The 50+ Best Movies With Apes (2024)

James Franco, Freida Pinto, John Lithgow

In a thought-provoking exploration of the blurred line between humanity and the animal kingdom, Rise of the Planet of the Apes follows the journey of Caesar (Andy Serkis), an intelligent chimpanzee raised by humans. This science fiction drama masterfully combines riveting storytelling with groundbreaking visual effects. The series delves into complex themes such as ethics, loyalty, and the consequences of playing God, keeping viewers thoroughly engaged without resorting to gratuitous spectacle. With its stellar cast and compelling narrative, Rise of the Planet of the Apes stands as a testament to the power of innovative storytelling in television.

Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter

Planet of the Apes is a riveting science fiction classic directed by Franklin J. Schaffner. Astronaut George Taylor (Charlton Heston) finds himself in a world run by evolved apes after a catastrophic spaceship crash. In this upside-down society, humans are mute creatures hunted for sport and used for scientific experiments. The intelligent Cornelius (Roddy McDowall) and empathetic Zira (Kim Hunter), two chimpanzee scientists, ally with Taylor in his quest to uncover the planet's earth-shattering secret. A gripping tale that won an honorary Academy Award for its groundbreaking makeup design, Planet of the Apes is a thought-provoking exploration of societal roles and humanity's future.

Naomi Watts, Jack Black, Adrien Brody

In the colossal adventure film King Kong, director Peter Jackson reimagines the classic tale of the gargantuan ape. The ambitious filmmaker, Carl Denham (Jack Black), embarks on a voyage to the treacherous Skull Island with his crew and the unsuspecting actress, Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts). As they delve deeper into the mysterious island, they encounter Kong - a mammoth beast whose fascination with Ann leads to an unexpected bond. This epic drama explores themes of beauty and beastliness against a backdrop of heart-stopping action sequences. Despite its thrilling nature, King Kong is also marked by its underlying poignancy and thought-provoking narrative.

Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman

In Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, a post-apocalyptic world is ruled by genetically evolved apes, led by Caesar (Andy Serkis). The fragile peace with surviving humans, reeling from a devastating virus, hangs in the balance. As tensions rise, both sides teeter on the brink of war. In this gripping sequel, director Matt Reeves explores themes of survival, conflict, and loyalty. Notably, it received an Academy Award nomination for its groundbreaking visual effects. A captivating blend of science fiction and drama, it's a tale of two civilizations grappling for coexistence.

Fay Wray, Bruce Cabot, Robert Armstrong

King Kong presents a tale of wonder and terror. When filmmaker Carl Denham (Robert Armstrong) and his crew travel to the uncharted Skull Island, they encounter Kong, a gigantic and powerful ape. Captivated by the island's mysteries and the beautiful actress Ann Darrow (Fay Wray), Kong is captured and transported to New York City as a spectacle. But the concrete jungle is no match for the real one, and soon Kong breaks free, leading to a dramatic showdown amidst the city's iconic skyscrapers.

War for the Planet of the Apes

Andy Serkis, Woody Harrelson, Steve Zahn

Caesar (Andy Serkis) and his apes are forced into a deadly conflict with an army of humans led by a ruthless colonel (Woody Harrelson). After the apes suffer unimaginable losses, Caesar wrestles with his darker instincts and begins his own mythic quest to avenge his kind. As the journey finally brings them face to face, Caesar and the colonel are pitted against each other in an epic battle that will determine the fate of both of their species and the future of the planet.