# Trilogy

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For other uses, see [Trilogy (disambiguation)](/source/Trilogy_(disambiguation)).

A **trilogy** is a set of three distinct works that are connected and can be seen either as a single work or as three individual works. They are commonly found in [literature](/source/Literature), [film](/source/Film), and [video games](/source/Video_game). Three-part works that are considered components of a larger work also exist, such as the [triptych](/source/Triptych) or the three-movement [sonata](/source/Sonata), but they are not commonly referred to with the term "trilogy".

Most trilogies are works of [fiction](/source/Fiction) involving the same characters or setting, such as *[The Deptford Trilogy](/source/The_Deptford_Trilogy)* of novels by [Robertson Davies](/source/Robertson_Davies), *[The Apu Trilogy](/source/The_Apu_Trilogy)* of films by [Satyajit Ray](/source/Satyajit_Ray), and [*The Kingdom Trilogy*](/source/The_Kingdom_(miniseries)) of television miniseries by [Lars von Trier](/source/Lars_von_Trier). Other fiction trilogies are connected only by theme: for example, each film of [Krzysztof Kieślowski](/source/Krzysztof_Kie%C5%9Blowski)'s [Three Colours trilogy](/source/Three_Colours_trilogy) explores one of the political ideals of the [French Republic](/source/French_Republic) ([liberty, equality, fraternity](/source/Libert%C3%A9,_%C3%A9galit%C3%A9,_fraternit%C3%A9)). Trilogies can also be connected in less obvious ways, such as *[The Nova Trilogy](/source/The_Nova_Trilogy)* of novels by [William S. Burroughs](/source/William_S._Burroughs), each written using [cut-up technique](/source/Cut-up_technique).

The term is seldom applied outside media. One example is the "[Marshall Trilogy](/source/Tribal_sovereignty_in_the_United_States#The_Marshall_Trilogy,_1823–1832)", a common term for three rulings written by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice [John Marshall](/source/John_Marshall) from 1823 to 1832 concerning the legal status of Native Americans under U.S. law.[1]

## History

Trilogies (Ancient Greek: τριλογία *trilogia*)[2][3] date back to ancient times. In the [Dionysia](/source/Dionysia) festivals of [ancient Greece](/source/Ancient_Greece), for example, trilogies of [plays](/source/Play_(theatre)) were performed followed by a fourth [satyr play](/source/Satyr_play). *[The Oresteia](/source/The_Oresteia)* is the only surviving trilogy of these ancient Greek plays, originally performed at the festival in [Athens](/source/Athens) in 458 BC. The [three Theban plays](/source/Three_Theban_plays), or [Oedipus](/source/Oedipus) cycle, by [Sophocles](/source/Sophocles), originating in 5th century BC, is not a true example of a trilogy because the plays were written at separate times and with different themes/purposes.

Technical changes in printing and film in the mid-to-late 20th century made the creation of trilogies more feasible, while the development of mass media and modern global distribution networks has made them more likely to be lucrative. Examples of trilogies in modern fiction include the [August trilogy](/source/August_trilogy) by [Knut Hamsun](/source/Knut_Hamsun), the [Cairo Trilogy](/source/Cairo_Trilogy) by [Naguib Mahfouz](/source/Naguib_Mahfouz), [The Border Trilogy](/source/The_Border_Trilogy) by [Cormac McCarthy](/source/Cormac_McCarthy), and [His Dark Materials](/source/His_Dark_Materials) by [Philip Pullman](/source/Philip_Pullman). A pivotal example is [J. R. R. Tolkien](/source/J._R._R._Tolkien)'s *[The Lord of the Rings](/source/The_Lord_of_the_Rings)* (1954–1955), which was written as a single novel but published for economic reasons as three separate novels with distinct titles, thus helping to popularize the trilogy format.

## In media

### Films

Main article: [List of feature film series with three entries](/source/List_of_feature_film_series_with_three_entries)

The increase in sequels in recent years means there are a number of franchises that have produced three films, often with *II* and *III* appended to their title as an indication. Less obvious film trilogies include:

- Lars von Trier has occasionally referred[citation needed] to his films as falling into thematic and stylistic trilogies; about the [apocalyptic subject matters](/source/Apocalyptic_and_post-apocalyptic_fiction) in *[Europa trilogy](/source/Europa_trilogy)* (*[The Element of Crime](/source/The_Element_of_Crime)* (1984), *[Epidemic](/source/Epidemic_(film))* (1987), and *[Europa](/source/Europa_(1991_film))* (1991)); the heroine's tragedies in [*Golden Heart* trilogy](/source/Golden_Heart_trilogy) (*[Breaking the Waves](/source/Breaking_the_Waves)* (1996), *[The Idiots](/source/The_Idiots_(1998_film))* (1998), and *[Dancer in the Dark](/source/Dancer_in_the_Dark)* (2000)); the [anti-American culture](/source/Anti-Americanism) in '**, *[Dogville](/source/Dogville)* (2003) and *[Manderlay](/source/Manderlay)* (2005)); and the *Depression* trilogy (*[Antichrist](/source/Antichrist_(film))* (2009), *[Melancholia](/source/Melancholia_(2011_film))* (2011), and *[Nymphomaniac](/source/Nymphomaniac_(film))* (2013)).**
- The *[Before](/source/Before_trilogy)* trilogy consists of three American [romance films](/source/Romance_film) created by [Richard Linklater](/source/Richard_Linklater) and starring [Ethan Hawke](/source/Ethan_Hawke) and [Julie Delpy](/source/Julie_Delpy), who both co-wrote the two sequels. It begins with *[Before Sunrise](/source/Before_Sunrise)* (1995), and continues with *[Before Sunset](/source/Before_Sunset)* (2004) and *[Before Midnight](/source/Before_Midnight)* (2013).
- The *Death* trilogy consists of three [psychological drama](/source/Psychological_drama) films about the human condition and [intertwined plots](/source/Hyperlink_cinema) with different characters: *[Amores perros](/source/Amores_perros)* (2000), *[21 Grams](/source/21_Grams)* (2003) and *[Babel](/source/Babel_(film))* (2006), all directed by [Alejandro González Iñárritu](/source/Alejandro_Gonz%C3%A1lez_I%C3%B1%C3%A1rritu) and written by [Guillermo Arriaga](/source/Guillermo_Arriaga).

### Music

The term is less often applied to music.

- One example is the *[Berlin Trilogy](/source/Berlin_Trilogy)* of [David Bowie](/source/David_Bowie), which is linked together by musical sound and lyrical themes, all having been recorded at least partly in Berlin, Germany.

- Another example can be found in the [Guns N' Roses](/source/Guns_N'_Roses) songs "[November Rain](/source/November_Rain)", "[Don't Cry](/source/Don't_Cry)" and "[Estranged](/source/Estranged_(song))", whose videos are considered a trilogy.[4]

- *The Unforgiven (Trilogy)* is the name given to the three homonymous songs by the group [Metallica](/source/Metallica), which have been included on the albums [Metallica](/source/Metallica_(album)) The Unforgiven (1991), [ReLoad](/source/Reload_(Metallica_album)) The Unforgiven II (1997) and [Death Magnetic](/source/Death_Magnetic) The Unforgiven III (2008), therefore, the song [The Unforgiven](/source/The_Unforgiven_(song)) has spawned two sequels.

- [The Weeknd](/source/The_Weeknd)'s 2012 compilation album *[Trilogy](/source/Trilogy_(The_Weeknd_album))* is a [remastered](/source/Remaster) and remixed collection of his 2011 [mixtapes](/source/Mixtape) *[House of Balloons](/source/House_of_Balloons)*, *[Thursday](/source/Thursday_(album))*, and *[Echoes of Silence](/source/Echoes_of_Silence)*.

- Another highly notable musical trilogy is [Green Day](/source/Green_Day)'s 2012 albums [¡Uno!](/source/%C2%A1Uno!), [¡Dos!](/source/%C2%A1Dos!), and [¡Tré!](/source/%C2%A1Tr%C3%A9!).
- Another trilogy is [Beyoncé](/source/Beyonc%C3%A9)'s trilogy of albums, [*Act I: Renaissance*](/source/Renaissance_(Beyonc%C3%A9_album)), [*Act II:* *Cowboy Carter*](/source/Cowboy_Carter), and the incoming *Act III*.

### Video games

- The *N. Sane Trilogy*, released between 1996 and 1999, consists of *[Crash Bandicoot](/source/Crash_Bandicoot_(video_game))* (1996), *[Cortex Strikes Back](/source/Crash_Bandicoot_2:_Cortex_Strikes_Back)* (1997), and *[Warped](/source/Crash_Bandicoot:_Warped)* (1998), which were originally developed by [Naughty Dog](/source/Naughty_Dog) for the [PlayStation](/source/PlayStation_(console)). This resulted to remaster into a collection titled *[Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy](/source/Crash_Bandicoot_N._Sane_Trilogy)*, but not affiliated with Naughty Dog.
- The *Lisa* Trilogy was released between 2012 and 2015, developed by Dingaling Productions, with each of the three games (*The First*, *[The Painful](/source/Lisa:_The_Painful)*, and *The Joyful*) having different apocalyptic settings and playable protagonists, and themes of [transgenerational trauma](/source/Transgenerational_trauma) and [child abuse](/source/Child_abuse).[5]
- The *[Mother](/source/Mother_(video_game_series))* trilogy is a video game series that consists of three [role-playing video games](/source/Role-playing_video_games): *[Mother](/source/Mother_(video_game))* (1989), known as *EarthBound Beginnings* outside Japan, for the [Family Computer](/source/Nintendo_Entertainment_System); *Mother 2* (1994), known as *[EarthBound](/source/EarthBound)* outside Japan, for the [Super Nintendo Entertainment System](/source/Super_Nintendo_Entertainment_System); and *[Mother 3](/source/Mother_3)* (2006) for the [Game Boy Advance](/source/Game_Boy_Advance).

## Adding works to an existing trilogy

Creators of trilogies may later add more works. In such a case, the original three works may or may not keep the title "trilogy".

- The first three novels in *[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy](/source/The_Hitchhiker's_Guide_to_the_Galaxy)* series were dubbed a trilogy and even after he extended the series, author [Douglas Adams](/source/Douglas_Adams) continued to use the term for humorous effect—for example, calling *[Mostly Harmless](/source/Mostly_Harmless)* "the fifth book in the increasingly inaccurately named trilogy."[6]
- [Kevin Smith](/source/Kevin_Smith)'s films *[Clerks](/source/Clerks_(film))*, *[Mallrats](/source/Mallrats)* and *[Chasing Amy](/source/Chasing_Amy)* were often marketed as "The New Jersey Trilogy"[7] because they had overlapping characters, events and locations. After the release of a fourth film, [*Dogma*](/source/Dogma_(film)), the series is referred to as "the [View Askewniverse](/source/View_Askewniverse)".
- The [*Star Wars* trilogy](/source/Star_Wars_original_trilogy), released between 1977 and 1983, has since been expanded into a trilogy of trilogies, which have since been titled the "Skywalker Saga": the original trilogy, the [prequel trilogy](/source/Star_Wars_prequel_trilogy) released between 1999 and 2005, and the [sequel trilogy](/source/Star_Wars_sequel_trilogy) released between 2015 and 2019. More movies and television series in the *Star Wars* franchise were also developed.
- The [*Pirates of the Caribbean* series](/source/Pirates_of_the_Caribbean_(film_series)) began with the first three films released between 2003 and 2007, *[The Curse of the Black Pearl](/source/Pirates_of_the_Caribbean:_The_Curse_of_the_Black_Pearl)*, *[Dead Man's Chest](/source/Pirates_of_the_Caribbean:_Dead_Man's_Chest)*, and *[At World's End](/source/Pirates_of_the_Caribbean:_At_World's_End)*.[8][9] Although the *Pirates* series continued with fourth and fifth films, *[On Stranger Tides](/source/Pirates_of_the_Caribbean:_On_Stranger_Tides)* and *[Dead Men Tell No Tales](/source/Pirates_of_the_Caribbean:_Dead_Men_Tell_No_Tales)*, the term "Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy" was still used in most media and reports online,[10] including in an interview with director [Gore Verbinski](/source/Gore_Verbinski).[11]

## See also

- [List of feature film series with three entries](/source/List_of_feature_film_series_with_three_entries)
- [Numeral prefix](/source/Numeral_prefix)
- [Trifecta](/source/Trifecta)
- [Tritheism](/source/Tritheism)
- [Tetralogy](/source/Tetralogy)

## References

1. ["The Marshall Trilogy"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150107021630/http://tm112.community.uaf.edu/unit-1/marshall-trilogy-1823-1832/). *Tm112.community.uaf.edu*. Archived from [the original](https://tm112.community.uaf.edu/unit-1/marshall-trilogy-1823-1832/) on 7 January 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2017.

1. From the compound prefix [τρι-](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%CF%84%CF%81%CE%B9-) *tri-* "thrice", the noun [λόγος](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%CE%BB%CF%8C%CE%B3%CE%BF%CF%82) *logos* "discourse" and the feminine abstract suffix [-ία](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/-%CE%AF%CE%B1) *-ia*; see , , .

1. Dombal, Ryan. "Revisiting the Magnificent Excess of Guns N' Roses' Use Your Illusion Video Trilogy." Pitchfork. N.p., April 15, 2016. Web. September 28, 2016.

1. Patterson, John (2021-09-23). ["Game Cred: Causality, Generational Trauma, and Failed Masculinity in 'The LISA Trilogy'"](https://film-cred.com/game-cred-the-lisa-trilogy/). *Film Cred*. Retrieved 2022-09-29.

1. ["Douglasadams.com creations"](http://www.douglasadams.com/creations/hhgg.html). *Douglasadams.com*. Retrieved 2 December 2017.

1. ["New Jersey Trilogy - Everything2.com"](http://everything2.com/title/New+Jersey+Trilogy). *Everything2.com*. Retrieved 2 December 2017.

1. Surrell, Jason (2005). [*Pirates of the Caribbean: From The Magic Kingdom*](https://books.google.com/books?id=mfqzQwAACAAJ&q=pirates+of+the+caribbean+from+the+magic+kingdom+to+the+movies). Turtleback Books. ISBN 978-1-417-692-74-3.

1. Singer, Michael (2007). [*Bring Me That Horizon: The Making of Pirates of the Caribbean*](https://books.google.com/books?id=CYYOAgAACAAJ). [Disney Editions](/source/Disney_Editions). ISBN 978-1-4231-0319-6.

1. ["Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120131161944/http://media-file.net/7/onstrangertides/images/PIRATES%204%20PRESS%20KIT%20FINAL.pdf). [Disney Enterprises, Inc.](/source/The_Walt_Disney_Company). 2011. Archived from [the original](http://media-file.net/7/onstrangertides/images/PIRATES%204%20PRESS%20KIT%20FINAL.pdf) on January 31, 2012. Retrieved November 14, 2022.

1. ["Exclusive: Gore Verbinski Reflects on His 'Pirates' Trilogy and the Intense Production of the Sequels: "It Was Survival Mode""](https://collider.com/gore-verbinski-interview-pirates-of-the-caribbean-2-pirates-3-production/). *[Collider](/source/Collider_(website))*. 14 March 2021.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Trilogy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trilogy) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trilogy?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.