Planet of the Apes Movies in Order: Considered to be one of the most famous films ever made “Planet of the Apes” film series is a widely recognized science fiction American franchise that depicts the struggle for existence between humans and intelligent apes. Since the original film’s popularity, many sequels and reboots have been produced which actually made up separate continuities established over the course of the entire franchise. There are two ways to watch Planet of the Apes movies in order: by release date or chronologically.
Based on French author Pierre Boulle’s 1963 novel La Planète des singes, translated into English as Planet of the Apes or Monkey Planet. The original story, follows three explorers arrive on a planet orbiting the star Betelgeuse, only to find a society in which apes rule and humans are used primarily as slaves. Where as the Planet of the Apes reboot trilogy’s story explains the apes still rise to power and become the dominant species. The series also feature Tim Burton’s Planet of the Apes a remake released in 2001.
However, since nine films have the same title and the franchise has restarted so many times, it can be difficult to keep track of all the films. This often begs the question: What is the best order to watch a movie about the planet of the Apes? Don’t worry here is the answer, The Planet of the Apes timeline is a bit confusing, so we arranged them in their proper order which will help you to watch and understand the full movie series.
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How to Watch Planet of the Apes in Order [Prequels Timeline]
The apes’ ascent to power is explored in the Planet of the Apes reboot trilogy’s, includes Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, War for the Planet of the Apes and upcoming Planet of the Apes film, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024). The events take place in the not-too-distant future, with Earth serving as the main setting. However, the apes still rise to power and become the dominant species in the reboot Planet of the Apes reboot film series, just as they did in the other continuities. So if we go for chronological order of Planet of the Apes movies series then start with Planet of the Apes prequel series (Reboot Series), because it sheds light on the forces that molded the characters.
1. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
Based on the 1963 novel Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle, the first entry in the reboot trilogy, “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” is a revolution–an action-packed epic featuring stunning visual effects and creatures unlike anything ever seen before. At the story’s heart is Caesar (Andy Serkis), a chimpanzee who gains human-like intelligence and emotions from an experimental drug. Raised like a child by the drug’s creator (James Franco), Caesar ultimately finds himself taken from the humans he loves and imprisoned. Seeking justice, Caesar assembles a simian army and escapes–putting man and primate on a collision course that could change the planet forever.
Led by Rupert Wyatt’s stylish direction, and a mesmerizing performance by Andy Serkis, Rise of the Planet of the Apes breathes unlikely new life into a long-running franchise, which established the basic events that would later define the original franchise.
2. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
Picks up 10 years after the events of Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014) expands on its predecessor with an exciting and ambitious burst of sci-fi achievement. The film establishes the aftermath of a “Simian flu” pandemic which decimates the earth’s human population, the leader of an advanced ape colony in the muir woods helps an architect fix a hydro dam which puts San Francisco back on the grid, but the fragile trust between man and ape is broken when a former lab ape “Assassinates” the leader and wages war against human survivors in the revitalized city.
3. War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)
Picks up two years after the event of Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014), War for the Planet of the Apes combines breathtaking special effects and a powerful, poignant narrative to conclude this rebooted trilogy on a powerful—and truly blockbuster—note.
In War for the Planet of the Apes, Caesar and his apes are forced into a deadly conflict with an army of humans led by a ruthless Colonel (Woody Harrelson). After the apes suffer unimaginable losses, Caesar wrestles with his darker instincts and begins his own mythic quest to avenge his kind. As the journey finally brings them face to face, Caesar and the Colonel are pitted against each other in an epic battle that will determine the fate of both their species and the future of the planet.
“War for the Planet of the Apes is an excellent closing act to this rebooted trilogy, but also one that does enough world-building that the series can potentially continue from here – and it’s a rare case where, after three movies, we’re left wanting more”says IGN.
4. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024) marks the tenth installment in the Planet of the Apes franchise and the fourth entry in the reboot series. Directed by Wes Ball, the film takes place generations after War for the Planet of the Apes (2017), depicting a world where apes have become the dominant species while humans live in a primitive state. Following Noa, a young chimpanzee, and Mae, a rare intelligent human, the story explores themes of power, survival, and coexistence. With stunning visuals and a gripping narrative, the film continues the legacy of this iconic sci-fi saga.
The Original Planet of the Apes Movies in Chronological Order to Watch
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, a groundbreaking science fiction franchise emerged, captivating audiences with its imaginative storytelling and thought-provoking themes. The original Planet of the Apes movies, released between 1968 and 1973, took viewers on a thrilling journey to a dystopian future where apes had risen to dominance over humans. With iconic characters, gripping narratives, and pioneering makeup and special effects, these films explored profound social commentary and challenged conventional ideas about power, prejudice, and the nature of humanity. Let’s delve into the chronological order of these captivating cinematic gems that have left an indelible mark on the science fiction genre.
If we consider the timeline of The Original Planet of the Apes Movies, there are inconsistencies in the original timeline, and it only takes into account the first two films in the Planet of the Apes franchise, establishes the starting point in the year 3978.
The last three entries in the original Planet of the Apes trilogy establish a parallel history. The story begins in the year 3979, when Cornelius, Zira, and Dr. Milo escape Earth in one of the repaired spaceships used by Taylor or Brent, and return to the year 1973 via time warp.
1. Planet of the Apes (1968)
The 1968 film Planet of the Apes, directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, is a seminal sci-fi masterpiece that laid the foundation for an enduring franchise. Adapted from Pierre Boulle’s 1963 novel, the movie follows astronaut George Taylor (Charlton Heston) as he crash-lands on a mysterious planet ruled by intelligent apes. As Taylor navigates this dystopian society, he discovers the horrifying truth—this planet is actually Earth, ravaged by nuclear war. The film’s groundbreaking prosthetic makeup, iconic twist ending, and philosophical themes made it a cultural phenomenon, spawning sequels, TV series, and reboots that continue to captivate audiences today.
2. Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970)
As the second installment in the original Planet of the Apes series, Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970) expands upon the dystopian narrative established in its predecessor. Directed by Ted Post, the film follows astronaut Brent (James Franciscus) as he arrives on a post-apocalyptic Earth ruled by apes, searching for the missing Taylor (Charlton Heston). However, Brent soon discovers a hidden threat: a subterranean society of telepathic mutants who worship a doomsday bomb. The film culminates in an apocalyptic climax, where the nuclear weapon is detonated, obliterating the planet—delivering one of the most shocking endings in science fiction history.
3. Escape From the Planet of the Apes (1971)
Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971) is the third film in the original Planet of the Apes series, directed by Don Taylor. Following the destruction of Earth in Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970), Cornelius and Zira, two intelligent chimpanzees, escape through time to 1970s Los Angeles. They quickly become celebrities, but their pregnancy and knowledge of the future put them in danger. Fearing the implications, government officials, led by Dr. Hasslein, seek to eliminate them. In a tragic turn, Zira and Cornelius die, but their son, Milo, survives, setting the stage for the next installment, Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972).
4. Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972)
Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972) is the fourth film in the Planet of the Apes series, directed by J. Lee Thompson. Following the events of Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971), it introduces Caesar (Roddy McDowall), the son of Cornelius and Zira, who emerges from hiding in a society where apes are enslaved. Set in a dystopian future, Caesar leads a revolt against human oppression after witnessing the brutality faced by apes. The film explores themes of revolution, justice, and mercy, culminating in a dramatic conflict that reshapes the future of humanity and apes.
5. Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973)
Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973) marks the conclusion of the original Planet of the Apes series. Directed by J. Lee Thompson, the film continues the story of Caesar (Roddy McDowall), who strives to maintain peace between humans and apes in a post-apocalyptic world. Following the events of Conquest of the Planet of the Apes, Caesar faces internal strife with the gorilla general Aldo, who seeks to dominate the human population. As tensions rise, Caesar uncovers the truth about humanity’s past and must confront both internal and external threats to his vision of a peaceful society. Despite mixed reviews, the film explores themes of coexistence and the cyclical nature of violence.
Planet of the Apes Movies Order (Bonus Movies & TV series)
1. Planet of the Apes (2001 Remake film)
This action-packed epic from director Tim Burton, serves as a remake of the 1968 film version, loosely adapted from Pierre Boulle’s 1963 novel of the same name.
After a spectacular crash-landing on an uncharted planet, brash astronaut Leo Davidson (Mark Wahlberg) finds himself trapped in a savage world where talking apes dominate the human race. Desperate to find a way home, Leo must evade the invincible gorilla army led by ruthless General Thade (Tim Roth) and his most trusted warrior, Attar (Michael Clarke Duncan). Now the pulse-pounding race is on to reach a sacred temple that may hold the shocking secrets of mankind’s past – and the last hope for it’s salvation!
2. Planet of the Apes (TV series)
Based on the 1968 movie Planet of the Apes and its sequels, which were, in turn, based on the 1963 novel La Planète des singes (translated as Planet of the Apes) by Pierre Boulle, a short-lived series was aired on CBS in 1974, ran for 14 episodes before being cancelled.
While exploring space near Alpha Centauri, two astronauts, Burke (James Naughton) and Virdon (Ron Harper), encounter a space-time warp, causing them to crash on an alien world that they soon discover is actually a post-apocalyptic Earth in the year 3085, where a civilization of bipedal apes now rules over a cowed and submissive humanity. They flee the cabal of orangutans who want to execute them for fear of inciting rebellion among the native humans, and with the help of a sympathetic chimp named Galen (Roddy McDowall), they drift randomly across the known world of the ape-ruled territories in the hopes of finding a way to return to their own time.
3. Return to the Planet of the Apes (Animated series)
Unlike the film, its sequels, and the 1974 live action TV series, which involved a primitive ape civilization, Return to the Planet of the Apes depicted a technologically advanced society, complete with automobiles, film, and television; as such it more closely resembled both Boulle’s original novel and early concepts for the first Apes movie which were changed due to budgetary limitations in the late 1960s.
The story revolves around three American astronauts, Bill Hudson (Tom Williams), Jeff Allen (Austin Stoker, who played MacDonald in Battle), and Judy Franklin (Claudette Nevins), who inadvertently travel to the far future of Earth. They discover three groups inhabiting the world: mute humans who live in desert caves, subterranean human “Underdwellers” modeled after the mutants of Beneath, and civilized apes who subjugate the humans. The astronauts become increasingly involved in the affairs of the planet and in defending humans against an ape invasion as the show progresses.
How many Planet of the Apes movies are there?
The Planet of the Apes film series consists of Ten (10) movies, tells the tale of human explorers from Earth who visit a planet orbiting the star Betelgeuse, in which great apes are the dominant intelligent and civilized species, whereas humans are reduced to a savage animal-like state.
All Planet of The Apes Movies in Order of Release Date
Here is the list of Planet of the Apes films in order, they were released.
Original series:
1. Planet of the Apes — April 3, 1968
2. Beneath the Planet of the Apes — May 27, 1970
3. Escape from the Planet of the Apes — May 21, 1971
4. Conquest of the Planet of the Apes — June 29, 1972
5. Battle for the Planet of the Apes — June 15, 1973
Remake:
1. Planet of the Apes — July 27, 2001
Reboot series:
1. Rise of the Planet of the Apes — August 5, 2011
2. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes — July 11, 2014
3. War for the Planet of the Apes — July 14, 2017
4. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes — May 10, 2024
Television series:
1. Planet of the Apes — September 13 – December 20, 1974
2. Return to the Planet of the Apes — September 6 – November 29, 1975
What is the correct order to watch Planet of the Apes?
The correct chronological order to watch the Planet of the Apes movies, including both the original series and the reboot series, is as follows:
- Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
- Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
- War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)
- Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)
- Planet of the Apes (1968)
- Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970)
- Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971)
- Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972)
- Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973)
Watching the reboot series first provides the backstory and sets up the events that lead to the original series. Then, you can continue with the original series to see how the story unfolds. This viewing order allows for a coherent and chronological understanding of the Planet of the Apes saga.
What kind of ape is Caesar?
In the Planet of the Apes franchise, Caesar is depicted as a chimpanzee. Chimpanzees are one of the four extant species of great apes, along with bonobos, orangutans, and gorillas. Caesar, portrayed by actor Roddy McDowall in the original series and portrayed by Andy Serkis in the reboot series, is a highly intelligent chimpanzee who becomes a central figure in the ape uprising and the subsequent establishment of ape society. Throughout the films, Caesar’s character undergoes significant growth and development, highlighting the capacity for intelligence, emotion, and leadership within chimpanzees.
Conclusion:
The Planet of the Apes Movies in Order showcase a groundbreaking sci-fi saga that has captivated audiences for decades. From the iconic 1968 original to the latest installment, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024), the franchise has explored themes of power, survival, and social upheaval. With each iteration, the series has evolved in storytelling and visual effects while maintaining its core philosophical depth. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer, experiencing the Planet of the Apes Movies in Order offers a thrilling journey through one of cinema’s most thought-provoking and enduring franchises.
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