Planet of the Apes, in order

Two separate continuities, one remake nobody counts, and an original series that folds back on itself.

Updated 4 August 2026 · 10 titles tracked

There are effectively two Planet of the Apes franchises that share nothing but a premise: the original five films (1968–1973), and the modern reboot beginning with Rise (2011). The 2001 Tim Burton remake is a third thing, connected to neither.

You do not need to watch both. Pick a continuity.

Every Planet of the Apes film in order

Grouped by continuity. The original five, the 2001 remake, and the modern reboot.

Open the interactive Apes list

Which continuity should I watch?

The modern reboot, if you only watch one. Rise, Dawn, War and Kingdom form a coherent four-film arc with extraordinary performance-capture work, and War is one of the best blockbusters of its decade.

The original series, if you want the classic. The 1968 film is a genuine landmark with an ending that still works, though the sequels decline in budget as they go.

The original time loop, explained

The original five films form a closed circle. The 1968 film puts astronauts in a future ruled by apes. Escape (1971) sends three of those apes back to the 1970s. Their son Caesar then leads the uprising in Conquest (1972) that creates the very future the first film opened on.

That means there is no non-arbitrary place to start chronologically — the loop has no beginning. Watch them in release order and the reveal structure works as intended.

Do I need to watch the Burton remake?

No. The 2001 film is a standalone remake connected to nothing, best known for an ending that has never been satisfactorily explained. It is skippable without losing anything at all.

Common questions

What order should I watch the Planet of the Apes movies?

Release order within a continuity. For the modern series: Rise, Dawn, War, Kingdom. For the original: the 1968 film through Battle (1973). The two do not connect.

Do I need to watch the original films before the new ones?

No. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) starts a completely separate continuity and assumes no knowledge of the 1968 films.

How does the original Planet of the Apes timeline work?

It is a closed loop. Escape sends apes back to the 1970s, and their son causes the ape uprising that leads to the future seen in the first film. There is no true chronological starting point.