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The only thing better than one fantastic movie is when two equally excellent sequels follow. Movie trilogies are tough to nail; maintaining a consistent quality across three whole movies is no easy feat, but when a film trilogy comes together perfectly, it’s a really special thing.
The best movie trilogies can be enjoyed piecemeal, but the viewing experience can be elevated by consuming them marathon style. Letting you take in the complete journey in one sitting. If you’re looking for a movie trilogy to watch in its entirety this weekend, then you’ve come to the right place. I’ve collected together a trio of trilogies made for marathoning, most of which are available on the best streaming services. The ones that aren't, you can still buy or rent digitally.
But I’m forewarning you, “The Lord of the Rings” doesn’t feature. Outraged? I promise I have an explanation, so allow me to explain before you leave a comment telling me I’m a fool.
‘Three Flavours Cornetto’ Trilogy
Movies: "Shaun of the Dead," "Hot Fuzz’" and "The World’s End"
Director Edgar Wright teams up with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost to deliver an anthology series comprised of three fantastically entertaining flicks, each one set in a different genre. There’s the zombie horrors of “Shaun of the Dead,” the buddy cop action of “Hot Fuzz,” and the sci-fi thrills of “The World’s End.” All three movies are a complete blast to (re)watch.
Even better, all three movies lovingly pay tribute to the titans of their respective genres, making for a supremely fun guessing game (and the DVD copies include an excellent “trivia track” which calls out the many references). Each movie in the trilogy, which takes its name from the different flavors of Cornetto ice cream featured in each, is excellent, but if pressed to pick a favorite, I’d have to go with “Hot Fuzz,” which is absolutely stacked with memorable lines.
Watch the "Three Flavours Cornetto" trilogy on Prime Video (buy/rent) now ("Hot Fuzz" is free on YouTube)
‘Toy Story’ 1-3
Movies: “Toy Story,” “Toy Story 2,” “Toy Story 3”
“Toy Story” may have expanded beyond its initial trilogy, and “Toy Story 5” is due to arrive this summer, but the first three still reign supreme, and the ending of “Toy Story 3” really does leave the series feeling complete. Pixar’s most popular franchise, “Toy Story,” has always managed to walk that fine line between offering kid-friendly entertainment but with enough substance to keep more grown-up viewers engaged at the same time.
I’m sure you know the setup here, but if you don’t, “Toy Story” follows a group of children’s play-things who spring to life when their owner isn’t in the room. The first movie introduces a rivalry between the once-favorite toy, Woody (Tom Hanks), and the new craze, Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), while the sequels see the duo and friends embark on further adventures. I’d argue, “Toy Story” is a rare trilogy in which the quality increases each time.
Watch the "Toy Story" trilogy on Disney+ now
The 'Before’ Trilogy
Movies: “Before Sunrise,” “Before Sunset,” Before Midnight”
It’s Valentine’s Day weekend, so if you want a movie trilogy that centers on one of the most believable and chemistry-driven couples in movie history, look no further than the “Before” series. This three-part love story sees Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Céline (Julie Delpy) meet on a train heading to Vienna, and then charts their romance over the next two decades.
Directed by Richard Linklater, there’s a cozy quality to this series, which isn’t to say it doesn’t have drama. However, each “Before” movie largely centers on its two leads simply walking, talking and connecting. The narrative is intentionally minimal, allowing viewers to understand and care about its two main characters. Often melancholic in tone, these movies are liable to make you reflect on your own romantic past. Plus, I haven’t even mentioned how truly fantastic Hawke and Delpy are as an on-screen pairing.
Watch the "Before" trilogy on Prime Video (buy/rent)
Why isn't ‘The Lord of the Rings’ on this list?
Let’s address the Mûmakil in the room. Why isn’t “The Lord of the Rings” on my list of the best movie trilogies to marathon? It’s not because I dislike Peter Jackson’s acclaimed fantasy epic series, far from it. “The Lord of the Rings” is among the most impressive franchise achievements in cinema history. Each movie has rightfully earned its spot in cinema folklore.
It’s the “marathon” aspect that has me omitting them. Watching “The Fellowship of the Ring, “The Two Towers,” and “The Return of the King” back-to-back-to-back is a nine-hour commitment, bumped up to 11 and a half hours if you opt for the “Extended Editions,” and no true “LOTR” fan would watch anything else. That’s a butt-numbing runtime that I don’t believe most people will enjoy. Superfans might have a blast, but your average viewer? Not so much.
“The Lord of the Rings” is best enjoyed over consecutive evening watches, allowing each movie to breathe just a little, and ensuring by the ground-swelling conclusion of “The Return of the King,” you’re not sick of the sight of Middle-earth. So, if this is merely a roundup of the best movie trilogies without caveats, it ranks top. But when we’re talking about trilogies made for an all-in-one sitting, “The Lord of the Rings” is simply too vast a journey to make the cut. And now you can shout at me in the comments section!
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