Every major cinematic entry related to Planet of the Apes, presented in the sequence you should watch them and the timeline order they trace.
Quick Recommended Viewing Orders
Two practical paths cover nearly all feature films you will encounter. The release order follows how audiences experienced the story and cultural conversation, while the chronological order preserves fictional cause and effect as the world and rules evolve.
Release (Theatrical) Order
- Planet of the Apes (1968)
- Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970)
- Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971)
- Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972)
- Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973)
- Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
- Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
- War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)
Chronological Order
- Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
- Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
- War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)
- Planet of the Apes (1968)
- Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970)
- Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971)
- Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972)
- Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973)
The canonical timeline, including TV projects and future planned stories, extends across multiple continuities. Decide whether you prioritize directorial intent, release history, or narrative chronology before you begin.
The Original Film Series (1968–1973)
The first five films remain influential for their concepts, effects limitations, and allegorical themes. Viewing them in sequence reveals how series mythology developed across a short but intense run.
1) Planet of the Apes (1968)
Astronaut Taylor crash-lands on a planet where apes dominate and humans are mute. Its cultural impact and iconic twist make it the essential starting point.
2) Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970)
Taylor and Nova venture into a mysterious zone beneath a ruined city, encountering a society driven by nuclear war and mutant humans. The film deepens the mystery while setting up later revelations.
3) Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971)
Cornelius and Zira travel through time to 1970s Earth, reflecting on humanity with irony and caution. Its change in setting and tone shifts the series toward broader social commentary.
4) Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972)
Set decades earlier in an alternate timeline, this entry shows apes being enslaved and rising against humans, connecting past and future conflict.
5) Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973)
Intercuts between a near-future war and a past confrontation to explain how domination began and how the myth of the Forbidden City emerged.
The Reboot Saga (2011–2017)
Beginning with Rise of the Planet of the Apes, this trilogy rebooted the premise with motion-capture performance and a grounded origin story, generating widespread critical and commercial success.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
Centered on Caesar’s awakening intelligence after a virus experiment, it reframes the original concept as a plausible near-future origin rather than speculative far future.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
Years after the Simian Flu pandemic, Caesar leads an ape colony in conflict with human survivors, exploring community, leadership, and the cost of war.
War for the Planet of the Apes (2007)
Caesar’s saga reaches a darker, more personal conclusion as he confronts a ruthless human commander, completing the arc of Caesar’s leadership and legacy.
Canonical Timeline at a Glance
The following table lists each film and its narrative slot or era within the broader saga, based on in-story chronology and production notes from studio sources.
| Film | In-Universe Period or Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) | Origin of Caesar and the intelligent apes | Soft reboot; grounded virology |
| Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014) | Ten years after the virus; ape–human détente | Expansion of Caesar’s philosophy |
| War for the Planet of the Apes (2017) | Climax of Caesar’s arc | Mythic finale of the reboot |
| Planet of the Apes (1968) | Far-future expedition; mystery begins | Classic entry; iconic twist |
| Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970) | Underground quest; revelations unfold | Deepens dystopian lore |
| Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971) | Time-travel to 1970s Earth | Shifts tone to social critique |
| Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972) | Alternate past; ape enslavement | Expands timeline divergence |
| Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973) | War origins and mythmaking | Bridges past and present lore |
Other Projects and Interpreting Continuity
Television entries, including Planet of the Apes: Visionaries and other announced series, extend the IP but occupy different narrative lanes. Decide whether to treat them as strict canon, adjacent stories, or standalone explorations.
When choosing an order, consider whether you value release context, directorial chronology, or in-universe progression. For new viewers, starting with the reboot trilogy offers the most accessible introduction, while classic series enthusiasts may prefer release order to preserve original surprises.
Key Considerations for New Viewers
- The reboot trilogy provides a tightly connected character study focused on Caesar.
- The original series is shorter and steeped in 1960s and 1970s cultural context.
- Chronology within the classic series includes timeline divergences that reward attentive viewing.
- Future projects may further expand the universe, so treat some details as evolving.
Wrapping Up the Ape Saga
Whether you watch for concept, performance, or narrative ambition, Planet of the Apes rewards structured viewing. Use this map to approach the series in an order that matches your goals, and revisit films to catch evolving themes across decades of cinema.