Planet of the Apes timeline: The chronological movie order

Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)

A baby chimp named Caesar is exposed to an experimental Alzheimer’s drug and quickly grows in intellect and ability before representing a threat to man.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes picks up 10 years after the events of Rise of the Planet of the Apes with Caesar leading a burgeoning Ape civilisation.

War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)

This one picks up two years after Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and sees Caesar still leading his people. An elite group of soldiers is hunting Caesar’s apes.

Planet of the Apes (1968)

The fourth film on our list started it all. This classic film sees three astronauts crash land on a mysterial planet inhabited by advanced apes.

Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970)

An astronaut named Brent (played by James Franciscus) is the only survivor of a ship sent to find the three astronauts from the first Planet of the Apes film.

Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971)

This film is where our Apes timeline really begins to get weird. The planet is about to be destroyed so three apes travel back in time.

Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972)

There’s a theory that Caesar from Rise of the Planet of the Apes was the first intelligent ape, and that the Caesar in this film is one of his descendants.

Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973)

This film shows an older Caesar leading a society where apes and humans coexist after a nuclear war. But a militant faction of apes is causing problems.

Bonus: Planet of the Apes (1974 - TV series)

Featuring just 14 episodes this series is based on the 1968 movie Planet of the Apes and its sequels. Best to watch watch Battle for the Planet of the Apes.

Bonus: Planet of the Apes (2001)

Since this much-maligned Tim Burton reboot doesn’t fit anywhere else in the Planet of the Apes series, you should watch it last as a bonus treat.

Planet of the Apes timeline at a glance

  • 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 Planet of the Apes (1971) Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972) Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973) Bonus: Planet of the Apes (1974 - TV series) Bonus: Planet of the Apes (2001)

Planet of the Apes theatrical release order

  • Planet of the Apes (1968) Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970) Escape from Planet of the Apes (1971) Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972) Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973) Optional: Planet of the Apes (1974 - TV series) Bonus: Planet of the Apes (2001) Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014) War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)

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