Three's Company

What's better than a sequel? A 'three-quel'. Movie franchises are all the rage. Return to a much-loved landscape, rinse, repeat and rally a cast of familiar faces, throw in a spin, use the title, and voila – the third part is served. Fresh, and dependably exciting, one more time. After all, the third time's a charm, ain't it? Whether Housefull 3 lives up to its name or not remains to be seen, here's checking out some of the third installments.

Frightening rarely strikes twice. With this franchise, it struck thrice, in the same place, delivering the spooks and chills third time around. All three films had you practically holding your breath unless something hidden somewhere in the murky shadows, pops up and rips your heart out, again. The first in the series was super successful. Scream Queen Bipasha Basu's second film garnered her a nomination for Filmfare Best Actress. The second, tanked at the box office, while the third part, with its powerhouse finale rooted in emotional connection, raked in the big bucks, making it the highest grossing horror film of all time.

Alone
Jism
Raaz
Jannat

The first instalment in the franchise delivered the giggly, adult, not so nudge-nudge-wink-wink comedy for teenagers. The two heroes, Ritesh and Tusshar, embroiled in a rollercoaster of naughty sauce, shared a boner-bromance that had the audience wanting more from this kool duo. This adult comedy made enough of a mark to spawn two more of the same infectiously funny film. Sadly, with the third film, Riteish only made a special appearance unlike the sequel and prequel.

Dhamaal
Masti
Hera Pheri
Kya Kool Hai Hum

This superhero sci-fi movie's first part did not go by the same name. The film, however, was all the rage and spread its jadoo to all and sundry. And then came the other two films with the dashing hero infusing plenty of Bollywood style masala into his role. The hazel-eyed hunk had the nation eating out of his palm whilst he flew, cape et all and danced and fought with panache. If that wasn't enough one of Bollywood's top heroine played a svelte mutant in the third part of this successful franchise – that however, spilled into another story.

Krrish
Agneepath
Bang Bang
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobaara

Another one from the Bhatt stable. Although unrelated to each other all three films proved successful at the box office. Apart from memorable music this erotic thriller series had Bollywood's serial kisser in the first two films. The third film, an official remake of a Columbian thriller had Randeep Hooda romancing two heroines.

Woh Lamhe
Murder
Zehar
Awaarapan

This comedy drama had an ensemble cast and the characters of Gopal and gang had the junta in splits with the mad capers they got into. This Rohit Shetty directed successful franchise perfectly blended the comedy, thriller and action genres into one cohesive movie. The highlight of course was the mute hero who's unique conversational skills became one of the biggest highlights of the film(s).

Golmaal
Bol Bacchan
Chennai Express
Happy New Year

This franchise had the producers smirking all the way to the bank. Like a play date from hell, with endless gravel, committing bouts of loud daredevilry, across the world, this successful third installment raked in 5 billion worldwide. That's way too many zeroes to count! Chocolate Khan, relentless in his visceral villainous double-whammy, zoomed with audiences for three times the fun.

Race
Housefull
Dhoom
Baby

This successful erotic thriller franchise is all about revenge. All three films are rape-revenge shockers, sashaying as slick entertainment that are meshed with exhilaration and exhaustion, tension and hysteria, and lots and lots of eroticism and exhibitionism. Flashy, raunchy and sexy, this franchise, is as close to a Grindhouse exploitation saga, as will ever be. The sequels out-shocked the original, here, in an increasingly vulgar display of sexuality. Audiences, weren't complaining.

Hate Story
1920 Returns
Horror Story
Love Games