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Planet of the Apes

Play trailer 2:17 Poster for Planet of the Apes G Released Feb 8, 1968 1h 52m Sci-Fi Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
86% Tomatometer 96 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Complex sociological themes run through this science-fiction classic about three astronauts marooned on a futuristic planet where apes rule and humans are slaves. The stunned trio discovers that these highly intellectual simians can both walk upright and talk. They have even established a class system and a political structure. The astronauts suddenly find themselves part of a devalued species, trapped and imprisoned by the apes.
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Planet of the Apes

Planet of the Apes

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Critics Consensus

Planet of the Apes raises thought-provoking questions about our culture without letting social commentary get in the way of the drama and action.

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Critics Reviews

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Stewart Allen Arizona Republic Sci-fi is no longer crawling. In this movie, it stands up and walks, stumbles, stumbles again, but stays on its feet. May 2, 2024 Full Review Martin Knelman Toronto Star An old-fashioned anything-goes hair-raiser that takes us back to the Saturday afternoon of childhood, when we could like movies without feeling compelled to explain why. As black comedy, it's an elbow-in-the-ribs triumph of excess. May 2, 2024 Full Review Kevin Thomas Los Angeles Times A triumph of artistry and imagination, it is at once a timely parable and a grand adventure on an epic scale. Provocative as it is entertaining, it is a true screen odyssey. May 2, 2024 Full Review Wesley Lovell Cinema Sight More compelling are the actors playing the various apes. Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, and Evans are all convincing in spite of hefty makeup minimizing their ability for facial expressions. Rated: 3.5/4 Jul 6, 2025 Full Review Casey Chong Casey's Movie Mania The movie, adapted from Pierre Boulle’s 1963 novel by Michael Wilson and Twilight Zone creator Rod Serling, effectively explored class divides and slavery, all wrapped up in an intriguing high-concept mix of sci-fi and fantasy. Rated: 5/5 May 10, 2024 Full Review Yasser Medina Cinefilia It draws its best cards in a dystopian plot that, in its clash of civilizations, questions the self-destructive human nature without losing sight of the visual sense that creates a world of intelligent apes with prosthetic makeup. [Full review in Spanish] Rated: 7/10 May 5, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Riley S. “Take your stinking paws off me, you damned dirty ape!” A landmark in sci-fi that still feels daring today. The world-building is unforgettable — a society of apes with their own hierarchies, laws, and prejudices is both fascinating and eerily reflective of our own. Charlton Heston chews the scenery with that mix of arrogance and desperation only he can pull off, and the practical effects and makeup are still impressive for their time. That said, the pacing drags in places, and some dialogue feels clunky by modern standards. The allegory can be a bit heavy-handed, but it’s effective enough to leave an impact. Of course, that final twist is legendary for a reason — chilling, iconic, and endlessly parodied. Not perfect, but undeniably influential. A sci-fi parable that earns its place in the canon, even if time hasn’t been entirely kind to every frame. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 10/08/25 Full Review Eye C I must say that the beginning of this film is always rough, slow, and uneventful, but then it gets better and, by the end, it becomes a classic of world cinema. I really like it. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/07/25 Full Review Jace T Planet of the Apes is one of those films that changed movies and sci-fi for the rest of history. In it's time, the impact it made on the world was groundbreaking. This movie still holds up to this day, and is a good watch to see where we came from. The modern Planet of the Apes series is phenomenal, and the old series is really great as well. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/02/25 Full Review D K Immersive exploration of both an unknown land and the well-known trappings of humanity. Vigorous leading performance accompanied by delightful renditions of intelligent apes. Classic ending. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/08/25 Full Review Jeff P. Yes, this is the one that started the film franchise so credit where credit is due—but also blame where blame is due. I’d give this four stars but for Heston’s overacting. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 09/05/25 Full Review Lance O Takes sci-fi to a new level. One of the best movies of the 1960’s. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/09/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Planet of the Apes

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Movie Info

Synopsis Complex sociological themes run through this science-fiction classic about three astronauts marooned on a futuristic planet where apes rule and humans are slaves. The stunned trio discovers that these highly intellectual simians can both walk upright and talk. They have even established a class system and a political structure. The astronauts suddenly find themselves part of a devalued species, trapped and imprisoned by the apes.
Director
Franklin J. Schaffner
Producer
Arthur P. Jacobs
Screenwriter
Michael Wilson, Rod Serling
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
APJAC Productions, Buena Vista Television, Twentieth Century Fox
Rating
G
Genre
Sci-Fi, Adventure
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 8, 1968, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 12, 2014
Runtime
1h 52m
Sound Mix
Stereo, Mono
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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