The Planet of the Apes franchise is one of the longest-running and most influential sci-fi series ever. Since the first movie in 1968, the story has expanded with sequels, reboots, and prequels, always centering on the relationship between humans and apes.
Here is an overview of all Planet of the Apes movies in chronological order, including the classic movies, the remake, and the modern trilogy.
The Classic Series (1968-1973)
1. Planet of the Apes (1968) – The sci-fi classic that started it all
- Director: Franklin J. Schaffner
- Starring: Charlton Heston
An astronaut crash-lands on a mysterious planet where intelligent apes rule and humans are kept as slaves.
With its brilliant allegories about racism and social inequality, and one of the most iconic plot twists in movie history, this movie became a sci-fi masterpiece.
2. Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970)
- Director: Ted Post
- Starring: James Franciscus, Charlton Heston
A second astronaut arrives on the ape planet searching for Taylor and discovers an underground civilization of mutated humans who worship an atomic bomb.
Known for its dark and nihilistic ending, where the Earth is destroyed.
3. Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971) – Apes in the modern world
- Director: Don Taylor
- Starring: Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter
Three apes escape their planet and travel back in time to Earth in the 1970s.
A unique concept where the roles are reversed: the apes are now the alien visitors, studied and feared by humanity.
4. Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972) – The uprising begins
- Director: J. Lee Thompson
- Starring: Roddy McDowall
In a future where apes are used as slaves, Caesar, the son of Zira and Cornelius, leads a revolution against humanity.
A dark and politically charged movie, laying the groundwork for the modern trilogy.
5. Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973) – The final battle
- Director: J. Lee Thompson
- Starring: Roddy McDowall
After the war, apes and humans try to coexist peacefully, but conflicts between the two groups lead to a decisive confrontation.
Although this is the least popular movie in the original series, it concluded an epic story.
The Remake (2001)
6. Planet of the Apes (2001) – Tim Burton’s reinterpretation
- Director: Tim Burton
- Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Helena Bonham Carter, Tim Roth
An astronaut crash-lands on a planet where apes rule and humans are oppressed.
Though visually impressive, this remake was heavily criticized for its confusing ending and lack of depth. However, Tim Roth’s General Thade remains a formidable villain.
The Modern Trilogy (2011-2017)
With state-of-the-art CGI and Andy Serkis as a motion-capture actor, this trilogy gave the franchise a powerful and emotionally compelling reboot.
7. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) – The beginning of the uprising
- Director: Rupert Wyatt
- Starring: James Franco, Andy Serkis
Scientists develop an experimental drug that increases ape intelligence, and Caesar leads the first uprising.
With a strong emotional story and groundbreaking special effects, this movie became a huge hit and launched the modern trilogy.
8. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014) – War between humans and apes
- Director: Matt Reeves
- Starring: Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman
Ten years after the uprising, the surviving humans and Caesar’s apes try to find fragile coexistence. But a conflict with the violent ape Koba leads to war.
With impressive battle scenes and an emotionally profound script, this movie is often considered the best of the trilogy.
9. War for the Planet of the Apes (2017) – Caesar’s final battle
- Director: Matt Reeves
- Starring: Andy Serkis, Woody Harrelson
Caesar faces off against a ruthless colonel (Woody Harrelson) as the apes fight for their freedom and survival.
An almost Biblical epic with emotional themes of leadership, revenge, and redemption, concluding the trilogy impressively.
The New Movie (2024)
10. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024) – A new chapter
- Director: Wes Ball
- Starring: Owen Teague, Freya Allan
This new movie is set years after the events of the previous trilogy, in a world where apes rule and humanity is nearly forgotten.
Featuring a new generation of apes and humans, this movie explores a completely new era in the franchise.
Which Planet of the Apes movie is your favorite? 🎬🐵🔥
