Planet of the Apes Chronological Order of Films
The Planet of the Apes franchise includes ten live-action films and multiple animated series. The original film series began with Planet of the Apes (1968), followed by five sequels through 1973. The reboot series started with Rise of the Planet of the Apes in 2011 and continued with Dawn of the Planet of the Apes in 2014, War for the Planet of the Apes in 2017, and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes in 2024. The chronological order by in-universe timeline places the reboot films before the original 1968 movie, with Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes set generations after the events of War for the Planet of the Apes.
The 2024 film Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes was produced by 20th Century Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. It is the fourth installment in the reboot series and the tenth live-action film in the franchise. The film follows a young ape named Noa and explores themes of power, memory, and civilization. The original 1968 film was directed by Franklin J. Schaffner and produced by Arthur P. Jacobs, while the reboot series was developed by screenwriters Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver. The reboot films are set in a near-future timeline that diverges from the original series after the events of the first film.
Planet of the Apes TV Series and Animated Shows in Order
The franchise includes the 1974 TV series Planet of the Apes, which ran for 14 episodes on CBS, and the animated series Return to the Planet of the Apes, which aired in 1975 on ABC. The animated series consists of 13 episodes and is set in the same universe as the original films. Both TV series are set between the events of the original film and its sequels, expanding the lore of the ape civilization and human survivors.
In terms of broadcast history, the 1974 live-action series was produced by 20th Century Fox Television and aired from September 13 to December 20, 1974. The animated Return to the Planet of the Apes was produced by DePatie-Freleng Enterprises and aired from September 6 to December 20, 1975. Both series are considered part of the broader Planet of the Apes chronological order and are available on streaming platforms licensed by Disney.
How to Watch Planet of the Apes in Correct Chronological Order
To watch the franchise in chronological order by in-universe timeline, start with Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), followed by Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014), War for the Planet of the Apes (2017), and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024). Next, watch the original 1968 film Planet of the Apes, followed by its sequels Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970), Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971), Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972), and Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973). This sequence reflects the internal timeline where the reboot films depict the rise of ape intelligence, and the original films show the consequences centuries later.
The 1974 TV series fits between the original film and its sequels, while the animated Return to