40 Famous Trios from Pop Culture

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A thorough list of the most well-known trios out there
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They say good things come in threes, and there’s certainly nothing like a good trio. From movies to cartoons to music groups and beyond, iconic triads have been an essential part of culture for decades (if not centuries!). If you’re looking for more info on legendary trios, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve compiled the ultimate list for you, whether you’re hoping to find the perfect Halloween costume for your friend group, or you just want to take a trip through pop culture history. Keep reading for everything you need to know!

Popular Trios

  • Cartoon Trios: Spongebob, Patrick, & Squidward; Ed, Edd, & Eddy; Shrek, Fiona, & Donkey; Cosmo, Wanda, & Timmy; Blossom, Bubbles, & Buttercup
  • Movie Trios: Harry, Ron, & Hermione; Legolas, Gimli, & Aragorn; Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, & Han Solo; the Sanderson Sisters; the Plastics
  • Music Trios: Destiny’s Child, Nirvana, the Bee Gees, the Jonas Brothers
1

SpongeBob, Squidward, & Patrick

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  1. This trio of Bikini Bottom neighbors is beloved for a reason. SpongeBob’s energetic optimism, Patrick’s adorable simplicity, and Squidward’s condescending crankiness all combine to form a pretty hilarious dynamic. With comedic material like this, it’s no surprise that this trio is the source of countless funny memes, too!
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2

Harry, Ron, & Hermione

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  1. This triad from the Harry Potter series is often called the “Golden Trio.” Throughout their time at Hogwarts, this trio goes on thrilling adventures and faces terrifying villains, all while forming a bond that’s more like family than friendship. They also each contribute unique strengths to the fight against Voldemort—Harry brings earnestness and bravery, Ron brings loyalty and humor, and Hermione brings intelligence and diligence.
3

Destiny’s Child

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  1. If you want a real-world trio, look no further than Destiny’s Child. This iconic girl group went through a few different iterations, but the most widely-known/remembered version included Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Destiny’s Child topped the charts with hits like “Say My Name,” “Survivor,” “Independent Women Part 1,” and more.
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4

Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, & Han Solo

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  1. This trio headlines the original Star Wars trilogy. Released between 1977 and 1983, the first three Star Wars films were instant classics that have withstood the test of time. In the films, Luke (played by Mark Hamill), Leia (played by Carrie Fisher), and Han (played by Harrison Ford) work together to fight the tyrannical Galactic Empire, and their camaraderie and heroism have stuck with audiences for decades. [1]
5

Shrek, Fiona, & Donkey

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  1. 2001’s Shrek centers around these funny and lovable characters. With Shrek’s grumpy, standoffish nature, Donkey’s never-ending talkativeness, and Fiona’s surprisingly un-princesslike personality, this trio has a pretty hilarious dynamic. Whether they’re running from a terrifying fire-breathing dragon or bonding on the road back to Duloc, they’re endlessly entertaining.
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6

The Plastics

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  1. This popular trio rules the school in the movie Mean Girls . Made up of queen bee Regina George, Toaster Strudel heiress Gretchen Weiners, and kindhearted but somewhat ditzy Karen Smith, The Plastics are some of the most iconic movie characters from the early 2000s. [2] With their incredible pink-colored outfits and Y2K aesthetic, they’re also the perfect inspo for Halloween or a costume party!
7

Blossom, Bubbles, & Buttercup

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  1. The Powerpuff Girls are some of the most iconic cartoon characters of all time. Intelligent and organized Blossom is the group’s leader, kind and compassionate Bubbles brings some joyfulness to the mix, and bold, rebellious Buttercup is the group’s toughest fighter. Together, they’re an incredible crime-fighting trio!
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8

The Jonas Brothers

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  1. Joe, Nick, and Kevin Jonas make up the beloved boy band, The Jonas Brothers. These three brothers started their careers at Disney, releasing hit songs like “SOS,” “Burnin’ Up” and “Year 3000.” [3] They also appeared in the Camp Rock movies and had their own Disney Channel show, Jonas . In more recent years, the brothers have released more mature chart-topping tracks, like “Sucker” and “Waffle House.”
9

Bella, Edward, & Jacob

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  1. This Twilight Saga trio forms one of the most famous love triangles of all time. Throughout the book/film series, mysterious vampire Edward Cullen and loyal werewolf Jacob Black fight for the affections of mortal high schooler Bella Swan. These three have some pretty charged moments and dramatic adventures, and the whole thing is extremely entertaining to watch.
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10

Aragorn, Legolas, & Gimli

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  1. This Lord of the Rings trio has a heartwarming and hilarious dynamic. These three warriors are pretty different from each other (Aragorn is a human, Legolas is an elf, and Gimli is a dwarf), but they fight bravely together against the evil forces of Sauron. In the process, they end up forming a strong friendship and a lasting bond.
11

Frodo, Sam, & Gollum

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  1. Frodo, Sam, and Gollum are another iconic Lord of the Rings trio. In The Two Towers and The Return of the King , Frodo and Sam end up trusting Gollum as their guide to Mordor, leading to a tense (and sometimes humorous) trio dynamic. This triad also makes for some pretty funny costume inspo, since two of you would dress up as cute hobbits, and the third would dress up as the gremlin-like creature, Gollum!
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12

The Sanderson Sisters

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  1. Winnifred, Mary, and Sarah are an iconic trio of sister witches in Hocus Pocus (1993). Winnifred (played by Bette Midler) is the eldest of the three and the leader of the group, and her sisters Mary (Kathy Najimy) and Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker) look up to her faithfully. All three characters returned in the 2022 sequel, Hocus Pocus 2 , so they’ve been charming and spooking viewers for decades!
13

Betty, Veronica, & Cheryl

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  1. This trio appears in the Archie comics and the TV show Riverdale . Made up of blonde Betty Cooper, brunette Veronica Lodge, and red-haired Cheryl Blossom, this triad makes for a pretty fun Halloween costume idea for you and your besties.
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14

Mario, Luigi, & Bowser

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  1. Gamers likely find this trio pretty nostalgic. In the Mario franchise, Mario and Luigi are twin brothers and plumbers who fight against the villain Bowser to rescue Princess Peach. [4] The characters appear in several Nintendo games, spin-off TV shows, and the 2023 live-action movie, The Super Mario Bros.
15

Lizzie, Gordo, & Miranda

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  1. These three besties are the main characters on Lizzie McGuire . Together, they navigate the ups, downs, and unbelievably humiliating moments that come with being a middle schooler. Since Lizzie McGuire was a staple in many households in the early 2000s, this trio is especially nostalgic for Millennials and older members of Gen Z.
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16

Annabeth, Grover, & Percy

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  1. The Percy Jackson & the Olympians series centers around this trio. Percy (son of Poseidon), Annabeth (daughter of Athena) and Grover (a satyr guardian) face off against powerful gods and terrifying monsters, supporting each other and forming lifelong bonds along the way. Percy Jackson & the Olympians started out as a book series, but the novels have been adapted into films and a Disney+ TV show.
17

The Fairy Godmothers

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  1. Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather are Aurora’s guardians in Sleeping Beauty . When Maleficent curses baby Aurora at her christening, the king and queen send her away to the forest to be raised in secret by these three good fairies. Flora is the eldest fairy and the leader of the group, Fauna is the kind and sensitive middle fairy, and Merryweather is the slightly feisty youngest fairy. [5]
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18

The Schuyler Sisters

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  1. Angelica, Eliza, and Peggy Schuyler are featured in Hamilton . Based on the real history surrounding the founding of the United States of America., Hamilton is a beloved Broadway sensation. The Schuyler Sisters are three prominent characters in the show, and they sing a fan favorite song of the same name. [6]
19

Heathers

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  1. This trio is a clique of popular girls who are all named Heather. Heather Chandler (Kim Walker), Heather Duke (Shannen Doherty), and Heather McNamara (Lisanne Falk) are characters in the 1988 cult-classic Heathers , which also starred Winona Ryder as Veronica. The movie was later adapted into a popular Off-Broadway musical of the same name.
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20

Ash, Misty, & Brock

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  1. Pokémon enthusiasts are bound to be fans of this trio. Pokémon trainers Ash, Misty, and Brock are the original three main characters in the franchise. Together, they embark on adventures together to catch and battle different types of Pokémon.
21

Cosmo, Wanda, & Timmy

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  1. These three characters are featured in The Fairly OddParents . This Nickelodeon cartoon centers around a boy named Timmy who has two fairy godparents, Cosmo and Wanda, who grant him wishes to solve his problems. If you’re looking for a Halloween costume idea for yourself, your partner, and your baby, this trio would be absolutely perfect!
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22

Kurt, Dave, & Krist

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  1. This trio forms one of the most legendary bands of all time, Nirvana. Lead singer Kurt Cobain, bass player Krist Novoselic, and drummer Dave Grohl worked together to release some of the greatest songs of the 1990s (and maybe of all time). Their incredible discography definitely solidifies their status as one of the most iconic trios in music history.
23

Sutton, Jane, & Kat

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  1. These three characters are the main trio on The Bold Type . Running from 2017 to 2021, The Bold Type was a popular series on the TV network Freeform. It centered around the lives of three women in their 20s, Jane Sloane, Kat Edison, and Sutton Brady-Hunter, and it was loosely inspired by the real-life experiences of the former editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine, Joanna Coles. [7]
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24

The Bee Gees

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  1. The Bee Gees are made up of brothers Barry, Maurice, and Robin Gibb. This sibling trio is responsible for tons of iconic disco hits from the 1970s, including “Stayin’ Alive,” “How Deep Is Your Love,” “More Than a Woman,” and “Night Fever.” One thing is for sure—musical talent runs in their family!
25

Judy, Violet, & Doralee

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  1. These three are the main characters in the 1980 film, 9 to 5 . Legendary actresses Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton play Judy, Violet, and Doralee, respectively. In the movie, the three coworkers work together to take down their sexist and egotistical boss. [8] You’re probably also familiar with Dolly’s classic country hit, “9 to 5,” which was released on the film’s soundtrack.
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26

Dusty, Lucky, & Ned

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  1. This trio appears in the 1986 movie, Three Amigos . In the film, comedy legends Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Chevy Chase play silent movie stars who are known for playing a trio of characters called “the Three Amigos.” The story takes a hilarious turn when the three actors travel to a Mexican village, unaware that the young woman who invited them believes them to be real heroes who can fight a bandit. [9]
27

Jack, Janet, & Chrissy

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  1. The classic sitcom Three’s Company centers around this trio. The show follows three single roommates, Janet Wood, Chrissy Snow, and Jack Tripper, who live together as friends in Santa Monica, CA. Three’s Company was a major hit, and it ended up running for 8 seasons from 1977-1984.
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28

Brenda, Elise, & Annie

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  1. These characters appear in the 1996 comedy The First Wives Club . Played by beloved actresses Diane Keaton, Bette Midler, and Goldie Hawn, these three friends reunite after becoming divorceés. They end up plotting to get revenge on their ex-husbands, who left each of them for younger women. [10]
29

Kirk, Spock, & McCoy

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  1. These three form the central trio in Star Trek . Admiral T. Kirk is the charismatic leader, Spock brings logic and reason into the mix, and Dr. Leonard McCoy is known for his compassion and empathy. Together, they make up one of the most influential sci-fi trios of all time.
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30

Venkman, Stantz, & Spengler

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  1. The 1984 classic Ghostbusters follows this trio of paranormal investigators. In the movie, scientists Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, and Egon Spengler work as a team to investigate ghost sightings and get rid of paranormal disturbances. [11]
31

Ferris, Cameron, & Sloane

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  1. These three high schoolers play hooky in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986). When slacker Ferris Bueller decides to call in sick to school for the day, he convinces his girlfriend Sloane and his best friend Cameron to do the same. Together, the three have a wild, spontaneous, and memorable day around the city of Chicago. [12]
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32

Larry, Moe, & Curly

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  1. This trio is also known as “The Three Stooges.” Beginning as a popular vaudeville act in 1922, The Three Stooges later ended up appearing in countless TV shows and movies. Their style of slapstick comedy might not be for everyone, but it has endured throughout the decades, and it has also served as inspiration for later comedic acts.
33

Charlie’s Angels

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  1. Charlie’s Angels are an iconic group of private detectives. The trio was originally played by Farrah Fawcett, Kate Jackson, and Jaclyn Smith in the ABC series Charlie’s Angels, but the characters have been reprised several times. The 2000 film adaptation starred Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, and Lucy Liu as the main trio, and the 2019 reboot starred Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott, and Ella Balinska.
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34

Ed, Edd, & Eddy

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  1. The Cartoon Network show Ed, Edd, ‘n Eddy centers around this trio. The three members have unique personalities that contrast with and complement each other. Ed is a bit dimwitted, Edd is very intelligent and morally upright, and Eddy is the scheming leader of the group. Ed, Edd, ‘n Eddy was one of Cartoon Network’s most successful shows, running from 1999-2008. [13]
35

Shakespeare’s Witches

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  1. Shakespeare’s Macbeth features three witches called the Weird Sisters. These mysterious and unsettling witches prophesy that Macbeth will soon be king at the beginning of the play, sparking Macbeth’s ambitions and setting off a tragic sequence of events throughout the next five acts. [14] The Weird Sisters form one of the most enduring and iconic trios in literary and dramatic history.
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36

The Fates

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  1. In Greek mythology, the Fates determine the length of human lives. They’re a trio of three goddesses named Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos. Clotho spins the “thread” of each human life, Lachesis measures the length of the thread, and Atropos cuts the thread, signifying the end of that person’s life. [15]
37

The 3 Blind Mice

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  1. The 3 Blind Mice come from an English nursery rhyme of the same name. Although nursery rhymes are meant for children, this one is a bit scary (it mentions a farmer’s wife trying to cut off their tails with a kitchen knife), so you might want to think twice before singing it with your little one. [16]
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38

The 3 Little Pigs

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  1. The 3 little pigs are characters in a classic fable. In the story, the three pigs are sent out into the woods to build their own homes. The first pig is lazy, so he builds his home out of straw. The second pig is slightly more hard-working, but still slightly lazy, so he builds his home out of sticks. The third pig is the most industrious, so he builds his home with sturdy bricks. When the Big Bad Wolf comes to antagonize them, only the 3rd pig’s house remains standing. [17]
39

The 3 Musketeers

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The Three Musketeers was originally a novel by Alexandre Dumas. Published in 1844, the novel includes the characters Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, the legendary “three musketeers.” [18] The novel has been adapted into film several times, including the 1993 adaptation from Walt Disney Pictures starring Charlie Sheen as Aramis, Kiefer Sutherland as Athos, and Oliver Platt as Porthos.

40

Black Beauty, Merry Legs, & Ginger

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  1. Anne Sewell's novel "Black Beauty" is a fictional autobiography of a horse living in London England in the 1800s. It tells of his life as a cab horse, and of the various homes that he had lived in. In one place that he lived, he became friends with a pony named 'Merry Legs,' and feisty mare named Ginger.
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41

Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato

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  1. Who says trios need to be made up of humans? There are some pretty iconic food trios out there, including bacon, lettuce, and tomato—the three main ingredients for a BLT sandwich. Here are a few more legendary food trios to try out:
    • Neapolitan Ice Cream (strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate)
    • Caprese Salad (tomato, mozzarella, and basil)
    • S’mores (graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate)

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      References

      1. ↑ https://shipping.fandom.com/wiki/Skysologana
      2. ↑ https://meangirls.fandom.com/wiki/The_Plastics
      3. ↑ https://www.billboard.com/lists/jonas-brothers-best-songs
      4. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/Super-Mario-Bros
      5. ↑ https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Flora,_Fauna,_and_Merryweather
      6. ↑ https://hamiltonmusical.fandom.com/wiki/The_Schuyler_Sisters
      7. ↑ https://www.bbc.com/bbcthree/article/c8b31f4e-1e24-4b1e-9382-7a6789875e0e
      8. ↑ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080319/plotsummary/
      9. ↑ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092086/plotsummary/
      1. ↑ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116313/plotsummary/
      2. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ghostbusters
      3. ↑ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091042/plotsummary/
      4. ↑ https://cartoonnetwork.fandom.com/wiki/Ed,_Edd_n_Eddy
      5. ↑ https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/discover/blogs-and-features/2020/03/05/the-history-of-the-witches-in-macbeth/
      6. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/Fate-Greek-and-Roman-mythology
      7. ↑ https://wordsforlife.org.uk/activities/sing-three-blind-mice-your-child/
      8. ↑ https://americanliterature.com/childrens-stories/the-three-little-pigs
      9. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Three-Musketeers

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