What order to watch Planet of the Apes? The ultimate guide!

The saga Planet of the Apes gather 10 movies spread across three distinct worlds.

To find your way around without any spoilers, follow the’cinema release order : It's the simplest and most effective way.

How to Watch *Planet of the Apes*: The Recommended Order!

The franchise is divided into three independent worlds, with no direct continuity between them. Here is the complete breakdown.

Classic Saga (1968–1973) : Five Films by science fiction based on the novel by Pierre Boulle, to be viewed in order.

• Planet of the Apes (1968)directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, with Charlton Heston
• The Secret of the Planet of the Apes (1970)
• Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971)
• Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972)
• The Battle of the Planet of the Apes (1973)

Remake of Tim Burton (2001) : a completely independent film, unrelated to the other universes.

• Planet of the Apes (2001)

A modern trilogy known as «the César » (2011–2017) : three films that follow one another directly. Whatever you do, don't start The Showdown without having seen The Origins.

• Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)by Rupert Wyatt
• Planet of the Apes: Confrontation (2014)by Matt Reeves
• Planet of the Apes: Supremacy (2017), again by Matt Reeves

New Saga (2024) : a fourth installment that expands on the modern universe.

• Planet of the Apes: The New Kingdom (2024)by Wes Ball

All the movies in the *Planet of the Apes* series

Planet of the Apes is a science-fiction franchise that combines movies, books, comic books, and TV shows. This film series features humans and intelligent apes who are fighting each other for control of the Earth.

The story is inspired by the novel by Pierre Boulle, published in 1963. Only the classic saga truly stems from it: the modern trilogy is a original reboot, separate from the book.

In addition to that, The New Kingdom (2024), which launches a new saga by expanding the universe of César. Here are the films, one by one.

1. Planet of the Apes (1968)

This is the movie that started it all. Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, this science fiction classic adapts the novel by Pierre Boulle and was a huge critical and commercial success upon its release.

The Astronaut George Taylor, played by Charlton Heston, crashes with his ship in the year 3978. He discovers a planet inhabited by advanced primates where monkeys rule and humans are silenced.

Taylor becomes friends with two chimpanzees, Cornélius and Zira, convinced that it holds the key to the history of evolution on Earth.

2. The Secret of the Planet of the Apes (1970)

A direct sequel to the first film. It delves deeper into the world of monkeys and offers new perspectives on this society in upheaval.

A crew of astronauts sets out to follow in the captain's footsteps Taylor. An astronaut named Brent set out to find Taylor.

He joins forces with Nova, Zira and Cornélius, before discovering an underground city inhabited by telepathic mutant humans, where Taylor is held captive.

3. Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971)

This third installment continues Zira, Cornélius and Dr. Milo. These three chimpanzee scientists escape the destruction of Earth aboard Taylor's spaceship and travel back in time to the United States of the 1970s.

Their journey directly echoes that of Taylor in the very first installment. Far from rehashing the same plot, this episode primarily sets the stage for a new management : From the union of these two primates will be born César, who is set to lead the rebellion in the next film.

4. Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972)

This film tells the story of the The Origins of Ape Domination. It shows how César led the revolt against humans and how primates began to gain the upper hand on Earth.

It's a direct prelude to the situation depicted in the first films of the franchise. Everything we see there explains how the society of apes eventually came to dominate.

5. The Battle of the Planet of the Apes (1973)

This final installment of the original film series brings the story of the classic saga to a close. It shows the consequences of previous events and features a decisive battle between humans and apes.

The war between the two sides reaches a tipping point for the future of the planet. A finale that brings the cycle that began in 1968 full circle.

6. Planet of the Apes (2001)

It's the signed remake Tim Burton, often considered the least compelling in the franchise. It is completely independent from other movies and can be watched at any time.

The Astronaut Leo Davidson, played by Mark Wahlberg, finds himself trapped on a planet where apes have taken control and enslaved humans. He teams up with some human rebels to challenge the apes' rule and uncover the hidden truths of this world.

7. Planet of the Apes: Origins (2011)

This film, directed by Rupert Wyatt opens the modern trilogy of this franchise science fiction. It tells the story of the rise of César, a young chimpanzee whose intelligence has been greatly enhanced by scientific experiments.

The story follows the relationship between César and the scientist Will Rodman, and illustrates the dramatic consequences of a a virus created through genetic engineering. It is Andy Serkis which brings to life César in this central role.

8. *Dawn of the Planet of the Apes* (2014)

Directed by Matt Reeves, this film is a direct sequel to the Origins. The plot and characters are built directly on that foundation: be sure to watch the first installment first.

César now heads a a community of advanced apes, but their coexistence with the surviving humans is becoming increasingly precarious. Tensions are rising to a inevitable conflict between the two species.

9. *Planet of the Apes: Supremacy* (2017)

Still at the helm, Matt Reeves concludes the trilogy with this third installment. César is facing a ruthless human colonel, willing to do anything to wipe out the monkeys.

This film brings the narrative arc of César in a powerful way. It brings the story of this trilogy to a close science fiction while paving the way for a different future for the franchise.

10. Planet of the Apes: The New Kingdom (2024)

Directed by Wes Ball, this movie takes place several generations later the events of the trilogy César. He launches a new saga in a world that has undergone profound changes.

A young monkey finds himself facing an authoritarian ape regime and a human race reduced to a state of savagery. It’s a way to revitalize the franchise while staying true to its essence.

If you like long-running science fiction series, you might also want to check out Star Wars, Predator or Matrix in the right order.

Where can I stream *Planet of the Apes*?

Now that you know the ideal order, here's where to find each movie today.

• netflix    : the movies in the franchise are not available on Netflix.
• Disney+ the most movies are available here.
• Amazon Prime Video : The movies are available at the for rent or for sale. You can also check out the list of series available on Amazon Prime to round out your evening.
• Apple TV+ : The series is also available at the for rent or for sale on this platform.

These titles are subject to change from month to month. Check each platform directly before starting your sci-fi marathon.

Once you've finished the entire saga, you can move on to another epic universe. For example, check out the right order to watch Marvel.