Many casual movie goers may not realize that there are a total of nine Planet of the Apes movies, and that the franchise has been around for nearly fifty years. From the 1968 original and its four sequels, to the 2001 remake, to the recent reboot/prequel trilogy, Planet of the Apes has surprisingly stood the test of time. With the latest installment, War for the Planet of the Apes recently releasing on home formats, there's no better time to look back at the entire franchise, listed from worst to best.
9. Planet of the Apes (2001)
This remake from director Tim Burton proved to be a massive disappointment for those who enjoyed the original series. While performing well at the box office, the film didn't sit very well with critics. Boasting incredible makeup effects and some good performances, the movie failed to capture the adventure, fun, or camp of it's predecessors. The most glaring flaw of this Apes remake is it's ending, which frankly doesn't make any sense. This standalone remake is now the black sheep of the franchise, but thankfully it would keep interest alive long enough for the recent trilogy to get produced.
8. Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970)
This follow-up to the 1968 classic finds another astronaut (James Franciscus) ending up on the "Planet of the Apes" after being sent to find Taylor (Charlton Heston). While on his search, the astronaut meets the Apes and Nova, discovers an underground realm occupied by mutated telepaths who worship a nuclear warhead, finds the missing Taylor, then blows up the planet with the warhead. This movie is so nuts it's almost good, but it is in fact quite terrible. Did I mention the planet blows up? Three more sequels followed.
7. Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971)
After the financial success of Beneath the Planet of the Apes, 20th Century Fox was eager to keep the series going. Problem was, the planet was destroyed in that film. Enter a trio of time-travelling apes, who find their way to the present day. The fish-out-of-water elements offer up some much needed humor in the series, and the social commentary continues. As with the previous two installments, the film makers felt a twist was needed, and the result has a polarizing effect that undermines the humor of the first half of the movie. This film introduces Caesar, and keen viewers will notice a few elements from the movie and the other sequels that were pulled and added to the modern trilogy.
6. Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973)
This fifth and final installment of the original Apes series shows signs of franchise fatigue and a diminishing budget. The conclusion of the three-part arc that ran through Escape, Conquest, and this film isn't nearly as epic as the poster implies, but it does contain some nice moments and decent action. Not only are the Apes battling humankind, they are also battling each other, as the different species find their differences hard to overcome. This final film in the first series was followed up by a short-lived TV show in addition to an animated series.
5. Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972)
The best of the original sequels, Conquest tells the story of Caesar's uprising against humanity. Set nearly twenty years in the future, this film features some great progressive 70's architecture, as well as some fun set pieces. The story escalates quickly, concluding with a surprisingly violent clash between apes and humans. Ricardo Montalban appears as Caesar's "master", the best of the human characters in the film. Roddy McDowall gives it his all as Caesar, despite performing under layers of latex and fur. While the premise of why apes are being kept as pets seems a bit silly by today's standards, Conquest remains a wild and entertaining ride in the Apes franchise.
4. Planet of the Apes (1968)
Many may balk at the placement of this film at number four on the list. There's no question as to its place in cinematic history. A massive accomplishment in makeup and costumes, an all-in Charlton Heston ("It's a madhouse! A MADHOUSE!!"), and an early and effective twist ending that threw 1960's film-goers for a loop all work to make this film a must-see for any serious film fan. It is a classic of the genre and certainly has it's place in history, but higher marks simply have to go to the modern trilogy, as ideas from all of the original Apes films were used and made more compelling.
3. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
Perhaps one of the most unexpected cinematic successes in recent years, this franchise reboot seemed unnecessary and poised to fail. When critical notices were strong and positive word of mouth got around, people took notice and were able to enjoy a refreshing take on an aging franchise. A compelling story, interesting characters (apes and humans alike), and groundbreaking effects added up to one of the best blockbusters of the year. This film reintroduces audiences to Caesar, and begins what will become one of the best trilogies of all time.
2. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
While Dawn may not be the absolute best film in this series, it's my personal favorite. Set a few years after Rise, this film furthers the story of the apes, and also follows a small band of humans fighting for survival. Dawn works so well with even more impressive effects, great action, and a worthy villain in Koba. The interplay between the apes and the humans is engrossing, and one really wants to root for both sides. The inevitable War is foreshadowed here; we know it's coming but the journey is fascinating.
1. War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)
War for the Planet of the Apes is a spectacular achievement in film. The fact that the movie features mostly CGI apes and manages to totally captivate its audience says a lot about how this series has progressed. War is weighty and dramatic, with solid action beats. Performances, both under the guise of motion-capture and regular humans, are outstanding. As a third act in a trilogy, this film ties everything together seamlessly, leaving a satisfying conclusion. The new Apes trilogy ranks as one of the best trilogies of all time, with the unprecedented achievement of each film besting the previous release.
