10. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
This is a trilogy that is probably up much higher on the list for most but because I was introduced so much later in life, it doesn't hold quite as special of a place in my heart as it does for other fans of film. Obviously, Indiana Jones is a very popular character because he became part of the title after the first film. Most people don't even know that Raiders of the Lost Ark did not have an "Indiana Jones and" attached to the beginning, and it wasn't until the creative team saw the power of the name Indiana Jones, did they begin attaching it to the beginning of the movie titles. Kind of similar to how First Blood turned Rambo into a sensational franchise character, and thus ended up becoming part of the rest of the titles. Matter of fact, why didn't that end up on my list... Anyways, Indiana Jones became an iconic character for two reasons that I can see. One, the outstanding acting of Harrison Ford as a hero with an attitude was proven yet again in these films as he became probably the greatest action/adventure character ever created. Doctor by day, adventurer by night and if it wasn't for Ford's incredible ability to create a character that's as funny as he is serious, it could have easily been a flop. The second reason this trilogy works so well is because of the big creative mind behind it, Steven Spielberg. The guy is a film legend for a reason, and this trilogy is one of the many examples brought to attention when recalling his prolific career in filmmaking. I'm not the biggest fan of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom but it is still pretty entertaining, and the other two films are just classic. Raiders of the Lost Ark is easily one of the greatest action/adventure films ever made.
9. Back to the Future (1985)
Back to the Future Part II (1989)
Back to the Future Part III (1990)
8. The Evil Dead (1981)
Evil Dead II (1987)
Army of Darkness (1992)
There are several horror trilogies that you could probably include on here, but none of them are quite as successful through the entire run as Evil Dead was. The only other comparable series was the Scream trilogy but the third film just doesn't do that whole series any justice by being a joke of itself. Evil Dead however, progresses from being a truly frightening experience full of demons, evil, and brilliant practical FX work into quite possibly the greatest horror comedy of all-time. Army of Darkness is a cult classic for many reasons, but mainly because of its sense of humor. Horror comedies often have struggle with balancing the elements of both a comedy, and a horror film. Army of Darkness executes on both sides perfectly, and presents one of the funnest adult horror films you'd ever see. It's so corny in a way, but at the same time you recall all that the character Ash has gone through up until that point and know that evil is bound to find him yet again. One of the reasons I love the Evil Dead trilogy is obviously because it's horror, but the amazing use of practical FX back in the 80's and early 90's was just stunning. The witches or whatever you want to call them, from the first two films, are downright creepy and some of the monsters after the first film are insane. There's also a reason they made a remake, and it's because these films were great then and they're still great now, and though it didn't need an update the Evil Dead trilogy is as relevant today as ever.
7. The Bourne Identity (2002)
The Bourne Supremacy (2004)
The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)
There are so many action trilogies out there in the world, but I feel there are few that match the intensity of these films. From The Bourne Identity forward, they continue to up the ante and match the intensity of the previous film by adding more layers to the story and a lot more action. The Bourne Ultimatum in my opinion, may be one of the greatest action films of all-time and though it's not like action films of the 80's, it wallops as Matt Damon cruises through his enemies in the best ways possible. There are a lot of great fight scenes and action scenes throughout this whole trilogy, but there is a lot of well acted drama too and that's what sets these films apart from the rest of the action trilogy canon. The scene in the third and final film where Jason Bourne sets up his followers by making them think he is elsewhere, when he really is in their offices placing the call to them. It's just brilliant hero stuff, and you can't help but root for Bourne as he is easily misunderstood and just wants to be normal. There are a lot of things that you can relate to as a viewer, but when your hero is so relatable it makes it that much easier to get involved and root for the guy. If you have seen The Bourne Legacy but never saw the first three films, or never had any interest in this trilogy, I highly recommend it. It will be regarded as an action/drama classic series of films by the time 15 years have past on The Bourne Ultimatum.
6. The Godfather (1972)
The Godfather: Part II (1974)
The Godfather: Part III (1990)
I obviously didn't see this classic trilogy until much later in life, other than the horse at the foot of the bed scene on a few countdowns of classic film moments. It's a hardcore drama through and through, and if you don't believe me you can take a look at the total runtime for this trilogy. There are several reasons this trilogy is one of the greatest, and for me there are a few other reasons that make it not the single greatest ever like a lot of people claim it is. First of all, the third movie is so far off the mark of the first two it makes it hard to claim that the entire trilogy is legendary. When anyone thinks of these films, it's usually moments from the first two. Imagine a world where The Godfather: Part III is equally as intense as The Godfather: Part II. The acting of Marlon Brando is most of what makes this classic for most, but take a look at other actors that got their start in the mob here. Al Pacino does amazing work, as well as Robert De Niro, and let's not forget the master director behind all of these films. Martin Scorsese has proved since nearly the beginning of his career that runtime is not a problem, because the film that he makes will be great. His movie can be listed as four hours long, and everyone is still going to see it because Scorsese can craft some of the most epic drama films anyone has ever seen. There is no one that rivals his talent when it comes to hard-hitting dramas, and The Godfather trilogy is proof that even after nearly ten hours of The Godfather goodness, you can leave folks wanting more. Of course, let's not hope for it because if The Godfather: Part III is any proof, a fourth entry would just be really long and good, but not great like these first two films are. Scorsese won't touch it either, unless they make him an offer he can't refuse.
5. Clerks. (1994)
Mallrats (1995)
Chasing Amy (1997)
I don't know how many regard the first three films of Kevin Smith as a trilogy, but it is packaged and sold as one so I thought it deserved its spot here. Similar to the trilogy that is the reason for this list, Kevin Smith's Jersey Trilogy is comprised of three films that have their own stories and main characters, but all take place in the same fictional universe that Smith has created since making Clerks. back in 1994. They are comedies, and they are rude, crude and most often socially unacceptable but that Kev Smith has always had a knack for writing truly authentic people into his movies. Clerks. was a comedy that no one expected when it came out and despite its lacklusted performance in terms of money, it has become a cult classic and of course began the launch of Smith's wild career that has now landed him as one of the biggest commentators of Hollywood today, at least for us fan boys. When Clerks III finally hits theaters in the somewhat near future, I may have a more literal trilogy to put on a list like this, but for now I felt that Smith's work needed to be acknowledged. These are merely his first three films, and each one touches on a different subject matter while all retaining Smith's unique voice as a writer and director. Chasing Amy may be one of my favorite love stories ever, and the only reason I can't call it a chick flick because it is truly a love story written for dudes to enjoy, and Ben Affleck nails it.
4. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)
Oh my god, I know but please don't kill me. Star Wars not being in the top three trilogies of all-time might as well be a betrayal to my geekdom and status as a film fan. Really, it's one of my favorites as it's sci-fi and action, and I grew up on it but the three above this just really have quality written all over them. Despite the high entertainment value of the Star Wars trilogy, I can't say that they're the most brilliantly written movies and present intense dramas without a little corn. The special effects are amazing, and so is the action and sesne of adventure. Nothing can beat these films, and like I said with Back to the Future, Star Wars is one of those that will be passed down from generation to generation just because of what it is. It's still as relevant as it was more than 30 years ago, if not more so now today than it was then. Kids grow up knowing what Star Wars is, and it's ingrained into their DNA somehow to just love. It's rare that you find a person out in the world that doesn't know who Darth Vader is, or Luke Skywalker. Everyone knows some of the basic stories and characters of Star Wars, even if they've never seen a minute of the films in their life. It's truly a testament to the power of the universe that George Lucas has created, and the multitude of new stories in science fiction novels and the merchandise and spinoffs created for kids are the proof. There is nothing quite like Star Wars and I dare you to find a trilogy that is more well recognized than this one is. Maybe, in a galaxy far, far away.
3. Toy Story (1995)
Toy Story 2 (1999)
Toy Story 3 (2010)
This is the trilogy that I think of when it comes to my childhood. I pretty much grew up watching these characters and these films, and when the final one came out a couple of years ago it was able to strike me directly in the heart when it looked like it could be the end of all our favorite toys. I was such a little kid when the first one came out, and I loved it because it was a Disney movie and it was computer animated and it was so cool to imagine your toys coming to life and being their own people when you weren't around. It kind of matched the magic of The Indian in the Cupboard which was also one of my favorite movies growing up. The first film is a hands down family classic, and while I don't think the second film is anywhere near as good, it holds its own against a lot of the family film competition. Each one of these films taught a valuable lesson in life, and I think it's truly amazing that even after 15 years they were still able to do that, and to teach something to the same crowd that started out watching Toy Story as a kid. Toy Story 3 had me and about everyone else my age in tears when we saw the film, because it was a group of people that we had come to know and love in these films and we didn't want to see them go. It's a lesson taught to kids and adults alike in the third film, and I really can't think of a trilogy that quite does what Toy Story can. It is as close to magic as you can get, and go figure it's Disney.
2. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
Definitely the most successful trilogy when it comes to Academy recognition, Peter Jackson's epic take on the trilogy of books written by author J.R.R. Tolkien rung in a new era of film. It was the biggest and most epic adventure since some of the classic trilogies you saw earlier on in this list. This was the trilogy of my generation, and it has the length to show up all the rest. From the beginning, the magic of Tolkien's Middle Earth is woven so perfectly by Peter Jackson. Everything seems to have leapt straight off the pages and created directly from the words of Tolkien, and while I haven't read much of the trilogy of books, I could tell that they were pretty faithful to them. The plethora of characters provides enough choices for anyone to pick a favorite, and it ranges from bad ass to straight up cowardly, and intelligent to moronic. There really aren't too many words that can explain the magic of the Lord of the Rings films without actually seeing them for yourself. There are those who swear by the extended editions but you'd be looking at about a 12-hour day of all Lord of the Rings. But definitely try this trilogy out, and if you've only seen one or two shame on you. This is a trilogy that has to be experienced from beginning to end, because it is the greatest fictionalized adventure of all-time, at least in my opinion. This film series should be listed next to epic in the dictionary, because it is most definitely so.
1. Batman Begins (2005)
The Dark Knight (2008)
The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
For the second week in a row, Christopher Nolan's trilogy of Batman films tops the list. It really goes to show how much I love Batman, but also how truly great these films are as an entire piece of work. We all have our favorite film from the trilogy, most would say The Dark Knight, but together they serve as one of the greatest Batman stories ever told. Of the heroes rise to the occasion turned into an overwelcome stay in the underbelly of Gotham. No one could have made these films quite like Nolan, and I don't think it could or can be done, any better than it has been here. I hope it's a long time before they try to reboot the character and do something new, and I hope that if they do it turns into an R-rated horror fest like the recent comics have. If you've only seen one of these movies, or if you've never watched them sequentially, you ought to give it a shot. These movies are the definition of quality film. This is what should be studied in schools, because it's one thing when you make a good superhero movie like Marvel Studios has been in recent years. But when you make a hero film that could serve just as well as a police drama or wild action movie, you know you have gold. This trilogy is the definition of perfect, and honestly all trilogies that strive for similar goals should aspire to be what Nolan has crafted.
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