The Planet of the Apes franchise stands as one of the most enduring science fiction properties in cinema history. Spanning more than half a century, it covers ten feature films, two television series, numerous comic books, and a deep cultural footprint that began with Pierre Boulle's 1963 novel La Planète des singes. If you want to dive into the complete saga, understanding how the original series, the Tim Burton reboot, and the modern prequel trilogy connect makes all the difference.
At its core, the franchise explores themes of human hubris, animal intelligence, societal collapse, and the cycle of prejudice. Whether you are watching the prosthetic-heavy social satires of the late 1960s and 1970s or the photorealistic motion-capture performances defining the modern era, the journey of ape civilization rising from the ashes of human civilization remains consistently compelling.
The Original 1968 Classic and Its Sequels (1968–1973)
The cinematic journey began with the 1968 masterpiece Planet of the Apes, starring Charlton Heston as astronaut George Taylor. Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, the film stunned audiences with a groundbreaking twist ending that revealed Taylor had been on Earth all along, devastated by nuclear war. John Chambers won an honorary Academy Award for his revolutionary makeup design, creating distinct looks for chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans that held up remarkably well.
Following the massive box office success, 20th Century Fox rushed out four sequels in rapid succession. While budgets shrank, the thematic ambition of these films grew surprisingly dark and political:
- Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970): Directed by Ted Post, this sequel introduces an underground city of mutant humans who worship an apocalyptic nuclear bomb. It ends with Taylor detonating the weapon to destroy both the mutants and the ape army.
- Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971): Don Taylor directed this clever time-travel pivot, in which three chimpanzees—Cornelius, Zira, and Dr. Milo—travel backward in time to 1970s Earth, setting up a tragic exploration of xenophobia and media panic.
- Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972): J. Lee Thompson directed this gritty, urban revolt film. Caesar, the genetically advanced son of Cornelius and Zira, leads an enslaved ape uprising against a futuristic police state.
- Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973): Also directed by J. Lee Thompson, this final chapter attempts to forge a peaceful coexistence between apes and surviving humans, though a flash-forward ending leaves the future ambiguous.
The 1970s Television Adaptations
Before the franchise found new life on the big screen decades later, it expanded into television. In 1974, CBS aired a live-action Planet of the Apes television series starring Ron Harper and James Naughton as astronauts who crash-land in an era where chimpanzees and gorillas rule over subjugated humans. Despite high production values for television at the time, the series struggled with ratings and was canceled after just 14 episodes.
Shortly after, in 1975, an animated Saturday morning series titled Return to the Planet of the Apes aired on NBC. Produced by DFE Films, the animated show took stylistic cues from traditional 1970s animation and leaned further into advanced human technology remaining hidden beneath the surface, giving fans a distinct alternate continuation of the original film's universe.
The 2001 Tim Burton Remake
In 2001, director Tim Burton helmed a high-profile reimagining of Planet of the Apes starring Mark Wahlberg. Rather than serving as a direct remake or prequel, Burton's film took a fresh approach to Boulle's novel. Rick Baker provided astonishing, highly expressive makeup effects that many critics praised as the best part of the production.
However, the film drew mixed reviews for its screenplay and a confusing, time-bending twist ending that mirrored the original's structure while altering the cosmic mythology. While it grossed over $360 million worldwide, 20th Century Fox chose not to pursue a sequel, leaving the 2001 standalone film as an interesting interlude in franchise history.
The Modern Prequel Era (2011–2024)
The franchise achieved its greatest critical acclaim with the modern reboot trilogy and its subsequent continuation, helmed by visionary directors using cutting-edge performance capture technology pioneered by Weta Digital and actor Andy Serkis.
- Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011): Directed by Rupert Wyatt, this film serves as an origin story for Caesar, a chimpanzee raised by a scientist trying to find a cure for Alzheimer's. The ALZ-113 virus grants Caesar high intelligence while proving fatal to humans, setting the stage for a pandemic.
- Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014): Directed by Matt Reeves, this post-apocalyptic drama explores Caesar's attempts to build an ape society in the Muir Woods while a small colony of human survivors struggles for power and energy. The film balances epic action with profound emotional depth.
- War for the Planet of the Apes (2017): Also directed by Matt Reeves, this biblical epic follows Caesar's internal struggle for vengeance against a ruthless military leader known only as the Colonel, culminating in the establishment of a new homeland for his people.
- Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024): Directed by Wes Ball, this installment jumps forward several generations. Caesar's teachings have been distorted by a tyrannical ape king, forcing a young chimpanzee named Noa to embark on a journey that challenges everything he knows.
Recommended Watch Orders
If you are starting the franchise today, you can choose between two primary viewing orders depending on whether you prefer chronological storytelling or release-order discovery.
Chronological Watch Order
This path follows the internal timeline of the modern prequel series, leading into the original classic and its historical sequels:
- 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)
Release Order
Watching by release date lets you experience how filmmaking technology, special effects, and cultural anxieties evolved over decades:
- The original five-film run (1968–1973)
- The 1974 live-action and 1975 animated TV series (optional)
- Tim Burton's remake (2001)
- The modern prequel series (2011–2024)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many newcomers stumble into a few common pitfalls when exploring this expansive sci-fi universe.
- Skipping the 1970s sequels: Some viewers assume older sequels are low-budget cash grabs. While Battle and Beneath show budget constraints, Escape and Conquest offer sharp social commentary that rivals the original film.
- Treating the 2001 film as canon: Tim Burton's movie is entirely standalone. Don't waste time trying to connect its timeline to the 1968 original or the modern prequels.
- Ignoring Andy Serkis's performance work: In the modern trilogy, Caesar is a digital character driven entirely by Serkis's motion-capture performance. Appreciating the nuance of his physical acting transforms how you view modern blockbuster filmmaking. You can read more about how Weta Digital pioneered these techniques on the official Weta FX website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2001 movie connected to the original films?
No. The 2001 film by Tim Burton is a separate reimagining with an entirely different continuity, set of characters, and mythos. It does not tie into the 1968 original or the modern prequel series.
Where does Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes fit in the timeline?
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is set roughly 300 years after the events of War for the Planet of the Apes. It follows a new generation of apes living in clans, far removed from the era of Caesar, who has become a legendary and mythic figure.
Do I need to watch the 1968 original before watching the 2011 reboot?
Not at all. The 2011 film Rise of the Planet of the Apes is a complete reboot designed for modern audiences. You can start there without knowing anything about Taylor, the Statue of Liberty twist, or 1970s continuity.
How many total Planet of the Apes films exist?
As of 2026, there are ten theatrical feature films in total: five in the original 1960s/70s run, one standalone remake in 2001, and four films in the modern prequel and continuation series starting from 2011.
