A Complete List of Planet of the Apes Movies and TV Shows

## Introduction The *Planet of the Apes* franchise is a cornerstone of science fiction, captivating audiences for over five decades with its thought-provoking themes, groundbreaking special effects, and compelling storytelling. Since its inception in the 1960s, the series has expanded into a rich tapestry of films and television shows. ## Original Film Series (1968-1973) 1. **Planet of the Apes (1968)** - Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner - Based on Pierre Boulle's 1963 novel *[La Planète des singes](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/414895.Planet_of_the_Apes)* - Stars Charlton Heston as astronaut George Taylor - Features one of cinema's most memorable twist endings 2. **Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970)** - Stars James Franciscus - Follows astronaut Brent searching for Taylor - Explores an underground human civilization - Ends with an earth-shattering conclusion 3. **Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971)** - Features Roddy McDowall and Kim Hunter as Cornelius and Zira - Three apes travel back to 1970s Earth - Creates a fish-out-of-water story with tragic undertones 4. **Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972)** - Set in dystopian 1991 - Shows how apes became enslaved and revolted - Led by Caesar (Roddy McDowall) 5. **Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973)** - Final installment of original series - Depicts the aftermath of the ape revolution - Explores struggle for human-ape coexistence ## Television Series ### Live-Action Series - **Planet of the Apes (1974)** * 14 episodes aired on CBS * Starred Roddy McDowall, Ron Harper, and James Naughton * Followed two astronauts who crash-land on future Earth ### Animated Series - **Return to the Planet of the Apes (1975)** * 13 episodes by DePatie-Freleng Enterprises * Featured more technologically advanced ape society * Closer in tone to Boulle's original novel ## Modern Era ### Tim Burton's Remake - **Planet of the Apes (2001)** - Directed by Tim Burton - Stars Mark Wahlberg - Notable for makeup by Rick Baker - Received mixed reviews ### Reboot Trilogy (2011-2017) 1. **Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)** - Origin story starring James Franco and Andy Serkis - Explores scientific ethics and interspecies bonds - Revolutionary motion-capture technology 2. **Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)** - Set ten years after *Rise* - Explores fragile peace between humans and apes - Darker, more complex tone under director Matt Reeves 3. **War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)** - Trilogy conclusion - Caesar faces off against ruthless military leader - Brings series full circle ## Upcoming Projects - **Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)** - Continuation of reboot series - Will explore post-apocalyptic human-ape dynamics ## Cultural Impact The franchise has achieved numerous accolades and influenced popular culture: > "Take your stinking paws off me, you damn dirty ape!" > > This quote from the original film remains one of the most recognized lines in cinema history. Notable achievements include: * Honorary Academy Award for John Chambers' makeup (1968) * Academy Award nomination for Visual Effects (*Rise*) * Multiple Saturn Awards The series continues to resonate through its exploration of: * Social commentary * Scientific ethics * Human nature * Species survival * Environmental conservation For more information, visit the [Planet of the Apes Wiki](https://planetoftheapes.fandom.com/wiki/Planet_of_the_Apes_Wiki) or read [this article](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Planet-of-the-Apes-film-1968) from Britannica.

A Complete List of Planet of the Apes Movies and TV Shows

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