A trilogy is a collection of three pieces of media, which can range from books to video games, and yes, to movies. The concept has become a common way of presenting movies over the years, with some filmmakers even filming all parts of the trilogy at once, with the intention of releasing them rapidly to be equally consumed by audiences from the comfort of their home, though this isn’t always the case.
Whatever the circumstances, some trilogies just work better when they’re binged, consumed in one sitting on a rainy weekend or something. So grab some popcorn, a warm blanket, and crank up the volume, because these are the best movie trilogies to binge-watch. Indeed, these trios are bound to give the viewer a newfound appreciation for them after viewing them so close together.
10
‘The Lord of the Rings’ Trilogy (2001-2003)
Directed by Peter Jackson
When it comes to binge-watching movie trilogies, the undisputed king is, of course, The Lord of the Rings. It’s quite a long affair, as each movie is about three hours, but it’s totally worth it. The award-winning epic fantasy films, based on the novels by J. R. R. Tolkien, are some of the greatest movies ever made and work best when consumed as three parts of one story rather than just three individual films.
Any fan of Tolkien will tell you that there’s no better way to binge-watch these movies than through the extended editions, which are so long that each movie is split into two parts; however, it can still be consumed in one day if you’ve nothing better going on. This is an experience that every fan of the films must try at least once, because there’s really nothing better than curling up with your favourite person and just watching the heck out of the greatest fantasy trilogy ever. Bonus points if you’re including the extra footage that comes with the extended edition.
9
‘Fear Street’ Trilogy (2021)
Directed by Leigh Janiak
The three original Fear Street movies, directed by Leigh Janiak, were all filmed within a very short time of each other and were all released in the same year. Moreover, the titles of the films, for example, Fear Street: Part One – 1994, clearly imply that the director wishes them to be consumed all at once. The “part” in the title makes the distinction that they aren’t just three movies, but three parts of a whole.
The story takes audiences on a terrifying journey through time, first to 1994, then to 1978, and finally to 1666, exploring events created as homages to various horror classics and subgenres, with slasher films being a prominent influence throughout much of the trilogy. The 2025 film that came out sort of lost everything that made the originals great, and can be safely skipped. As for the other three, though, definitely binge them back-to-back-to-back because it’s how they were meant to be seen.
8
The Star Wars Original Trilogy (1977-1983)
Directed by Irvin Kershner, George Lucas, & Richard Marquand
The Star Wars anthology has multiple films, some standalones, some as part of new trilogies. As many are well aware of by now, these trilogies vary in quality and in their ability to be watched all in a row without getting bored or disappointed. For that reason, the original trilogy remains the very best because it’s consistent in its quality and is every bit as amazing as it was back in the ’70s and ’80s.
The story of a farm boy destined to bring back the lost order known as the Jedi, the original Star Wars trilogy was crafted with love and compassion, never quite understanding the kind of cultural behemoth it would really become, especially not when the first film came out. From daring rescues to epic battles both in space and on land, and mysterious planets from the galaxy far, far away, the original Star Wars films are the perfect space opera movies to binge on a weekend.
7
‘The Dark Knight’ Trilogy (2005-2012)
Directed by Christopher Nolan
There have been quite a few movies about Batman to come out over the years. From the campy ’60s film based on the TV show to Tim Burton‘s ’80s and ’90s efforts, movies about the Caped Crusader are certainly nothing out of the ordinary. However, none of the films had yet to show the hero in such a new and innovative way as Christopher Nolan‘s trilogy of films starring Christian Bale.
The Dark Knight trilogy brought a whole new layer of depth to the character from the comics, portraying some of his classic adversaries in a much scarier, much more intimidating light, from Tom Hardy‘s Bane being a terroristic warlord to Heath Ledger‘s Joker being an agent of death and chaos. The level of grit and maturity in this trilogy is out of this world, but that’s precisely why it works so well. It’s a great pick even if you hate superhero movies because aside from having Batman in it, they don’t feel like superhero movies whatsoever. And of course, it’s very bingeable, and can even be watched numerous times in succession without getting boring.
6
The Godfather Trilogy (1972-1990)
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola
The Godfather trilogy is the greatest mobster flicks ever made, and are widely considered some of the best movies ever made, thanks to their impeccable screenplay. Based on a novel by Mario Puzo, the movies follow the Corleone crime family, and their various rivalries, relationships, and infamous betrayals. Starring many of the typical “mobster” actors, including Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, and Marlon Brando, these movies have star power and a solid script behind them.
Admittedly, the third movie in the series took a serious dive in quality because it came out quite a while after the first two, and it became apparent that the filmmakers kind of forgot about what made the first two great. But the third film isn’t the worst thing ever; it’s just disappointing when compared to its predecessors. Even if you don’t like mobster movies, few have anything bad to say about The Godfather and its masterful sequel.
5
The Back to the Future Trilogy (1985-1990)
Directed by Robert Zemeckis
The Back to the Future movies are just plain old fun, straightforward and simple, without any complicated bells and whistles. They’re loaded with ’80s cheese, but in a good way, and feature a charming and comedic tale about high schooler Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) and his scientist friend, Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) as they travel backwards and forwards through time, getting into numerous misadventures with each other as they seek to avoid ruining the space-time continuum.
Like Fear Street, the films are labelled as “Part II” or “Part III,” indicating that they are three parts of a whole rather than three individual films. As such, it’s best to watch these movies from beginning to end, all in one sitting, if possible. Not only are they super fun, but they’re easy to watch and they never get old. What’s more, none of them are bad; sure, the Back to the Future movies vary in quality, but they’re all good movies that anyone can enjoy.
4
The Evil Dead Trilogy (1981-1992)
Directed by Sam Raimi
The Evil Dead movies are a series of independent horror/action/comedy films directed by Sam Raimi and considered cult films that completely changed the landscape of horror cinema as we know it. The original three films are a little kooky but also appropriately spooky, centring on the dead coming back to life thanks to an ancient book of the occult known as the Necronomicon. Starring Bruce Campbell as the protagonist, Ash, The Evil Dead is not just a fun watch, but one that is absolutely essential for any horror fan.
Nothing is really off the table in these films. There are zombies, of course, but also dark magic, killer trees, and even a trip back to Medieval Times in the third and final film. Even though the three films came out across 11 years, the signature Sam Raimi style never fails, meaning anyone can appreciate it, whatever genre it touches upon. Not only should they be binge-watched in succession, but they simply must be, because they completely revolutionized the entire indie filmmaking landscape.
3
The Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy (2004-2013)
Directed by Edgar Wright
The Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy is a colloquial term referencing the films Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and The World’s End. It is called such because of the way the movies each reference the Cornetto ice cream brand. None of these movies actually have anything to do with each other, besides the fact that all were directed by Edgar Wright and star Simon Pegg, who also serves as a co-writer, and Nick Frost. Other than that, the movies follow three different storylines, different sets of characters, and don’t really influence each other in any way.
That said, the flair of the movies makes them one of a kind and unforgettable, which means it’s best to see them in rapid succession. As for what they contain, they’re all satire comedy films, poking fun at various genres, most notably zombie films, buddy-cop action flicks, and apocalypse/disaster movies. Each of these dark comedies is entirely hilarious and highly quotable, and all three remain a keystone of British comedic cinema that must be seen to fully appreciate. The cult films also have a slew of hidden references, making them easy to appreciate with every subsequent rewatch.
2
Original Indiana Jones Trilogy (1981-1989)
Directed by Steven Spielberg
The original Indiana Jones trilogy of the 1980s is the archetypal adventure/treasure hunt movie series and is responsible for inventing or popularizing numerous tropes of the genre still in use today. Though there are technically five films in the franchise, the latter two came out two decades apart from each other and the originals. They also take place during totally different periods, so the first three still manage to feel like one cohesive trilogy, as they all came out in the ’80s, yet are all set in the ’30s.
Starring Harrison Ford in his iconic role as Indiana Jones, the ultimate adventure hero, the movies follow the fedora-wearing, whip-toting archaeologist as he seeks out some of the most coveted artifacts from history, with a bit of mythology thrown in. He journeys across the world, from Egypt to India to China and even to Italy, Germany, and the Middle East in his adventures, making many friends and enemies along the way. The original three Indiana Jones movies are thrilling and endlessly fun and definitely work well when consumed all at once.
1
The How to Train Your Dragon Trilogy (2010-2019)
Directed by Dean DeBlois & Chris Sanders
DreamWorks’ How to Train Your Dragon movies were primarily created for kids with their 3D animation and story about friendship, harmony, and the power within, but that hasn’t stopped the movies from being appreciated and loved by adults, too. The story takes place in a fantastical version of the Viking Age, where dragons and humans are locked in a centuries-long conflict. A young boy, Hiccup (Jay Baruchel), despite his small stature, makes it his mission to communicate with dragons rather than killing them instantly.
The three films feature stunning animation, epic action sequences, and yes, wholesome content for the whole family, from valuable life lessons to narratives of love and sacrifice. As a trilogy, it works brilliantly, but it works even better when they’re watched together. There’s never a dull moment in these movies, whether you’re a kid or an adult, and they really do need to be seen to be believed.