There is a strong trend in contemporary pop culture to continue well-known and popular stories, telling them anew or presenting an alternative version of previously known events. The remake, re-boot and remaster culture holds strong, and there is no indication that it will change soon.
Obviously, this is not a completely new trend, and there is plenty of cult film series in cinema history. Here, we have chosen the film trilogies, particularly engraved in our memory. We must admit that the choice wasn’t easy, so apart from the main (in random order) best movie trilogies of all time, we’ll first look at some of the honorable mentions before getting down to the list, so stay tuned!
Best Trilogy Movies of All Time – Honorable Mentions
Picking out the 10 best movie trilogies of all time was difficult for us. The following are some movie trilogies which had every chance to appear in our list: Indiana Jones, Terminator, Matrix, Alien, Hannibal Lecter trilogy, Mad Max, Mission Impossible and some Marvel trilogies including Iron Man, Captain America or Spiderman.
Top 10 Trilogy Movies of All Time
Now stay tuned for Gazettely’s pick of the 10 best trilogy movies ever made in cinema history.
Jason Bourne
A caveat right away here. I know that there are four films from the Bourne universe. Still, we believe it is only the original trilogy that deserves to be included. “Identity,” “Supremacy”, and “The Bourne Ultimatum” are to this day the absolute top when it comes to spy thrillers.
Those movies are fantastically produced, the plot is engaging, and Matt Damon, as a super agent suffering from amnesia and trying at all costs to discover the truth about himself, is an absolute top.
Back to the future
Thinking of films about time travel, this is probably the first one that comes to mind. “Back to the Future” is a rare case in cinema which tells a compact and closed story in three films. The subsequent parts were not shot to force but held the level until the end, forming a thoughtful and sensible whole.
Marty McFly and Dr Emmett Brown, who travels in an iconic De Lorean car converted into a time machine, first have to find themselves in the 1950s, then the future, going all the way back to the Wild West.
They encounter different challenges in each reality and deal with them with equal charm. These movies are a goldmine of pop culture references, uninhibited fun, and examples that good cinema has no expiration date. Even if the future of part two has arrived (in 2015), we still don’t have a flying skateboard.
Dive Into the Best Movie Marathons: Whether you’re a fan of fantasy, action, or romance, our list of the Best Movie Marathons has something for everyone. Prepare your popcorn and settle in for hours of entertainment with these must-watch movie collections.
The “Before” Trilogy
The “Before” trilogy consists of: “Before Sunrise”, ” Before Sunset”, and “Before Midnight”, and it is one of the most beautiful love stories. Every part is filmed exactly every 9 years; thus, we accompany the main characters (Jessie and Celine) and the feelings born between them over a considerable part of their lives.
We see both the first, thrilling and very romantic stage, full of euphoria and hope. We also see the moment when life hits them hard, but fate persistently steers their paths in such a way that they meet. We also see, finally, just how the mundane of life affects even the most fervent of feelings and how it turns former ideals into their opposite. Anyone who appreciates well-written, smart dialogue and witty exchanges will find this trilogy a fantastic experience.
The Dollars Trilogy
Yet another classic of world cinema is the so-called Dollar Trilogy. This is a series of westerns directed by Sergio Leone and starring Clint Eastwood. The fans of this genre do not need to be told anything more.
For the rest, I can only encourage them to catch up with the backlog and get to know the story of the Man with No Name, as played by Clint. Though each of the titles included in this story (“For a Handful of Dollars”, “For a Few Dollars More”, “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly“) can be viewed separately, I strongly recommend the whole.
The Lord of the Rings
It seemed impossible to realize the idea of filming Tolkien’s novel. How to encompass such a huge amount of material? And what to resign from to remain faithful to the literary original? Peter Jackson took up the challenge, resulting in a phenomenal film trilogy. Under his guidance, Middle-earth became flesh, and it delights the next generation of viewers.
It is hard to imagine how it could be done better now. The world of elves, humans, dwarves, hobbits, Orcs and wizards looks just as Tolkien described it. As we watch once again the struggle against the hosts of the evil Sauron, we again become children and can believe that good always wins in the end.
Batman
Let the last suggestion in the list be the Nolan trilogy. It is an example of modern superhero cinema in which the main character is not crystal clear but remains a man with many weaknesses. Christian Bale as Batman added a new dimension to the already known character. Thanks to this, the films gained a darker dimension and became closer to the world we know from TV screens and not from comic books.
One cannot forget to mention the great gallery of “the bad guys” led by Joker and Ban. The craziness of the former and the latter’s determination have rarely been shown more convincingly on screen.
Planet of the Apes Trilogy
![Dawn of the Planet of the Apes | Official Final Trailer [HD] | PLANET OF THE APES](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/DpSaTrW4leg/hqdefault.jpg "10 Best Movie Trilogies in the History of Cinema 7")
This selection may surprise many people. Till recently, I wouldn’t have considered this title either, but after seeing the modern version of this story, I can say with full responsibility that it is a piece of really solid cinema. It is a well-made story about how human envy, avarice and cruelty can cause our species to struggle for survival.
Interestingly, in this struggle, we’re not rooting for “us” at all. On the contrary, the apes, led by Caesar, prove to be more human than we are. To warn us and entertain us at the same time.
Pirates of the Caribbean (Parts 1-3)
The first three films of the adventures of Jack Sparrow and his company are fantastic, an adventurous cinema which is great to watch. This is entertainment in its purest form. It’s entertainment in its purest form, full of well-written, charming characters, hidden secrets, treasures to be found, and adventures to be faced without losing the sense of humour.
However, it must be noted that this description refers only to the original trilogy. The next two parts might as well not have been made, and their only justification is the desire of the film studio for profit.
Star Wars
Without beating around the bush, we’re not a big fan of the Star Wars films (and there are three trilogies). But I love all the excitement around them and how their success influenced the entertainment industry (cinema is now only one part of the Star Wars industry). However, already I am aware that the original Star Wars trilogy is a classic that everyone should see at least once. There’s nothing more to add.
The Godfather
The second proposition is definitely more serious cinema but at the same time an absolute classic and a masterpiece of world cinematography (even if the third part slightly deviates from the level of the rest). “The Godfather” is a story about the Corleone mafia family, led by Don Vito (Marlon Brando). He is highly respected even among his enemies and puts his family above all else.
When he decides to achieve something, without a blink of an eye, he will make his opponents an offer they cannot refuse. If necessary, he can be ruthless. His youngest son Michael (Al Pacino), following in his footsteps, personifies a new generation that, continuing this tradition, is capable of going even further if necessary. An absolute classic, not just mafia cinema.
