The “Planet of the Apes” franchise has captivated audiences for decades, exploring themes of humanity, intelligence, and the struggle for dominance between humans and apes. With multiple films spanning different timelines and a recent addition in 2024’s “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” navigating the series can be a challenge.
This guide will equip you with the knowledge to embark on your journey through this fascinating world, answering the common questions people search for online.
There are two main ways to approach the “Planet of the Apes” films:
- Release Order: This follows the order the movies were released in theatres, offering a historical perspective on how the franchise evolved.
- Chronological Order: This arranges the films based on the in-universe timeline, providing a more cohesive narrative.
We’ll explore both options, giving you the flexibility to choose your preferred viewing experience.
Release Order (1968 – 2024)
This is the order the films were originally released, allowing you to appreciate them in the context of their cultural impact:
- Planet of the Apes (1968): This iconic film introduces us to astronauts Taylor (Charlton Heston) and his crew crash-landing on a strange planet ruled by intelligent apes. It sparked a cultural phenomenon with its twist ending and social commentary.
- Beneath the Planet of the Apes’s (1970): Taylor ventures underground to find a society of telepathic humans living beneath the apes’ dominion.
- Escape from the Planet of the Apes’s (1971): This film flips the script, with telepathic apes escaping to Earth and encountering prejudice.
- Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972): A growing ape rebellion against humans escalates, with Caesar (Roddy McDowall) emerging as a charismatic leader.
- Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973): This final installment of the original series depicts a war between humans and apes, with a glimmer of hope for coexistence.
- Planet of the Apes (2001): This Tim Burton remake reimagines the 1968 film with updated visuals and a new ending. While commercially successful, it received mixed reviews.
- Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011): This reboot launches a new timeline, focusing on Caesar, a chimpanzee who gains intelligence due to a scientific experiment gone wrong.
- Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014): A decade after the events of “Rise,” Caesar leads a growing ape civilization in conflict with a band of human survivors.
- War for the Planet of the Apes (2017): Caesar and a rogue human colonel, Koba, clash in a brutal war that will determine the fate of both species. 1 Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024): This latest entry takes place years after the war, with Caesar’s descendants living in a society threatened by a new human tribe.
Chronological Order (2011 – 2024, with a Break)
This order follows the in-universe timeline, showcasing the rise of the apes and the decline of humanity:
- Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011): This film sets the stage for the ape uprising.
- Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014): The conflict between humans and apes escalates.
- War for the Planet of the Apes (2017): The war between humans and apes reaches its climax.
- (Break): Here’s where the timeline jumps forward several years.
- Planet of the Apes (1968): Astronauts land on the future ape-dominated planet.
- Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970): Taylor seeks answers about the society beneath the apes’ rule.
- Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971): Escaped apes encounter human prejudice on Earth.
- Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972): The ape rebellion gains momentum under Caesar’s leadership.
- Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973): The war for dominance reaches a critical point.
- Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024): Caesar’s descendants face a new threat to their society.
FAQs
Q. Release Order vs. Chronological Order
There are two main ways to delve into the Planet of the Ape’s:
- Release Order (1968 – 2024): This follows the order the films premiered in theaters. It starts with the iconic 1968 film and progresses through the original series, the 2001 remake, and the recent reboot trilogy.
- Chronological Order (2011 – Present): This order follows the in-universe timeline. It begins with the origin story in Rise of the Planet of the Apes’s (2011) and continues through Dawn of the Planet of the Ape’s (2014), War for the Planet of the Ape’s (2017), and ends with the most recent release, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’s (2024).
Q. Which order should I watch them in?
There’s no wrong answer! Here’s a breakdown to help you decide:
- For classic sci-fi vibes and historical context: Release order is the way to go.
- For a cohesive story with modern effects: Chronological order is your best bet.
Q. What are the different series within Planet of the Apes’s?
The franchise consists of three main series:
- Original Series (1968 – 1973): This iconic series follows astronauts crash-landing on a planet dominated by intelligent ape’s. It includes the beloved characters Taylor, Cornelius, and Dr. Zaius.
- Remake (2001): Tim Burton’s 2001 film is a reimagining of the original story with updated visuals and a darker tone.
- Reboot Series (2011 – Present): This prequel series explores how apes rise to power due to a genetically modified virus. It features Caesar, a chimpanzee who becomes the leader of the ape revolution.
Q. Is there a TV show?
Yes! A live-action TV series titled “Planet of the Ape’s” ran in 1974, following astronauts stranded on the same ape-dominated planet. There was also an animated series in 1975.
Q. Where can I watch the Planet of the Ape’s movies?
Availability varies depending on streaming services and your region. It’s recommended to check with your preferred streaming platforms or digital retailers.
Q. What is Kingdom of the Planet of the Ape’s about?
[Avoid spoilers for recent releases] Kingdom of the Planet of the Ape’s(2024) is the latest instalment in the franchise. Set years after the war between humans and ape’s, it explores the fragile peace and the emergence of new threats.
Q. Are there any upcoming Planet of the Ape’s movies?
There haven’t been any official announcements about future films. However, with the success of the Kingdom of the Planet of the Ape, the possibility remains open.
Q. I want to learn more about the Planet of the Apes universe. What can I do?
There’s a wealth of information available online! Fan communities, wikis, and documentaries offer deeper dives into the lore, characters, and behind-the-scenes details of the franchise. You can also find books, comics, and video games that expand the Planet of the Ape’s world.
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