Sometimes, a story is too epic or complex to fit into even a three-hour movie. From the emotional exploration of nuanced characters who deserve to gradually be developed to the rich world-building of fantasy or sci-fi tales, directors and writers occasionally need more screen time to tell a story right. Furthermore, filmmakers often face the challenge of doing justice to their sources, especially when these are beloved and acclaimed books.
When properly executed, a “part one” movie is not a mere setup but a complete and satisfying journeythat, even if it might work as a stand-alone piece, offers depth as part of a larger and more significant narrative. The best first-part films lay the groundwork for an even more thrilling conclusion. They welcome the viewer into their world and introduce them to the characters there, encouraging them to empathize and build a connection throughout the viewing experience.
Following Movie: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007)
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chestis the thrilling second installment in the beloved franchise starring Johnny Depp. It constitutes the first of a two-part sequel to the original 2003 film.Dead Man’s Chestand the following installment,At World’s End,were produced back-to-back. The second film is an action-ridden and clever prelude to the final battle for the control of the seven seas, seeing the return of beloved characters like Jack Sparrow, Will Turner, and Elizabeth Swan.
Dead Man’s Chestmight not feel as eventful as the final chapter, but this “part one” movie still delivers some unforgettable moments. It masterfully sets the stage by expanding the character arcs, weaving together intricate storylines, and introducing the audience to two beautifully written and terrifying villains: Davy Jones and Lord Cutler Beckett. As the plot thickens and new and old heroes join the crew, the story keeps the audience glued to the screen until its shocking finale, offering not one, but two cliffhangers.
9Wicked: Part I (2024)
Following Movie: Wicked: Part II (2025)
Based on one of the most beloved Broadway musicals,Wickedhas been long awaited, and the first installment of the two-part movie did not disappoint the fans. The casting was handled perfectly, with Cynthia Erivo as the future Wicked Witch of the West and Ariana Grande as Glinda the Good. The two actresses embody the essence of their characters so thoroughly, delivering charismatic and emotional performances.
The movie, set in Oz, tells the story of Elphaba and Galinda before they become the Wicked Witch of the West and the Good Witch. The first part explores the origins of these iconic characters, their initially hostile relationship, and how their bond develops into a beautiful friendship, setting the stage for the more eventful and intense second part. With deeply emotional themes and a whimsical atmosphere,Wicked’s part one delivers heart-shattering musical performancesto arrive at its superb conclusion on the note of “Defying Gravity.”
8Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
Following Movie: Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004)
Inspired by a combination of samurai cinema, spaghetti westerns, and martial arts films,Kill Billwas an ambitious project for Quentin Tarantino. The two-part film serves as a love letter to the genres that influenced Tarantino’s unique cinematic style.KillBill: Vol.1and2were originally meant to be a single movie, but because of the long runtime, it was divided into two installments. This was a great choice when it saved some scenes that would later contribute to making the story a cult classic.
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Kill Bill: Vol. 1introduces the audience to the persona of Beatrix “the Bride” Kiddo (played by Uma Thurman), one of the most iconic movie characters of all time. Her legendary status is largely due to one action scene after another throughout the two films giving her the opportunity to emerge and shine in surprising ways. Moreover, Tarantino’s “part one” movie sets up a shocking tale of revenge that will only come to fruition in Part Two.
7Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Following Movie: Avengers: Endgame (2019)
WhenAvengers: Infinity Warreleased in 2018, the whole world, whether they were hardcore or casual fans, was left in shock. The movie is the third installment of theAvengersseries and is the first of a two-part sequel toAvengers: Age of Ultron. The original title of the fourth and last movie of the franchise,Avengers: Endgame, was initially supposed to beInfinity War Part 2. It is hard to see the 2018 and 2019 adaptations as separate works;Infinity Waris a brilliant prelude to the ending of a Marvel phase.
Although he had already been briefly shown, the 2018 film officially introduced the audience to one of the most fascinating and charismatic villains of all time. The threat posed by the arrogant Titan Thanos allowed the writers to finally unite the most beloved superheroes of the franchise: from Ironman and Doctor Strange to Thor to Rocket. Every single encounter and plot twist in the movie is astutely crafted to lead to one of the biggest cliffhangers in cinema history, making sureInfinity War’s endingleaves audiences wanting more.
6Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010)
Following Movie: Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)
Despite being amazingly executed, theHarry Pottermovies left out significant details from the books they were based on. After all, not everything can be condensed into a two-hour film. However, when considering how important it was to pay tribute to the conclusion of this legendary series, the filmmakers could not do it with one last big-screen adaptation, so they decided to divide the film into two parts. This gave the fans an incredibly emotional prelude to prepare them for the most awaited finale ever.
The"part one"Harry Pottermovie was the best choicethe directors could have made.Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1is a beautiful and melancholic anchor that connects the more light-hearted (albeit gradually darker) six films set in the safety of Hogwarts to the final battle between Harry and Voldemort. The movie sees the Golden Trio at their most vulnerable, without Dumbledore or any other adults to protect them, and introduces the audience to the much-anticipated wizarding war.
5It (2017)
Following Movie: It Chapter Two (2019)
Adapted from Stephen King’s 1986 novel, 2017’sItre-introduced audiences to the most terrifying clown in literature and the brilliant members of the Losers Club. King’s original story is so elaborate and rich, spanning many years, that it would have been a disservice only to make one movie about the most grotesque villain in horror history.Pennywise’s real-life-inspired monstrosityemerges through this first chapter. Far from being a simple prelude, the first adaptation depicts the original journey of its young protagonists.
By focusing on their formative years,Itoffers a clever exploration of fear as experienced during childhood. Through the tender age of the main characters, the movie blends themes typical of coming-of-age stories like camaraderie, personal growth, and self-discovery with darker subjects such as trauma, abuse, and personal loss. These elements are woven seamlessly into a dreadful spectacle, making the film aStand By Me-like emotional journey that follows a horror-story plot.
4Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse (2023)
Following Movie: Spider-Man: Beyond The Spider-Verse (TBC)
FollowingSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verseis the first of a two-part sequel depicting the story of Miles Morales. The 2023 movie leads fans deeper into a visually stunning and narratively complex world. Considering the intricate nature of the story taking place throughout the multiverse along with the many absurd encounters as well as unexpected alliances, the creators needed as much time and space as possible to fully develop the plot without sacrificing other elements.
Across the Spider-Verseexplores Miles' evolving journey as he navigates his role as Spider-Man amid a vast web of alternate realities. During the emotional rollercoaster that is the plot, the movie still finds the time to explore themes of identity and, in classic Spider-Man fashion, power and responsibility. The beautiful animation, the clever Easter eggs, and the ambitious storytelling all come together for a cliffhanger that will keep the viewers on edge until the second part.
3The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
Following Movies: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) & The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)
LikeThe Lord of the Rings,The Hobbitis not the type of story a director wants to cut or simplify. Although Peter Jackson made some substantial changes to the beloved tale of J. R. R. Tolkien, leaving out crucial details was not part of his vision. By portraying the relatively short book as a three-part film, Jackson ensured he could pay tribute to the rich tapestry of storylines, character development, and epic nature of Middle-earth.
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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journeyre-introduces viewers to Bilbo Baggins, now played by Martin Freeman, and his originally reluctant then eager segue into an adventure with Thorin Oakenshield and his company of dwarves. Between Bilbo’s clumsy fights, the brilliant encounter with Gollum (and the One Ring), and his relentless commitment to be brave, this “part one” movie delivered some breathtaking and funny scenes that entertained the audience and set the stage for the darker future chapters of the series.
2Dune: Part One (2021)
Following Movie: Dune: Part Two (2024)
Dune: Part 1was the long-awaited third adaptation of the 1965 novel by Frank Herbert, directed by Denis Villeneuve and starring Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides. The original book written by Herbert is a science fiction epic set on a desert planet that covers themes from environmentalism to politics, attempting to respect scientific accuracy while never leaving humanity or the emotional weight of the story out. As a consequence, the complexity of the novel makes it an arduous task to condense into a single film, which is why Villeneuve opted to split his adaptation into two parts.
Dune: Part 1 managed to welcome audiences back into the spectacular world described by Herbert, introducing them to the central characters and setting the stage for some major developments in the following movie. The highly complex and rich plot deserved to be thoroughly conceived and illustrated with a gradual pacing, andDune: Part 1meticulously introduces the second movie.
1The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring (2001)
Following Movies: The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers (2002) & The Return Of The King (2003)
The most legendary fantasy book ever written could not have been condensed into one movie, or the die-hard fans would have been severely offended.The Fellowship of the Ring, directed by Peter Jackson, is the first installment in the epic adaptation of Tolkien’sThe Lord of the Ringsthat,although often represented as a trilogy, was meant to be a single, vast book. Jackson had so much to incorporate into his adaptations that the extended versions of the three films are also divided into two parts. TheFellowship of the Ring’s extended versionis especially worth watching for the extended initial world-building.
The Fellowship of The Ringoffers a glimpse of the story that is about to unfold, depicting our soon-to-be favorite heroes leaving their nests and joining forces to face the biggest threat the world has ever encountered. It is an enchanting welcome into Middle-Earth, where elves, wizards, and dwarves live and train as warriors, while also hinting at the hidden powers of the seemingly innocuous Hobbits. The story is decidedly one of the best “part one” movies ever brought to the screen.
