It’s not easy to pull off a good comedy trilogy, as the joke usually wears thin before you get to the third film, but there are a select few series that managed to keep the quality consistent throughout. Whether hilarious sci-fi spectacles, police procedural spoofs, or clever musical ensemble stories, there are several great comedy trilogies out there.
Although it’s true that some entries in these franchises may be better than others, each of these series has proven its potential and kept audiences coming back for more time and again. They show that with the right mix of humor and heart, comedy trilogies can stand the test of time.
Bill & Ted (1989 – 2020)
With goofy humor and some educational value hidden beneath its sci-fi premise, audiences first met this slacker duo of musicians in Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, released in 1989. With Alex Winter as Bill S. Preston Esq. and Keanu Reeves playing Ted “Theodore” Logan, it was thrilling to watch these slackers go on an adventure through time.
Through memorable catchphrases like “excellent” and “party on, dudes,” Bill and Ted endeared themselves to movie lovers, and the sequel, Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey from 1991, was just as fun as the original. While many might argue against the legacy sequel Bill & Ted Face the Music from 2020, it was a lot of fun to see Winter and Reeves reunite.
The Hangover (2009 – 2013)
While The Hangover might have retained more cultural impact as a standalone film, its sequels still offer value. Following the misadventures of the Wolfpack, what began as a quest to retrace a forgotten bachelor party evolved into a wild, unpredictable comedy franchise filled with outrageous set pieces and escalating chaos.
Taking viewers through a series of outrageous antics in Las Vegas and Bangkok, the Hangover movies were an exercise in over-the-top excess, featuring strong performances from Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis. The sequels were definitely of mixed quality, but each one had its share of laugh-out-loud moments.
Rush Hour (1998 – 2007)
Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker made an unlikely team in the hilarious buddy comedy Rush Hour, which saw a Hong Kong police officer team up with an LAPD cop across three comedy classics. By blending a fish-out-of-water story with the misunderstandings that arise from East-West culture shock, the Rush Hour movies successfully combined action, humor, and heart.
With a fun premise that leaned into the tropes and clichés of previous buddy cop classics, Rush Hour was a significant release in turning Jackie Chan into a sought-after Hollywood star. While plans for a fourth movie in the Rush Hour series have been in development for years, for now, it remains a great comedy trilogy.
Harold & Kumar (2004 – 2011)
With the perfect mix of stoner comedy and hilarious satire, the Harold & Kumar franchise has always been unapologetically politically incorrect as it tackled themes of race, identity, and social commentary. With John Cho and Kal Penn as the titular duo, this hilarious series saw the pair get into increasingly absurd situations across three films.
Whether it was looking for the perfect munchie antidote in Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, winding up behind bars in Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay, or spreading festive cheer in A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas, all these movies offer something special. With plans for a fourth movie in development, viewers should go back and enjoy this underrated franchise.
Pitch Perfect (2012 – 2017)
Pitch Perfect provided a fresh take on movie musicals while also standing out as an incredible comedy film in its own right. With an amazing ensemble cast of a cappella singers, it’s no surprise that Anna Kendrick and the rest of the Barden Bellas returned for two more sequels, making this a fun-filled comedy trilogy.
Part of the appeal of Pitch Perfect was its sheer variety of characters and personalities, who each contributed to the franchise’s unique appeal. From Rebel Wilson’s incredible portrayal of “Fat Amy” to Adam DeVine’s memorable turn as Bumper Allen, Pitch Perfect had a lot going for it.
Austin Powers (1997 – 2002)
It truly takes a great movie to entrench the word ‘shagadelic’ into mainstream pop culture, but that’s exactly what Mike Myers achieved with Austin Powers. As a spoof on classic British spy movies, such as James Bond, this sharp blend of parody and satire made for truly hilarious viewing and boasted several all-time great comedy characters.
With Myers portraying multiple roles, the Austin Powers franchise feels like the perfect time capsule of the comedy landscape in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Having the perfect balance of physical comedy, wordplay, slapstick, and zany humor, each film in the trilogy offered something special.
Meet The Parents (2000 – 2010)
Ben Stiller perfectly captured the universally nerve-racking experience of meeting the in-laws in the hit comedy Meet the Parents. Backed by an incredible cast including Robert De Niro, the film sparked an entire trilogy that grew increasingly bizarre as it explored the chaotic collisions of family expectations, personal pride, and outrageous misunderstandings.
With later installments like Meet the Fockers and Little Fockers, the series continued to escalate as Stiller and De Niro’s impressive comedic chemistry made for hilarious viewing. It also seems that Meet the Parents will not be a trilogy for long, as a fourth movie, titled Focker In-Law, is set for release in 2026.
The Naked Gun (1988 – 1994)
The directing trio Zucker, Abrahams, and Zucker gifted the world with one of the funniest comedy trilogies ever when they made The Naked Gun movies. With Leslie Nielsen as Detective Sergeant Frank Drebin, this spoof series poked fun at police procedurals and was so densely packed with jokes that viewers barely had time to register them before the next one.
With plenty of fast-paced comedy, sight gags, puns, and non-stop jokes, The Naked Gun was a masterclass in comedy writing that hasn’t lost any of its power all these decades later. The series has also experienced a resurgence in recent years, thanks to the release of a legacy sequel, which featured Liam Neeson in the lead role.
Three Flavours Cornetto (2004 – 2013)
The anthology trilogy Three Flavours Cornetto stands out as one of the best comedy series of all time, as director Edgar Wright and co-writers Simon Pegg and Nick Frost delivered one classic after another. Shaun of the Dead stands as a genre-defining zombie comedy, Hot Fuzz hilariously tackled crime comedies, and The World’s End stands as a sci-fi spoof.
While each of these films was very different, they were connected under the loose theme of Cornetto ice cream cones, which are passively referenced in each movie. As some of the best British comedies ever made, Three Flavours Cornetto was a deliciously creative trilogy.
Back To The Future (1985 – 1990)
Few trilogies have left a mark like Back to the Future, a perfect blend of comedy and sci-fi. Starring Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly and Christopher Lloyd as Doc Brown, it follows a teenager and his eccentric friend on a time-bending adventure from 1985 to 1955 that became an instant classic.
Later installments went to the far-flung futuristic year of 2015 and even saw Marty and Doc end up in the Wild West of 1885. With each film directed by Robert Zemeckis, the filmmakers have been notoriously protective of the series ever since and have been sure to halt any plans for more sequels, reboots, remakes, or spin-offs.