Rise of the Planet of the Apes

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Rise of the Planet of the Apes

PG-13

Released Aug 5, 2011

1h 45m

Sci-Fi

Action

Adventure

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Popcornmeter

82%

Tomatometer

269 Reviews

77%

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250,000+ Ratings

Will Rodman (James Franco), a scientist in San Francisco, is experimenting with a drug that he hopes will cure his father's (John Lithgow) Alzheimer's disease. After his work is deemed a failure, Will becomes the guardian of Caesar, an infant chimp who was exposed in-utero to Will's drug. Caesar displays unusual intelligence, and Will decides to continue his experiments secretly. But as Caesar's intellect and abilities grow, he comes to represent a threat to man's dominion over Earth.

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Critics Consensus

Led by Rupert Wyatt's stylish direction, some impressive special effects, and a mesmerizing performance by Andy Serkis, Rise of the Planet of the Apes breathes unlikely new life into a long-running franchise.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

It's a surprisingly provocative film that really stretches the definition of summer blockbuster.

Rated: B+

Sep 8, 2017

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David Thomson

The New Republic

Caesar [the main ape] is the reason to see this daft, breathless picture.

Jun 24, 2013

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Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

Somewhat shockingly, the modern interpretation of mankind's downfall is actually pretty darn good.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 27, 2012

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

The story of Caesar is what draws you in to this prequel and it's Serkis that sells it entirely and masterfully.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 28, 2025

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Wesley Lovell

Cinema Sight

There’s a lot more to this film than can be described in a single paragraph, which is one of the reasons the film works so well.

Rated: 4/4

Jul 6, 2025

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Casey Chong

Casey's Movie Mania

Rise of the Planet of the Apes has everything a modern summer-movie blockbuster should be, blending smarts with spectacles.

Rated: 4/5

May 10, 2024

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D K

From evolution to revolution, powerful compassion and brewing tumult within ape curiosity Caesar elevate this film well beyond its archetype. Shocking depth masterfully imbued into the title characters enthrals us before unleashing them upon audience and planet alike. A great mirror to the original Planet of the Apes.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/09/25

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Flynn S

Great story and a fun beginning of the franchise.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/04/25

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Omid S.

These are all absolutely amazing. Life-changing must watch with the family. I would watch every single one.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/15/25

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Derek B.

Underrated masterpiece!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/12/25

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tommy J

Dangot this movie is so good! I've watched it so many times, I love it. I like this movie better than the classic planet of thr apes movies. The sequels thay follow are also awesome but this is definitely my favorite of them all.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/09/25

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Juan D

Great first movie, Cesar was a great main character

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/20/25

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Rupert Wyatt

Director

James Franco

Will Rodman

Freida Pinto

Caroline Aranha

John Lithgow

Charles Rodman

Brian Cox

John Landon

Tom Felton

Dodge Landon

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53%

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Synopsis

Will Rodman (James Franco), a scientist in San Francisco, is experimenting with a drug that he hopes will cure his father's (John Lithgow) Alzheimer's disease. After his work is deemed a failure, Will becomes the guardian of Caesar, an infant chimp who was exposed in-utero to Will's drug. Caesar displays unusual intelligence, and Will decides to continue his experiments secretly. But as Caesar's intellect and abilities grow, he comes to represent a threat to man's dominion over Earth.

Director: Rupert Wyatt
Producer: Peter Chernin, Dylan Clark, Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver
Screenwriter: Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Chernin Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Violence|Intense/Frightening Sequences)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 5, 2011, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 10, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $176.7M
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Dolby, DTS

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