Filed under: Top Tens

TOP TEN: Movie Trilogies

Three films, many hours, which one's the best?

TOP TEN MOVIE TRILOGIES

I almost didn’t do this top ten because I know film purists are going to be upset I didn’t include the Three Colors trilogy or Ingmar Bergman’s trilogy of faith. I am sorry, but I just haven’t seen those films, but I plan to, considering so many think they are good, if not brilliant.

The second issue with this piece is that I didn’t include any film franchises that have more than three films, because technically they aren’t trilogies. This means the Indiana Jones trilogy doesn’t count, neither does the Rambo, Die Hard, Lethal Weapon, Alien, Shrek, Jaws or Final Destination franchises. I know the fourth film in the Indy franchise isn’t out yet, but it is close enough that I counted it out even though it definitely would have been near the top.

You may wonder about Star Wars, well, I count the original trilogy separate from the prequel trilogy. That’s just me and I really think a lot of the movie world does the same. I hope it doesn’t upset you guys, but if it does there isn’t a lot I can do about it. Sorry, I know there are also several trilogies many of you would like to see on this and I hope to hear from all of you in the comment section. I am sure one of your favorites rests in the list I made, but just didn’t make the cut.

With all that said, let’s get underway.

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Post #1
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I prefer the Oceans trilogy above the Pirates and especially above the Mission Impossible trilogy myself. Other than that I like the list.
Could I allso nominate Hellraiser and The Prophecy? I know there where more of them but to me they never went further than a trilogy and I’ll allways deny the existence of anything after the third ones.

- RaTTleR_NL
( March 31st, 2008 | 7:37 am )
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Post #2
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The Godfather Trilogy, even with the failings (minor, if you ask me) of the third entry, should be number one. No question, as far as I am concerned. That said, Jackson’s acheivement with The Lord of the Rings is downright astonishing. It really is incredible.

My big problems with this list really end up being about the films you haven’t seen, which really is more my issue than yours (a person can’t see it all, after all). It still bothers me that the Three Colors trilogy isn’t here. It’s a magnificent collection. Even worse for me is the absence of The Apu Trilogy by the great Satyajit Ray. Fassbinder’s The BRD Trilogy is also worthy, as would be the John Wayne/John Ford Calvary Trilogy of Fort Apache, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon and the magnificent Rio Grande.

Other notables that could have been included:

  • The Decline of Western Civilization Trilogy by Penelope Spheeris, absolutely essential rock documentary viewing
  • Fritz Lang’s monumental Doctor Mabuse Trilogy
  • Deepa Mehta’s sensational The Elements Trilogy
  • Sam Raimi’s highly influential The Evil Dead Trilogy
  • Wes Cravens’ fantastically entertaining (yes, even the third one) Scream Trilogy
  • Hiroshi Inagaki’s Samurai Trilogy (which Criterion have released in an amazing three picture set)
  • The, "I’m almost ashamed to admit it’s grown on me over the years as much as it has" Naked Gun Trilogy

Obviously you can’t choose all of these, not for a top ten, but to my mind any of them would be far more worthy of inclusion than The Matrix, Pirates of the Caribbean or Mission: Impossible trilogies. Heck, even Spider-man and The X-Men deserve some love if you’re including those (and both of their Part Three were pretty much inexcusably awful).

For me, though, the trilogy that hurts the most by not being here is The Mad Max Trilogy. I adore those films, especially the second one, and I think it is probably one of the very best action films ever made. George Miller’s often imitated, never duplicated serious of post-apocalyptic adventures is as timeless as it is essential, and every time I watch it I am reminded why I became a film critic.

With that in mind, if I were to do this list, it would be as follows:

  • The Godfather Trilogy
  • The Apu Trilogy
  • The Dollars Trilogy
  • The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
  • The Jason Bourne Trilogy
  • The Star Wars Trilogy
  • The Mad Max Trilogy
  • The Doctor Mabuse Trilogy
  • The Back to the Future Trilogy

But, then, that’s just me. :)

- SaraMichelle
( March 31st, 2008 | 2:04 pm )
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Post #3
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You know, I have only seen the first film in both of those franchises. The Prophecy was a disappointment for me, but I really dug Hellraiser. As for what is and isn’t a trilogy, that is up to you, but if they start getting into direct-to-DVD realm it certainly is at your discretion.

- bradbrevet
( March 31st, 2008 | 2:04 pm )
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Post #4
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SaraMichelle said: Obviously you can’t choose all of these, not for a top ten, but to my mind any of them would be far more worthy of inclusion than The Matrix, Pirates of the Caribbean or Mission: Impossible trilogies. Heck, even Spider-man and The X-Men deserve some love if you’re including those (and both of their Part Three were pretty much inexcusably awful).

Spider-Man? Yikes. X-Men? I like the second one, was never too much in love with the first and the third was just… it was just there. I knew Matrix, Pirates and Mission were the ones most people would have a problem with, but I had to remain honest to my opinion. :)

- bradbrevet
( March 31st, 2008 | 2:07 pm )
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Post #5
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1) The Godfather
2) Bourne (I almost chose it first…Godfather III is a big DUD,and all the Bournes are all consistently good)
3) Star Wars
4) LOTR
5) Mad Max
6) Back to the Future
7) Die Hard
8) Indiana Jones
9) The Matrix
10) Evil Dead

There.

- Romin2003
( April 5th, 2008 | 7:42 pm )
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Post #6
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Pitty, that we can’t vote for our favorite trilogies!
My best 11 are:
1. the Godfather,
2. Three Colors,
3. StarWars,
4. Dollar trilogy,
5. Pusher,
6. Matrix,
7. Infernal Affairs,
8. Terminator,
9. Bourne,
10. Mad Max,
11. Indiana Jones.
sorry, but there is no place for stupid Mission Impossible, Back to the Future, LoTR, Oceans or Pirates trilogies- it’s time to grow up :)

- next
( April 9th, 2008 | 3:30 pm )
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Post #7
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Pitty, that we can’t vote for our favorite trilogies!
My best 11 are:
1. the Godfather,
2. Three Colors,
3. StarWars,
4. Dollar trilogy,
5. Pusher,
6. Matrix,
7. Infernal Affairs,
8. Terminator,
9. Bourne,
10. Mad Max,
11. Indiana Jones.
sorry, but there is no place for stupid Mission Impossible, Back to the Future, LoTR, Oceans or Pirates trilogies- it’s time to grow up :)

- next
( April 9th, 2008 | 3:30 pm )
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Post #8
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Next, I’m not a fan of Tolkien or LOTR trilogy (is the ONE book I read in HS under penalty of detention by the nuns-I thought the dude was crazy after reading 10 pages), but credit must be given where it is due. The movies are well made and the last one is truly entertaining. Besides, Legolas makes it all worth it. As far as back to the future, to me it was a sentimental choice because the first ones is EVER so good. Now, Mission Impossible is on its own. It was my mother’s favorite TV show, and had she been alive, she would have been outraged by the choice of Tom Cruise for her beloved Ethan Hawke.

- Romin2003
( April 9th, 2008 | 7:42 pm )
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Post #9
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next said: sorry, but there is no place for stupid Mission Impossible, Back to the Future, LoTR, Oceans or Pirates trilogies- it’s time to grow up :)

I refuse to grow up. If I ever stop liking some movies because they are mindless and fun I will stop running this site.

- bradbrevet
( April 10th, 2008 | 3:18 pm )
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Post #10
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As much as I thought I was a movie fanatic, wow - these lists consist of some movies I’ve never seen, let alone heard of.

Well, I do love movies, so I’ll throw in my kernals :popcorn:…
1. Lord Of The Rings (by far the best casting, vision, and effects)
2. Star Wars (the original, of course)
3. The Godfather
4. Bourne
5. Matrix
6. Terminator (I can’t not rank this one, T1 and T2 are among my all time favorite movies)
7. Ocean (just watching the cast is exciting)
8. Pirates (Curse of the Black Pearl is so entertaining, it’s the only reason I added it to my list)
9. Mad Max (Road Warrior rules the road)
10. Blade (There I go, showing my genre faves… I can’t help it, vampires and Snipes - what a combo)

Well, not quite all "Oscar winners" but definitely entertaining for me [even some guilty pleasures].

:)Thanks bradbrevet for the spark.

- melsgirl
( April 12th, 2008 | 12:07 pm )
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Post #11
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Blade was on my list, but I am not a huge fan of the third one and I don’t like the first one as much as most people do. I did, however, love the second one. Also, the Mad Max films just don’t interest me. I didn’t like Road Warrior and never even bothered with the other two. I know I am in the minority there, but gotta be honest right. :)

- bradbrevet
( April 13th, 2008 | 2:23 pm )
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Post #12
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Wow… POTC sequals all sucked… Bourne above the Godfather and Star Wars? Nice way to spark discussion, but that’s ludicrous! I love the omission of the Mexico Trilogy in favour of the Matrix, which was another in which the original was the only good one. For my top 3 I’d have to go:
1. Godfather
2. Star Wars
3. LOTR

- QTFANBOY
( April 30th, 2008 | 2:42 pm )
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Post #13
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lord of the rings….matrix :popcorn:

- superjoe89
( August 11th, 2008 | 8:55 pm )
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Post #14
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1. LORD OF THE RINGS
2. GODFATHER
3. MATRIX
4. PIRATES (I dont care what people say, I loved all of them, massive dumb fun)
5. MEXICO (Desperado, El Mariachi, Once Upon….in Mexico)
6. INDY
7. BOURNE
8. TERMINATOR
9. DOLLAR
10. ORGINAL STAR WARS

- will0949
( October 1st, 2008 | 5:01 am )
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