy
Few can deny that a trilogy which consistently improves with each installment deserves to be called one of the greatest. Sergio Leone’s Dollars Trilogy is a perfect example of this.
These films popularized the spaghetti Western genre and launched Clint Eastwood to international stardom after his television work on Rawhide. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is particularly notable for introducing Ennio Morricone’s iconic music and giving Lee Van Cleef his most memorable role as Angel Eyes (he previously appeared in For a Few Dollars More, playing a different character).
Stream the Dollars Trilogy on Prime Video.
6) Captain America
I firmly believe Captain America: The First Avenger is the strongest film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and it’s a belief I’ll always defend. Released in 2011, the movie has aged incredibly well, largely because it feels distinct from other MCU films. It deliberately evokes the feel of classic adventure serials from the 1930s – exactly what director Joe Johnston intended, as anyone familiar with his film The Rocketeer can attest to his skill with retro aesthetics.
Following the first Captain America movie, the sequels were both fantastic. The Winter Soldier is a smart and thrilling take on political intrigue, and it’s also a key part of the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe. Civil War successfully builds on the tone of The Winter Soldier without feeling overcrowded, which was a real concern given the number of heroes involved. Despite adding characters like Tony Stark, Hawkeye, and Ant-Man, the film stays focused on Steve Rogers’ story. This Captain America trilogy is arguably the best in the MCU, though Guardians of the Galaxy is also a standout series.
Stream the entire Captain America trilogy on Disney+.
5) Romero’s Dead Trilogy
It’s hard to think of three horror films more insightful than George A. Romero’s Dead trilogy. Each film offers a clever critique: one explores race relations, another examines the dangers of consumerism, and the third reveals how quickly society can turn on itself with hostility.
And let’s not forget the incredible practical effects, created by effects master Tom Savini! This horror series is considered the best of its kind. It depicts a world slowly falling apart, but keeps the focus on a small group of people. Unlike movies with huge, sprawling action sequences, this one focuses on getting to know the characters, how they relate to each other, and whether they’ll make it through.
Stream Night of the Living Dead and Day of the Dead on Peacock.
4) Toy Story
Toy Story has the most satisfying conclusion of any film series on this list. The story wraps up beautifully and emotionally, and it’s so perfect that it almost makes you wonder why Pixar felt the need to continue the series beyond the third film.
Beyond the very best movie series, most trilogies see a dip in quality in at least one of the installments – it’s usually not a dealbreaker, but noticeable. The Toy Story trilogy is an exception. While some consider Toy Story 2 the weakest link, many actually think it’s as good as, or even slightly better than, the original. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference.
Stream the entire Toy Story trilogy on Disney+.
3) The Godfather
The Godfather earns its place on this list primarily due to the exceptional quality of its first two films. Those movies successfully adapted Mario Puzo’s novel for the screen. Even considering average scores, a series that’s largely brilliant – two out of three films being perfect – deserves recognition.
While The Godfather Part III wasn’t as strong as its predecessors, The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone feels closer to the filmmakers’ original vision for concluding the story. This new version significantly improves the film, rescuing it from being a complete letdown.
Stream The Godfather and The Godfather Part II for free on Kanopy.
2) Star Wars Original Trilogy
If you asked most people to name a famous movie trilogy, they’d probably say Star Wars. It’s right up there with the next one on our list as being the most recognizable.
It’s hard to say anything new about the original Star Wars trilogy – it’s been discussed endlessly! These films were hugely important to many people growing up, and they still appeal to both kids and adults thanks to their perfect blend of fun and seriousness. They offer compelling stories about family, loyalty, exciting lightsaber fights, and a vast, imaginative universe. While Return of the Jedi isn’t quite as strong as the first two films in terms of maintaining that balance, it’s still a beloved classic.
Stream the entire Star Wars original trilogy on Disney+.
1) The Lord of the Rings
Even people who don’t usually enjoy fantasy are completely captivated by Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy. It’s a uniquely crafted series of films – no other set has been made with such incredible care and attention to detail in every aspect of production.
Beyond their impressive technical achievements, the films are genuinely captivating and emotionally resonant. The acting is consistently strong throughout, even in the longer cuts, and remarkably, almost no scenes feel unnecessary. The use of practical effects helps them still look fantastic today. It’s a testament to their quality that you can easily watch a four-hour version of one film and immediately want to start the next one in 4K.
Stream the entire The Lord of the Rings trilogy on HBO Max.
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2026-02-01 03:14