This Iconic Sci-Fi Franchise Is Still Going Strong 15 Years After It Was Revived

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Many science fiction series are now considered classics, and have greatly influenced the films that followed. One of the most important started in 1968 with the release of the first Planet of the Apes movie by 20th Century Fox.

The film’s success, both when it was first released and its continued status as a classic, comes down to its fantastic story, Charlton Heston’s powerful performance, and the unforgettable reveal of the Statue of Liberty. Its impact was immediate – 20th Century quickly turned Planet of the Apes into a franchise, releasing four sequels within just five years, though public interest eventually waned.

Tim Burton attempted to revive the Planet of the Apes series in 2001, but his version didn’t quite resonate with viewers, and the franchise was put on hold again. A decade later, in 2011, the series was successfully rebooted, becoming a popular and ongoing modern science fiction franchise that continues to entertain audiences today.

The Planet Of The Apes Franchise Was Successfully Relaunched In 2011

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The success of the Planet of the Apes franchise can be largely attributed to 2011’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes. The film, directed by Rupert Wyatt and written by Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, successfully relaunched the series while still paying homage to the classic 1968 film. A clever storyline combined with Andy Serkis’s compelling performance as Caesar – brought to life through advanced motion and performance capture – made Rise a critical and commercial success, effectively revitalizing the entire series.

As a huge cinema fan, I was really pleased to see this film get such a positive response – it’s currently at 82% on Rotten Tomatoes, which is fantastic! It also did incredibly well at the box office, bringing in $481 million globally, so it’s no surprise 20th Century decided to continue the series. Though the previous director, Wyatt, moved on after Rise, I was thrilled when Matt Reeves took over. He delivered two sequels that weren’t just critically acclaimed, but actually surpassed the original financially – a real win for everyone involved.

Both Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014) and War for the Planet of the Apes (2017) were critically acclaimed and commercially successful. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes received a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and earned $710 million worldwide, making it a record-breaker for the franchise. While War for the Planet of the Apes saw slightly lower box office returns at $490 million, it achieved an even higher Rotten Tomatoes score of 94%.

Even though the third movie earned less than the first two, the trilogy was a huge success overall. All three films received positive reviews and together they grossed $1.6 billion around the world. While War marked the end of Caesar’s story, continued fan interest suggests the series’ universe will continue to thrive.

More Planet Of The Apes Movies Are Still On The Way

Following the popularity of the Planet of the Apes films starring Caesar, Disney and 20th Century are developing a new trilogy of movies. This new story began in 2024 with Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, which introduces a fresh cast of characters and takes place many years after Caesar’s adventures.

The recent film Kingdom was a hit with both audiences and critics (earning an 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes) and grossed $397 million worldwide, proving the franchise still resonates today. Studio executives and director Ball had already begun planning a new trilogy before the film’s success, and those plans were officially confirmed with the announcement of a sequel just a few months after Kingdom‘s release.

Details about the next Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes movie are still scarce. Director Wes Ball is currently working on the live-action Legend of Zelda film, and a new director hasn’t been chosen yet. As of now, there’s no official release date or production schedule for the Apes sequel.

Even though specific plans for the next movie aren’t available yet, more Planet of the Apes films are definitely coming. The story arc begun with Kingdom will be completed, and as long as the movies are both well-received by critics and successful at the box office, the studio will continue to develop new ideas for the franchise.

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2026-02-14 20:10