best animated – From An American Tail to How to Train Your Dragon, these animated trilogies are ranked for how consistently they deliver across three films—balancing big visuals, character pull, and story momentum.
When an animated franchise stretches to multiple installments, the question gets louder with every sequel: does it keep the magic—or does it start coasting?
These 10 trilogies earn their place because they either build one continuing story with real character investment. or return to familiar worlds with enough spark to keep feeling fresh. Some are beloved kids’ classics, others lean into darker fantasy and adult themes. But all of them prove the same point—animation can hit hard across three chapters, not just one.
10. ‘An American Tail’ Trilogy (1986–1999)
An American Tail is often remembered as a triumphant trilogy, even though it technically includes four films. The first. An American Tail. arrived in 1986—three years before Disney’s Renaissance era began—and followed the Mousekewitz family fleeing the perils of Russia in favor of a supposedly cat-free life in America.
The story keeps changing its shape across the follow-ups. The second film takes on a Western edge. while the third leans into adventurous flair. centering on young Fievel Mousekewitz (Phillip Glasser/Thomas Dekker) and his family. The fourth film doesn’t match the first three’s fun-loving energy. but it’s still an endearing kid-friendly adventure that complements the trilogy.
9. ‘Cars’ Trilogy (2006–2017)
The first Cars movie made an impression by combining an exciting visual display. likable characters. and a story built to land. It follows Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson). a superstar race car on misadventures. with the films focusing on emotional lessons and relationships that help McQueen realize what matters in life—while keeping the racing excitement front and center.
Cars 2, however, went in a different direction, full of globetrotting energy and bizarre espionage subplots that missed its mark. The trilogy is bookended by Cars 3, which brought back animated fun and delivered on what the franchise does well. It also spawned Planes spin-off movies, which are described as underwhelming but still packed enough attention-grabbing fun for younger viewers.
8. ‘Rugrats’ Trilogy (1998–2003)
Rugrats began as a hit on Nickelodeon’s “Nicktoons” channel in 1991, growing into one of the most popular kids’ programs throughout the decade. That success led to a run of feature films, starting with 1998’s The Rugrats Movie, which became a commercial success even as critics found fault with it.
Rugrats in Paris: The Movie played better with critics. praised for a more universal sense of fun. strong voice acting. and a character-driven plot. The third film, 2003’s crossover with The Wild Thornberrys, was critically panned and performed disappointingly at the box office. Still, it’s picked out as an ironic cult classic—rounding out a trilogy defined by mischievous, childish fun.
7. ‘The Lion King’ Trilogy (1994–2004)
1994’s animated classic The Lion King does plenty of heavy lifting for this trilogy. Even so, the latter two installments are described as underrated for what they bring.
Both sequels were straight-to-DVD releases. but they’re credited with bringing back a sense of grandeur that the first film delivered so effortlessly. The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride focuses on Simba and Nala’s daughter. The Lion King 1½ re-tells the events of the first film through the perspective of Timon and Pumbaa. The iconic first film remains the trilogy’s defining anchor—and still stands as one of the most celebrated animated films ever made.
6. ‘Berserk: The Golden Age Arc’ (2012–2013)
Berserk: The Golden Age Arc is described as a rare example of an anime trilogy—and an even rarer example of adult animation arriving as an ongoing movie series. Adapted from Kentarou Miura’s dark fantasy manga of the same name. it follows a young warrior who joins a mercenary group trying to see their leader rise to power during a devastating war engulfing the land.
The trilogy’s appeal comes through a combination of fantasy and period action, plus its 2D animation. It leans into horror, war, despair, and action brutality, all while indulging the epic scope of the source material. With the third and final film delivering a rewarding climax to the overarching story. Berserk: The Golden Age Arc is framed as one of the more complete and satisfying trilogies in animated cinema.
5. ‘Madagascar’ Trilogy (2005–2012)
Madagascar arrived in 2005 with a recipe built for big-screen fun: animals, adventure, a strong voice cast, fun animation, and a lively sense of humor. The franchise is described as finding its strengths as it continued.
The animated trilogy follows a ragtag crew of animals who escape New York’s Central Park Zoo and end up in the jungle of Madagascar before venturing into Africa and Europe. The films are credited with never losing their spunk or their sense of adventure. Add in the Penguins of Madagascar spin-off film. and the series is singled out as one of the few animated franchises that maintains consistent quality throughout.
4. ‘Puss in Boots’ Trilogy (2011–2022)
Born as a spin-off of the Shrek franchise, the Puss in Boots movies start with cute animation and sharp wit. They follow Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas), a daring, swashbuckling ginger cat full of bravado and mischief.
The first two films are described as endearing animated adventures. but it isn’t until 2022’s Puss in Boots: The Last Wish that the franchise begins getting its due. The trilogy is called an underrated animated run. relying on cheekiness that can appeal to anyone while using animation to its fullest potential.
3. ‘The Lego Movie’ Trilogy (2014–2019)
The Lego Movie filmography is treated as more of a franchise here, with the 2017 spin-off The Lego Ninjago Movie treated as something separate—both because of narrative detachment and because it’s described as a slump in quality.
The remaining three films are framed as one of the more blissfully imaginative trilogies in animated cinema. The Lego Movie (2014) is credited with nostalgic. earnest charm that helped make it a feel-good hit of escapist fun. with that tone continuing through The Lego Batman Movie and The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part. Together. the trilogy is described as playful and fantastically creative—built to celebrate the famous building bricks they’re based on.
2. Tomm Moore’s ‘Irish Folklore Trilogy’ (2009–2020)
Tomm Moore’s animated run, dubbed the ‘Irish Folklore Trilogy,’ may not have earned global acclaim equal to its quality, but it’s presented as a true highlight of the art form. The trilogy includes The Secret of Kells, Song of the Sea, and 2020’s remarkably gorgeous Wolfwalkers.
It’s described as less of a single flowing narrative and more of a thematically and artistically interlinked exploration of Irish culture. history. and mythology. The trilogy’s stunning 2D. hand-drawn art style supports an air of adventurous fantasy. built around heartfelt stories of magic. morality. and mythos. All three films are placed among the most criminally underrated animated movies of all time. and among the best animated pictures in recent decades.
1. ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ (2010–2019)
The How to Train Your Dragon movies are highlighted as a rarity in cinema—both animated and live-action—because they’re credited with excelling as a trilogy without a weak link. The series follows the friendship between a young Viking out to prove himself and the dragon he is initially sent to kill.
Viewers of all ages are said to have connected with the films through gorgeous animation, adventurous sense of fun, and surprising emotional heft. 2019’s finale is described as a note-perfect conclusion to the animated fantasy tale.
And with a looming live-action remake facing a high bar, the original trilogy’s staying power only feels louder—because it already managed the hardest thing sequels rarely get right: making three films feel essential.
In the end, these trilogies share a common trait that’s hard to manufacture. Whether they go big, go dark, or lean into pure whimsy, they keep their worlds intact—and their characters worth coming back for.
animated trilogies best animated trilogy How to Train Your Dragon Irish Folklore Trilogy Madagscar trilogy Cars trilogy Puss in Boots trilogy Lion King sequels Rugrats movies Berserk Golden Age Arc An American Tail trilogy Lego Movie trilogy