The making of threequels can be a thorny business, especially when it comes to the most beloved of franchises, but that hasn't held back the creation of some truly phenomenal third films.
With the recent arrival of the The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies in Sky Store, we're celebrating some of the best threequels out there:
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
The Harry Potter series gave us a unique chance to watch a group of young actors growing up over more than a decade from cute little kids to major stars with some serious blockbusters under their belts.
As with JK Rowling's original novels, The Prisoner of Azkaban revealed the full potential of the series. It is darker and scarier, sure, but also richer and more complex with some great character moments from its young cast.
Director Alfonso Cuarón brings a touch of magic to the film that ensured its status as a fan favourite among the already-beloved series.
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
Columns and columns have been written over which is the best film of George Lucas's original Star Wars trilogy, but whichever film you favour, there's no denying that it's iconic from beginning to end.
From Luke's final showdown with Darth Vader and the Emperor to the action at Jabba's Palace (and a certain golden bikini), Return of the Jedi has become part of the very fabric of pop culture.
It delivers a fully satisfying finale to the journey of Luke Skywalker and his friends, from his temptation to a conclusion that is sweet but touched by a bit of tragedy too. What more could we ask for?
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
The climax to Peter Jackson's Hobbit trilogy truly delivers in a riot of action and adventure as the five titular armies clash together at the foot of the Lonely Mountain.
Beset by orcs, men, elves and one gigantic dragon, Thorin discovers that his greatest foe might be the one inside him. But will it be too late for the lost kingdom of the dwarves?
This is a brilliant sendoff for both the adventures of Bilbo and Jackson's own, franchise-defining time in the fantastical world of Middle-earth.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Bursting straight out of your childhood comes the third in George Lucas's original Indiana Jones trilogy. After the strange and terrifying spectacle of The Temple of Doom, Last Crusade brought Indy back to familiar grounds with Nazi villains and more Biblical imagery than you can shake a stick at.
It also brought together two action legends in Harrison Ford and Sean Connery, whose father-and-son shtick is endlessly entertaining.
And who can forget the various traps awaiting the seekers of the Holy Grail, from buzzing saw blades to invisible bridges? It's a classic.
The Bourne Ultimatum
Matt Damon is Jason Bourne, the amnesiac CIA assassin on the run from his former masters.
Bourne is a man with many missions: to seek revenge against the organisation that transformed him into a killer, to find redemption for the people dead at his own hand and to unravel the mystery of his real identity.
The Bourne Ultimatum is an action-packed finale to the trilogy, offering an abundance of thrills and a satisfying conclusion to Bourne's quest.
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb
Shawn Levy's Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb completes the trilogy of films about Ben Stiller's security guard Larry Daley and his unusual job.
Facing a threat to the magic that brings his museum to life at night, he travels to London in search of answers, kicking off another family-friendly and action-packed adventure.
Joining him on his quest is an impressive all-star cast including Robin Williams, Owen Wilson, Steve Coogan, Ricky Gervais, Dan Stevens, Rebel Wilson, Ben Kingsley, Dick Van Dyke and Mickey Rooney, offering some serious comedy chops to keep us entertained.
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, The Bourne Ultimatum and Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb are all available in Sky Store now.
