The Greatest Movie Trilogies Of The Last 30 Years

Who doesn’t love a great movie trilogy? It offers a long, cohesive narrative with the same familiar cast of beloved characters. The three-part format has been popular since the early days of cinema, arguably reaching its peak in the 1970s and 1980s with The Godfather, the original Star Wars trilogy, the classic Indiana Jones trilogy, and Back to the Future.

The trilogy format has remained popular ever since, both for filmmakers and audiences alike. Some directors even shoot multiple films at once and release them back-to-back. Today, we’re looking at the best movie trilogies of the past 30 years. From impactful superhero films to animated adventures, crime thrillers, romances, and epic fantasies, here are the greatest three-film stories released since 1995.

The rules here are strict: the first film was released no earlier than 1995, the three films form a cohesive narrative, and there is no fourth mainline movie (as of 2025). Anything outside these rules lands in the Honorable Mentions at the end.

10

The Unbreakable Trilogy (The Eastrail 177 Trilogy)

Unbreakable (2000), Split (2016), Glass (2019)

M. Night Shyamalan’s original take on the trilogy format, The Unbreakable Trilogy (also known as the Eastrail 177 Trilogy) is a curious (if uneven) superhero thriller series with a distinct comic-book edge. It began with the cult classic Unbreakable, starring Bruce Willis as the indestructible David Dunn and Samuel L. Jackson as the fragile yet brilliant Elijah Price. Though conceived from the start as a three-part story, fans had to wait sixteen years for the sequel.

Split shifted focus to a new character, Kevin Crumb, a man with multiple personalities, delivered in a riveting, unhinged performance by James McAvoy. However, the overarching connection only fully emerged in the finale, Glass, which brought David, Kevin, and Elijah together. The result was largely unsatisfying, yet meme-rich at least. Despite a squandered ending, the trilogy remains one of the most unique entries in the superhero genre, with the first two films frequently cited among Shyamalan’s finest work.

9

Ocean’s Trilogy

Ocean’s Eleven (2001), Ocean’s Twelve (2004), Ocean’s Thirteen (2007)

Steven Soderbergh’s stylish remake series that builds on the 1960 classic starring Frank Sinatra became a major hit and one of the most recognizable trilogies of the 2000s. It’s worth noting that the 2018 spin-off Ocean’s Eight has no narrative connections to the main series beyond Sandra Bullock’s character being Danny Ocean’s sister, leaving these three films as a complete, self-contained story.

With energetic plots, sleek execution, and Soderbergh’s signature star-studded ensemble featuring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, Casey Affleck, Don Cheadle, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Vincent Cassel, Al Pacino, and more, the Ocean’s movies deliver fun, easy-watching entertainment. They’re packed with memorable set pieces and clever writing, and they never pretend to be anything deeper than smart, sophisticated heist capers.

8

Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man Trilogy

Spider-Man (2002), Spider-Man 2 (2004), Spider-Man 3 (2007)

Back when superhero movies still carried a questionable reputation, Sam Raimi’s lighthearted and sincere Spider-Man films proved that the genre could satisfy die-hard comic-book fans while delivering solid entertainment for general audiences. Tobey Maguire’s Peter Parker became truly iconic, and the films themselves remain beloved for their exciting, groundbreaking action sequences, genuinely fun (and often silly) moments, emotionally timeless core, and clear respect for the source material.

While few today would call Raimi’s take the absolute best Spider-Man adaptation, as every fan has their definite favorite, the trilogy stands as an undeniable cornerstone of pop culture. These are some of the most recognizable films of the early 2000s and are always a pleasant watch.

7

The Millennium Trilogy

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2009), The Girl Who Played With Fire (2009), The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest (2009)

While Hollywood produced two adaptations of this story with different casts, the original Swedish series remains the definitive and most faithful take on Stieg Larsson’s acclaimed Millennium novels. Led by Noomi Rapace’s fierce portrayal of brilliant hacker Lisbeth Salander and Michael Nyqvist as investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist, these films deliver intriguing plots, complex characters, and powerhouse performances, making a strong case for the best European trilogy of the past two decades.

Much of their success stems from Larsson’s award-winning source material, widely regarded as among the most influential mystery novels of the 21st century. Remarkably, the entire trilogy was shot back-to-back and released within a single year, representing a rare achievement that further cements its status as an exceptional modern trilogy.

6

How To Train Your Dragon Trilogy

How To Train Your Dragon (2010), How To Train Your Dragon 2 (2014), How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)

As of 2025, How to Train Your Dragon stands as a rare animated trilogy that resisted the temptation to churn out endless sequels (yes, Toy Story, we’re looking at you). While the future could still bring changes, the franchise has shifted toward live-action remakes (the first of which proved hugely successful) instead of extending the animated story.

Writer-director Dean DeBlois’s original trilogy blends unforgettable characters, led by the young Viking, Hiccup, and his adorable Night Fury dragon Toothless — perfectly designed for both emotional depth and toy shelves, while anchoring a timeless tale of friendship, bonding, and growth. Set in a richly imagined fantasy world filled with colorful supporting characters (heroes and villains alike), breathtaking animation with its own distinctive visual style, and inventive action sequences, it’s no wonder the series is universally beloved by all ages.

5

Avatar Trilogy

Avatar (2009), Avatar: The Way Of Water (2022), Avatar: Fire And Ash (2025)

The closest that modern sci-fi action films have ever gotten to Star Wars, James Cameron’s Avatar movies are not nearly as universally beloved, with some even stating that, despite their technical perfection, the series has left little lasting impact on pop culture. This couldn’t be further from the truth: anyone would instantly recognize a blue Na’vi on sight. Sure, by the third entry, the trilogy does begin retreading familiar ground, yet it perfects the blockbuster formula, delivering a sheer visual spectacle designed for the biggest screen possible (cliché as that may sound).

Today, it’s no secret that Cameron plans to continue the saga for years, with Avatar 4 and 5 already in various stages of development. Now, it is up to Avatar: Fire and Ash to determine the course of the franchise, as the director has already stated that it was designed to provide closure to the Sully family arc and that he is ready for the series to end here if need be.

4

Before Trilogy

Before Sunrise (1995), Before Sunset (2004), Before Midnight (2013)

Richard Linklater’s Before trilogy spans nearly two decades with the same returning leads, Ethan Hawke as Jesse and Julie Delpy as Celine, standing as a testament to unwavering directorial vision and dedication. It delivers a perfect romantic three-film journey, examining human relationships at different stages of life and mindsets.

Simple, elegant, and profoundly moving, the series is driven almost entirely by subtle, masterful writing and the genuine chemistry and emotion Hawke and Delpy bring to the screen. The Before trilogy lacks the grandeur or spectacle of most entries on this list, but that only enhances its value as one of cinema’s purest and most sincere artistic achievements.

3

Knives Out Trilogy

Knives Out (2019), Glass Onion (2022), Wake Up Dead Man (2025)

With Wake Up Dead Man freshly released on Netflix, Rian Johnson’s detective series has solidified its place among the greatest movie trilogies of the past 30 years. No fourth film has been announced yet, so this could change, but as it stands, the Knives Out trilogy is a perfect embodiment of the now-rare classic “whodunit” genre, balancing its witty (if slightly overdone) mysteries with stunning sets, exotic locations, memorable characters, and elaborate events.

At the heart of it all is Daniel Craig’s undeniable charm as the eccentric Benoit Blanc — a role he clearly relishes — surrounded by a parade of intriguing suspects played by top-tier stars. The stellar performances alone make these films endlessly fun, but the trilogy also showcases Rian Johnson’s singular creative vision as a writer-director, masterfully guiding viewers through intricately engineered webs of lies and intrigue.

2

The Dark Knight Trilogy

Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008), The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Up to this point, the rankings have been largely subjective, but anyone who loves movies likely guessed how this list would end from the very first word. Two trilogies stand so far above the rest that it’s hard to imagine anything surpassing them any time soon. Christopher Nolan’s masterful take on Batman is one of them, with The Dark Knight trilogy widely regarded as both the acclaimed director’s best works and the greatest superhero films ever made.

At its core, the trilogy isn’t really about superheroes; it’s about people: their everyday struggles, commitments, and sacrifices. Powered by gripping stories, impeccable direction, and standout performances from Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Michael Caine, Tom Hardy, and Gary Oldman, these films represent a definitive pinnacle of filmmaking and are firmly cemented as endlessly rewatchable modern classics.

1

The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy

The Fellowship Of The Ring (2001), The Two Towers (2002), The Return Of The King (2003)

Were there any doubts? The Lord of the Rings is the one trilogy to rule them all, a true cultural heritage, and a Herculean achievement by Peter Jackson and his team. They delivered undiluted masterpieces that have defined cinema for generations, making this not just the easiest pick for the greatest trilogy of the past 30 years, but of all time, with no weak links anywhere.

Somehow, everything down to the smallest detail reaches sheer perfection across all three films: a cleverly adapted story from Tolkien’s beloved books (with changes in all the right places), breathtaking sets and New Zealand locations that make the fantasy world mesmerizing, a heavy emphasis on practical effects for a timeless look and feel, an impeccable score, superb casting, stunning costumes, and unforgettable performances. There are, quite simply, no flaws in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Honorable mentions:

These runner-up trilogies from the past 30 years didn’t quite make the top 10 for various reasons (for instance, being extended beyond three films in the main series), but they still deserve some recognition:

• The Star Wars Prequel Trilogy – The Phantom Menace (1999), Attack of the Clones (2002), Revenge of the Sith (2005) – A self-contained trilogy that serves as the opening chapter of the broader nine-film Skywalker Saga.
• The Matrix Trilogy – The Matrix (1999), The Matrix Reloaded (2003), The Matrix Revolutions (2003) – Extended to a four-film series by The Matrix Resurrections (2021).
• The Bourne Trilogy – The Bourne Identity (2002), The Bourne Supremacy (2004), The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) – Continued with The Bourne Legacy (2012) and Jason Bourne (2016), making five films total.
• The Planet of the Apes reboot trilogy, or The Caesar Trilogy – Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014), War for the Planet of the Apes (2017) – Extended by Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024), a direct generational continuation.
• Toy Story Trilogy – Toy Story (1995), Toy Story 2 (1999), Toy Story 3 (2010) – Widely regarded as a perfect three-act structure, but extended by Toy Story 4 (2019), with Toy Story 5 scheduled for 2026.
• Guardians of the Galaxy Trilogy – Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) – A standalone character arc within the larger interconnected Marvel Cinematic Universe.
• The Hobbit Trilogy – An Unexpected Journey (2012), The Desolation of Smaug (2013), The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)
• The Pusher Trilogy (1996–2005) – Danish crime movies written and directed by Nicolas Winding Refn.
• The Vengeance Trilogy – Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002), Oldboy (2003), Lady Vengeance (2005) – Park Chan-wook’s thematically linked movies with no direct narrative connections.
• The Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy, or The Blood and Ice Cream Trilogy – Shaun of the Dead (2004), Hot Fuzz (2007), The World’s End (2013) – Edgar Wright’s action comedies connected by theme and shared cast rather than story.