The Planet of the Apes franchise has expanded significantly since its inception, with multiple sequels, prequels, remakes, and reboots that continue to captivate audiences. The core question remains: how many Planet of the Apes movies are there?
Originally, there were 4 films released between 1968 and 1973, directed by Franklin J. Schaffner and featuring Charlton Heston in a critically acclaimed performance.
The franchise experienced a reboot with Tim Burton's 'Planet of the Apes' (2001), starring Mark Wahlberg as Captain Leo Davidson, but this didn't quite capture the essence of the original series. A sequel, 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' (2011), and its prequel, 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes' (2014), reimagined the story in a modern context, starring James Franco, Andy Serkis, and Jason Clarke.
However, these attempts to update the series were met with mixed reviews and did not quite resonate with fans. The 2017 film 'War for the Planet of the Apes', again directed by Matt Reeves, marked a return to form for the franchise, with a more grounded narrative that paid homage to the original.
The core premise remains the same: humanity's downfall and the rise of intelligent apes in a post-apocalyptic world. But each iteration offers its own unique twist on this concept.
So, how many Planet of the Apes movies are there? There are 7 films across the franchise:
1. 'Planet of the Apes' (1968)
2. 'Beneath the Planet of the Apes' (1970)
3. 'Escape from the Planet of the Apes' (1971)
4. 'Conquest of the Planet of the Apes' (1972)
5. 'Battle for the Planet of the Apes' (1973)
6. 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' (2011)
7. 'War for the Planet of the Apes' (2017)