25 Best Reviewed Franchise Films Of The 21st Century (According To Metacritic)
1. The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King (94)
The final installment in Peter Jackson's trilogy is also its most acclaimed, widely considered the third part by which all others should be held accountable in genre filmmaking. Tying together the loose ends of its predecessors, it's an immensely satisfying feat of cinematic prowess.
Like its predecessors, it was a critical smash, remarkably sweeping the Academy Awards including a win for Best Picture - an unheard-of feat for a fantasy film. Years later, it still crops up near the top of best-ever film lists - and as a cultural touchstone, there remain few to rival it.