With so many options available, defining which are the best film sagas and trilogies is not easy. Whether action, adventure or horror, many stories benefit from this longer format to explore characters and universes in greater depth, requiring more than one film to tell everything they have to offer.
These narratives have won over fans over the decades and left an unquestionable mark on the history of cinema. In today's article, you'll find the ten best sagas and trilogies so you can choose which one to watch for your next marathon! Are you ready? Let's check it out together!
The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games saga is one of the best film sagas and trilogies, bringing a dystopian narrative based on the books by Suzanne Collins. Set in Panem, the plot follows Katniss Everdeen, who enters the Hunger Games to save her sister and ends up becoming a symbol of revolution. Released in 2012, the first film started a highly successful franchise.
Directed by Gary Ross, the saga stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth. The franchise was well-received, with averages of up to 7.5 on IMDb, in addition to several awards. Its impact was so great that it spawned the recent spin-off The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, further expanding this remarkable universe.
John Wick
The John Wick saga stands out among the best film sagas and trilogies, featuring intense action and impeccable choreography. The plot follows a former assassin who returns to the underworld of crime after a personal tragedy. Released in 2014 and directed by Chad Stahelski, the first film kicked off an acclaimed franchise, with an average of 7.4 on IMDb.
Starring Keanu Reeves, the saga won over fans with innovative action scenes and its own universe. In addition to the four films already released, the franchise is expanding with the spin-off Ballerina, starring Anna de Recursos. Its impact has made it a reference in modern action cinema, taking the genre to a new level.
Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings trilogy is one of the best film sagas and trilogies, bringing an epic adaptation of JRR Tolkien's work. Directed by Peter Jackson, the story follows Frodo Baggins on his mission to destroy the One Ring and prevent Sauron from dominating Middle-earth. With innovative visual effects and grand battles, the saga won over audiences between 2001 and 2003.
Starring Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen and Ian McKellen, the trilogy received numerous awards, including 11 Oscars for The Return of the King (2003). With scores above 8.8 on IMDb, its striking cinematography and memorable characters made it a landmark in cinema. In addition to the original trilogy, the franchise expanded with The Hobbit and the Rings of Power series, which is also one of the best film sagas and trilogies.
Hobbit
The Hobbit trilogy stands out among the best film sagas and trilogies, bringing an epic prequel to The Lord of the Rings. Directed by Peter Jackson and based on the book by JRR Tolkien, it follows Bilbo Baggins on a dangerous journey to reclaim the Kingdom of Erebor. With stunning scenery and visual effects by Weta Digital, the saga won over audiences between 2012 and 2014.
Starring Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen and Richard Armitage, the trilogy brought back iconic names such as Orlando Bloom and Cate Blanchett. With scores above 7.4 on IMDb, the franchise expanded the universe of Middle-earth and maintained the magic of the original work, solidifying itself as a landmark in fantasy cinema.
Mad Max
The Mad Max saga is a milestone in action cinema and is one of the best film sagas and trilogies. Created by George Miller, the franchise is set in a post-apocalyptic world where fuel is more valuable than gold. The protagonist, a lone warrior, faces gangs and tyrants in his fight for survival. With five films released, the franchise continues to expand its universe.
Starring Mel Gibson, Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron, the saga has evolved over the decades. The award-winning Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) raised the bar for the genre, and the spin-off Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga features Anya Taylor-Joy in the lead role. On IMDb, the films range from 6.2 to 8.1, maintaining the franchise as one of the most iconic in cinema.
Twilight
Among the best film sagas and trilogies, The Twilight Saga marked a generation with its mix of romance and fantasy. Based on the books by Stephenie Meyer, the franchise follows the story of Bella Swan, a young woman who falls in love with the mysterious vampire Edward Cullen, while the werewolf Jacob Black complicates this relationship even further. With five films released between 2008 and 2012, the saga won over audiences and grossed more than US$3.3 billion worldwide.
Starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner, the series was directed by Catherine Hardwicke and Bill Condon. New Moon (2009) broke box office records, while Eclipse (2010) was the first in the franchise to be released in IMAX. Despite varying ratings on IMDb, with the highest rating being 5.6, the saga remains influential, reinforcing its legacy among cultural phenomena in cinema.
Godfather
Among the best film sagas and trilogies, The Godfather stands out as a masterpiece of cinema, directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The trilogy, based on the books by Mario Puzo, follows the story of the Corleone family and their involvement with crime, power and redemption. Starring Al Pacino, Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro, the saga became a landmark in the gangster film genre, with a deep narrative and an iconic soundtrack.
Released between 1972 and 1990, the trilogy received acclaimed awards and is widely considered one of the greatest cinematic achievements of all time. The Godfather (1972) and its sequel Part II (1974) dominated the box office and critical acclaim, while Part III (1990) has a controversial status but is still part of the saga. With a rating of 9.2 on IMDb, the trilogy continues to influence cinema, being recognized for its cultural impact and numerous spinoffs.
Matrix
Among the best film sagas and trilogies, The Matrix stands out as a revolutionary science fiction franchise created by the Wachowski sisters. The story follows Neo, played by Keanu Reeves, as he discovers the truth behind a virtual reality controlled by machines. With philosophical themes, references to mythology and iconic action scenes, the series has become a cultural landmark since the release of the first film in 1999.
The franchise, which also includes The Matrix Reloaded (2003), The Matrix Revolutions (2003), and The Matrix Resurrections (2021), has been acclaimed for its technological innovations and cinematic influences. The original trilogy has received numerous nominations and awards, including four Academy Awards. With an average rating of 8.7 on IMDb, The Matrix has also spawned spinoffs in animation, comics, and video games, further expanding its universe, but always being hailed as one of the best film trilogies.
Star Wars
Among the best film sagas and trilogies, Star Wars stands out as an immersive space epic created by George Lucas. The story follows the struggle between the Jedi, defenders of the Light Side, and the Sith, followers of the Dark Side of the Force. Released in 1977, the original trilogy, consisting of Star Wars (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983), became a cultural landmark, featuring characters such as Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa and Darth Vader, while introducing themes of the balance of the Force.
Following the success of the original trilogy, Star Wars has expanded with prequels, sequels and series, all available on Disney+. The franchise, which has won several awards and Oscar nominations, features an all-star cast, including Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher. The average IMDb rating is around 7.8, and the saga has also inspired spinoffs such as The Mandalorian and Rogue One, cementing its status as a global phenomenon.
Conclusion
Although these are the best sagas, trilogies and films listed by the Curioso Geek team, there are many other fantastic plots that capture hearts all over the world. Do you have a favorite that wasn't mentioned here? Share it with us in the comments! Take the opportunity to check them out too our article on what to expect from the Minecraft movie which will be released this year and the video we have separated below!
