Planet Of The Apes, Ranked
Jul. 17, 2024 • By Jason Elhilow
DescriptionA review of the Planet Of The Apes franchise and a ranking of its movies.
MessageWe recommend watching Planet Of The Apes to form your own opinions about the franchise.
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20th Century FoxIntroductionPlanet Of The Apes is one of the longest-running film franchises in history, spanning decades and generations, gaining fans from all walks of life. In total, ten cinematic experiences have been released, all stemming from the original 1963 book La Planète Des Singes by Pierre Boulle. From its groundbreaking 1968 debut, which captivated audiences with its innovative storytelling and social commentary, to its modern reboots that have pushed the boundaries of visual effects and narrative complexity, the franchise has continually reinvented itself. Each film offers a unique perspective on the intricate relationship between humans and apes, exploring themes of power, intelligence, and survival. As we delve into the ranking of these films, we'll consider their cultural impact, critical reception, and the legacy they have built over the years. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer to the series, this ranking aims to provide a comprehensive look at the cinematic journey of Planet Of The Apes.
#10 - Planet Of The Apes (2001)Tim Burton's 2001 reimagining of Planet Of The Apes throws astronaut Leo Davidson (Mark Wahlberg) onto a world dominated by intelligent apes. He joins forces with a rebellious group of humans and sympathetic apes to fight against the oppressive gorilla regime and find a way back home. The film boasts impressive visuals, particularly the groundbreaking ape makeup by Rick Baker. Tim Burton's signature gothic style creates a unique atmosphere. However, the movie struggles with tonal inconsistencies, switching between action, satire, and social commentary without fully committing.
#9 - Battle For The Planet Of The ApesThe 1973 film Battle For The Planet Of The Apes aimed to be a grand conclusion to the original series. Caesar's ape civilization faces a threat from mutated humans, setting the stage for an epic showdown. Unfortunately, the movie suffers from a shoestring budget, making the promised battle feel underwhelming. The story itself struggles to find its footing, bouncing between action sequences and philosophical discussions without fully committing to either. Ultimately, BOTPOTA feels derivative, recycling themes from the earlier films without the same depth or excitement.
#8 - Conquest For The Planet Of The ApesIn Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972), the tables are turned. Caesar, the son of the second film's apestronauts, leads a rebellion against a society that enslaves apes. This sequel boasts a darker tone and social commentary on oppression. However, the film's ambition is sometimes hampered by a limited budget, with the large-scale ape uprising feeling less grand than intended. Additionally, some find the story predictable, checking off plot points established in the previous films. Despite these issues, Conquest remains a thought-provoking entry in the Planet of the Apes series, offering a powerful message about power dynamics and revolution.
#7 - Beneath The Planet Of The ApesPicking up where the original left off, 1970's Beneath The Planet Of The Apes sends a new astronaut, Brent, after Taylor. He finds a society ruled by apes, but also discovers a hidden world of telepathic human mutants dwelling underground. While the film expands the lore with a fantastical twist, it lacks the originality and impact of the first film. Many point to a weaker script compared to the original, with a less compelling protagonist and a reliance on action over social commentary. Despite these flaws, Beneath The Planet Of The Apes remains a campy cult classic with some memorable visuals, but doesn't quite measure up to its predecessor.
#6 - Kingdom Of The Planet Of The ApesReleased in 2024, Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes takes place centuries after Caesar's reign. A young ape named Noah embarks on a journey that challenges ape society and forces him to confront the past. While the film boasts gorgeous visuals and continues the series' legacy, it falls short of the emotional depth of previous entries. Critics found the human characters underdeveloped and the plot, while entertaining, lacked the complexity of the Caesar trilogy. Despite these issues, Kingdom offers a fun adventure with stunning visuals and paves the way for more stories in the rebooted version of this franchise.
#5 - Escape From The Planet Of The ApesEscaping their doomed ape planet, Cornelius, Zira, and their newborn son land in 1971 Earth in Escape From The Planet Of The Apes. Initially treated as lab rats, the intelligent apes challenge human prejudices and fight for their freedom. This sequel takes a lighter approach compared to the original, exploring themes of prejudice and communication. However, some fans found the shift in tone jarring, and the lack of action sequences disappointed those expecting a continuation of the first film's sci-fi thrills. Despite these drawbacks, Escape remains a thought-provoking film with strong performances and a surprisingly relevant message about societal acceptance.
#4 - Planet Of The Apes (1968)Released in 1968, the original Planet Of The Apes follows astronauts who crash-land on a strange world dominated by intelligent apes who treat humans as primitive beings. This sci-fi adventure captivated audiences with its groundbreaking ape makeup and a shocking twist ending. While some special effects might seem dated today, the film's social commentary on humanity and power dynamics remains surprisingly relevant. However, for some viewers, the focus on action sequences overshadows the deeper themes, and the portrayal of the ape society can feel underdeveloped compared to later sequels.
#3 - Rise Of The Planet Of The ApesIn 2011's Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes, an experimental drug accidentally grants super-intelligence to a chimpanzee named Caesar. Caesar's mistreatment by humans fuels his rebellion, sparking a battle for dominance. This reboot boasts stunning CGI apes and a compelling origin story for Caesar. However, some criticize the predictable plot and underdeveloped human characters compared to the ape protagonist. Despite these issues, Rise is a visually impressive and engaging action film that successfully rebooted the franchise for a new generation.
#2 - Dawn Of The Planet Of The ApesPicking up ten years after a deadly virus decimates humanity, 2014's Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes sees Caesar's growing ape civilization clash with a struggling human colony over a vital resource. The film delivers on stunning visuals and explores themes of leadership, trust, and the cost of war. However, some viewers find the story a bit slow at times, and the ending, while thought-provoking, can be divisive. Despite these issues, Dawn remains a thrilling and thought-provoking sequel that expands the world of the apes and delves deeper into the conflict between humans and intelligent primates.
#1 - War For The Planet Of The ApesIn 2017's War For The Planet Of The Apes, Caesar's ape community faces a brutal human Colonel, forcing Caesar down a path of vengeance. The film delivers a visually stunning and emotionally gripping story, with Andy Serkis' performance as Caesar reaching new heights. However, some criticize the lack of large-scale battles despite the film's title, and the narrative might feel a bit predictable compared to the previous entries. Regardless, War is a powerful and action-packed conclusion to Caesar's story, solidifying its place as one of the best chapters in the Apes saga.
ConclusionPlanet Of The Apes, with its ten films based on Pierre Boulle's novel, stands as a testament to the franchise's enduring legacy. While each film has its strengths and weaknesses, from groundbreaking makeup to stunning CGI, the series consistently explores themes of humanity, power, and societal structures. Whether it's the original's shocking twist or Caesar's rise and fall, Planet of the Apes continues to captivate audiences with its blend of action, social commentary, and thought-provoking ideas.
#10 - Planet Of The Apes (2001)Tim Burton's 2001 reimagining of Planet Of The Apes throws astronaut Leo Davidson (Mark Wahlberg) onto a world dominated by intelligent apes. He joins forces with a rebellious group of humans and sympathetic apes to fight against the oppressive gorilla regime and find a way back home. The film boasts impressive visuals, particularly the groundbreaking ape makeup by Rick Baker. Tim Burton's signature gothic style creates a unique atmosphere. However, the movie struggles with tonal inconsistencies, switching between action, satire, and social commentary without fully committing.
#9 - Battle For The Planet Of The ApesThe 1973 film Battle For The Planet Of The Apes aimed to be a grand conclusion to the original series. Caesar's ape civilization faces a threat from mutated humans, setting the stage for an epic showdown. Unfortunately, the movie suffers from a shoestring budget, making the promised battle feel underwhelming. The story itself struggles to find its footing, bouncing between action sequences and philosophical discussions without fully committing to either. Ultimately, BOTPOTA feels derivative, recycling themes from the earlier films without the same depth or excitement.
#8 - Conquest For The Planet Of The ApesIn Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972), the tables are turned. Caesar, the son of the second film's apestronauts, leads a rebellion against a society that enslaves apes. This sequel boasts a darker tone and social commentary on oppression. However, the film's ambition is sometimes hampered by a limited budget, with the large-scale ape uprising feeling less grand than intended. Additionally, some find the story predictable, checking off plot points established in the previous films. Despite these issues, Conquest remains a thought-provoking entry in the Planet of the Apes series, offering a powerful message about power dynamics and revolution.
#7 - Beneath The Planet Of The ApesPicking up where the original left off, 1970's Beneath The Planet Of The Apes sends a new astronaut, Brent, after Taylor. He finds a society ruled by apes, but also discovers a hidden world of telepathic human mutants dwelling underground. While the film expands the lore with a fantastical twist, it lacks the originality and impact of the first film. Many point to a weaker script compared to the original, with a less compelling protagonist and a reliance on action over social commentary. Despite these flaws, Beneath The Planet Of The Apes remains a campy cult classic with some memorable visuals, but doesn't quite measure up to its predecessor.
#6 - Kingdom Of The Planet Of The ApesReleased in 2024, Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes takes place centuries after Caesar's reign. A young ape named Noah embarks on a journey that challenges ape society and forces him to confront the past. While the film boasts gorgeous visuals and continues the series' legacy, it falls short of the emotional depth of previous entries. Critics found the human characters underdeveloped and the plot, while entertaining, lacked the complexity of the Caesar trilogy. Despite these issues, Kingdom offers a fun adventure with stunning visuals and paves the way for more stories in the rebooted version of this franchise.
#5 - Escape From The Planet Of The ApesEscaping their doomed ape planet, Cornelius, Zira, and their newborn son land in 1971 Earth in Escape From The Planet Of The Apes. Initially treated as lab rats, the intelligent apes challenge human prejudices and fight for their freedom. This sequel takes a lighter approach compared to the original, exploring themes of prejudice and communication. However, some fans found the shift in tone jarring, and the lack of action sequences disappointed those expecting a continuation of the first film's sci-fi thrills. Despite these drawbacks, Escape remains a thought-provoking film with strong performances and a surprisingly relevant message about societal acceptance.
#4 - Planet Of The Apes (1968)Released in 1968, the original Planet Of The Apes follows astronauts who crash-land on a strange world dominated by intelligent apes who treat humans as primitive beings. This sci-fi adventure captivated audiences with its groundbreaking ape makeup and a shocking twist ending. While some special effects might seem dated today, the film's social commentary on humanity and power dynamics remains surprisingly relevant. However, for some viewers, the focus on action sequences overshadows the deeper themes, and the portrayal of the ape society can feel underdeveloped compared to later sequels.
#3 - Rise Of The Planet Of The ApesIn 2011's Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes, an experimental drug accidentally grants super-intelligence to a chimpanzee named Caesar. Caesar's mistreatment by humans fuels his rebellion, sparking a battle for dominance. This reboot boasts stunning CGI apes and a compelling origin story for Caesar. However, some criticize the predictable plot and underdeveloped human characters compared to the ape protagonist. Despite these issues, Rise is a visually impressive and engaging action film that successfully rebooted the franchise for a new generation.
#2 - Dawn Of The Planet Of The ApesPicking up ten years after a deadly virus decimates humanity, 2014's Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes sees Caesar's growing ape civilization clash with a struggling human colony over a vital resource. The film delivers on stunning visuals and explores themes of leadership, trust, and the cost of war. However, some viewers find the story a bit slow at times, and the ending, while thought-provoking, can be divisive. Despite these issues, Dawn remains a thrilling and thought-provoking sequel that expands the world of the apes and delves deeper into the conflict between humans and intelligent primates.
#1 - War For The Planet Of The ApesIn 2017's War For The Planet Of The Apes, Caesar's ape community faces a brutal human Colonel, forcing Caesar down a path of vengeance. The film delivers a visually stunning and emotionally gripping story, with Andy Serkis' performance as Caesar reaching new heights. However, some criticize the lack of large-scale battles despite the film's title, and the narrative might feel a bit predictable compared to the previous entries. Regardless, War is a powerful and action-packed conclusion to Caesar's story, solidifying its place as one of the best chapters in the Apes saga.
ConclusionPlanet Of The Apes, with its ten films based on Pierre Boulle's novel, stands as a testament to the franchise's enduring legacy. While each film has its strengths and weaknesses, from groundbreaking makeup to stunning CGI, the series consistently explores themes of humanity, power, and societal structures. Whether it's the original's shocking twist or Caesar's rise and fall, Planet of the Apes continues to captivate audiences with its blend of action, social commentary, and thought-provoking ideas.
