Planet of the Apes (Reboot) movies in order
Planet of the Apes (Reboot) Marathon

Page Last Modified:

23 December 2025

Most Recent Release:

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes - 2024

Total Runtime:

520 Minutes

Total Items:

4

Average User Score:

(7)

Planet of the Apes (Reboot) movies in order

The Planet of the Apes reboot series is one of the most unexpectedly powerful sci-fi franchises of recent years. This modern reboot by 20th Century Studios mixes blockbuster action with a surprisingly emotional story about power, empathy, and evolution. Hey, no matter if you're meeting Caesar and his crew for the first time or just curious about how Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes fits into the saga, you've come to the right place. Because, yes, order matters. We promise that if you experience this saga in the right order, it'll be way more impactful.

520 Minutes 4 Movies
  1. Rise of the Planet of the Apes Backdrop 1
    Rise of the Planet of the Apes Movie 105 min. 2011
    A highly intelligent chimpanzee named Caesar has been living a peaceful suburban life ever since he was born. But when he gets taken to a cruel primate facility, Caesar decides to revolt against those who have harmed him.
    USER SCORE 7
  2. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes Backdrop 2
    Dawn of the Planet of the Apes Movie 130 min. 2014
    A group of scientists in San Francisco struggle to stay alive in the aftermath of a plague that is wiping out humanity, while Caesar tries to maintain dominance over his community of intelligent apes.
    USER SCORE 7
  3. War for the Planet of the Apes Backdrop 3
    War for the Planet of the Apes Movie 140 min. 2017
    Caesar and his apes are forced into a deadly conflict with an army of humans led by a ruthless Colonel. After the apes suffer unimaginable losses, Caesar wrestles with his darker instincts and begins his own mythic quest to avenge his kind. As the journey finally brings them face to face, Caesar and the Colonel are pitted against each other in an epic battle that will determine the fate of both their species and the future of the planet.
    USER SCORE 7
  4. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes Backdrop 4
    Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes Movie 145 min. 2024
    Several generations following Caesar's reign, apes – now the dominant species – live harmoniously while humans have been reduced to living in the shadows. As a new tyrannical ape leader builds his empire, one young ape undertakes a harrowing journey that will cause him to question all he's known about the past and to make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike.
    USER SCORE 7

Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)

This is where it all begins. Forget what you thought you knew about ape movies. Rise of the Planet of the Apes is the start of a whole new saga. Rupert Wyatt directed this film, which introduces us to Caesar. Andy Serkis brought Caesar to life using groundbreaking motion capture technology and the brilliant VFX of Weta Digital. The story is about the development of the ALZ-113 virus, which was intended as an experimental drug but instead caused a global simian flu pandemic. Caesar's smart early on, he's got a bond with humans, and he's showing some leadership skills. That's the heart of this reboot. This film sets the stage for the Caesar trilogy and the bigger Planet of the Apes story.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)

Ten years later, the world has changed. The simian flu has been rough on humanity, and now apes have set up shop in a forest outside San Francisco. Here, we see Caesar as a full-fledged leader, balancing peace and threat. Matt Reeves steps in as director, taking the series to new heights with stunning visuals and deep themes. The arrival of human survivors, including Jason Clarke as Malcolm and Keri Russell as Ellie, adds fuel to the fire. Then there's Koba, played by Toby Kebbell. He's an ape with a dark view of humans. Things get really tense between the apes and humans, and the moral complexities get even deeper. If you thought this was just an action movie, think again.

War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)

The grand finale of the Caesar trilogy. War for the Planet of the Apes isn't just another battle movie, it's a grand finale that brings a whole bunch of characters' stories to a close in an epic way. Matt Reeves is back as director, delivering a deeply personal story of loss, revenge, and redemption. Caesar faces his darkest self, and Woody Harrelson's Colonel McCullough is an unforgettable adversary. The film takes place partly in a snowy mountain fortress, introduces a young Nova (Amiah Miller), and shows how the clash between man and ape has become inevitable. The emotions are raw, the spectacle is grand, and the conclusion is just right. This is the kind of blockbuster sci-fi that deserves its place among the greats.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)

Fast forward to a time long after Caesar's death. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, directed by Wes Ball, starts a new chapter in this reimagined sci-fi franchise. We meet Noa (Owen Teague), a young ape growing up in a world where different clans are fighting for power, knowledge, and survival. Humanity has declined further, and now apes are the dominant species. The film brings us new characters like Mae (Freya Allan) and the intimidating Proximus Caesar (Kevin Durand), who interprets Caesar's legacy in his own way. What makes this film so interesting is how it looks at ideas of identity, freedom, and history in a dystopian world that's also evolving. The motion capture performances and CGI are awesome again, and the story feels fresh but also true to the roots of the Planet of the Apes continuity.

Why This Order Works

The beauty of the Planet of the Apes reboot trilogy and its sequel is that the chronological order is also the release order. There are no time jumps or prequels to complicate things. You can just sit back and enjoy the ride as you go through a bunch of different situations involving intelligence, conflict, and moral dilemmas. In Rise, you get to see Caesar's journey and how the virus changes the world. Dawn and War take this idea and add more emotional and political layers. And Kingdom, though set in a different time, feels like a natural continuation of that legacy. Great for a weekend binge or a themed night with friends, sparking discussions about who the real 'bad guy' is: humanity, or all of us?

Couch-Ready Tips for Your Marathon

Plan your Planet of the Apes reboot movie marathon wisely. Prepare snacks (bananas are cliché, but they fit the bill), dim the lights, and start early because with four films, each around two hours, you're in for a long haul. Start with Rise on Friday night for the perfect cliffhanger leading into Dawn on Saturday morning. War will keep you glued to the screen, so plan some comfort food afterward. Save Kingdom for Sunday, and end your weekend with an epic new take on a post-apocalyptic Earth. Keep an eye on how ape language changes over time. The way they communicate is like something out of a movie.

Why This Reboot Series Works So Well

What makes the Planet of the Apes reboot movies different from other modern sci-fi movies is the mix of action and emotion. Caesar's story isn't just a simple good vs. evil tale. It touches on philosophical questions about power, empathy, and leadership. Andy Serkis gives one of the most nuanced performances ever, thanks to Weta Digital's unparalleled motion capture technology. But the supporting cast, including Karin Konoval as Maurice and Terry Notary as Rocket, also makes this an ensemble that'll stick with you. Add in the amazing visuals, the strong direction from Rupert Wyatt, Matt Reeves, and now Wes Ball, and you've got a reboot franchise that pays homage to its source material while boldly carving out its own unique path.

The Future of the Apes Franchise

With Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, it's clear that this saga is just getting started. The new characters, the expanded world, and the nods to Caesar's legacy open the door to a whole new generation of stories. If we've learned anything from this reboot series, it's that Planet of the Apes isn't just about ape action. It's a modern mythology about evolution, leadership, and coexistence on a fractured planet. If you're into blockbuster sci-fi action or the deeper themes, this marathon should be on your binge list.