Understanding what is the order of planet of the apes requires looking beyond the simple release dates of the movies. The franchise exists in multiple formats, including original films, reboots, and television series, which can create confusion about the timeline. This guide cuts through the noise to present the definitive sequence, from the classic visions to the modern origin stories. Following this chronology reveals how each installment builds upon the themes of evolution and society.
The Original Timeline (1968-1973)
The original series established the core mythos of a world where apes dominate and humans are primitive creatures. These films were groundbreaking for their time and set the standard for the science fiction genre. The timeline follows a clear progression of a astronaut's journey through a strange planet.
Chronological Sequence of the Classics
When arranging the original films by plot, the order begins with the astronaut's arrival. The story unfolds as a descent into a forgotten world, leading to the rise of the ape society seen in the later entries.
Planet of the Apes (1968): The starting point where Taylor arrives on the planet.
Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970): Follows the journey into the underground city.
Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971): Shifts perspective to the apes Zira and Cornelius.
Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972): Details the uprising leading to ape dominance.
Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973): Explores the origins of the ape society and the end of the human era.
The Reboot Timeline (2001-2017)
In the 21st century, the franchise was reimagined with cutting-edge visual effects and a darker tone. This reboot, directed by Tim Burton and later the acclaimed "Apes" trilogy, offers a grittier look at the fall of humanity. The order here focuses on the narrative progression of the simian uprising.
Modern Saga Structure
The modern interpretation does not simply remake the old story; it retells it with a focus on the primates' perspective. The sequence is designed to show the moral and societal shift from human to ape consciousness over several years of development.
Tim Burton's Planet of the Apes (2001): A loose adaptation that resets the timeline with a new astronaut origin.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011): The genesis of Caesar and the intelligence-enhancing virus.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014): Explores the fragile peace between the two species years later.
War for the Planet of the Apes (207): The culminating conflict that establishes the world seen in the original 1968 film.
Resolving the Timeline Confusion
One of the most common questions regarding what is the order of planet of the apes involves the relationship between the two eras. Fans often wonder if the reboots replace the originals or exist in a separate continuity. The answer lies in understanding the franchise as a collection of interconnected, yet distinct, stories.
The original series presents a linear descent into the future of a fictional planet. The reboot series, however, functions as a prequel and a soft reboot, explaining the events that led to the world the original astronauts discovered. They are two sides of the same evolutionary coin, separated by decades of production but linked by a singular narrative arc.
