The Twilight Saga movies: Which one is the best?

The “Twilight” film franchise took the world by storm with its romantic and supernatural storyline. Based on the best-selling novels by Stephanie Meyer, the Twilight films became a cultural phenomenon and a box office success, grossing over $3.3 billion worldwide. But which of the five films is the best? In this article, we will take a closer look at each of the Twilight films, the cast, reviews, and their legacy to determine which one is the standout movie.

Table of Contents

The Twilight films

The Twilight films follow the love story of Bella Swan, a teenage girl who moves to Forks, Washington, and falls in love with Edward Cullen, a vampire. As their romance unfolds, they must navigate the complexities of their forbidden love and the dangers of the supernatural world.

Twilight (2008)

The first film in the series, “Twilight,” introduced us to Bella and Edward and their complicated relationship. Directed by Catherine Hardwicke, the film starred Kristen Stewart as Bella and Robert Pattinson as Edward. The film received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising the performances of the cast, while others found the film to be overly melodramatic.

Twilight was directed by Catherine Hardwicke and released in 2008. The movie starred Kristen Stewart as Bella Swan and Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen, along with Taylor Lautner as Jacob Black. The film was a commercial success, grossing over $400 million worldwide, and was praised for its faithful adaptation of the source material.

New Moon (2009)

The second film in the series, “New Moon,” continued the story of Bella and Edward, but this time Edward leaves Bella, and she becomes closer to her friend Jacob Black, who is a werewolf. Directed by Chris Weitz, the film starred Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner as Jacob. The film received mixed reviews, with some critics praising the performances of the cast and the visual effects, while others found the film to be slow-paced.

New Moon received mixed reviews from critics, but was a box office success, grossing over $700 million worldwide. The film also further elevated the careers of its stars, particularly Taylor Lautner, who became a household name for his portrayal of Jacob Black.

Eclipse (2010)

The third film in the series, “Eclipse,” focused on the love triangle between Bella, Edward, and Jacob, as they must come together to fight off a group of rogue vampires. Directed by David Slade, the film starred Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner. The film received more positive reviews than the previous films, with critics praising the improved writing and direction.

Eclipse received generally positive reviews, with critics praising its action sequences and improved performances from its cast. The film grossed over $698 million worldwide.

Breaking Dawn – Part 1 (2011)

The fourth film in the series, “Breaking Dawn – Part 1,” was split into two parts to accommodate the length of the novel. The first part follows Bella and Edward’s wedding and honeymoon, as Bella becomes pregnant with their half-human, half-vampire child. Directed by Bill Condon, the film starred Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner. The film received mixed reviews, with some critics finding the film to be slow-paced and lacking in action. Nevertheless, it was a box office success, grossing over $712 million worldwide.

Breaking Dawn – Part 2 (2012)

The final film in the series, “Breaking Dawn – Part 2,”was released in 2012 concluded the story of Bella and Edward as they must protect their daughter from the Volturi, a powerful coven of vampires. Directed by Bill Condon, the film starred Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner. The film received generally positive reviews, with critics praising the action-packed finale and the performances of the cast.

Breaking Dawn – Part 2 was generally well-received by critics, who praised the film’s action and the performances of its cast. The movie was also a commercial success, grossing over $829 million worldwide.

The Cast

The Twilight films launched the careers of its lead cast, Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner.

Kristen Stewart

Kristen Stewart played Bella Swan, the main protagonist of the Twilight series. Stewart went on to star in a variety of other films, including “Snow White and the Huntsman” and “Still Alice.” She received critical acclaim for her performance in “Clouds of Sils Maria” and “Personal Shopper.”

Robert Pattinson

Robert Pattinson played Edward Cullen, Bella’s love interest and a vampire. Pattinson went on to star in a variety of other films including “Water for Elephants” and “Good Time.” He received critical acclaim for his roles in “The Lighthouse” and “Tenet.”

Taylor Lautner

Taylor Lautner played Jacob Black, Bella’s friend and a werewolf. Lautner went on to star in films such as “Abduction” and “Grown Ups 2.” He also appeared in the television series “Scream Queens” and the Netflix series “Cuckoo.” Kellan Lutz

Kellan Lutz

Kellan Lutz played Emmett Cullen, Edward’s adoptive brother and a fellow vampire. Lutz went on to star in films such as “The Legend of Hercules” and “Extraction.” He also appeared in the television series “90210” and the Amazon series “The Boys.” Reviews and Legacy

The Twilight films received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising the performances of the cast and the romantic storyline, while others found the films to be overly melodramatic and lacking in substance. However, despite the mixed reviews, the Twilight films became a cultural phenomenon and a box office success, grossing over $3.3 billion worldwide.

The Twilight films also left a lasting impact on popular culture, sparking a renewed interest in vampire and werewolf lore and inspiring a generation of young adult romance novels and films. The franchise also spawned merchandise, including clothing, jewelry, and even a Twilight-themed cruise.

So, which Twilight film is the best? It ultimately comes down to personal preference, but many fans consider “Eclipse” to be the standout film of the franchise, due to its improved writing and direction, strong performances from the cast, and the intense action sequences. However, “Breaking Dawn – Part 2” is also a fan favorite for its epic finale and satisfying conclusion to Bella and Edward’s love story.

In conclusion, the Twilight films may have received mixed reviews from critics, but their impact on popular culture and their lasting legacy cannot be denied. Whether you prefer the romantic storyline, the supernatural elements, or the performances of the talented cast, the Twilight films will always have a special place in the hearts of their fans.

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Adam Regan

Deputy Editor

Features and account management. 3 years media experience. Previously covered features for online and print editions.

Email Adam@MarkMeets.com