A Complete List of All Planet of the Apes Movies

## Introduction to the Planet of the Apes Franchise The *Planet of the Apes* franchise is a cornerstone of science fiction cinema that has been captivating audiences for over five decades. Based on Pierre Boulle's 1963 novel *La Planète des singes*, the series explores complex issues such as race, power, and the nature of humanity through groundbreaking special effects and thought-provoking themes. ## The Original Series (1968-1973) 1. **Planet of the Apes (1968)** - Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner and starring Charlton Heston as astronaut Taylor - Features revolutionary makeup effects by John Chambers - Renowned for its iconic twist ending and social commentary 2. **Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970)** - Stars James Franciscus as Brent searching for Taylor - Explores a subterranean city of mutated humans - Darker sequel with an earth-shattering conclusion 3. **Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971)** - Takes a lighter turn as Cornelius and Zira (Roddy McDowall and Kim Hunter) travel to 1970s Earth - Provides crucial backstory for the apes' rise to power - Explores themes of prejudice and fear of the unknown 4. **Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972)** - The most politically charged entry - Follows Caesar leading an ape uprising against human oppression - Notable for its commentary on civil rights and revolution 5. **Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973)** - Final installment depicting the aftermath of the ape revolution - Shows Caesar's attempts to create a peaceful human-ape society - Brings closure to the original series' narrative arc ## The Burton Remake (2001) **Planet of the Apes (2001)** - Directed by Tim Burton, starring Mark Wahlberg - Features stunning makeup effects by Rick Baker - While visually impressive, received mixed reviews and didn't spawn sequels ## The Reboot Trilogy (2011-2017) ### Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) - Directed by Rupert Wyatt - Stars James Franco and Andy Serkis using groundbreaking motion capture technology from [Weta Digital](https://www.wetafx.co.nz/) - Tells Caesar's origin story in contemporary San Francisco ### Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014) - Directed by Matt Reeves - Set ten years after *Rise* - Explores growing tension between surviving humans and evolving ape society ### War for the Planet of the Apes (2017) - Trilogy conclusion directed by Matt Reeves - Pits Caesar against Woody Harrelson's Colonel - Lauded for storytelling, character development, and visual effects ## Box Office Performance | Film | Year | Worldwide Gross | |------|------|----------------| | Planet of the Apes | 1968 | $32.6 million | | Beneath | 1970 | $19 million | | Escape | 1971 | $12.3 million | | Conquest | 1972 | $9.7 million | | Battle | 1973 | $8.8 million | | Planet of the Apes (2001) | 2001 | $362.2 million | | Rise | 2011 | $481.8 million | | Dawn | 2014 | $710.6 million | | War | 2017 | $490.7 million | ## Legacy and Impact The franchise has influenced countless science fiction works and expanded into: * Two television series * Multiple comic book adaptations * Video games * Merchandise lines * References in popular media The series continues to resonate through its exploration of: * Human nature * Social hierarchy * Scientific ethics * Environmental conservation * Prejudice and discrimination * The relationship between species --- *Note: A new film, "[Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes](https://www.20thcenturystudios.com/movies/kingdom-of-the-planet-of-the-apes)", is scheduled for release in 2024, continuing the story several generations after Caesar's reign.*

A Complete List of All Planet of the Apes Movies

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