Start the modern Planet of the Apes saga with Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), then Dawn, War and Kingdom. The original films (1968 to 1973) are a separate continuity, and the 2001 remake stands alone.
- Titles
- 11
- Films
- 10
- Series
- 1
- Watch time
- 31 hours
- Box office
- $2.53 billion
- Avg IMDb
- 6.7
Planet of the Apes movies in release order
Here is every Planet of the Apes (Apes) title in the order it came out, 1968 to 2024: 10 films and 1 series. Optional entries are marked; you can skip them on a first watch.
| # | Title | Year | Type | Runtime | IMDb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Planet of the Apes | 1968 | Film | 1h 52m | 8 |
| 2 | Beneath the Planet of the Apes | 1970 | Film | 1h 35m | 6 |
| 3 | Escape from the Planet of the Apes | 1971 | Film | 1h 38m | 6.3 |
| 4 | Conquest of the Planet of the Apes | 1972 | Film | 1h 28m | 6.1 |
| 5 | Battle for the Planet of the Apes | 1973 | Film | 1h 33m | 5.4 |
| 6 | Planet of the Apes optional | 1974 | Series | 12h 8m | 7 |
| 7 | Planet of the Apes optional | 2001 | Film | 2h | 5.7 |
| 8 | Rise of the Planet of the Apes | 2011 | Film | 1h 45m | 7.6 |
| 9 | Dawn of the Planet of the Apes | 2014 | Film | 2h 10m | 7.6 |
| 10 | War for the Planet of the Apes | 2017 | Film | 2h 20m | 7.4 |
| 11 | Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes | 2024 | Film | 2h 25m | 6.8 |
Planet of the Apes timeline: movies in chronological order
The same titles in story order, by when they take place, with the year or era each one is set in.
| # | Title | Set in | Released |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rise of the Planet of the Apes | 2011 | 2011 |
| 2 | Dawn of the Planet of the Apes | Ten years later | 2014 |
| 3 | War for the Planet of the Apes | Two years later | 2017 |
| 4 | Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes | Generations later | 2024 |
| 5 | Escape from the Planet of the Apes | 1973 | 1971 |
| 6 | Conquest of the Planet of the Apes | 1991 | 1972 |
| 7 | Battle for the Planet of the Apes | Years after Conquest | 1973 |
| 8 | Planet of the Apes | The far future | 1974 |
| 9 | Planet of the Apes | The far future | 1968 |
| 10 | Beneath the Planet of the Apes | The far future | 1970 |
| 11 | Planet of the Apes | 2029 | 2001 |
Release or chronological: which order is best?
Release order and story order disagree on 11 titles here. In release order you start with Planet of the Apes (1968); in story order you start with Rise of the Planet of the Apes, set in 2011, which came out 43 years later.
First time through, watch in release order. That is how the twists, returning characters and callbacks were built to land, and later entries assume you have seen the earlier ones. On a rewatch, try story order. It turns Planet of the Apes into one continuous story and makes the prequels play as setup instead of backstory.
Planet of the Apes also runs 2 separate continuities: The original saga and Tim Burton's remake. Each has its own line on the timeline, so you can watch them on their own without breaking the main story.
Where to start
Start with Planet of the Apes and go in release order, skipping the 2 optional titles on the first pass.
The essentials are 9 titles and about 17 hours, 46% less than the full run.
The three highest rated: Planet of the Apes (8), Rise of the Planet of the Apes (7.6), and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (7.6).
Every Planet of the Apes movie, explained
One entry per title in release order: what it is about, why it matters to the bigger story, who is in it and how it did.
No. 01 · 1968 · Film · 1h 52m · 9th in story order
Planet of the Apes
Astronaut Taylor crash lands on a distant planet ruled by apes who use a primitive race of humans for experimentation and sport. Soon Taylor finds himself among the hunted, his life in the hands of a benevolent chimpanzee scientist.
Why it matters: The 1968 original and its famous ending.
- Starring
- Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, and Kim Hunter
- Director
- Franklin J. Schaffner
- Box office
- $33 million on a $6 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 8 · Rotten Tomatoes 42%
No. 02 · 1970 · Film · 1h 35m · 10th in story order
Beneath the Planet of the Apes
The sole survivor of an interplanetary rescue mission lands on the planet of the apes, and uncovers a horrible secret beneath the surface.
Why it matters: The direct sequel to the original.
- Starring
- James Franciscus, Kim Hunter, and Maurice Evans
- Director
- Ted Post
- Box office
- $19 million on a $3 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 6 · Rotten Tomatoes 37%
No. 03 · 1971 · Film · 1h 38m · 5th in story order
Escape from the Planet of the Apes
The world is shocked by the appearance of three talking chimpanzees, who arrived mysteriously in a spacecraft. Intrigued by their intelligence, humans use them for research - until the apes attempt to escape.
Why it matters: Two apes travel back to 1970s Earth.
- Starring
- Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, and Bradford Dillman
- Director
- Don Taylor
- Box office
- $12 million on a $3 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 6.3 · Rotten Tomatoes 75%
No. 04 · 1972 · Film · 1h 28m · 6th in story order
Conquest of the Planet of the Apes
In a futuristic world that has embraced ape slavery, a chimpanzee named Caesar resurfaces after almost twenty years of hiding from the authorities, and prepares for a revolt against humanity.
Why it matters: The apes' uprising in the original timeline.
- Starring
- Roddy McDowall, Don Murray, and Ricardo Montalban
- Director
- J. Lee Thompson
- Box office
- $10 million on a $2 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 6.1 · Rotten Tomatoes 52%
No. 05 · 1973 · Film · 1h 33m · 7th in story order
Battle for the Planet of the Apes
The fifth and final episode in the Planet of the Apes series. After the collapse of human civilization, a community of intelligent apes led by Caesar lives in harmony with a group of humans. Gorilla General Aldo tries to cause an ape civil war and a community of human mutants who live beneath a destroyed city try to conquer those whom they perceive as enemies. All leading to the finale.
Why it matters: Ends the original film series.
- Starring
- Roddy McDowall, Natalie Trundy, and Austin Stoker
- Director
- J. Lee Thompson
- Box office
- $9 million on a $2 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 5.4 · Rotten Tomatoes 33%
No. 06 · 1974 · Series · 12h 8m · 8th in story order · optional
Planet of the Apes
Two astronauts and a sympathetic chimp friend are fugitives in a future Earth dominated by a civilization of humanoid apes. Based on the 1968 Planet of the Apes film and its sequels, which were inspired by the novel of the same name by Pierre Boulle.
Why it matters: A short-lived TV series; optional.
- Starring
- Roddy McDowall, Ron Harper, and James Naughton
- Creator
- Anthony Wilson
- Scores
- IMDb 7 · Rotten Tomatoes 55%
- Episodes
- 14
No. 07 · 2001 · Film · 2h · 11th in story order · optional
Planet of the Apes
After a spectacular crash-landing on an uncharted planet, brash astronaut Leo Davidson finds himself trapped in a savage world where talking apes dominate the human race. Desperate to find a way home, Leo must evade the invincible gorilla army led by Ruthless General Thade.
Why it matters: Tim Burton's standalone remake; optional.
- Starring
- Mark Wahlberg, Tim Roth, and Helena Bonham Carter
- Director
- Tim Burton
- Box office
- $362 million on a $100 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 5.7 · Rotten Tomatoes 42%
No. 08 · 2011 · Film · 1h 45m · 1st in story order
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
A highly intelligent chimpanzee named Caesar has been living a peaceful suburban life ever since he was born. But when he gets taken to a cruel primate facility, Caesar decides to revolt against those who have harmed him.
Why it matters: Caesar's origin; starts the modern saga.
- Starring
- Andy Serkis, James Franco, and Freida Pinto
- Director
- Rupert Wyatt
- Box office
- $482 million on a $93 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 7.6 · Rotten Tomatoes 82%
No. 09 · 2014 · Film · 2h 10m · 2nd in story order
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
A group of scientists in San Francisco struggle to stay alive in the aftermath of a plague that is wiping out humanity, while Caesar tries to maintain dominance over his community of intelligent apes.
Why it matters: Ten years later, apes and survivors clash.
- Starring
- Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, and Toby Kebbell
- Director
- Matt Reeves
- Box office
- $711 million on a $170 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 7.6 · Rotten Tomatoes 91%
No. 10 · 2017 · Film · 2h 20m · 3rd in story order
War for the Planet of the Apes
Caesar and his apes are forced into a deadly conflict with an army of humans led by a ruthless Colonel. After the apes suffer unimaginable losses, Caesar wrestles with his darker instincts and begins his own mythic quest to avenge his kind. As the journey finally brings them face to face, Caesar and the Colonel are pitted against each other in an epic battle that will determine the fate of both their species and the future of the planet.
Why it matters: Caesar's story ends.
- Starring
- Andy Serkis, Woody Harrelson, and Karin Konoval
- Director
- Matt Reeves
- Box office
- $491 million on a $150 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 7.4 · Rotten Tomatoes 94%
No. 11 · 2024 · Film · 2h 25m · 4th in story order
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
Several generations following Caesar's reign, apes – now the dominant species – live harmoniously while humans have been reduced to living in the shadows. As a new tyrannical ape leader builds his empire, one young ape undertakes a harrowing journey that will cause him to question all he's known about the past and to make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike.
Why it matters: Generations after Caesar, a new story begins.
- Starring
- Owen Teague, Freya Allan, and Kevin Durand
- Director
- Wes Ball
- Box office
- $397 million on a $160 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 6.8 · Rotten Tomatoes 80%
Planet of the Apes box office and budgets
The 10 Planet of the Apes films with reported numbers have grossed $2.53 billion worldwide on about $688 million in combined budgets, roughly 3.7 times what they cost. The biggest is Dawn of the Planet of the Apes at $711 million, 28% of the franchise's total on its own, followed by War for the Planet of the Apes ($491 million) and Rise of the Planet of the Apes ($482 million).
Measured against what it cost, the best return belongs to Beneath the Planet of the Apes, which made 6.3 times its $3 million budget. The weakest was Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes at 2.5 times its $160 million budget. As a rule of thumb, a film needs about two and a half times its budget at the box office to cover marketing and the theaters' cut.
The best and worst rated Planet of the Apes movies
Across 11 rated titles, Planet of the Apes averages 6.7 on IMDb. The top of the list is Planet of the Apes at 8, then Rise of the Planet of the Apes (7.6) and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (7.6). At the bottom: Battle for the Planet of the Apes (5.4) and Planet of the Apes (5.7).
- Planet of the Apes8 · RT 42%
- Rise of the Planet of the Apes7.6 · RT 82%
- Dawn of the Planet of the Apes7.6 · RT 91%
- War for the Planet of the Apes7.4 · RT 94%
- Planet of the Apes7 · RT 55%
- Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes6.8 · RT 80%
- Escape from the Planet of the Apes6.3 · RT 75%
- Conquest of the Planet of the Apes6.1 · RT 52%
- Beneath the Planet of the Apes6 · RT 37%
- Planet of the Apes5.7 · RT 42%
Who appears in the most Planet of the Apes movies
Roddy McDowall leads with 5 appearances as Cornelius and Caesar, ahead of Natalie Trundy (4) and Kim Hunter (3). Counted from each title's top-billed cast.
| Actor | Role | Titles | First and latest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roddy McDowall | Cornelius / Caesar | 5 | Planet of the Apes (1968) to Planet of the Apes (1974) |
| Natalie Trundy | Albina / Dr. Stephanie 'Stevie' Branton | 4 | Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970) to Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973) |
| Kim Hunter | Zira / Dr. Zira | 3 | Planet of the Apes (1968) to Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971) |
| Andy Serkis | Caesar | 3 | Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) to War for the Planet of the Apes (2017) |
| Karin Konoval | Maurice / Court Clerk | 3 | Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) to War for the Planet of the Apes (2017) |
| Terry Notary | Rocket / Bright Eyes | 3 | Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) to War for the Planet of the Apes (2017) |
| Charlton Heston | George Taylor / Taylor | 2 | Planet of the Apes (1968) to Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970) |
| Maurice Evans | Dr. Zaius | 2 | Planet of the Apes (1968) to Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970) |
| Linda Harrison | Nova | 2 | Planet of the Apes (1968) to Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970) |
| Lou Wagner | Lucius / Busboy | 2 | Planet of the Apes (1968) to Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972) |
| John Randolph | Committee Chairman / Commission Chairman | 2 | Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971) to Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972) |
| Severn Darden | Kolp | 2 | Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972) to Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973) |
Planet of the Apes directors and creators
9 filmmakers have directed or created Planet of the Apes; J. Lee Thompson has the most, with 2.
- J. Lee ThompsonConquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972) and Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973)
- Matt ReevesDawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014) and War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)
- Franklin J. SchaffnerPlanet of the Apes (1968)
- Ted PostBeneath the Planet of the Apes (1970)
- Don TaylorEscape from the Planet of the Apes (1971)
- Anthony WilsonPlanet of the Apes (1974)
- Tim BurtonPlanet of the Apes (2001)
- Rupert WyattRise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
- Wes BallKingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)
How long it takes to watch every Planet of the Apes movie
All 11 titles add up to 31 hours: 19 hours of film and 12 hours of series, counting every episode. That is about 16 two-hour evenings, or 4 days of ten-hour binges. The essentials cut it to 17 hours. The longest film is Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes at 2h 25m.
The 4 best rated films: Planet of the Apes, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, and War for the Planet of the Apes.
Everything takes about 5 weeks; the essentials about 3 weeks.
Track what you've watched on the timeline and it counts the hours left.
Which Planet of the Apes movies can you skip?
2 titles can go without losing the main story. They are side stories, spin-offs or entries the later films ignore. Dropping them saves 14 hours.
- Planet of the Apes1974 · Series · 12h 8m · optionalA short-lived TV series; optional.
- Planet of the Apes2001 · Film · 2h · optionalTim Burton's standalone remake; optional.
Common questions
What order should I watch the Planet of the Apes movies in?
Start the modern Planet of the Apes saga with Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), then Dawn, War and Kingdom. The original films (1968 to 1973) are a separate continuity, and the 2001 remake stands alone.
How many Planet of the Apes movies and shows are there?
There are 11 titles in the Planet of the Apes franchise: 10 films and 1 series, released from 1968 to 2024.
How long does it take to watch all the Planet of the Apes movies?
About 31 hours for all 11 titles, counting every episode. The essentials only (9 titles) take about 17 hours.
What is the first Planet of the Apes title in chronological order?
Rise of the Planet of the Apes, set in 2011. In release order the first is Planet of the Apes (1968).
Which Planet of the Apes titles can I skip?
Planet of the Apes and Planet of the Apes. They are spin-offs, side stories or non-canon entries; the main story holds without them.
What is the best Planet of the Apes movie?
By IMDb score, Planet of the Apes (1968) at 8, followed by Rise of the Planet of the Apes at 7.6.
What is the highest-grossing Planet of the Apes movie?
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014), with $711 million worldwide. Planet of the Apes films have made $2.53 billion in total.
Who has appeared in the most Planet of the Apes movies?
Roddy McDowall, in 5 of them as Cornelius.
What is the longest Planet of the Apes movie?
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, at 2h 25m.
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