trilogies
Three-part story cycles
Trilogies is the plural of trilogy, a set of three related works—novels, films, plays, or other creative pieces that form a connected narrative or thematic unit.
The original Star Wars trilogy defined a generation.
Unlike sequels, which may continue indefinitely, a trilogy implies deliberate threefold structure with a beginning, middle, and end.
Extended heroic narrative
- epicImpressively grand in scope
- cycleRepeating sequence of events
- sequelContinuation of prior work
- prequelLater work, earlier setting
novel · installment · volume · tome · fantasy · science fiction · narrative arc · world-building
Licensed business operation
- sequelContinuation of prior work
- prequelLater work, earlier setting
- spinoffDerived work from original
- blockbusterEnormously successful entertainment property
box office · director's cut · adaptation · reboot · extended edition · theatrical release · screenplay · final chapter
Licensed business operation
- sequelContinuation of prior work
- prequelLater work, earlier setting
- spinoffDerived work from original
- expansionIncrease in scope
DLC · remaster · storyline · campaign · lore · final boss · save file · completionist
Concluding part of performance
- culminationHighest or final point
- climaxPoint of greatest intensity
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
- denouementStory's final unraveling
closure · wrap-up · endgame · payoff · grand finale · send-off
Having three divisions
- second actDrama's middle segment
- finaleConcluding part of performance
- arcCurved line segment
- throughlineCentral connecting narrative strand
overarching · interconnected · self-contained · standalone · continuous · chapter · part one · part two
saga
Extended heroic narrative
prequel · novel · installment · volume · tome · fantasy · science fiction · narrative arc · world-building · character development
franchise
Licensed business operation
blockbuster · box office · director's cut · adaptation · reboot · extended edition · theatrical release · screenplay · final chapter · origin story
franchise
Licensed business operation
expansion · DLC · remaster · storyline · campaign · lore · final boss · save file · completionist · new game plus
finale
Concluding part of performance
- culminationHighest or final point
- climaxPoint of greatest intensity
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
denouement · closure · wrap-up · endgame · payoff · grand finale · send-off
three-part
Having three divisions
- second actDrama's middle segment
- finaleConcluding part of performance
- arcCurved line segment
throughline · overarching · interconnected · self-contained · standalone · continuous · chapter · part one · part two
- storytellingstorytelling, story, tale, narrative, narrator
- groups of threetriplets, triads, trios, threesomes, trinities
- modern fictionnovels, novel, contemporary fiction, literary fiction, modern fiction
- booksnovel, textbooks, study guides, book, paperback
- filmsfeature films, action films, horror films, comedies, dramas
- book sequelssequels, series, book series, novel series, part two
trilogiesstandalones
Self-contained individual items
one-shots · one-offs · monographs · short stories · novellas
triple, trio, triangle, triad, triplet, trilogy, tricolor, triptych, trifecta