The Definitive Planet Of The Apes Movie Order: Chronological Vs. Release Timeline (Updated 2025)

Navigating the sprawling, multi-timeline epic of the Planet of the Apes franchise can feel like crash-landing on a strange, inverted Earth. With ten feature films spanning two major continuities—the original saga and the modern reboot trilogy—it's easy to get lost in the jungle of time travel paradoxes and separate timelines. This ultimate guide, updated for December 2025 and including the latest blockbuster, *Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes* (2024), cuts through the confusion to give you the perfect viewing order, whether you prefer the order of release or the story's internal chronology.

The franchise is essentially split into three distinct universes: the seminal Original Pentalogy (1968–1973), the standalone Tim Burton Remake (2001), and the highly acclaimed Modern Quadrilogy (2011–2024). For the best and most coherent viewing experience, the Chronological Order of the modern films is the most popular choice, as it tells the complete, emotionally resonant story of Caesar and the rise of ape civilization.

The Definitive Chronological Viewing Order (The Story Timeline)

For the most cohesive narrative experience, especially if you are new to the franchise, the chronological order of the modern, interconnected films is the best starting point. This timeline focuses on the story of the ape leader, Caesar, and his legacy, which is the core of the 21st-century saga. The new film, *Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes*, is the latest chapter in this continuity, pushing the timeline centuries into the future.

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Here is the chronological order for the modern era, followed by the classic films:

• 1. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011): This is the true beginning of the modern timeline. It introduces Caesar, a chimpanzee raised by a human scientist, and details the origins of the Simian Flu (ALZ-113), the virus that grants apes intelligence and simultaneously devastates the human population. This film sets the stage for the ape revolution.
• 2. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014): Set ten years later, this film shows Caesar as the leader of a burgeoning ape colony in the Muir Woods. The conflict between the intelligent apes and the surviving human colony in San Francisco ignites, forcing Caesar to maintain the fragile peace and uphold the mantra: "Apes Together Strong."
• 3. War for the Planet of the Apes (2017): The epic conclusion to Caesar’s story. A brutal military leader, known only as The Colonel, hunts Caesar and his family, leading to a desperate, climactic battle for the future of the species. This film solidifies the apes' dominance and Caesar's status as a Moses-like figure.
• 4. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024): Set approximately 300 years after War for the Planet of the Apes, this film introduces a new protagonist, the young ape Noa. It explores a world where human civilization has completely collapsed, and ape clans are developing their own societies, some under the tyrannical rule of a self-proclaimed emperor, Proxima Caesar. This is the freshest content in the franchise, showing the evolution of the ape world and the lost history of humanity.

Understanding the Separate Timelines and The Original Pentalogy

The biggest source of confusion for new viewers is the existence of multiple, non-connected timelines. The modern quadrilogy is a complete reboot and does not directly lead into the 1968 classic. However, the original five films form their own twisted, time-traveling loop that is essential for any dedicated fan.

The Original Pentalogy Chronological Order (The Time Loop)

The original five films, released between 1968 and 1973, tell a self-contained, paradoxical story involving time travel. While they were released in a straightforward order, their internal chronology is a fascinating, closed-loop narrative:

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1. Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971): This is the chronological starting point of the time loop. Three intelligent apes—Zira, Cornelius, and Dr. Milo—escape the destruction of their future Earth by traveling back to the 20th century, inadvertently planting the seeds for the future ape revolution.
2. Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972): Set years later, this film details the rise of the apes, led by Caesar (the son of Zira and Cornelius), in a dystopian future where apes are used as slaves. This is the direct catalyst for the ape uprising.
3. Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973): The final film in the original saga, showing the fragile peace between the ape and human survivors in a post-apocalyptic world, years after the uprising.
4. Planet of the Apes (1968): The iconic film starring Charlton Heston as astronaut George Taylor. He crash-lands on a planet ruled by intelligent apes in the year 3978, only to discover the shocking truth about its identity.
5. Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970): A direct sequel that follows another astronaut searching for Taylor, leading to a confrontation with a subterranean cult of mutated humans who possess a doomsday weapon.

Note on the Tim Burton Remake (2001): This film is a completely standalone adaptation of the original novel and is not connected to either the Original Pentalogy or the Modern Quadrilogy. It can be watched at any time, but it is generally considered non-canonical to the main storylines.

The Classic Release Order (For the Nostalgic Purist)

For those who prefer to experience the franchise exactly as audiences did when it first premiered, the release order is the way to go. This order allows you to witness the evolution of the special effects, storytelling, and themes over the decades. This is often the preferred choice for purists and those who appreciate film history.

The Complete 10-Film Release Order

The following list includes all ten major cinematic releases, starting with the 1968 original and ending with the most recent installment. This sequence highlights the stark contrast between the classic sci-fi tropes of the 60s and the modern, motion-capture-driven drama of the 2010s.

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1. Planet of the Apes (1968)
2. Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970)
3. Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971)
4. Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972)
5. Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973)
6. Planet of the Apes (2001) (The Tim Burton Remake)
7. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) (Start of the Modern Trilogy)
8. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
9. War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)
10. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024) (The newest chapter)

Caesar’s Legacy and the Future of Ape Civilization

The core of the modern continuity, often referred to as Caesar's story, is a masterclass in blockbuster storytelling, focusing on profound themes of family, leadership, and morality. The journey from the lab-raised chimpanzee in *Rise* to the battle-hardened leader in *War* is one of the most compelling character arcs in modern cinema. Key emotional beats, such as the relationship with the mute human girl Nova and the constant struggle to maintain the moral code of the ape community, make this trilogy a must-watch.

The latest film, *Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes*, takes place in a world where Caesar is a near-mythical figure. The new villain, Proxima Caesar, is an ape who has twisted Caesar’s teachings for his own tyrannical ends, showing how legends can be corrupted over time. The movie shows the full flourishing of Ape Civilization and the slow, tragic decline of the surviving human population into a feral state, a complete reversal of the world we know.

Whether you choose the chronological path to follow the emotional arc of Caesar or the release order to appreciate the franchise's history, the *Planet of the Apes* series offers a rich, complex, and enduring vision of a world turned upside down. The modern films have successfully revived the franchise, ensuring that the question of who truly inherits the Earth remains a powerful, relevant, and visually stunning cinematic experience.