Planet of the Apes - Watch Order: Classic Era
The original Planet of the Apes quintet represents classic science fiction cinema at its most ambitious and socially conscious. These five films, produced between 1968 and 1973, feature bold allegorical storytelling that tackles themes of war, prejudice, and humanity's relationship with nature.
This watch order focuses exclusively on the original timeline, allowing viewers to experience the complete arc of the classic series without the tonal shifts of later entries. The films build upon each other narratively, creating a cohesive saga that defined science fiction filmmaking for a generation.
Planet of the Apes
Astronaut Taylor crash lands on a distant planet ruled by apes who use a primitive race of humans for experimentation and sport. Soon Taylor finds himself among the hunted, his life in the hands of a benevolent chimpanzee scientist.
Beneath the Planet of the Apes
The sole survivor of an interplanetary rescue mission lands on the planet of the apes, and uncovers a horrible secret beneath the surface.
Escape from the Planet of the Apes
The world is shocked by the appearance of three talking chimpanzees, who arrived mysteriously in a spacecraft. Intrigued by their intelligence, humans use them for research - until the apes attempt to escape.
Conquest of the Planet of the Apes
In a futuristic world that has embraced ape slavery, a chimpanzee named Caesar resurfaces after almost twenty years of hiding from the authorities, and prepares for a revolt against humanity.
Battle for the Planet of the Apes
The fifth and final episode in the Planet of the Apes series. After the collapse of human civilization, a community of intelligent apes led by Caesar lives in harmony with a group of humans. Gorilla General Aldo tries to cause an ape civil war and a community of human mutants who live beneath a destroyed city try to conquer those whom they perceive as enemies. All leading to the finale.
Other Film Series
DC Extended Universe
DC's shared cinematic universe spanning a decade of interconnected superhero stories from Man of Steel to Aquaman.
Mad Max
A post-apocalyptic action franchise following the lone warrior Max Rockatansky as he navigates a dangerous wasteland filled with marauders and survivors.
Resident Evil
Live-action film adaptations of the popular survival horror video game series, featuring two distinct storylines across seven films.
Superman
The cinematic adventures of the Man of Steel spanning multiple decades, actors, and universes from the classic Christopher Reeve era to the modern DCEU.
The Matrix
A groundbreaking sci-fi action series exploring the nature of reality through the story of Neo, a hacker who discovers the world is a computer simulation.
The Terminator
A sci-fi franchise about humanity's war against artificial intelligence and time-traveling cyborgs sent to alter the past.