The Planet of The Apes series of films is one of the longest-running and most widely dynamic franchises out there. Over nearly 55 years, the series spanned five films in as many years, along with a short-lived television series, a 2001 remake, and an equally successful trilogy of movies helmed by director Matt Reeves (except the first, directed by Rupert Wyatt), with an acclaimed lead performance by Andy Serkis. Altogether, the films have made a combined worldwide gross of $2.2 billion.

With so many entries in the franchise and a recent reboot, it can be hard to know where to start and, more importantly, what order stacks up as best for first-time viewing. With two separate series in existence, there are many ways to view the films. However, we've found a way to simplify and streamline the viewing experience in chronological order. This viewing order works perfectly for newcomers to the franchise or those looking at how to best view each installment in order of significance. Without further ado, here's our guide to watching the Planet of the Apes franchise in chronological order and by release date.

The Planet of the Apes Movies in Order of Release Date

For those who enjoy watching movies in the order they were released, for instance, to see the advancement of special effects, here are the Planet of the Apes movies in order of theatrical release date.

Planet of the Apes Movies in Chronological Order

Now that we've looked over the theatrical release dates, let's take a look at the Planet of the Apes timeline.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)

The first entry in the reboot trilogy, Rise of the Planet of the Apes is a prequel to the original franchise and chronicles the scientific experiments that led to the outbreak that caused the ape revolution. Wyatt focuses on the relationship between James Franco's scientist and gifted experimental ape Caesar (the very underrated actor Andy Serkis, working with motion capture), whose experience in captivity offers us a look into how the ape uprising began.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes works as a beginning entry as it lays the foundation for the events that shape the original franchise while also providing insight into the circumstances that shaped the original film (scientific experimentation on the apes leading to their heightened intelligence). The film also contains its fair share of Easter eggs and nods to the original which also establishes a nice sense of continuity. For those looking for a strong entry into the franchise and insight into the series' most pivotal events, Rise of the Planet of the Apes is a recommended gateway and a strong prequel that sets the mood and tone for the following entries in the franchise. Stream on Hulu.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)

The sequel film to Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes chronicles the era where the apes have formed their own community and are attempting to maintain their own existence, but of course, humanity interferes. This period is only hinted at in the original series, and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes offers insight into how the apes managed to take further control and establish their own leadership. The film is best viewed right after its predecessor, as the continuity between the two is extremely strong, and both continue expanding the lore of the series while offering character development and plot progression.

Viewing this prequel trilogy before the original series offers a strong perspective into the events that shaped them, and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes works especially well as a second entry (which is often the weakest of trilogies). It's extremely exciting, the excellent special effects top the first, and it gives us a deeper look into the ape uprising only briefly mentioned in the older series. Stream on Hulu or Max.

War For the Planet of the Apes (2017)

The third and final entry in the prequel trilogy finally gives us a view of the ape revolution and the all-out war that led to them seizing control of Earth before fully evolving into the futuristic ape society seen in the original Planet of the Apes from 1968. Seeing the events of War For the Planet of the Apes before the original films gives an added weight to the circumstances and events in those entries. The movie puts both a resolution on Reeve's other film and Wyatt's first and offers context into the larger events of the franchise at large.

Watching War For the Planet of the Apes before the classic series is the perfect segue and stacks up seamlessly in chronological fashion as well; it serves as not only an effective coda for one trilogy but a strong transition into another while offering plenty of plot and character development in the process. It's probably the most emotionally devastating movie of the franchise, and also the most critically acclaimed one, with a strong 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. Stream on Hulu or Max.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)