As of now, there are 10 theatrically released feature films in the Planet of the Apes franchise, spanning the original 1960s series, the 2000s reboot duology, and the recent acclaimed prequel trilogy. This guide counts only wide theatrical features, excluding shorts, TV episodes, or unproduced projects. Below, each release is listed by year and status, with notes on continuity and availability. The timeline covers 1968 through the latest completed films, while upcoming or canceled projects are clarified to distinguish planned work from what has actually reached audiences.
Released Theatrical Features
Only films with confirmed theatrical releases are included in the main count. Streaming premieres, direct-to-video titles, and uncompleted productions are tracked separately to avoid confusion. This section lists every feature that audiences can currently access in a cinema or licensed home format.
Classic Era (1968–1973)
The original run produced five films that established the core mythology and twist ending synonymous with the brand. These entries were distributed by 20th Century Fox and remain landmark science-fiction works for their practical effects and thematic ambition.
- Planet of the Apes (1968)
- Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970)
- Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971)
- Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972)
- Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973)
Reboot Era (2001–2017)
Following mixed reception to later classic installments and a TV series, the property was rebooted with a darker, more grounded tone. The reboot focused on origin storytelling and performance capture, culminating in a critically acclaimed trilogy.
- Tim Burton’s Planet of the Apes (2001)
- Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
- Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
- War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)
Recent and Upcoming Status
As of the latest verified announcements, no further theatrical sequels to the 2017 film have been produced or released. Plans for new features have been announced and delayed, so their current status is tracked separately. The count of 10 features reflects only completed theatrical works through War for the Planet of the Apes.
Canceled and Developmental Projects
Several projects entered development but never reached production or were officially canceled. These are listed here to clarify what was planned versus what exists as finished film. Including them in the numeric count would misrepresent the actual viewing landscape.
- Return to the Planet of the Apes (TV series, canceled in development)
- Tim Burton sequel to Planet of the Apes (development ended after 2001 release)
- Untitled Tim Burton follow-up (announced, never filmed)
- Andy Serkis-centered origin project (announced, never filmed)
- Chernin Entertainment reboot TV series (announced, unproduced)
Upcoming Announcements and Current Gaps
No confirmed upcoming theatrical features starring or centered on apes have been greenlit as of the latest studio communications. Rumors or early-stage development announcements are tracked but do not change the released count. This status may change if new deals or casting news emerge.
Verified Filmography Table
The table below summarizes each feature by release year, canonical status, and availability context. Only wide theatrical releases are treated as main franchise entries.
| Title | Year | Status | Notes on Continuity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Planet of the Apes | 1968 | Released | Original classic; standalone narrative |
| Beneath the Planet of the Apes | 1970 | Released | Direct sequel; mid-series entry |
| Escape from the Planet of the Apes | 1971 | Released | Time-travel shift; alters continuity |
| Conquest of the Planet of the Apes | 1972 | Released | Continuity pivot; prequel tone |
| Battle for the Planet of the Apes | 1973 | Released | Series finale of original arc |
| Planet of the Apes | 2001 | Released | Tim Burton reboot; standalone reimagining |
| Rise of the Planet of the Apes | 2011 | Released | Starts new continuity; origin story |
| Dawn of the Planet of the Apes | 2014 | Released | Sequel; deepens conflict |
| War for the Planet of the Apes | 20 17 | Released | Concludes the reboot trilogy |
| Tim Burton’s Planet of the Apes | 2001 | Released | Often listed above; the 2001 feature is the only Burton film |
Counting Methodology
This article adopts a conservative, viewer-centric definition of a "movie" in the Planet of the Apes brand. Only features that premiered theatrically and carry official franchise branding are tallied. Short films, television episodes, specials, and unproduced projects are excluded. By this standard, the answer to how many Planet of the Apes movies there are is 10 completed theatrical features, with no currently confirmed new films in production or release.
How to Track Future Additions
To determine whether this number changes, watch for formal greenlit announcements from studio press channels, casting news from recognized outlets, and official festival or release calendars. Until such sources confirm a new wide theatrical feature, the count remains at 10. This approach minimizes rumor influence and keeps the answer stable for planning, discussion, or research.
Streaming and Home Availability
All 10 films are available on major licensed streaming platforms or physical media, though catalog placement varies by region and platform agreement. Licensing changes can temporarily affect access, so the viewing count may feel different from the production count. Availability does not alter the number of movies, but it does affect how easily audiences can watch them.
Key Takeaways
- Total released theatrical features: 10
- Original series: 5 films (1968–1973)
- Reboot series: 4 films (2001–2017), plus the 2001 Tim Burton feature often grouped separately
- No confirmed upcoming theatrical features as of the latest verified communications
- Canceled and developmental projects are tracked separately and do not count toward the released total