The Definitive Planet Of The Apes Movie Order: 3 Ways To Watch The 10-Film Saga
For decades, the Planet of the Apes franchise has captivated audiences with its complex mythology, time-bending paradoxes, and revolutionary special effects. With the newest installment, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, now released, many fans—both new and old—are asking the same critical question: What is the correct viewing order? The answer, as of December 22, 2025, is that there are three main ways to watch the epic ten-film saga, depending on whether you prioritize release date, internal story chronology, or just the essential modern story. This guide breaks down the definitive watch order for all three timelines.
The franchise is primarily split into three distinct eras: the Original Series (1968–1973), the standalone 2001 remake, and the modern, critically acclaimed Caesar-led Reboot Trilogy (2011–2017), which now flows directly into the newest film, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. Understanding these distinct phases is key to navigating the complex narrative of ape evolution and human decline.
The Complete Planet of the Apes Movie Timeline: All 10 Films in Order of Release
Watching the films in their original release order is the simplest approach and the best way to appreciate the franchise's evolution in storytelling and groundbreaking visual effects, from the practical makeup of the 1960s to the motion-capture technology of the 2010s. The complete saga consists of ten theatrical films.
- 1. Planet of the Apes (1968): The iconic original film starring Charlton Heston as astronaut George Taylor.
- 2. Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970): The direct sequel that introduces a race of subterranean, telepathic humans.
- 3. Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971): A time-travel paradox is created as ape scientists Zira and Cornelius travel back to 20th-century Earth.
- 4. Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972): Set in a near-future where apes are enslaved, this film depicts the rise of Caesar, the son of Zira and Cornelius.
- 5. Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973): The final film in the original series, showing Caesar trying to build a peaceful society after the ape revolution.
- 6. Planet of the Apes (2001): Tim Burton's standalone remake starring Mark Wahlberg. It is not considered canon to either the original or the modern timelines.
- 7. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011): The beginning of the modern reboot, introducing the intelligent ape Caesar and the deadly Simian Flu (ALZ-113).
- 8. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014): Set ten years after the Simian Flu pandemic, focusing on the growing conflict between Caesar's ape community and the surviving human colony.
- 9. War for the Planet of the Apes (2017): The conclusion of Caesar's trilogy, depicting a brutal conflict against a rogue human military faction led by the Colonel.
- 10. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024): The latest installment, set generations after Caesar’s death, exploring a world where ape clans rule and humans have regressed to a feral state.
The Planet of the Apes Chronological Viewing Order (The Core Story)
For viewers who want the most coherent and emotionally impactful narrative, the chronological order of the modern saga is the clear choice. This timeline focuses entirely on the events leading up to and following the great ape leader Caesar, concluding with the new era in Kingdom. This is the recommended order for new fans.
The Caesar Trilogy and Its Legacy
The modern story is a self-contained, linear narrative that details the fall of human civilization and the rise of ape intelligence, driven by the genetic engineering drug ALZ-113, which becomes the deadly Simian Flu. This arc is the backbone of the contemporary franchise.
- Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
- Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
- War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)
- Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)
This is the true beginning of the new timeline. It chronicles Caesar’s birth, his growth in the care of scientist Will Rodman, and the moment he gains high-level intelligence and leads the initial ape uprising in San Francisco. It also introduces the Simian Flu, the virus that decimates humanity.
Set a decade after the Simian Flu has ravaged the globe, this film explores the fragile peace between Caesar's thriving ape civilization and a desperate, isolated group of human survivors. The conflict is tragically sparked by the distrust and ambition of the ape Koba.
The final chapter of Caesar's story. The apes are forced into a brutal war with a militaristic human faction. Caesar leads his people to freedom, cementing his legacy as the ape Moses, but succumbs to his wounds at the end of the film.
This is the most recent and critical entry. It is set "many generations"—approximately 300 years—after the events of War for the Planet of the Apes. The film introduces a new protagonist, the chimpanzee Noa, who must contend with a tyrannical ape leader, Proximus Caesar, who has corrupted Caesar's original teachings. Humans have largely devolved into a primitive state, and the world is now firmly the Planet of the Apes.
The Complex Connection: Bridging the Original and Reboot Timelines
For the most dedicated fans, the biggest question is how the modern reboot trilogy connects to the original 1968 film. While the timelines are officially separate, the modern films—specifically the Caesar trilogy—act as a detailed, non-circular origin story for the world seen in the 1968 classic. The reboot provides the definitive "how" the apes inherited the Earth.
Key Entities and Topical Authority
Understanding the core concepts and characters helps to establish a deeper connection to the lore:
- Caesar: The central figure of the modern trilogy. His character arc is one of the greatest in modern cinema, defining the morality and intelligence of the new ape society.
- Koba: Caesar's foil and the scarred bonobo who brings war to the apes, believing all humans are evil. His actions are a key turning point in the timeline.
- Simian Flu (ALZ-113): The genetically engineered virus that grants apes high-level intelligence while simultaneously destroying the cognitive functions of humans.
- Nova: A mute human girl who appears in War for the Planet of the Apes, a direct homage to the mute human character of the same name from the original 1968 film.
- Proximus Caesar: The antagonist of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. He is a formidable ape leader who misinterprets Caesar's teachings for his own power, a critical theme of the new film.
- Taylor: The astronaut protagonist from the 1968 film. His final discovery of the Statue of Liberty is one of the most famous twist endings in cinematic history.
- Zira & Cornelius: The compassionate ape scientists from the original series who travel back in time, setting up the paradox that leads to Caesar's birth in the original timeline.
The 2001 film, starring Mark Wahlberg, is universally considered an alternate, non-canon remake. It should be viewed as a one-off curiosity and has no bearing on the original five films or the modern saga.
Which Viewing Order is Right for You?
The best way to watch the Planet of the Apes saga depends entirely on your viewing intention:
For the Modern Moviegoer: Stick to the chronological order: Rise, Dawn, War, and then Kingdom. This provides the most cohesive, high-quality, and emotionally resonant story with the most up-to-date visual effects and narrative focus.
For the Film Historian: Follow the release order (1968–2024). This allows you to witness the evolution of the science fiction genre, the changing social commentary (from Cold War fears to bio-engineering ethics), and the incredible leap in special effects technology over five decades.
For the Completionist: Watch the chronological modern saga first, then go back to the original five films (1968–1973) to see the classic conclusion that the new films are leading toward. You can safely skip the 2001 remake.
With Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes successfully launching a new era, the franchise is once again a major force in science fiction cinema. Now is the perfect time to delve into the full depth of this remarkable saga and experience the epic journey from Caesar’s first word to the apes’ final dominion over Earth.
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