Trilogy facts for kids

A trilogy is a series of three parts that are connected. These parts often tell one big story, with each part being a chapter in that story. Trilogies are common in books, movies, and video games. They let creators tell a detailed story over a longer period, giving characters and plots more time to develop.

What is a Trilogy?

A trilogy means "three stories" or "three parts." The word comes from Ancient Greek and was first used for plays. In a trilogy, each part usually has its own beginning, middle, and end. However, it also builds on the previous parts and sets up the next one. This way, the three parts together form a complete and larger narrative.

Trilogies in Movies

Many famous movies are part of a trilogy. These films often follow the same characters and continue a single storyline.

• The The Godfather series is a classic example. It includes The Godfather, The Godfather Part II, and The Godfather Part III. These movies tell the story of a powerful family over many years.
• The original Star Wars movies are also a well-known trilogy: A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi. They tell the story of heroes fighting an evil empire in space.
• The Lord of the Rings films are another popular trilogy. They are based on the famous books by J. R. R. Tolkien. These movies take viewers on an epic adventure through a fantasy world.

Trilogies in Books

Authors often write trilogies to explore complex worlds and characters.

• The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien is a famous book trilogy. It tells a long fantasy story about a quest to destroy a powerful ring.
• His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman is another well-known book trilogy. It follows a young girl named Lyra on adventures across different worlds.
• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is a popular young adult book trilogy. It tells the story of Katniss Everdeen in a dystopian future.

Trilogies in Video Games

Video games also use the trilogy format to tell long, engaging stories.

• The Mass Effect series is a science fiction video game trilogy. Players make choices that affect the story across all three games.
• The Uncharted series is an action-adventure game trilogy. It follows treasure hunter Nathan Drake on exciting journeys.
• The original Crash Bandicoot games for the PlayStation were a trilogy. They offered fun platforming adventures.

Ancient Greek Trilogies

The idea of a trilogy started in Ancient Greek theatre. Playwrights would present three plays together, often at a festival. These plays were usually connected by a common theme or story. After the three main plays, a fourth, funny play called a satyr play was sometimes performed. This tradition showed how important storytelling in multiple parts was even thousands of years ago.