13 Greatest "Trilogies"

Lord of the Rings

• Seeing how Tolkien composed the LOTR as one large novel it could be argued that this is just one very long film

Star Wars Ep IV –VI

• 2 and 3 are a toss-up for me. I originally had them switched but because of how significant the original Star Wars trilogy was to the future of science fiction films and special effects I think it is fitting.

The Godfather Trilogy

• There is little doubt in my mind that the first two Godfather films are two of the top five greatest films ever made. But as a trilogy, the whole is invariably judged by its weakest link and I personally think The Godfather III was not up to par with its predecessors. If it had even come close then I would have no problem placing this second or even first on this list.

Toy Story Trilogy

• Some may be surprised but the fact is these films are amazing. Not only did they begin an entire genre of film (3D Computer Animated Films just in case some of you want to debate me by referring to this as a cartoon which it is NOT) but they continually improved upon its predecessor. And I for one have no problem with animated films being considered equal to live action. In some cases they are far greater.

Much thanks to DJ catojune-1 for reminding me of Christopher Nolan's amazing Dark Knight Trilogy. I really do not know how I could ever forget it as I love each film and it is one of the few trilogies in my opinion in which the films got better each time. So this is easily 5 for me.

Indiana Jones I-III

• If people can claim that Star Wars is two separate (and highly unequal) trilogies, then we should also be allowed to discount future installments of a franchise if they are produced long after the original films. If you allow this then the original I.J. trilogy has to be here. I for one thought 4 was entertaining. I admit it dove head long into the realm of ridiculously impossible as opposed to the other three which were merely highly improbable, but nevertheless there are far worse films to watch.

Alien 1-3

• If the above can be allowed then so too must the first three Alien films. I understand even David Fincher considers 3 to be a failure but in my opinion it was decent (at the very least we must give him credit for creating an original ending, something Cameron was unable to do). I am desperately trying to ignore the travesty known as Alien Resurrection

Matrix Trilogy

• I understand 2 and 3 were not beloved by all. I admit 2 is not necessarily my favorite but, Jesus references aside, I actually liked the third film. And since this is a "true" trilogy then it fits

Back to the Future Trilogy

• This would easily have cracked the top five if only the third one had not been what it was.

Die Hard 1-3

• I can imagine Bruce Willis making these films as long as he can say "yippeekiyay" but the first three films are a real trilogy in that there was a complete story arc with Gruber's brother being the villain and seeking revenge in the third.

Harry Potter 1 -3

• I know people have and will argue this ad nauseum but I look at the first three HP films as being the most accurate and the best representation of the actual books. Plus these were all produced by Chris Columbus and the scores were composed by John Williams (and in this regard no one can argue that his scores are not the greatest of the franchise)

Can we count Oliver Stones ‘Vietnam’ era films: Platoon, JFK and Born on the Fourth of July (I purposefully ignored From Heaven).

If we allow the above, then we must then include Spielberg’s WWII films (which I think would easily crack the top 5 if we do): Empire of the Sun (perhaps his most underrated and unappreciated film), Schindler’s List, and Saving Private Ryan (as opposed to Saving Ryan’s Privates which would be on a completely different list).