In trilogies, ranking the films is often straightforward, with quality tending to decline over the course of the installments. However, in some cases, the dynamic is different, with the pattern resembling more of a triangle than a downward slope. This is the case for these 8 trilogies where the second film stands out as the best.
#1 X-Men 2 (2003)
Spider-Man 2, The Dark Knight... Superhero movies are not lacking in examples of this. To this list, we must also add X-Men 2. The latter follows a respectable first installment that launched a new wave of comic book adaptations in the 2000s, and precedes a widely criticized third installment. X-Men 2 deepens its universe, reinforces the stakes set by the first film with a confrontation against the government, and puts even more emphasis on Wolverine, the most popular character of the group. Fingers crossed that the MCU does justice to this film with its version of the X-Men.
#2 Star Wars, Episode V (1980)
Despite the phenomenal success of the first Star Wars, Episode V remains, even today, the best. This is the installment that truly gave the saga its letters of nobility. Everything about it is cult, so much so that even those who have never seen it know its most legendary scenes. Episode V clearly stands out as a monument to the franchise, but also to science fiction and cinema in general.
#3 Les Bronzés font du ski (1979)
In France, too, we have our trilogies, and they are very successful! In the case of Les Bronzés, it's a bit complicated: the third part is a real purge, but the second is so successful that we are ready to forgive it. Les Bronzés font du ski is part of French cultural heritage. It's a film that everyone has seen, and whose cult lines have been repeated for over 40 years.
#4 Old Boy (2003)
Korean cinema experienced a breakthrough in the West in the 2000s, and Park Chan-wook's revenge trilogy contributed greatly to this. While Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance and Lady Vengeance are excellent films, Old Boy remains the best-known and best. The hallway scene is obviously remembered, but it's the storyline that really left its mark on viewers. The final twist remains, even today, one of the most disturbing in the history of cinema.
#5 The Godfather: Part II (1974)
Choosing between the first two The Godfathers is as difficult as choosing between your mother and your father, but if you have to decide, the second part wins. The Godfather: Part II shows Michael Corleone as the head of the family, continuing his slow descent into hell. The film's strength lies in its parallel editing, which traces both Michael's life and Vito Corleone's past, played by none other than Robert De Niro. This sequel, denser than the first installment, manages to orchestrate its temporalities and stakes with remarkable mastery.
#6 Evil Dead 2 (1987)
The case of Evil Dead 2 is quite unusual, since it is both a remake and a sequel to the original film. Sam Raimi simply made the feature film he wanted to make from the start, and he did well. Evil Dead 2 is a crazy work, a fun and gory Tex Avery. The director pushed his madness even further in the third installment, without however managing to reach the same level of excellence.
#7 Back to the Future Part 2 (1989)
Back to the Future is often considered a near-perfect trilogy that shouldn't be messed with, even if the creators of Cobra Kai disagree. Some might say it's a single film divided into three parts, but one clearly stands out from the rest. The second installment goes deeper and stronger than the first. It pushes the concept of time travel to its limits, transporting us through different eras and universes. In the genre, it is simply unmatched.
#8 Zombie (1978)
George A. Romero directed six zombie films grouped under the name "Zombie Saga," but it can be divided into two. The films released between 1968 and 1985, although different, form a coherent whole. Among them, Zombie is the most cult. It is this film that shaped the genre as we know it today. Without it, the representation of the zombie would have been completely different.
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