To this day, moviegoers and filmmakers love a three-act structure, even with their sequels.
But which is the best?
The best things come in threes, especially stories.
Some of these stories cannot be held within a single movie.
For those epics, those monumental narratives, the movie trilogy was born.
Before we get too far, lets lay out our criteria.
That said, here are our picks for the three movie tales that continue to define cinematic storytelling.
The Naked Gun Trilogy
The Naked Gun trilogy follows a trajectory that reoccurs throughout this list.
And then 1994sThe Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insultrenders the idea tired and offensive.
However, the first two films more than make up for the unfunny third.
Isnt that right, Mr… Poopy Pants?
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14.
The Matrix Trilogy
And then theresThe Matrix, a trilogy with one amazing movie and two miscalculations.
A lot of trilogies fit that description, including the original runs of theBeverly Hills CopandRambofranchises.
However, The Matrix secures its spot just because that first film revolutionized the genre.
For better or worse,The Matrixchanged the face of cinema.
And then in 2003The Matrix ReloadedandThe Matrix Revolutionshappened.
Over the years, fans have put together thoughtful and well-observed arguments in defense of the twoThe Matrixsequels.
As smart as these takes may be, they cant get around the fact thatReloadedandRevolutionsare deadly dull.
And yet, the three films feel very much of a piece.
All three revise the myth of American exceptionalism offered by classic Westerns.
For years afterward, lesser directors confounded illegible chaos for immediacy.
Evil Dead Trilogy
Some might call foul here, not because the threeEvil Deadmovies directed bySam Raimiare bad.
No one who loves cinema can complain about Raimis wildly inventive approach to low-budget horror.
Rather they may insist that the three main movies arent really a trilogy becauseEvil Dead IIkind of remakesEvil Dead.
But anyone going toEvil Deadfor the plot has made a huge mistake.
Instead its the slapstick gags that Raimi invents to torture his childhood friend and star.
Mad Max Trilogy
The worst thing about the first threeMad Maxmovies?
However, those impressive visuals shouldnt distract from the achievement of the first films.
Part of the enduring quality of the Dark Knight trilogy stems from its performances.
Its combination of European allure and thematic coherence made theThree Colourstrilogy a prime candidate for crossover appeal.
Together the movies explore the depth of human existence in all its pain and beauty.
The Indiana Jones Trilogy
Forget the depressing final moviesThe Kingdom of the Crystal SkullandThe Dial of Destiny.
The first three Indiana Jones movies were 80s blockbuster perfection.
Sam Raimis Spider-Man Trilogy
Yep, Sam Raimi has made two of the best trilogies of all time.
And yes, I realize thatSpider-Man 3exists.
For that reason, its impossible to see anyone butTobey MaguireandKirsten Dunstas the leads of Raimis movies.
Instead they are regular people who indulge in their melodramatic emotions.
The Toy Story Trilogy
TheToy Storytrilogy has no bad entries.
But all three feature impeccable animation, inspired gags, and emotionally rich stories.
And yet, the performers and animators make them feel timeless, believable stand-ins for the passage of time.
Tolkiens influential but dusty books into gripping adventure stories with mass appeal.
Its easy to see why the trio won over the masses.
That combination of skill and sincerity make the Lord of the Rings trilogy an epic for everybody.
No,Return of the Jedidoesnt know what to do Han Solo.
Yes, the ending ofThe Empire Strikes Backsets a standard the third film couldnt match.
All legitimate complaints to which I offer two rejoinders: 1) who cares?
- shut up.
Star Warsis the reason that genre filmmakers think in trilogies.
The Godfather Trilogy
Lets get this out of the way.
Yes,The Godfather, Part III(1990) is bad.
And yet,Godfather Part IIIstill has stuff to recommend, including strong performances from Pacino and Andy Garcia.
Also that Elvis Costello song rocks.
Still, whatever the shortcomings ofPart III, The Godfather trilogy features two five-star perfect movies.
