Movies narrate incredible stories that will take you to adventures you’ll probably never experience in real life. Some of the best ones, though, cannot be forced into a 3-hour story. The best stories continue to go on to over just a single movie, like the superhero films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
If you don’t have the patience and stamina to watch the 8 movies of Harry Potter or other long-running films but don’t want to settle on one-shot movies, trilogies would be the perfect fit for you. Here are 15 history-making trilogies that have made their mark in theaters worldwide.
1. Before Trilogy
- Before Sunrise (1995)
- Before Sunset (2004)
- Before Midnight (2013)
The “Before” trilogy is a masterpiece created by Richard Linklater, starring Ethan Hawke as Jesse and Julie Delpy as Celine. The story follows the love story of Jesse and Celine, from the first film, where they met, until the last movie, where they dealt with aging and loss.
The storytelling of the movies is magnificent, showcasing varying perspectives in life integrated into the character’s monologues and casual exchanges. They are incredibly relatable, and you’ll yearn for self-discovery and love like the characters.
2. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
- The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
- The Two Towers (2002)
- The Return of the King (2003)
If there’s one trilogy to rule them all, it’s “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Derived from the novels of legendary British author J.R.R. Tolkien, this trilogy introduces a massive fantasy world never seen before. With the direction of Peter Jackson, the film narrates the story of Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) and his friends as they destroy the One Ring, along with the Dark Lord Sauron.
3. Back to the Future Trilogy
- Back to the Future I (1985)
- Back to the Future II (1989)
- Back to the Future III (1990)
The GOAT of sci-fi movies, the “Back to the Future” trilogy marries comedy and science fiction in the best way possible. Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale were able to introduce the popular Doc and Marty McFly and the iconic DeLorean, a time machine that takes the duo to different time periods in California.
4. Indiana Jones Trilogy
- Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
- Temple of Doom (1984)
- The Last Crusade (1989)
The “Indiana Jones” trilogy is another set of OG movies that follows the adventure of archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford). Through the three movies, he squared against Nazis, former clients, and even a high priest while retrieving important relics from history. The movies were filled with action scenes and focused on the concept that the good will always win.
5. The Dark Knight Trilogy
- Batman Begins (2005)
- The Dark Knight (2008)
- The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” trilogy follows the DC superhero Batman in Gotham City. The movies narrate Bruce Wayne’s (Christian Bale) life in a darker, action-packed, and more complex way. It sets the bar for all the live-action films that take a shot at producing comic-based movies.
6. The Vengeance Trilogy
- Vengeance (2002)
- Oldboy (2003)
- Lady Vengeance (2005)
The “Vengeance” trilogy is a set of violent masterpieces by the legendary director Park Chan-wook. Just as they are named, the films feature heavy themes, including revenge, salvation, and violence. Compared to other trilogies, the three movies are not connected in terms of storylines. They are linked together through the complex themes they deliver.
7. Mexico Trilogy
- El Mariachi (1993)
- Desperado (1995)
- Once Upon A Time in Mexico (2003)
The Mexico Trilogy refers to these three Western movies that were all set in Mexico. Also known as the “Desperado” trilogy, these Robert Rodriguez films look traditionally Western, with many shooting scenes and revenge plotlines. It follows the story of El Mariachi (Antonio Banderas and Carlos Gallardo) and the story of his struggle to save his lover and revenge for her tragic death.
8. Cornetto Trilogy
- Shaun of the Dead (2004)
- Hot Fuzz (2007)
- The World’s End (2013)
The Cornetto trilogy, also known as the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy or the Blood and Ice Cream trilogy, is a set of British dark humor movies that feature interesting parodies. The movies have different genres, from science fiction to horror.
Technically, they are not connected through the storyline or the themes. The only element that connects them is the Cornetto ice cream reference in all the films, which is the work of director Edgar Wright and writer Simon Pegg.
9. Dollars Trilogy
- A Fistful of Dollars (1964)
- For a Few Dollars More (1965)
- The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1966)
The Dollars trilogy or the Man with No Name trilogy includes three Sergio Leone films. They narrate the adventures of the “man with no name” (Clint Eastwood), adding a sense of mystery to the storyline.
Leone is the one who popularized “Spaghetti Western” films, which are Western movies directed and written by Italians. It was this trilogy that pioneered this film-making style and inspired other Italian directors to dive into more of this genre.
10. The Evil Dead Trilogy
- The Evil Dead (1981)
- Evil Dead II (1987)
- Army of Darkness (1992)
“The Evil Dead” trilogy follows the story of Ash Williams (Bruce Campbell) who was a normal supermarket clerk who turned into the “promised one” who will save the world from evil. This Sam Raimi trilogy introduces the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis, which is an ancient Sumerian grimoire that includes the prophecy of William’s role in the fight between good and evil.
11. Planet of the Apes Trilogy
- Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
- Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
- War of the Planet of the Apes (2017)
The “Plant of the Apes” trilogy is based on “La Planete des singes,” a 1963 French novel by Pierre Boulle. These science fiction films feature the battle for control and dominance between humanity and intelligent apes. The concepts in the films are controversial, from animal rights to racial issues. This is why the trilogy became popular not just to the general public but also to film critics.
12: Star Wars: Original Trilogy
- A New Hope (1977)
- The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- Return of the Jedi (1983)
“Star Wars” the original trilogy is another GOAT in the list, where many fans will be ready to battle other fandoms. Popularizing likable characters like Yoda, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and Han Solo (Harrison Ford), George Lucas’ franchise was ahead of its time when it was introduced in the 1970s. The storyline, from the emotional ride of Luke’s discovery of his origin to the love story of Han Solo and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), is top-notch.
13: Guardians of the Galaxy Trilogy
- Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
The Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and has made a name for itself on par with MCU’s other leading superhero films. All the characters are relatable and unforgettable, from Chris Pratt’s Peter Quill or Star-Lord to the quick quips of Rocket. Groot’s gigantic presence and Drax’s (Dave Bautista) humor are worth mentioning.
14. Three Colours Trilogy
- Blue (1993)
- White (1994)
- Red (1994)
The Three Colours trilogy is comprised of three psychological dramas produced with the cooperation of three countries – France, Switzerland, and Poland. Created in French, the movies refer to the three colors found in the flags of these countries. They dive deeper into the political and emotional ideals of the French Republic motto, “Liberté, égalité, fraternité.”
15. The Millennium Trilogy
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009)
- The Girl Who Played with Fire (2009)
- The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest (2009)
Also known as the Dragon Tattoo Stories films, the Millennium trilogy is based on Stieg Larsson and David Magercrantz’s novels. The storyline is exciting, and it narrates the stories of Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace), a hacker, and Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist), a journalist who’s out to investigate the criminal injustices happening in their town.