The Planet Of The Apes Movies In Order
Ever looked at a monkey and thought, "Hmm, I wonder what would happen if they took over?" Well, the Planet of the Apes movies have explored that wild idea for decades! Buckle up; we're going on a chronological, slightly bananas, trip through ape history.
The Original Series: Vintage Ape Mayhem
Planet of the Apes (1968)
Let's kick things off with the OG, the film that started it all. Astronaut George Taylor, played by the iconic Charlton Heston, crash-lands on a planet ruled by super-smart apes who treat humans like, well, apes. Cue the existential dread!
The big twist at the end? Earth was Planet of the Apes all along! Mind. Blown. You will be quoting
"Get your stinking paws off me, you damn dirty ape!"for weeks.
Must Read
Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970)
More ape madness! Another astronaut, Brent, follows Taylor's path and finds even crazier stuff. This time, there are underground mutants and an ape-human war brewing.
This one's a bit darker and ends with the destruction of Earth! Talk about a downer ending. It's definitely a "what were they thinking?" kind of moment.
Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971)
Okay, things get weirdly heartwarming here. Cornelius and Zira, two intelligent apes, escape Earth's destruction by traveling back in time to… 1970s America!
Imagine two talking apes trying to navigate human society. Hilarity ensues, but there's also a real sense of poignancy. They're just trying to survive and raise their little ape baby.
Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972)
This is where the revolution begins! Caesar, Cornelius and Zira's son, leads an ape uprising against his human oppressors. It is a powerful, and a bit scary, look at the dangers of oppression.
The apes have had enough, and they're not taking it anymore! It’s a turning point for the series, marking the full-blown ape takeover.
Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973)
Apes and humans are trying to co-exist. Caesar, now a wise leader, attempts to build a peaceful society. It’s not easy!
Mutant humans, led by the insane Governor Breck, stir up trouble. It proves that even in a world where apes rule, humanity can still mess things up. A cautionary tale, indeed.
The Reboots and Re-Imaginings: Ape-ocalypse Now!
Planet of the Apes (2001)
Tim Burton takes a stab at the ape-verse. While visually impressive, with some fantastic ape makeup, this one didn't quite land with fans.
Mark Wahlberg is the astronaut this time, and the ending is… well, let's just say it's confusing. It's a movie that tries to be different but mostly makes you miss the originals.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
A fresh start! This movie shows us how the apes became intelligent in the first place. It all starts with a sympathetic chimp named Caesar, who gains enhanced intelligence through a drug.
Caesar's journey from a loving pet to a revolutionary leader is truly compelling. It's a great origin story that sets up a whole new ape saga.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
Apes and humans are struggling to survive a devastating virus. Caesar tries to maintain peace, but tensions rise.
This one's got epic battles and strong emotional moments. You'll find yourself rooting for both the apes and the humans, even as they fight each other.
War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)
The final chapter (for now!) in the reboot trilogy. Caesar leads his apes against a ruthless human Colonel, played by Woody Harrelson.
It’s a dark and gritty war movie with apes. Caesar's journey reaches its poignant conclusion, solidifying his place as one of cinema's greatest leaders.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)
Set many generations after Caesar's reign, a young ape embarks on a journey that will question everything he has been taught about the past and make choices that will define the future for apes and humans alike.
A new direction for the franchise that offers a fresh perspective on the ape world. You may well be impressed with the scope, the special effects and the many new characters introduced.
