I, DJ iSizzle, have officially finally watched all the Twilight movies in one fell swoop: Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn – Part 1, and Breaking Dawn – Part 2. What a ride! Each movie is undeniably great in its own way—rich with passion, drama, supernatural mystique, and those unforgettable moments that made the series a pop-culture juggernaut.
Here’s how they stack up for me on first watch (favorite to least favorite—but make no mistake, they’re all great!):
- New Moon – That emotional depth, Jacob’s emergence, the heartbreak—it hit me the hardest.
- Twilight – The spark of Bella and Edward, the moody vibes, the backdrop of Forks…couldn’t resist.
- Eclipse – The love triangle gets intense, with dazzling action and emotional stakes rising.
- Breaking Dawn – Part 1 – The build-up, the wedding, the pregnancy—dramatic and paced for anticipation.
- Breaking Dawn – Part 2 – The finale delivers closure in supernatural badassery, though it felt more epic than emotional.
Even at “least favorite,” they’re still great—each one elevates the myth, the characters, the emotion.
Forks, Washington: The Foggy Stage of Love and Lore
All the films (and the original novels by Stephenie Meyer) are set in Forks, Washington—a tiny, perpetually rainy town nestled on the Olympic Peninsula. That atmosphere is so intrinsic to the story: gloom, mist, rain-soaked forests—perfect for hiding vampires and brooding teens.
And it’s not just fiction—Forks, WA truly became a destination. Tourism jumped from an average of ~10,000 yearly visitors before Twilight to tens of thousands after the films debuted Wikipedia. It’s inspiring how a simple setting choice—searching Google for a “rainy setting”—led Stephenie Meyer to Forks, and it became central to a global phenomenon Wikipedia.
The Soundtrack: “A Thousand Years” as an Iconic Wedding Song
Though not part of the original films’ release, “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri became entwined with the Twilight: Breaking Dawn era and beyond—a song that captures timeless devotion. Over the years, it’s become an iconic wedding song, played at ceremonies to evoke forever-love, devotion, and eternal commitment. Its emotional resonance—and ties to Bella and Edward’s wedding—made it wedding favourite territory.
From Idea to Books to Box Office: A DJ iSizzle Creative Reflection
As DJ iSizzle, I’m inspired by the trajectory of Twilight: someone starts with an idea—vampires meeting humans in a rainy town—and it grows into bestselling novels, then a blockbuster film series worth billions. It’s a testament to creativity, perseverance, and faith in one’s vision. For me, that story is a powerful reminder: your creative spark can ignite worlds, both fictional and real. It’s motivational—to see an idea succeed at every stage, from writing to fans to cinema.
Main Character & Supporting Cast Rundown
Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart)
Bella is our compass—human, vulnerable, brave. On first watch, she’s relatable and bold, willing to risk everything for love and identity. Kristen Stewart poured such grounded emotion into Bella—her expressions, her silences spoke volumes.
What Kristen is doing now:
Kristen Stewart transitioned from blockbuster star to indie darling. She’s starred in films like Seberg, Charlie’s Angels (2019), Underwater (2020), Happiest Season (2020), and earned an Oscar nomination for Spencer (2021) as Princess Diana EW.com+1Wikipedia. She continues to act and now ventures into writing and directing: she wrote and directed Crickets (part of Homemade, Netflix), and in 2025 is developing The Chronology of Water, her feature directorial debut Wikipedia.
Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson)
Edward is iconic vampire romance material—hauntingly charming, dangerous yet devoted. First watch, he’s everything Bella needs and more.
What Robert is doing now:
Post-Twilight, Pattinson embraced indie films and prestige parts—he starred in Tenet, then took on Bruce Wayne in The Batman (2022) EW.comPeople.com. He’s now engaged to Suki Waterhouse, and they welcomed a baby girl in spring 2024 E! OnlinePeople.com.
Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner)
Jacob is the wild card turned hero. First watching, his heartfelt loyalty and transformation make him unforgettable.
What Taylor is doing now:
Taylor Lautner has stepped away from the intense spotlight, but he’s returning in a meta-comedy TV series—Taylor Lautner: Werewolf Hunter—where he plays a fictionalized version of himself as he battles real werewolves and manages Hollywood life. It’s in development at Amazon MGM with no release date yet PolygonBusiness Insider. He’s married since 2022 and co-hosts a mental-health podcast with his wife Tay Polygon.
Northwest Washington Connections in the Cast & Crew
Surprisingly, Twilight has deep ties to Northwest Washington:
- Billy Burke, who plays Carlisle Swan (Bella’s dad), was born and raised in Bellingham, Washington WikipediaFacebook.
- Cam Gigandet, who portrays James (a tracker vampire in Twilight), graduated from Auburn High School in Auburn, Washington (that’s you!) and grew up in Lake Tapps, WA IMDb.
These local connections make the saga feel that much more close to home—two actors with genuine Washington roots brought life to the story set in the same state. That Northwest magic is full circle.
Fans and Pop-Culture Moments
The Twilight fandom—often called Twihards—was and remains a phenomenon. Teens customizing icons, mass book signings, fan videos, debates over Team Edward vs Team Jacob…anyone remember the midnight movie premieres with fans in Edward’s mask or Jacob’s face paint?
Culturally, Twilight shaped so much:
- It made vampires romantic icons again—twinkling skin, sparkles, and all.
- The love triangle became shorthand for obsessive teen romance.
- Fashion and music tied to the series (like “Flightless Bird, American Mouth” or “A Thousand Years”) infiltrated prom playlists, bridal parties, and soundtracks everywhere.
- It influenced subsequent supernatural YA series and their fandoms (Hunger Games, Divergent), establishing a template for dramatic, supernatural teen love in the 2000s.
On social media and Reddit, fans gush about Forks:
“It was absolutely beautiful… Lake Crescent, Olympic Nat’l Park, rainforests, beaches—beyond words… I could have sat on those beaches or in those forests all day.” Reddit
That fan devotion fueled tourism and remains a testament to how fiction can make real places legendary.
Supporting Characters
- Alice Cullen (Ashley Greene): quirky, loving, intuitive. Ashley later launched a podcast about the experience of making Twilight—she says the cast was like family amid tiffs and growth in their 20s People.com.
- Emmett Cullen (Kellan Lutz): the protective, strong, fun brother. Post-series, he did action roles (Immortals) and was on FBI: Most Wanted Wikipedia.
- Esme Cullen (Elizabeth Reaser), Jasper (Jackson Rathbone), Rosalie (Nikki Reed), and Carlisle (Peter Facinelli) all have continued careers, with Rathbone even suggesting interest in a Jasper origin film People.com+1EW.com.
Pop-Culture Legacy and the 2025 Revival
Twilight isn’t just nostalgia—it’s currently making a comeback. The entire saga is being re-released in theaters, giving fans and newcomers a theatrical way to experience the magic again The Times of India. Plus, there’s a TV series adaptation in development to further explore the mythology The Times of India. You, DJ iSizzle, watching all these now—on first watch—are right on time to catch this revival wave.
Final Thoughts: A Soundtrack, A Town, A Triad, and You, DJ iSizzle
In closing: Twilight is so much more than vampire love. It’s a cultural flashpoint, a celebration of ideas brought to life, a case study in fan devotion, and an inspiration to creatives everywhere—including you, DJ iSizzle. You’ve watched them all, ranked them, felt the chills, and now stand at the crossroads of nostalgia and revival.
Twilight taught us that a story born in a small Washington town can echo across the world. That a song like “A Thousand Years” can become a thousand couples’ anthem. That characters like Bella, Edward, Jacob can grow with us, and actors like Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner continue to surprise and evolve—while local ties show that even Hollywood’s biggest sagas may have roots right next door.
So here’s to Twilight, to creative dreams realized, to wedding dance floors lit by Christina Perri’s ballad, to misty Forks turning real, to supporting characters, pop-culture milestones, and most importantly, the joy of discovery—on first watch, by DJ iSizzle.
✨ May your creative spark burn as bright as Edward’s glitter.