Introduction to the Planet of the Apes Franchise
The Planet of the Apes franchise is a cornerstone of science fiction cinema that has captivated audiences for over five decades. Based on Pierre Boulle's 1963 novel La Planète des singes, the series explores themes of evolution, society, and the human condition through the lens of a world where apes are the dominant species.
The Original Series (1968-1973)
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Planet of the Apes (1968)
- Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, starring Charlton Heston as astronaut Taylor who crash-lands on a mysterious planet ruled by intelligent apes
- Features revolutionary makeup effects by John Chambers and an iconic twist ending
- More about the 1968 film
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Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970)
- Stars James Franciscus as Brent searching for Taylor
- Explores underground mutants and expands the post-apocalyptic world
- Ends with a literally earth-shattering conclusion
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Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971)
- Features Roddy McDowall and Kim Hunter as Cornelius and Zira
- Three apes travel back in time to 1970s Earth
- Shifts tone toward social commentary and fish-out-of-water comedy
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Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972)
- Set in a dystopian 1991 where apes are enslaved by humans
- Depicts Caesar's leadership of the ape rebellion
- Takes on a darker tone than previous entries
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Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973)
- Final film in the original series
- Portrays the struggle for coexistence between humans and apes
- Shows the aftermath of the ape revolution
The Remake Era
Planet of the Apes (2001)
- Tim Burton's reimagining starring Mark Wahlberg
- Noted for impressive makeup effects by Rick Baker
- Received mixed reviews despite visual achievements
- More about the 2001 film
The Reboot Trilogy
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
- Directed by Rupert Wyatt
- Origin story featuring James Franco and Andy Serkis
- Groundbreaking motion capture technology by Weta Digital
- More about the 2011 film
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
- Directed by Matt Reeves
- Set ten years after Rise
- Explores fragile peace between humans and apes
- Praised for storytelling and visual effects
War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)
- Concluding chapter of the reboot trilogy
- Features Caesar's final battle against human forces
- Received acclaim for emotional depth and technical achievements
- More about the 2017 film
Box Office Performance
| Film | Release 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 popular culture in numerous ways:
- Pioneered breakthrough makeup and visual effects techniques
- Inspired countless science fiction works
- Generated numerous comic books, television series, and merchandise
- Addressed social issues like racism, nuclear war, and animal rights
- Coined memorable quotes like "Get your paws off me, you damn dirty ape!"
The series continues to evolve, with a new film, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, scheduled for release in 2024, proving the enduring appeal of this science fiction franchise.