Determining the best order to watch all of the Planet of the Apes films can be confusing, given the sheer volume of entries in the franchise and the exploration of concepts like time travel and alternate timelines. This guide aims to make it as easy as possible for both casual and passionate fans to understand how the canon works and how to watch Planet of the Apes in release order, chronologically, and as a first-time viewer.

Here is a complete list of all the Planet of the Apes movies, including the original Planet of the Apes films, the 2001 one-off film directed by Tim Burton (1989's Batman), and the modern Planet of the Apes films. We also discuss the live-action Planet of the Apes TV series and the animated series.

The Planet of the Apes franchise has one of the most debated timelines among fans due to inconsistencies in the premise and conflicting statements from some of the filmmakers. In one interview, they describe their film as a reboot, while in another interview, they say the film is officially connected to other films.

Overall, it’s best to approach Planet of the Apes with equal parts respect for its story and a willingness to engage in some mental gymnastics or even fan theory to make everything fall into place. For example, while the broad strokes of the canon are generally solid, it’s best to ignore Icarus’ chronometer reading either 3878 or 3955, depending on the film and the character.