

Terms of Endearment Collection
Terms of Endearment is a 1983 American family comedy-drama film directed, written, and produced by James L. Brooks, adapted from Larry McMurtry's 1975 novel of the same name. It stars Debra Winger, Shirley MacLaine, Jack Nicholson, Danny DeVito, Jeff Daniels, and John Lithgow. The film covers 30 years of the relationship between Aurora Greenway (MacLaine) and her daughter Emma (Winger). Terms of Endearment received critical acclaim and was a major commercial success, grossing $164.2 million worldwide, becoming the 2nd highest grossing film of 1983 worldwide. The film received a leading eleven nominations at the 56th Academy Awards, and won five (more than any other film nominated that year): Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (for MacLaine), Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor (for Nicholson). A sequel to the film, The Evening Star (1996), in which MacLaine and Nicholson reprised their roles, was a critical and commercial failure.
Franchise Evolution & Timeline Analysis
The Terms of Endearment Collection has evolved significantly over a span of 13 years, growing from a singular narrative into a complex cinematic universe. With 2 interconnected entries, tracking the consistency of the franchise reveals fascinating trends in audience sentiment.
The "Series" Benchmark: 6.5/10
The franchise maintains a steady average rating of 6.5. While most series experience "Sequel Fatigue," Terms of Endearment Collection has managed to keep its narrative quality relatively stable, with Terms of Endearment standing out as the peak cinematic achievement.
Continuity vs. Commercial Appeal
Our data indicates that while the "Release Order" is preferred for first-time viewers, the "Chronological Order" provides a much deeper understanding of the world-building within the Terms of Endearment Collection. The timeline highlights a consistent narrative drive across all chapters.
Timeline & Watch Order
We recommend watching the Terms of Endearment Collection franchise in the following order to fully experience the narrative expansion.

Terms of Endearment
Aurora, a finicky woman, is in search of true love while her daughter faces marital issues. Together, they help each other deal with problems and find reasons t...

The Evening Star
Continuing the story of Aurora Greenway in her latter years. After the death of her daughter, Aurora struggled to keep her family together, but has one grandson...
Common Questions about Terms of Endearment Collection
How many movies are in the Terms of Endearment Collection?
There are currently 2 movies in the Terms of Endearment Collection, starting from Terms of Endearment to the latest release, The Evening Star.
What is the best order to watch the Terms of Endearment Collection?
The best way to watch the Terms of Endearment Collection is usually in release order: starting with Terms of Endearment and ending with The Evening Star. Check our timeline for the full chronological breakdown.
Which is the highest-rated movie in the Terms of Endearment Collection?
According to movieMx ratings, the fans have a strong preference for Terms of Endearment in this franchise.