The Pitch Perfect trilogy is kind of special. While most comedy movies were not doing so well in theatres, the first Pitch Perfect movie did surprisingly great. It earned more than $115 million worldwide, and it only cost $17 million to make. People liked it because the actors, especially Rebel Wilson and Anna Kendrick, worked well together.
What made it stand out was that it was a rare comedy with women in the lead roles, and it wasn’t just about finding a boyfriend, as the BBC pointed out. Also, the unique thing about the movie was that it featured familiar pop songs sung without instruments, called a cappella. No doubt, people liked that.
The movie got good reviews, and one of its songs, “Cups” by Anna Kendrick, even reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart in 2013. After the success of the first movie, they made two more: Pitch Perfect 2 and Pitch Perfect 3 in 2015 and 2017 respectively. You can watch all three movies online or rent them.
How Many Pitch Perfect Movies Are There?
The first Pitch Perfect movie was released in 2012. After the success of the first film, the makers launched two other movies, making the Pitch Perfect franchise a trilogy.
So, there are a total of three Pitch Perfect movies, and all of them come with a captivating storyline, great characters, and a strong ensemble cast. Check out the details below.
- Pitch Perfect (2012)
- Pitch Perfect 2 (2015)
- Pitch Perfect 3 (2017)
Apart from the three movies, Pitch Perfect also has a TV show Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin which was released in 2022. So, if you are gearing up to watch the Pitch Perfect movie trilogy, make sure to include the show in your watch list.
How To Watch The Pitch Perfect Movies In The Right Order?
As mentioned before, Pitch Perfect has three movies and one TV show. The right order to watch it is to start with the first movie, followed by the second and the third film. As far as the TV show is concerned, it’s better to watch it after you are done with the movies. In this section, we will give you a brief overview of all three Pitch Perfect movies and the TV show. For those who haven’t watched the movie yet, it may contain spoilers so read it at your own risk!
1. Pitch Perfect (2012)
The first Pitch Perfect movie is about the Barden Bellas, a women’s singing group at Barden University. They are trying to make a comeback after losing to the Barden Treblemakers, the men’s group, in the previous year’s national cappella championship.
The leaders of the group, seniors Chloe Beale and Aubrey Posen, ask a freshman named Beca Mitchell, played by Anna Kendrick, to join. Beca has new and cool ideas about the songs they should sing, but Aubrey, who likes things the old way, disagrees. Eventually, they figure out how to work together and impress everyone with a mix of modern and classic songs. Rebel Wilson plays “Fat Amy” Hobart and steals the show with her funny scenes.
You can watch this movie on HBO Max if you have a subscription. If not, you can buy or rent it on YouTube, Amazon, or Apple.
2. Pitch Perfect 2 (2015)
Pitch Perfect 2, released in 2015 turned up the excitement from the first movie. Elizabeth Banks, who appeared as the acappella competition commentator in the original, not only produced but also directed the sequel. The budget was bigger this time, $29 million compared to $17 million for the first one. Just so you know the movie made $287 million worldwide.
In this movie, the Barden Bellas go international for a singing competition, taking a cue from “D2: The Mighty Ducks.” The story happens three years after the first film, with Beca now leading the group alongside Chloe. Chloe purposely flunked her classes to stay in college. Although they have won the national title three times, they got kicked out of the competition because of an incident between President Barack Obama and Amy. Beca aims to lead them to victory at the World a cappella championship to get back in the game.
You can stream Pitch Perfect 2 on demand if you have Fubo, Spectrum, or DirecTV. It is also available to on major streaming platforms like Amazon, Apple, and YouTube.
3. Pitch Perfect 3 (2017)
Pitch Perfect 3 came out in 2017, but unfortunately, it didn’t make as much money as the second movie. It was made on a budget of $45 million and earned only $185 million worldwide. Critics didn’t like it as much as the first one either and rated it 29% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The story is set three years after Pitch Perfect 2. Amy, Chloe, and Beca have graduated, and now Emily Junk, played by Hailee Steinfeld, leads the Barden Bellas. The alumni get back together for a USO tour, traveling around the world to entertain American troops. The movie also has a kidnapping plot, and DJ Khaled has a surprisingly big role as himself.
Right now, you can’t watch Pitch Perfect 3 on popular streaming services like HBO Max or Netflix. However, you can watch it on Spectrum, Fubo, or DirecTV. If that’s not an option, then you can buy or rent it on Amazon, Apple, or YouTube.
4. Pitch Perfect: Bumper In Berlin (2022)
Pitch Perfect: Bumper In Berlin is a spin-off TV show of the Pitch Perfect movies. It focuses on a musician named Bumper, who goes to Germany to restart his career after his song becomes a big hit in Berlin. As he pursues his career, he will encounter new competitors, friends, and rivals.
The first season of the show was released in 2022, and there’s a good possibility that the show will get a second season. In the upcoming season, it might explore what happens to Bumper after he gets thrown out from the Olympics for predicting the future. Additionally, the romantic relationship between Bumper and Heidi is expected to develop further.
Where Does Pitch Perfect: Bumper In Berlin TV Show Fit In This Order?
The TV series Pitch Perfect: Bumper In Berlin debuted as a follow-up to the Pitch Perfect movies in 2022.
With six episodes, this show explores Bumper’s career journey in Germany after his song became a huge hit and ranked at the top of the German charts.
A Little about Pitch Perfect Cast
The main cast in the Pitch Perfect series forms a talented ensemble. All the actors and actresses involved have done an incredible job. Since you are so interested in the Pitch Perfect movie series, let’s take a look at some key cast members.
Here you go with the details:
- Anna Kendrick plays Beca Mitchell, the main character who aspires to be a music producer and joins the Barden Bellas.
- Rebel Wilson, known for her comedic skills, portrays Fat Amy, an eccentric and confident member of the Barden Bellas.
- Anna Camp plays Aubrey Posen, the initially controlling but good leader of the Barden Bellas. She appeared in the first Pitch Perfect movie.
- Brittany Snow takes on the role of Chloe Beale, a musically gifted member of the Barden Bellas. She is a mentor and is very dedicated to her work.
- Skylar Astin portrays Jesse Swanson, a member of the Treblemakers, Barden University’s men cappella group, who falls in love with Beca.
- Hana Mae Lee plays Lilly Onakuramara, a soft-spoken and mysterious member of the Barden Bellas. She is admired for her unusual comments.
- Hailee Steinfeld appears in the second Pitch Perfect movie as Emily Junk. She is a new member of the Barden Bellas and a freshman at Barden University.
- Elizabeth Banks plays the role of Gail Abernathy-McKadden. She is a commentator for the acapella competitions.
- Ben Platt appears as a member of Treblemaker who later joins the Barden Bellas as Benji Applebaum. He is Jesse’s best friend.
- John Michael Higgins appears as a commentator. His character’s name is John Smith.
Live Cappella Performances In Pitch Perfect
The Pitch Perfect movies are all about amazing a cappella singing performances. Some of the standout acts in the Pitch Perfect movies are:
- The Barden Bellas
This is the all-female singing group at Barden University. They give fantastic performances at national championships, featuring a variety of music styles and songs.
- Das Sound Machine
This is a German group that appears in the Pitch Perfect movie series. They are the main rival and are known for their competitive spirit, precision, and innovation. They are the “bad guys” in the story.
- The Green Bay Packers
This group appears in the second Pitch Perfect movie and gives a surprise performance, entertaining the audience.
- The Treblemakers
These are the guys from Barden University who sing a cappella. Their leader is Jesse Swanson, and they give tough competition to the Bellas. This group is famous for their great lively shows.
- The Tone Hangers
These are older singers who graduated from Barden University. They make an appearance in the second Pitch Perfect movie during a riff-off. They add a different flavor to the competition.
- Emily Junk and the Bellas
This is a new generation of Bellas that appears in the second movie. The group’s leader is Emily Junk. The group has a unique style and walks in the footsteps of the original Bellas.