Best Movie Trilogy

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Today is the 25th aniversary of Back To The Future, which may be my favorite trilogy of all time:

YouTube - Back To The Future Part I Original Theatrical Trailer
Also...Leone/Eastwood's "Man with No Name" trilogy with A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly:
YouTube - Clint Eastwood VS Lee Van Cleef Western Duel in For A Few Dollars More

What's your favorite movies SERIES with at least three movies in the series?
#off topic forum
  • Star Wars, of course !
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    • That's the one.

      And Steven: Star Wars was a trilogy. The abomination that followed it was not Star Wars, but a branded spinoff. Sort of like that show with Joey Trebbiani from Friends - it was sure as hell no Friends. Likewise, having Obi-Wan and Darth Vader in the second trilogy didn't make it Star Wars.
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  • Well, I wanted to say the best movie trilogy was Star Wars, but it isn't a
    trilogy anymore, so that's shot to hell.

    So my second choice would be Lord Of The Rings. Yeah, I know the book
    was better, but Peter Jackson did a good job with it and the final movie
    was really well done.

    Truth is, when you talk about trilogies, there is always going to be one
    movie in the bunch, even if good, that's just not as good as the other two.
    I have yet to see three movies in a trilogy where each movie was of the
    same quality.

    Of course that's just my opinion and I'm sure there are plenty of folks out
    there who feel that each movie in at least one trilogy was as good as the
    other two. Part of the problem with me may simply be because after the
    first movie, it's tough for me to get into the sequels as there isn't a lot
    new you can do with them. It's usually just more of the same. After a
    while, at least for me, it gets a little tiresome. And of course when some
    franchises move into five, six or even...shudder the thought...ten (My
    God, how many Friday The 13th movies were there?) that's when it just
    gets ridiculous unless you're just such a fanatic that you'll watch anything
    the series puts out.

    As you can tell, I'm not a big fan of sequels. But I did enjoy:

    Star Wars (both trilogies, if you want to call them that)
    Lord Of The Rings

    After that, most other trilogies and beyond, I was done after the second
    movie at best and done after the first at worst.

    I wonder if I'm an oddball or if there are other people who feel the same
    way about trilogies or even just movie sequels.
  • Gotta go with Lord of the Rings
  • The Clint Eastwood one Kurt referred to is my favorite.

    I did enjoy the Die Hard movies (I don't count 2 because it really sucked) even though they are a bit over the top. Which is fine - that made them entertaining...
  • My 1st choice is LOTR and my 2nd choice is BTTF
  • Technically The Lord Of The Rings isn't a trilogy. However, so as not to start a debate on semantics, we'll put it at number 1.

    For real trilogies my fave is the Jason Bourne series. Until of course they make another one and it becomes a quadrilogy.
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  • I was also a fan of the "Billy Jack" series. It's another I thought of as a trilogy for years, forgetting the first installment was actually "The Born Losers".

    My favorite scene from "Billy Jack":

    YouTube - Billy Jack
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  • TWILIGHT TEAM EDWARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    LMAO

    I dunoo I like the bourne identity movies.
  • I agree and disagree.
    It was one story printed in 3 books,so in that sense it is a trilogy,but in reality isn't.
    And Jackson made each movie so that it could be viewed and stand alone individually,although that was done by extremely long prologues that were not in the books,so it is technically a trilogy.
    Of course, I have said before that while Jackson made several good movies, he did not make a movie of TLOTR. I know many disagree with me,but thats ok.
    From the latest I have heard, he is making The Hobbit,which is one bookk, into two movies. I hope what I am hearing is wrong.
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    • Well at least we can agree on the fact that (it/they) (is/are) (one/three) of the best films ever made.

      Oh, yeah, the Hobbit has been put on hold as one of the studios involved (MGM I think - correct me if I'm wrong), is looking down the barrel of bankruptcy.

      I'm sure it will get made - one day.
    • It was actually just too large for the publisher's equipment to bind.

      So they bound it in three volumes. It was never intended to be a trilogy. Ever. It's not just one story, it's one book.
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  • Actually the last I heard about the Hobbit was the director quit/got fired and that Jackson,who was producing but didn't want to direct it,is being pressured into directing by said almost bankrupt studio.
  • I was forutnate in a way. I saw all of the Lord of the Rings movies in both their theatrical and extended versions BEFORE I read the books.

    Man! There were a LOT of major differences.

    However, I believe each one stands on it own merits. If you can watch the movie and pretend the books don't exist, then even fans of the books should be able to recognize how masterful the movies are.

    At least that's the way I see it, but my background prior to seeing the movies was different than that of most.

    I had no idea about any of the story, so had no expectations. I didn't even know about the most basic plot points such as the Ring, Gollum, the Hobbits, or Sauron.

    But I loved the movies. They are easily my favorite trilogy.

    As for Star Wars, they are a close second, but only Parts IV, V and VI in their original theatrical release format. George Lucas should have just kept his dirty digital-effects-make-everything-good-and-more-digital-effects-makes-things-even-better hands off of the movies.

    Parts I, II and III had some moments, and a few revelations, but they could have been made into one really good movie in my opinion. In fact, I didn't find the character arc of Anakin/Darth to really be all the interesting.

    So...Lord of the Rings gets my vote. They are among the few movies I can watch over and over.

    All the best,
    Michael
  • Michael,
    "Man! There were a LOT of major differences."

    Thats really my gripes with Jacksons movies, but I agree, if you didn't know the story or the books,they can and do stand on their own.

    As far as Star Wars, the first three movies are classics. Sadly Lucas after growing older did not expand his vision but lost it to where, as someone above posted, the prequel movies are just "Star Wars movies" in name only.
  • I'm usually not a huge kid's movie fan. But after seeing Toy Story 3, I'd have to say that the Toy Story trilogy is one of my favorite of all times. This could be one trilogy where it could be claimed that all 3 were great movies.
  • I was going to say "Indiana Jones" but that series is more of a quadrilogy now.

    Chris
  • Not sure if everybody caught that in Kurt's original post. It can be a quadrilogy, quintilogy, or whatever. Just so it has AT LEAST three movies in the series.

    ~Michael
  • LOTR is one story told in six books published in three volumes. Each volume containing two independent narratives. It's only in the movies that the story jumps between Frodo and Sam to the others.

    I just checked my '70s books and Tolkien labeled the sections Book One - Book Six.
  • The Resident Evil movies aren't bad for some mindless entertainment.
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    • Lord of The Rings, Bourne Trilogy, and The Matrix are the best trilogy ever in my opinion.
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  • Fast and the Furious. But hey, I love fast cars, so it's no surprise that one makes my list.

    Leslie
  • Hmmm... interesting topic. It is difficult to say which one I like the most, but I will just the ones I have liked and why.

    1. Original Star Wars Trilogy

    I liked this one because of the actors and the genre. I was very young when it came out and even remember having the Return of the Jedi t-shirt and matching underwear... lol I remember seeing one of them at a drive in theater. That memory will be with me forever. Drive In theaters are nearly extinct now.

    2. Back to the Future Trilogy

    Actors often set the tone for a movie. I like the pairing of Michael J Fox with Christopher Lloyd. Lloyd was cast perfectly as the scientist. It had some very cool ideas like the hoverboard and 3D movies... which oddly enough are now on the uprise due to some marekting by certain tv manufacturers. But the main reason is time travel because I love everything surrounding that topic. I have watched variations of this since I can remember... The Time Machine (both versions), Stargate, Sliders, Quantum Leap, etc.

    3. The Matrix Trilogy

    I liked the fact that this movie brought something new to film making. The photography well done in this movie. If this series had the same consistency in quality that the LOTR series had for it, it would definitely be a top pick. But it still isn't a bad movie. It had some really cool aspects to it like being able to download knowledge to your brain... and truly traveling at the speed of thought.

    4. The Fast and the Furious Trilogy

    I really liked this movie because it introduced me to something had no knowledge of prior to the films. I love fast cars these movies were full of those. But it fell a little flat because it was essentially the same movie with a different spin 3 different times. Of course Gone in 60 Seconds was much better.

    5. American Pie Trilogy

    Had to throw a comedy in there, because this was like a very raw and uncut version of the Breakfast Club. The original movie doesn't get old... but the other two were just weren't my cup of tea. Then again it did have a nice spinoff with some of the characters lke Harold and Kumar.

    6. Lord of the Rings Trilogy

    While I don't want to say any one of these trilogies is my all time favorite I have to say that the LOTR had the most consistent quality overall. I tend to like longer movies too, as you get so wrapped up in the movie the outside world tends not to exist. Long movies are a lot like good books... only in surround sound. I believe Avatar is going to be a lot like the LOTR trilogy.

    EDIT: Can't believe I forgot about Jurassic Park. Jeff Goldblum was great in those movies.
  • Toy Story!
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  • Nothing like Indiana Jones
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  • Indiana Jones is good too. Why did I forgot about those? They are definitely on my list too.

    Leslie
  • While none of them are really continuations, and could stand alone, I also like the Jurassic Park movies.

    The first one is my favorite. Tight story telling, good characters and Mr. DNA! (Which is also the title of a Devo song). Plus, at the time, the graphics were amazing. They actually hold up pretty well.

    The second is my next favorite, but I'm a sucker for big creatures running rampant through a city. But the plot was a little shaky.

    The third one was just okay, but my least favorite. Tea Leone kept screaming when the experts told her to be quiet, the pteradactyls were just dumb, and though all three movies are complete fiction, Jurassic Park III was the least believeable.

    I heard there was a Jurassic Park IV in the works. Hopefully they get it right.

    ~Michael
  • Indiana Jones was one of my favourite movies until number 4...what a joke that film was. I couldn't stop cringing watching it. Fake CGI swinging monkies, etc.. .what a bunch of bollocks that film was...I can't believe they were happy releasing that. Even Indy looked like my grandad. Why did they even bother?

    Jurassic park 1 was great..the third one was another joker in pack. Terrible movie.

    Matrix1 was great..2 was good..3 was ok. Kind of went down a bit.

    Toy Story? No-one?
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    • Jones is the best, I remember as a kid how cool it was, and still today it is cool.

  • Avatar Anyone?
  • Avatar isn't a trilogy
  • This is still a rumor but I think Yip Man will be having a part 3 so that would make it a very good trilogy. Aside from that, I would pick lord of the Rings and Godfather!
  • Avatar isn't a Trilogy yet...

    There is most likely going to be a Sequel... and then a 3rd.... making it a trilogy. Hollywood won't sit on their laurels with as much money as the original made.
  • I agree with you that the 'Back To the future trilogy'is the best because you can watch it again and again and still notice bits you didn't before,so much time must have gone into them!!!
  • Resident Evil. Bad I know, but what can you do.
  • ord og the rings is the best!!
  • Since this month old thread has been resurrected how about some trilogies that are not so commonplace, so mundane.

    Try the "Dead or Alive" trilogy by Takashi Miike.
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  • The Bourne Trilogy - Matt Damon is awesome!
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    • The Resident Evil Trilogy
    • First of All The Lord of The Rings , then Matrix and The fast and the furious
    • "Fast n Furious" and also waiting for upcoming episode "Fast 5"
    • The Matrix - great idea and Neo three times over...mmmmm, good enough for me.
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  • Yeah, Back To The Future's my fav, but Starwars is a strong runner up
  • Back To The Future. GREAT SCOTT!
  • Back to the future, American pie, The Mommy, Undisputed, Transporter, Underworld, X-men and so on...........
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  • I like Lord Of The Rings. get's me into a new world.
  • cool Resident Evil. Bad I know, but what can you do.
  • I would say Lord of the Rings and Bourne Trilogy were the best.
  • I think:
    Lord of the Rings
    Twilight
    The Godfather
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    • another vote for The Lord of the Rings, and anyone who knows me, knows that I'm a huge Tolkien fan.
      Also the original Star Wars Trilogy. I remember seeing the first one in the theatres and being blown away then...
      The Bourne series is another one.
      and the Matrix...

      good stuff, all!
  • I actually enjoyed the Resident evil series. Same with Fast and Furious but they're not trilogy's anymore. I'm not sure about this but I love the Bourne Identity trilogy! Awesome, awesome movie. Great fight scenes too!
  • In no particular order:

    1. Toy Story
    2. Bourne Trilogy
    3. Lord of the Rings
    4. Original Star Wars
    5. Back to the Future (although I didn't care for the third installment as much)
    6. Indiana Jones (except for no. 2 which I refuse to watch ever again, Kate Capshaw is so annoying!)

    Godfather 1 and 2 - Classics
    Godfather 3 - an abomination
  • Go with Lord of the Rings.
  • i love "The spy kids" trilogy...amazing!
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    • Yeah, we're going with Lord of the Rings with this one..

      I dork out so much over those damn movies. What's awesome about it though is that if you watch all the extra stuff (and there's a helluva lot of it in the extended editions), you can see how much effort and time they put into every aspect of the film.

      And the cinematography was ridiculous. For a long while I really thought John Rhys-Davies (Gimli) was actually dwarf-sized
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  • The Lord of the Rings trilogy -- quality of the storytelling was just superb, imho
    The Bourne trilogy
    The Matrix trilogy
    Resident Evil series
  • The Lord of the Rings and Toy Story.
  • Indiana Jones or Godfather series!

    Does anyone own a trilogy website where people rank which one they thinks the best - along with Amazon affiliate links etc..?
  • I think the Godfather. The only problem is the third part, also because they repeated just too many elements of the first two.
  • Underworld, underworld, underworld, did i say underworld i just love all three. Then there's the Bourne Trilogy, The Matrix, Terminator, Blade
  • Back to the future was great, the Matrix trilogy ranks well (if you omit part 2)
  • top 3

    1.back to the future

    2.star wars

    3.indianna jones
  • honorable mention to LOTR
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  • Lord Of The Rings Of course!
  • Lord of the Ring
    Resident Evil
    The Bourne Trilogy
  • terminator trilogy is the best that I seen yet, no one is better than that. I have my own DVD and I recently heard Arnold is doing come back with 5th part next year.
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  • The Godfather and LOTR top my list.
  • The Godfather and Bourne trilogy
  • Harry Potter Hands Down!

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