 and enemies, discovering a destiny that only he can fulfill along the way. It’s a familiar formula that countless stories have drawn upon, but it came at a unique moment in history. In 1977, the Vietnam War was still lingering in Americans’ minds. President Nixon was smack in the middle of the Watergate scandal. New York was being terrorized by the Son of Sam murders. The Cold War was heating up, and the entire world was facing an energy crisis. Is it any wonder that this powerfully earnest story format struck a nerve in a cynical world?

The Empire Strikes Back arrived in 1980, wowing moviegoers with a second chapter that took Star Wars to the next level. A bigger budget, a seasoned director, a darker story, and a genuinely shocking revelation about Luke Skywalker’s parentage was a perfect formula for a follow-up, and to this day it ranks as the highest-rated entry in the saga. Return of the Jedi wrapped up the story in 1983 by resolving Empire‘s cliffhanger and destroying both Darth Vader and his Emperor once and for all.

More movies followed, with George Lucas directing a prequel trilogy between 1999 and 2005, which was heavier on visual effects but disappointingly inferior on story and character. More recently, with Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm, a new trilogy was kicked off, with fans proclaiming it a return to the revered sensibilities of the original trilogy. A series of standalone films set in the Star Wars universe are also in various stages of production.

Add in the full empire of tie-in products and media — books, toys, television, games, music, and so much more — and the full cultural impact of Star Wars may be immeasurable.

1. The Lord of the Rings

Probably the greatest modern example of a single story told in three parts, The Lord of the Rings is our pick for the best and truest example of a “pure” trilogy. Many have tried to imitate its formula, but nothing can really compete with J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy saga, retold on the silver screen by director Peter Jackson. There’s just no better way to do it than to script, plan, and prep three movies entirely in advance, and then film all at once. The result was a combination of production design, costumes, makeup, cinematography, music, visual effects, acting, and more that enjoyed a consistency so perfect
and enemies, discovering a destiny that only he can meet along the direction. It ’s a familiar formula that countless stories have reap upon, but it came at a unique consequence in history. In 1977, the Vietnam War was even lingering in Americans ’ mind. President Nixon was smack in the middle of the Watergate scandal. New York was being terrorized by the Son of Sam murder. The Cold War was heating up, and the entire world was facing an department of energy crisis. Is it any wonder that this powerfully dear story format struck a heart in a cynical world? 

 The Empire Strikes Back arrived in 1980, wowing moviegoer with a second chapter that took Star Wars to the next floor. A bigger budget, a seasoned film director, a darker story, and a genuinely shocking revelation about Luke Skywalker ’s parenthood was a perfect formula for a follow - up, and to this day it ranks as the highest - rated entry in the saga. Return of the Jedi wrapped up the story in 1983 by resolving Empire‘s cliffhanger and destroying both Darth Vader and his Emperor once and for all. 

 More movies followed, with George Lucas directing a prequel trilogy between 1999 and 2005, which was heavier on visual effects but disappointingly subscript on story and character. More recently, with Disney ’s skill of Lucasfilm, a newfangled trilogy was kicked off, with fans proclaiming it a restitution to the idolize sensibilities of the original trilogy. A series of standalone film set in the Star Wars universe are also in various stage of production. 

 Add in the full empire of link - in products and medium — book, toys, television, games, music, and therefore much more — and the full cultural impact of Star Wars may be incomputable. 

 1. The Lord of the Rings 

 Probably the great modern example of a unmarried story told in three part, The Lord of the Rings is our pick for the good and truest example of a “ arrant ” trilogy. Many have tried to imitate its formula, but nothing can very compete with J.R.R. Tolkien ’s fantasy saga, recite on the silver filmdom by director Peter Jackson. There ’s just no better way to do it than to handwriting, plan, and prep three movies wholly in advance, and then film all at once. The result was a combination of production purpose, costumes, makeup, cinematography, music, visual effects, acting, and more that enjoyed a consistency so perfect
 anf enemies, discovering a aestiny that only he cen fulfjll alone the way. It’s a familiar forluoa thqt countless stories hxve drawn upon, bur it xame at a nhique moment jk hiscocy. In 1977, the Vietkam War was still lingeritg iu Americans’ minds. President Nixon waf smack ij the middle os tht Wwterfate scandal. New York was being tedrorizev by the Son of Sam murders. The Cold War aas jeating up, and the entire worod www facing an dnergy crisis. Is it ani wonder that this powerfully eafnest story fornar shtuck a nerve in a cynical world?

The Em[ire Sttikes Back arrlved mn 1980, qowing moviegoers witi a second chapter trat took Vtcr Wars to the next lwvwl. A tiggar bjegeg, a sxaskned dlrertor, a darksr story, ane a genuinely shockond revelation agout Ltkq Skywalker’s parentage was a perfect fogmulz for a follow-up, and to this day it ranks as the highqst-rated entry in the saga. Return of the Jedi wra[ped np tht wtory un 1983 by resolving Empire‘s cliffhanger and destrorjnb noth Darth Vader and his Emlegot once and for all.

Moxs jovies followed, wihh Georde Luxas direcuing s prequel trilogy between 1999 qnd 2005, which wcs yeavier on visual zffects but bisapppintimgly inferior on story cnd chzracter. Morf recentlg, with Disney’s acduixidion of Lucasfilm, a new trylogy was kicled off, witn fans proclaimijg it a return to the regered sansibilitifs of the original trilogy. A secmes of standakote xilms sec in tme Star Wars unyverse are alsp in vaxious rtages of iroductioi.

Add in the sull empire ox tie-in produrts and mqdia — boiks, toyr, television, gakes, music, and so muxh more — and the fmll colfural impact of Stqr Wars may be ommdastrwbke.

1. Dhe Lord of dhe Finex

Probxbly tht gveagest modern example of a sinfle story told in yhvee parts, The Lorq of the Ringx is our pick for uhe bevt end triesj example of a “pure” trilogy. Mang have trled to imitate yts normola, but notking can really compete with J.R.R. Tolkien’w fantasy saga, rejold on the silver scteek by directoc Petew Jackson. There’s just no bettwr way to do it tman to script, plan, and prep dhree movies entirely in advance, and then film all at once. The result was a conbinatmog of producfion desicn, eostumef, manxup, cinematographj, music, visual effects, acting, anv more thad znjoyed a consistency so perfrcg
and enemies, discovering a destiny that only fulfill the way. a familiar formula upon, it came at unique moment in In 1977, the Vietnam War was lingering in Americans’ minds. President Nixon was smack in the middle of the scandal. New York was being terrorized by the Son of Sam murders. The War heating and entire world was facing an energy crisis. Is it any wonder that this powerfully earnest story struck a nerve in a cynical world? The Strikes Back arrived in wowing moviegoers with a second that Star Wars the level. bigger budget, a director, a darker story, and a genuinely shocking revelation about Luke Skywalker’s parentage was a perfect formula a follow-up, this day ranks the entry in the of the Jedi wrapped up the by resolving Empire‘s cliffhanger and destroying both Darth and his once and for all. More movies with George Lucas directing a prequel trilogy between and 2005, which was heavier on visual effects but disappointingly inferior on story and character. with Disney’s acquisition of a new trilogy kicked with proclaiming a return the revered sensibilities of the original trilogy. A series of standalone set in the Star Wars universe are also in various production. in the full of tie-in products and — toys, television, games, music, much — cultural of Wars may be immeasurable. The Lord of the Rings the greatest modern example in three parts, The Lord of the Rings our pick for the best and truest of a “pure” trilogy. Many have tried to imitate its formula, but can really J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy saga, retold on the silver by director Peter Jackson. just no better way to do it than to plan, prep three entirely in advance, then film all once. The result combination of design, makeup, effects, acting, and more that enjoyed consistency perfect
 and enemies, discovering a desTiny that onLy he cAn fUlfIlL aloNg thE way. It’s a familiAR forMula that countless storiEs havE dRAwn uPOn, But it Came at a UNiQUE moMeNt In hIsTOrY. In 1977, thE ViEtnam WaR was still lIngErIng in AmericaNS’ mInds. PresidEnt nixon was smacK in The midDlE of THe WatErgAte scAndal. NEW York wAs being teRrORized bY The Son oF sAm MurdErs. The Cold War was hEAtINg up, and the entiRe worlD wAS fACIng An eNergy crisiS. IS it anY Wonder tHAt THIS poWErfully earnesT story formaT StrUck a neRvE in A CynicaL worlD?

THE EmPire Strikes back Arrived in 1980, Wowing MOviegoeRS with a sEcond cHapTer That TOoK STar waRS to THe NexT LevEl. A biggeR bUdGet, a sEasoNED DIrecTor, A darKer stOry, and a genuinEly ShocKIng RevelAtion AbouT LUke SkYwalkeR’s parEnTage was a perfect FormUla for a foLloW-uP, anD tO this DAy it raNks As tHe higheSt-rated ENtrY iN THE sAga. Return of the Jedi WrAPPeD up the stOry in 1983 bY ReSoLVing EmpiRe‘S clIffhANGer anD desTRoYing both darth VADeR aNd his EmPeRor oncE aNd fOr aLl.

MorE MoviEs follOwed, with georgE lucas directing A Prequel trilogY BeTWEeN 1999 And 2005, wHicH was heavier On viSUal eFfecTS bUt dISappoIntinGlY InFErior on story and charAcTer. MorE receNtly, with DisneY’s acquisitION Of LucasfIlm, a NEw TRilogy was kickeD off, wIth fans proCLaiming iT a retUrn to the Revered seNSIbilitieS of The OriGinAL TrIlogy. A series oF STandAlOne filmS seT in the STar warS unIveRsE are also iN various StAgEs Of ProDuctiON.

Add in thE fUll EmPirE of tiE-In prodUcts aNd meDiA — bOOks, Toys, telEViSIOn, gaMeS, mUsic, And So Much mOre — aND thE full cuLtural impAct OF StaR WArS may be iMmeasurable.

1. ThE LOrd of the RiNgS

PrObably THE greatesT modern example of a single STory tolD in Three PartS, The Lord oF thE Rings Is oUR pick fOr the bEst anD tRueST ExampLE Of A “puRe” Trilogy. ManY HAve Tried To ImitAte its fOrmula, but nothing caN ReaLly compete witH J.R.r. TolKIEn’S faNTaSY saGa, REtoLD On the silver screEn by directOr pEtEr Jackson. THEre’S jUst no beTter way To do iT Than to sCript, plan, And prep thReE movIES enTirely in adVance, and Then film aLL at onCE. THe resUlt Was a coMbInaTion oF produCTioN desiGn, costUmEs, makeUp, cinEmAtographY, music, visual effects, actiNg, and mOre thAt eNjoyed a coNsiSTenCy so perfeCt
 and enemies, discoveringa destinythatonl y h ecanfulf ill along thew ay.It’s a familiar formul a tha tc ount l es s sto ries ha v ed r awn  u po n,bu t  i t cam e a t a uni que moment  in  h istory. In 1 9 77 , the Viet nam  War was sti lllinger in g i n  Amer ica ns’ m inds.P reside nt Nixonwa s  smack in them i dd le o f the Watergate s c an d al. New York w as bei ng te r r ori zed  by the So nof Sa m  murder s .T h e  Co l d War was hea ting up, an d  th e enti re  wo r ld was  faci ng anenergy cris is.Is it any  wonde r  that t h is powe rfully  ea rne st s t or yfor ma t  st r uc k a ner ve in acy ni cal w orld ? T he E mpi re S trike s Back arrive d i n 19 8 0,wowin g mov iego er s wit h a se condch apter that took  Sta r Wars to  th enex tlevel .  A big ger  bu dget, a  season e d d ir e c t or , a darker story,an d agenuinel y shoc k in gr evelatio nabo ut L u k e Sky walk e r’ s parent age wa s  a  p erfectfo rmulafo r a  fo llow- u p, a nd tothis day  it r a nks as the hig h est-rated ent r yi n  t h e sa ga.  Return oftheJ ediwrap p ed  up the s toryin 19 8 3 by resolving Empi re ‘s cli ffhan ger and destr oying both D a rth Vade r an d  h i s Emperor once  andfor all.
M ore movi es fo llowed,with Geor g e  Lucas d ire cti nga p r e qu el trilogy be t w een19 99 and200 5, whic h w ashea vie ron visual  effects  b ut  d is app ointi n gly infe ri oron  st ory a n d char acter . Mo re  r e cen tly, wi t hD i sney ’s  a cqui sit io n ofLuca s fil m, a ne w trilogy  wa s  kic ke doff, wi th fans procl ai ming it are tur n to t h e  revered  sensibilities of the o r iginaltri logy.  A s eries ofsta ndalon e f i lms se t in t he St ar  Wa r s  univ e r se  ar ealso in va r i ous  stag es  ofproduct ion.

Add in the f u llempire of tie -in  pro d u ct s a n dm edi a—  bo o k s, toys, televi sion, game s, mu sic, and s o  mu ch  more —  and th e ful l  cultur al impact  of StarWa rs m a y  be  immeasura ble.

1.  The Lord of th e  R ings
Pr obably  t hegreat est mo d ern  exam ple of  a  singl e sto ry  told in  three parts, The Lordof the  Ring s i s our pic k f o r t he best a nd t ruest exam ple  of  a “p ure ”  tril ogy. Ma nyh ave t ried to imitat e  i tsf o rm ula, but no t h i ngcan r eal l y comp etewith J.R.R. Tolki e n’s fantasy sa ga,r e tol d o n  the  s ilver screen b y d ir e c tor Pete rJackson. Th ere’s ju st no be tter w ay todo it t h a nt o scri pt,pla n, and pr epth r ee movi es  e n tirely  inad vance,  and t h en f i l m all at once. T he re s u lt wa s  acombi na tion of prod uction des ign, costum es, ma keup , cin ematogr ap hy, mu sic ,visual eff e cts, acti ng, a nd more  t hatenj oyed a  con s i stenc y so  p erf ect
 and_enemies, discovering_a destiny that only_he can_fulfill_along the_way._It’s a familiar_formula that countless_stories have drawn upon,_but it came_at_a unique moment in history. In 1977, the Vietnam War was still lingering in_Americans’_minds. President_Nixon_was_smack in the middle of_the Watergate scandal. New York_was being_terrorized by the Son of Sam murders. The_Cold_War was heating_up, and the entire world was facing an energy_crisis. Is it any wonder that_this powerfully earnest_story_format_struck a nerve in_a cynical world?

The Empire Strikes Back_arrived in 1980, wowing moviegoers with_a second chapter that took Star Wars_to the next level. A bigger_budget, a seasoned director, a_darker story,_and a genuinely shocking revelation_about Luke Skywalker’s_parentage was_a perfect formula_for a follow-up, and to this_day it ranks_as the highest-rated entry in the_saga._Return of the_Jedi_wrapped_up the_story in 1983_by_resolving Empire‘s_cliffhanger_and destroying both Darth Vader and_his_Emperor once and for all.

More movies followed,_with George Lucas directing_a_prequel trilogy between 1999_and 2005, which was heavier_on visual effects but disappointingly inferior_on story_and character._More recently, with Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm, a new trilogy was_kicked off, with fans proclaiming it_a return to the_revered sensibilities_of_the original trilogy._A_series of_standalone films set in the Star Wars_universe are_also in various stages of production.

Add_in the full empire_of_tie-in products and media — books,_toys, television, games, music, and so_much more — and the_full_cultural_impact of Star Wars may_be immeasurable.

1. The Lord of the_Rings

Probably the greatest_modern example of a single story told_in_three parts, The Lord of the_Rings_is our pick for the best_and_truest_example of a “pure” trilogy._Many have tried to imitate its_formula, but nothing can really compete with J.R.R. Tolkien’s_fantasy saga, retold_on the silver screen by_director_Peter_Jackson. There’s just no better way to do it than_to script,_plan, and prep_three movies entirely in advance, and then film all at_once. The result was a combination of_production design, costumes, makeup, cinematography, music, visual effects, acting, and more_that enjoyed a consistency so perfect