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20 Movies That Should Have Been Epic Trilogies, And We're Still Waiting For That Third Part

By Jeremy Hayes,

3 days ago

When a film gains popularity, it's easy to see a sequel from a mile away. Sometimes, whether it is box office failure or bad reviews, a movie series with a potential trilogy never makes it past the second movie. These "duologies" are rare, but leave fans annoyed they never got an Act III to the series.

Here are 20 film duologies that deserved a third and final installment:

1. Sherlock Holmes & Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2HadfG_0v9pIdPM00 — The Guy Ritchie action-adventure take on Sherlock Holmes felt like the closest thing to a *Pirates of the Caribbean* rival. Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law were magic together as Holmes and Watson. The movies were the perfect blend of comedy, mystery, and action to make for the perfect blockbuster.
A third film is still plausible, but like all potential trilogies on this list, it would have been better to release the final installment within three years after the second film.
Warner Bros. Pictures

2. National Treasure & National Treasure: Book of Secrets

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=02Y0WL_0v9pIdPM00 — The National Treasure movies are the perfect "movie day at school" flicks. They are both educational and ridiculous, making for a wonderful ride as a movie-goer. Nicholas Cage, Diane Kruger , and Justin Bartha have fun energy together, which is hard to come by for hero trios.
There was an attempt at a TV series, but a third installment would only gain traction if it brought the original cast back together. We've had a map and a book, so maybe the third installment will be something else for Ben Gates to find and read.
Walt Disney Pictures

3. Hellboy & Hellboy II: The Golden Army

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3dcTzU_0v9pIdPM00 — Hellboy is an underrated comic book character, and in a time of DC versus Marvel, not enough love went to Dark Horse Comics' Big Red. Ron Pearlman was the perfect Hellboy, offering a blend of badass and relatability.
Even though people were disappointed in the sequel, the story was good enough to set up a third and final film.
Sony Pictures Releasing

4. The Princess Diaries & The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0A6wbz_0v9pIdPM00 — Anne Hathaway's breakout role has always been loved, but not enough people have spoken about a third movie.
The movies were very popular and funny, and despite the second film, like most movies, not living up to the original, it would be nice to see an Act III for the character Mia Thermopolis. It's reported that a third film is in the development stages. Until this begins filming, never trust that a movie is "in development" because it could easily get shelved and never seen again.
My title pitch: "The Princess Diaries 3: Think Like A Queen"
Walt Disney Pictures

5. Monsters Inc. & Monsters University

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1KRvg3_0v9pIdPM00 — Both movies are hilarious, and I'd argue that the sequel is even better.
It would be nice to see a story that brings back some of the university characters into a new story potentially involving Boo. A third movie isn't necessary, but the other two are so creative at finding emotionally driven stories that they could tug at the heartstrings with one last film.
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

6. The X-Files: Fight the Future & The X-Files: I Want to Believe

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2sSr3V_0v9pIdPM00 — *The X-Files* did so much for TV, but it's only right that they are given one last crack at a film. The Fox reboot offered closure to their story, but this would be an interesting method if there were a way to pass the torch for more episodes.
Bring back David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson as Mulder and Scully and have them introduce the next generation of FBI X-File case handlers. There would be no better way to end an era with a proper sendoff than with a film titled: "The X-Files: The Truth Is Out There."
20th Century Fox

7. 300 & 3 00: Rise of an Empire

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=42XHha_0v9pIdPM00 — The Zack Snyder adaption of the Frank Miller comics is one of the most daring visual pieces of film ever made. The sequel offered plenty of solid moments of story and action, ending with a possible tease for a third and final installment.
It would be interesting to see what Snyder could do next and conclude the story with the Battle of Plataea.
Warner Bros. Pictures

8. Kill Bill: Volume I & Kill Bill: Volume II

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4bMUjt_0v9pIdPM00 — Obviously, for those who have seen the films, there are clear reasons why there will not be a Part III to the *Kill Bill* franchise.
Perhaps this is an example of a sequel concept that could have been spread into two movies. So, Volume II could have been split into two films. That said, fans will not argue against the final product.
Miramax Films

9. Bladerunner & Bladerunner 2049

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4b5Dsk_0v9pIdPM00 — It's hard to talk about Sci-Fi movies and not mention *Bladerunner* . The sequel was incredibly popular, and I'm sure we will see another installment down the road.
The *Bladerunner* series is anticipated to hit TV, but I think most fans would want to see a final installment with a film-level budget.
Warner Bros. Pictures

10. Gremlins & Gremlins 2: The New Batch

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2D8V5R_0v9pIdPM00 — Where is G-3, y'all!?
The sequel to *Gremlins* was panned by fans and critics, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't get the chance to see Gizmo one more time on the big screen. With the right script, the original's magic can be recaptured while still showcasing the ridiculous side of *Gremlins* everyone fell in love with.
Warner Bros.

11. 21 Jump Street & 22 Jump Street

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=13WKzZ_0v9pIdPM00 — Both movies were hilarious, and *22 Jump Street* might have been funnier than the original. The ending to the second film parodies the idea of unlimited sequels, but why not let Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill go undercover one more time?
We almost got a *Men in Black* crossover, but with that seemingly dead in the water, all signs should point toward "23 Jump Street."
Sony Pictures Releasing

12. Pacific Rim & Pacific Rim Uprising

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3hqNsc_0v9pIdPM00 — Giant robots aren't for everyone, but it did captivate a large audience that loved seeing Jaegers beating up on Kaiju.
The sequel did not do well with audiences, and the hype around the franchise died quickly. It's a shame they never got one final crack at it to have a less-rushed conclusion to the story.
Universal Pictures

13. Charlie's Angels & Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1h9gUq_0v9pIdPM00 — Charlie's Angels is the epitome of bubbly fun. The action is great, and the comedy is funny, but a disappointing sequel, like many on this list, robbed audiences of a trilogy.
There was a reboot that grew its own little fandom, but I think a modern film with Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu, and Cameron Diaz would be unique. We never get to see the Angels older, and there is a lot Hollywood could do with that if they had the guts and self-awareness. Picture it: "Charlie's Angels 3: Goodnight, Angels."
Sony Pictures Releasing

14. Tim Burton's Batman & Batman Returns

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=25blmq_0v9pIdPM00 — Tim Burton gave viewers an iconic Batman character they had never seen on the big screen. How did this popular franchise not produce a third film?
Although Michael Keaton's Batman appeared in The Flash, we will unlikely see him dawn the cowl under Burton's direction again. It's a shame because even if they did make a third movie, it would seem out of place with the other two films.
Warner Bros.

15. A Goofy Movie & An Extremely Goofy Movie

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=16PufB_0v9pIdPM00 — Both *Goofy* movies are really good father-son films.
The sequel was a home movie, so why not complete the trilogy with a story featuring Grandpa Goofy and Max as a father? Potential title: "A Goofy Dads Movie."
Walt Disney Television Animation

16. Father of the Bride & Father of the Bride Part II

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4eBawc_0v9pIdPM00 — During the pandemic, the cast had a Zoom reunion called "Father of the Bride Part III-(ish)." So much time has passed that it is hard to imagine what story they could pull off besides Annie Banks' own child getting married.
In that case, we'd have "Mother of the Bride" to cap off the trilogy. This is less of a case of "needing" to finish the trilogy and more of a "what if" they filmed a third movie in the late '90s.
Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

17. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider & Lara Croft: Tomb Raider — The Cradle of Life

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0VOzOU_0v9pIdPM00 — It's another popcorn franchise wasted. The movies themselves aren't Oscar-worthy, but they are fun. Angelina Jolie was white-hot at the time and could put butts in seats.
Seeing her make one last Lara Croft in the spirit of how *Logan* handled Hugh Jackman's Wolverine would be fun.
Paramount Pictures

18. Predator & Predator 2

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0uJLjb_0v9pIdPM00 — Shockingly, the *Predator* franchise veered so far away from the original movie. Seeing a final film featuring Danny Glover and Arnold Schwarzenegger would have been awesome.
Predator in a jungle. Predator in a city. What's next? They could've done Predator in the desert or Predator at sea. Give me a call, 20th Century!
20th Century Fox

19. Speed & Speed 2: Cruise Control

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0ggx0y_0v9pIdPM00 — How does one even describe the *Speed* series? They are action-packed and explosive (literally). Everything about the films is big-time "blockbuster bait," so it's hard to believe a third installment never happened. Maybe if they could get Keanu Reeves back on board, it would create a buzz.
Reeves and Sandra Bullock on a train that can't stop: "Speed 3 — All Aboard" (lol)
20th Century Fox

20. The Amazing Spider-Man & The Amazing Spider-Man 2

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1paSDK_0v9pIdPM00 — It's not everyone's cup of tea, but some people LOVED Andrew Garfield as Spidey. The fandom deserved a completed trilogy. Plus, *The Amazing Spider-Man 2* featured the best live-action costume for Peter Parker. It would have been exciting to see new designs for Spidey and the villains.
With Garfield's presence in the MCU, maybe they will, one day, complete his story arc.
Sony Pictures Releasing

What film duology do you think should have been a trilogy? Do you still want to see a third film from these franchises? Comment below!

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