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)
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
- 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", is scheduled for release in 2024, continuing the story several generations after Caesar's reign.