20 great pop culture trios (2024)

Good things come in threes!

Throughout pop culture history, the trio has emerged as a timeless and cherished trope. Unlike duos or larger groups, trinities possess a finely-tuned balance, where each member contributes their distinct personality to craft a well-rounded whole. Whether in music groups like Nirvana and Destiny's Child or literary ensembles like the Three Musketeers, the power of triads lies in their unique and close-knit dynamic — an uneven number of players that beckons more thrill and unpredictability.

From wizards (Harry, Ron, and Hermione in Harry Potter) to globe-trotting spies (Charlie's Angels) to crime-fighting superheroes (the Powerpuff Girls), here are what EW's considers the most quintessential trios that have left an imprint on pop culture.

01of 20

Jack, Janet, and Chrissy from Three's Company

Jack (John Ritter), Janet (Joyce DeWitt), and Chrissy (Suzanne Somers) first burst onto TV screens as the charming trio at the center of Three's Company in 1977. For eight seasons (with Somers' character being replaced in the fifth), the three roommates made such an appealing trio that it made us want to go and knock on their door.

02of 20

Harry, Ron, and Hermione from Harry Potter

Over seven eventful years at Hogwarts, these three Gryffindors stuck together through mountains of homework, a revolving door of Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers, a Triwizard Tournament, bullying from a certain blond pureblood, a handful of unauthorized Hogsmeade visits, the formation of a secret "army," a campaign for elf rights, and Quidditch victories and defeats. That's not to mention the return of the most dangerous dark wizard of all time, culminating in an epic battle on the grounds of the school where their friendship blossomed. But through it all, our heroes remained the same trio of magical misfits who met on the Hogwarts Express that fateful Sept. 1 and deserve a place in the pop culture hall of fame because of it.

03of 20

Buffy, Willow, and Xander from Buffy the Vampire Slayer

It's hard enough being an ordinary teenager. But when you add to the stresses of schoolwork, parents, dating, and bullies with the pressure of being singularly, supernaturally destined to stand alone against the vampires, demons, and forces of darkness? Forget it. Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) may be the Chosen One. Still, without Willow (Alyson Hannigan) and Xander (Nicholas Brendon) to ground and support her, she would be lost (or, more likely, dead).

04of 20

Luke, Leia, and Han from Star Wars

In the decades since George Lucas' Star Wars first hit theaters, the franchise has evolved and expanded beyond its fans' wildest dreams. However, with every animated TV series, every book, every new trilogy of prequels, sequels, or totally independent standalone films or streaming series, the true heart of the whole pop culture galaxy that is Star Wars resides in these three. Search your feelings; you know it to be true.

05of 20

Sutton, Jane, and Kat from The Bold Type

Whether screaming in the subway, gossiping in the fashion closet, or just lying around in a really big bathtub, the women of The Bold Type's fictional Scarlet magazine always come together when they need each other most — and they need each other a lot, as they navigate all the pitfalls of the Sex and the City-on-training-wheels lifestyle of their post-college years.

06of 20

Curly, Larry, and Moe, a.k.a. the Three Stooges

The humor of Curly, Larry, and Moe may be lacking in elegance and wit, but their unique brand of slapsticky low comedy has endured so long — beginning as a vaudeville act in the 1920s, lasting through the '60s, and inspiring later interpretations, including a 2012 film — that this trio ranks among the all-time greats.

07of 20

Kirk, Spock, and McCoy from Star Trek

Star Trek's original Kirk (William Shatner), Spock (Leonard Nimoy), and McCoy (DeForest Kelley) are often described as a perfect example of the Freudian Trio trope: Spock is the logical superego, McCoy is the instinctive id, and Kirk mediates and falls somewhere in between his two friends and foils as the balanced ego. What better team could you hope for to explore strange new worlds, seek out new life forms and new civilizations, and boldly go where no one has gone before?

08of 20

Annie, Brenda, and Elise from The First Wives Club

Hell hath no fury like a first wife scorned. In Hugh Wilson's 1996 comedy, Diane Keaton, Bette Midler, and Goldie Hawn play three college friends who reunite and conspire to get revenge on their ex-husbands, all of whom left them for younger women.

09of 20

Dusty, Lucky, and Ned, a.k.a. the Three Amigos

Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, and Martin Short make up this trio of friends in John Landis' Three Amigos (1986). The three funnymen play silent film stars, famous for their roles as the heroes known as the Three Amigos. Hilarity ensues when they answer the call of a young woman who mistakes one of their films for reality and begs them to save her village from a villainous bandit.

10of 20

Charlie's Angels

Farrah Fawcett, Jaclyn Smith, and Kate Jackson were the original stars to portray these three badass private detectives working for the mysterious Charlie in the City of Angels. Many other actresses eventually took on the roles throughout the TV series — not to mention the film and TV remakes. Now, the Angels — especially depicted in their iconic signature pose — are a pop culture touchstone.

11of 20

Lizzie, Gordo, and Miranda from Lizzie McGuire

How could Lizzie (Hilary Duff) have ever survived the parade of humiliations that is junior high without Gordo (Adam Lamberg) and Miranda (Lalaine)? Who would have helped her get her pictures in the yearbook? Who would have given her daily wardrobe consultations before school, taught her about the Rat Pack, snuck into R-rated movies and onto Aaron Carter music video sets with her, if not her loyal BFFs?

12of 20

Rocky, Colt, and Tum-Tum from 3 Ninjas

The trio of brothers from 1992's 3 Ninjas spent their summers "learning old-fashioned, really cool ninja stuff from our Japanese grandfather" (per Tum-Tum). They first put their ninja lessons to good use when a villainous criminal tries to kidnap them, then again in the film's 1994, 1995, and 1998 sequels.

13of 20

Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup, a.k.a. the Powerpuff Girls

Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup make such a great crime-fighting team because they complement each other as perfectly as the three ingredients that made them — sugar, spice, and everything nice. (Plus Chemical X, for superpowers, of course.)

14of 20

Sam, Neal, and Bill from Freaks and Geeks

Linda Cardellini's protagonist Lindsay may have tended more toward the Freaks side on the short-lived but critically adored Freaks and Geeks, but the dorky freshman trio that comprised the Geeks — played by John Francis Daley, Samm Levine, and Martin Starr — wins our hearts.

15of 20

Judy, Violet, and Doralee from 9 to 5

Colin Higgins' women-powered workplace comedy 9 to 5 (1980) brought together three powerhouse stars for its fiery trio: Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton play Judy, Violet, and Doralee, three co-workers who join forces to bring down their sexist boss.

16of 20

Cory, Shawn, and Topanga from Boy Meets World

When Mr. Feeny (William Daniels) wasn't around to dispense advice so thoughtful that it bordered on poetry, at least Cory (Ben Savage), Shawn (Rider Strong), and Topanga (Danielle Fishel) had each other to lean on through the seven-season run of Boy Meets World. More than 20 years after their first appearances, the trio's return on Disney Channel's spinoff Girl Meets World only reinforced what we already knew: These three are best friends for life.

17of 20

Ferris, Cameron, and Sloane from Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Fan theories notwithstanding, the confident Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick), his nervous friend Cameron (Alan Ruck), and his girlfriend Sloane (Mia Sara) make a great team throughout their truly epic day off in John Hughes' '80s classic.

18of 20

The Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus

Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker play a group of sisters in the witchy tradition of those who prophesied Macbeth's demise — though with just a dash more humor. Where Shakespeare's trio recites ominous riddles for the Scottish thane, the Sanderson sisters perform a truly show-stopping rendition of "I Put a Spell on You" in Kenny Ortega's beloved 1993 Halloween comedy.

19of 20

Ash, Misty, and Brock from Pokémon

Ash Ketchum becomes best friends with fellow Pokémon trainers Misty and Brock on his journey to catch 'em all. The three adventure together across various regions catching and battling Pokémon of all types. Though Misty and Brock are eventually replaced by other traveling companions for Ash, fans will always have a soft spot for the original trio of friends.

20of 20

Alvin, Simon, and Theodore, a.k.a. Alvin and the Chipmunks

They have either the catchiest Christmas song or the most annoying, depending on your taste. Alvin, Simon, and Theodore are a group of singing chipmunks that date back to the late-'50s and have been seen in various media over the decades, from releasing numerous singles to an '80s TV show to a 21st-century film franchise.