The Definitive Planet Of The Apes Movie Order: 10 Films, 2 Timelines, And The Best Way To Watch

Deciding how to watch the *Planet of the Apes* movie franchise can be a confusing journey, thanks to a complex history involving time travel, multiple reboots, and a sprawling cinematic universe that spans over 50 years. As of today, December 18, 2025, the franchise encompasses 10 feature films, including the newest installment, *Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes* (2024), which has reignited interest in the entire saga.

The key to understanding the full scope of this epic story is recognizing that there are two distinct, major timelines: the original classic series and the modern, critically-acclaimed reboot trilogy. We’ve broken down both the simple release order and the more challenging chronological order for the ultimate viewing experience.

The Complete Planet of the Apes Movie List (Release Order)

For purists and those who prefer to experience the story as the audience first did, the release order is the most straightforward path. This order highlights the evolution of the franchise's themes and filmmaking technology, starting with the 1968 classic and leading right up to the latest chapter.

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The entire franchise is composed of 10 major theatrical films, which are listed here by their original release date:

• 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)
• 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 Classic Series (1968–1973)

The original five films form a closed-loop, time-travel-based paradox. It begins with astronaut George Taylor landing on a distant planet where apes rule, but the sequels introduce time travel that ultimately causes the events of the first film. This circular narrative is a hallmark of the classic era.

• Planet of the Apes (1968): Astronaut George Taylor (Charlton Heston) crash-lands on a strange planet, only to discover a civilization where intelligent apes have enslaved primitive humans. The iconic twist ending reveals the planet's true identity.
• Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970): A search-and-rescue mission is sent after Taylor. The new astronaut, Brent, eventually finds Taylor and a subterranean society of telepathic, mutant humans who worship a nuclear bomb. The film ends with the destruction of the planet.
• Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971): Before the planet is destroyed, three intelligent apes—Zira, Cornelius, and Dr. Milo—escape in Taylor's ship and travel back in time, crash-landing on Earth in the year 1973. This event sets the stage for the ape uprising.
• Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972): Set 20 years later, the son of Zira and Cornelius, Caesar, grows up in a world where apes are now used as pets and slaves after a plague wiped out dogs and cats. Caesar leads a violent revolt against humanity, marking the true beginning of the ape world.
• Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973): Set after the ape revolt, Caesar attempts to establish a peaceful coexistence between apes and the remaining humans, but the fragile peace is threatened by militant gorillas and a community of hostile, mutated humans.

The Modern Reboot Timeline: Caesar’s Saga (2011–2024)

If you are looking for a cohesive, linear, and emotionally resonant story, the modern reboot is the recommended viewing order. This timeline, often called "Caesar's Saga," acts as a direct prequel to the original 1968 film, explaining how the apes rose to dominance in a clear, step-by-step fashion.

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This is the most popular and easiest way to watch the franchise chronologically, and it is a completely separate continuity from the classic series.

Chronological Viewing Order (Modern Timeline)

• 1. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011): This film serves as the true origin story. A scientist, Will Rodman, develops a drug to cure Alzheimer's, which gives extraordinary intelligence to the chimpanzee Caesar. The drug, known as the Simian Flu (or ALZ-113), is harmless to apes but devastating to humans, setting the stage for the collapse of human civilization.
• 2. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014): Set 10 years after *Rise*, the Simian Flu has decimated the human population. Caesar leads a growing community of intelligent apes in the Muir Woods near San Francisco. When a small group of human survivors attempts to re-establish contact, the fragile peace between the two species quickly breaks down, leading to war.
• 3. War for the Planet of the Apes (2017): Two years after *Dawn*, the war between apes and humans reaches a critical point. Caesar is forced to fight a brutal final battle against a ruthless military Colonel. The film concludes Caesar's arc, as he leads his people to a promised sanctuary, solidifying his legacy as the ape Moses.
• 4. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024): This is the newest chapter, set several generations—roughly 300 years—after Caesar's death. The world is now a true ape planet, with human civilization completely collapsed. The film follows a young ape named Noa, who embarks on a journey that challenges the legacy of Caesar and introduces a new, tyrannical ape leader who has corrupted Caesar's teachings.

The Outlier: Tim Burton's Planet of the Apes (2001)

The 2001 film, directed by Tim Burton and starring Mark Wahlberg, often causes confusion when discussing the franchise's timeline. The simplest answer is that it should be treated as a completely separate, standalone reboot.

It is a retelling of the original 1968 story, where an astronaut crash-lands on an ape-dominated planet. However, its timeline and events do not connect canonically to either the original 1968 series or the modern Caesar trilogy. Most fans and critics recommend skipping it or watching it last, purely as a curiosity piece, as it is non-essential to the overarching narrative.

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Which Order is the Best Way to Watch?

The "best" order depends entirely on your viewing intention. The *Planet of the Apes* franchise offers three distinct ways to approach its rich, decades-long story:

Option 1: The Recommended Chronological Order (Caesar's Saga)

This is the best option for new viewers who want a clear, continuous, and emotionally satisfying story arc. It focuses on the modern, high-quality films and the journey of Caesar.

1. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
2. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
3. War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)
4. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)

Option 2: The Original Release Order (Historical Context)

This is the best option for film historians and those who appreciate the evolution of classic sci-fi cinema. It includes the groundbreaking original and its increasingly bizarre sequels.

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)

Option 3: The Deep-Cut Original Chronology

For the ultimate fan who wants to experience the original five films in the order of their story events—following the time-travel paradox—this order provides the most challenging but rewarding viewing experience. This is the timeline that shows how the future apes (Zira and Cornelius) traveled to the past and *caused* the ape civilization to begin in the first place.

1. Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971) — *The beginning of the paradox.*
2. Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972) — *Caesar leads the revolt.*
3. Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973) — *The aftermath of the war.*
4. Planet of the Apes (1968) — *The distant future result.*
5. Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970) — *The end of the original timeline.*

No matter which path you choose, the *Planet of the Apes* franchise remains one of the most enduring and topical science fiction sagas in cinema history, offering a profound look at humanity, power, and the complex relationship between species.