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From revered children’s classics to contemplative family adventures, animated cinema has long been an essential pillar of cinema capable of entrancing moviegoers of all ages. While the medium hasn’t always received the respect it so thoroughly deserves, public opinion towards animated cinema is rapidly changing in the wake of some notable successes.
The animated medium has produced no shortage of memorable franchises over the years, but only a select few have maintained their quality across three films. Whether they tell one continuous story or feature standalone adventures with the same beloved characters, the best animated trilogies balance stunning visuals with compelling storytelling, proving that great animation can be just as rewarding over multiple installments as any live-action saga.
10
‘An American Tail’ Trilogy (1986–1999)
Fondly remembered as a triumphant trilogy (even though there are technically four films in total), An American Tail is a lively example of the prowess of animation in a dark age for the form, with 1986’s An American Tail released three years before Disney’s Renaissance era began. The trilogy follows the exploits of the Mousekewitz family, who flee the perils of Russia in favor of a supposedly cat-free life in America.
With the second film taking on a Western edge while the third one doubles down on adventurous flair, the trilogy is a charming dose of gleeful escapism tied to young Fievel Mousekewitz (Phillip Glasser/Thomas Dekker) and his family. While the fourth film doesn’t quite live up to the fun-loving flourishes of the first three, it remains an endearing dose of kid-friendly adventure that complements the trilogy nicely.
9
‘Cars’ Trilogy (2006–2017)
Able to capture the imagination of younger viewers with ease, the first Cars movie utilized an exciting visual display, likable characters, and a good story to maximum effect. Following a superstar race car on his misadventures, the Cars movies focus on the emotional lessons and relationships that see Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) realize what is important in life while never skimping on the racing excitement.
While Cars 2, overripe with a globetrotting tenacity and bizarre espionage subplots, missed its mark, the trilogy was bookended by good, animated fun in Cars 3. It also led to the Planes spin-off movies, which, while underwhelming, gave young viewers plenty of attention-grabbing fun.
8
‘Rugrats’ Trilogy (1998–2003)
After debuting on Nickelodeon’s “Nicktoons” channel in 1991, Rugrats became one of the most popular kids’ programs throughout the decade. It became little surprise that the television series earned a film, with 1998’s The Rugrats Movie going on to be a commercial success even if critics found fault with it.
Rugrats in Paris: The Movie played better with critics who praised its more universal sense of fun, strong voice acting, and character-driven plot. While 2003’s crossover with The Wild Thornberrys was critically panned and performed disappointingly at the box office, it has become an ironic cult classic and rounded out a trilogy defined by his childish fun.
7
‘The Lion King’ Trilogy (1994–2004)
It wouldn’t be unfair to say that 1994’s animated classic The Lion King does a lot of heavy lifting in the trilogy. Yet, the latter two installments are incredibly underrated for what they offer. While both were straight-to-DVD releases, they excelled at bringing the sense of grandeur that the first film so effortlessly delivered.
The two sequels had no lack of narrative dare either, with The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride focusing on Simba and Nala’s daughter while The Lion King 1 ½ re-told the events of the first film from the perspective of Timon and Pumbaa. It was undeniably the iconic first film that defined the trilogy’s greatness and still stands as one of the most celebrated animated films ever made.
6
‘Berserk: The Golden Age Arc’ (2012–2013)
Adapted from Kentarou Miura’s dark fantasy manga of the same name, Berserk: The Golden Age Arc is a rare example of an anime trilogy and, furthermore, a rare example of adult animation being realized as an ongoing movie series. An entrancing combination of fantasy and period action, it follows a young warrior who joins a mercenary group striving to see their leader rise to power in the midst of a devastating war that has engulfed the land.
Complimented by the allure of its 2D animation, the trilogy delivers an uncompromising vision of dark fantasy that is comfortable leaning into elements of horror, war, despair, and action brutality while indulging the epic scope of the source material. With the third and final film presenting a rewarding climax to the overarching story, Berserk: The Golden Age Arc is one of the more complete and satisfying trilogies in animated cinema.
5
‘Madagascar’ Trilogy (2005–2012)
Animals and adventure have always been a good recipe for children’s entertainment, something 2005’s Madagascar realized with a great voice cast, fun animation, and a lively sense of humor. Interestingly, while the first film was a fine movie, the franchise seemed to find its strengths the longer it went on.
Following a ragtag crew of animals who escape New York’s Central Park Zoo and wind up in the jungle of Madagascar – before venturing into Africa and Europe – the animated trilogy has never lost its spunk nor its sense of adventure. Add in the Penguins of Madagascar spin-off film, and the series is one of the few animated franchises to maintain a consistent quality throughout.
4
‘Puss in Boots’ Trilogy (2011–2022)
A delightful spin-off of the Shrek franchise, the Puss in Boots movies started strong by emphasizing cute animation and a glaring wit as its strongest assets. The films follow the comedic and heroic misadventures of Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas), a daring, swashbuckling ginger cat full of bravado and mischief.
While the first two films were endearing animated adventures, it wasn’t until Puss in Boots: The Last Wish was released in 2022 that the franchise started to receive its due. An underrated animated trilogy, the Puss in Boots movies have held more than enough cheekiness to appeal to anyone and never shied away from using animation to its fullest potential.
3
‘The Lego Movie’ Trilogy (2014–2019)
While The Lego Movie filmography might be more aptly described as a franchise, 2017’s spin-off, The Lego Ninjago Movie, can be viewed as a separate entity, both in terms of its narrative detachment and its slump in quality. The remaining three films form one of the more blissfully imaginative trilogies animated cinema has seen.
2014’s The Lego Movie boasted a nostalgic, earnest charm that helped make it a feel-good hit of escapist fun, a sentiment that ran through its successors in The Lego Batman Movie and The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part. A playful and fantastically creative movie trilogy, the Lego Movies proved to be the perfect films to honor the famous building bricks they were based on.
2
Tomm Moore’s ‘Irish Folklore Trilogy’ (2009–2020)
While not one of them has received the global acclaim they all so thoroughly deserve, Tomm Moore’s assembly of animated films, which has been dubbed the ‘Irish Folklore Trilogy,’ is a true highlight of the art form. Consisting of The Secret of Kells, Song of the Sea, and 2020’s remarkably gorgeous Wolfwalkers, the trilogy isn’t so much a flowing narrative as it is a thematically and artistically interlinked exploration of Irish culture, history, and mythology.
Complemented by their stunning 2D, hand-drawn art style, the trilogy captures an air of adventurous fantasy that appeals to both adults and children alike through heartfelt stories of magic, morality, and mythos. All three films in the trilogy stand among the most criminally underrated animated movies of all time as well as the best animated pictures in recent decades.
1
‘How to Train Your Dragon’ (2010–2019)
The How to Train Your Dragon movies present as a rarity in cinema (both animated and live-action) in that they excel as a trilogy that truly does not have a weak link. It follows the friendship between a young Viking out to prove himself and the dragon he is initially sent to kill.
The films endeared themselves to viewers of all ages with their gorgeous animation, adventurous sense of fun, and surprising emotional heft. 2019’s finale offered a note-perfect conclusion to the animated fantasy tale, meaning the looming live-action remake has a high bar to reach if it is to honor the brilliance of the original animated trilogy.
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https://collider.com/best-animated-trilogies-ranked/
Ryan Heffernan
Almontather Rassoul
