How Many Planet of the Apes Films Exist in Total
The Planet of the Apes franchise includes five main theatrical films released between 1968 and 1973, followed by a 2001 Tim Burton reboot and a modern reboot series that began in 2011, bringing the total number of theatrically released films to nine. The original 1968 film, directed by Franklin J. Schaffner and starring Charlton Heston, launched the classic series and was followed by four sequels through 1973, all produced by 20th Century Fox. The 2001 reboot directed by Tim Burton added a tenth film to the broader timeline, while the modern series produced by Chernin Entertainment and distributed by 20th Century Studios comprises three films released between 2011 and 2017, which are often counted separately as the reboot trilogy. When industry sources refer to the main franchise, they typically list the five original films, the 2001 reboot, and the three modern reboot films, totaling nine core theatrical releases. For a detailed filmography and production details, you can refer to the official franchise overview on the IMDb page for Planet of the Apes Planet of the Apes 1968. The franchise has also expanded into television, animated series, and direct-to-video projects, which are not usually included in the core theatrical count.
Release Order and Timeline of the Planet of the Apes Movies
The original series runs from 1968 to 1973, starting with Planet of the Apes and continuing through Beneath the Planet of the Apes, Escape from the Planet of the Apes, Conquest of the Planet of the Apes, and Battle for the Planet of the Apes. The 2001 Tim Burton film Planet of the Apes resets the story with a modern visual style and a new cast, while the modern reboot series begins with Rise of the Planet of the Apes in 2011, continues with Dawn of the Planet of the Apes in 2014, and concludes with War for the Planet of the Apes in 2017. The modern trilogy is widely regarded as a critical and commercial success, with each film outperforming its predecessor at the global box office and earning strong reviews for its motion-capture technology and storytelling. According to box office data, the modern trilogy grossed over $2 billion worldwide, with War for the Planet of the Apes earning the highest share among the three films. The chronological story order differs from the release order, as the modern films are set in the near future and serve as a prequel to the original 1968 narrative, creating a layered timeline that connects the classic and reboot eras.
Production Companies, Directors, and Franchise Structure
The original five films were produced by 20th Century Fox and Arthur P. Jacobs Productions, with each film directed by a different filmmaker, including Franklin J. Schaffner, Ted Post, Don Taylor, J. Lee Thompson, and John Huston. The 2001 reboot was produced by 20th Century Fox and The Zanuck Company, directed by Tim Burton, and starred Mark Wahlberg in the lead role. The modern reboot trilogy was produced by Chernin Entertainment and 20th Century Studios, directed by Rupert Wyatt for the first film and Matt Reeves for the second and third films, with Andy Serkis portraying Caesar through performance capture. The franchise