The Planet of the Apes franchise is a labyrinth of sequels, reboots, and spin-offs that has baffled fans for over half a century. At its core, the question "how many movies in Planet of the Apes?" seems straightforward, yet the answer shifts depending on whether you’re counting the original series, the 2011 reboot, or the animated and live-action hybrids. Even industry insiders occasionally miscount, conflating theatrical releases with direct-to-video projects or ignoring the franchise’s crossovers with other universes. The confusion isn’t just about numbers—it’s about how the films themselves blur the line between standalone stories and an ever-expanding mythos. What makes the franchise particularly tricky is its non-linear storytelling. The original six films (1968–1973) were designed as a closed loop, ending with Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972) and Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973) before looping back to Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971) in a time-travel narrative. The 2011 reboot, meanwhile, treated each film as a self-contained chapter while hinting at a larger conflict. Add in the animated series, comics, and upcoming projects, and the question "how many movies in Planet of the Apes?" becomes a moving target.

Common Myths About Planet of the Apes Film Counts

One persistent myth is that the franchise consists of only six films, a number often repeated by casual viewers who stop at the original trilogy. This ignores the three additional entries—Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971), Conquest (1972), and Battle (1973)—which were released in a deliberate sequence to create narrative cohesion. The reboot trilogy (2011–2017) is equally misunderstood; many assume it’s a standalone series, not realizing it was intended as a direct continuation of the original’s themes, even if the lore diverges significantly. Another misconception is that the animated series Planet of the Apes (2011–2013) counts as live-action films. While it shares the same universe, the animated adaptations are distinct media—though they do tie into the reboot’s timeline. Even more confusing is the inclusion of Planet of the Apes (2014), the CGI film that served as a bridge between the reboot and the animated series, often overlooked in casual discussions. The franchise’s expansion into comics and potential future films further muddies the waters, with rumors of a fourth reboot film circulating since 2020. Finally, some fans mistakenly believe the franchise is dead, assuming no new films will emerge after the mixed reception of War for the Planet of the Apes (2017). In reality, the rights have been in flux for years, with 20th Century Studios and Sony Pictures holding competing claims. This legal limbo has delayed any new projects, but the intellectual property remains one of Hollywood’s most valuable sci-fi franchises—worth an estimated $1 billion+ in merchandising and licensing alone.

Myth 1: The Original Series Has Only Three Films

The original Planet of the Apes (1968) was followed by Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970), Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971), Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972), and Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973). The first two films were released as a pair, while the latter three formed a prequel trilogy that recontextualized the original. This structure was revolutionary for its time, using time travel to create a cohesive narrative arc—something rarely attempted in 1970s cinema. The confusion arises because Escape was marketed as a sequel to Beneath, while Conquest and Battle were positioned as prequels to the first two. Studios at the time didn’t always clarify the chronological order, leading to audience frustration. Even today, some databases list the films out of sequence, reinforcing the myth of a simple three-film saga. The original series’ non-linear storytelling remains one of its defining traits, making it harder to pin down a "correct" count.

Myth 2: The Reboot Trilogy Is Standalone

Ridley Scott’s reboot—Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014), and War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)—was sold as a self-contained trilogy, but it was always intended to reconnect with the original series. Early scripts for Dawn included references to the original’s Simian virus, and War’s ending explicitly tied into the 1968 film’s events. The reboot’s director, Matt Reeves, has stated that the trilogy was meant to bridge the gap between the two eras, even if the execution left some fans wanting more. The misconception stems from marketing, which downplayed the reboot’s ties to the original. However, the 2014 CGI film Planet of the Apes (a direct-to-video release) and the animated series Planet of the Apes (2011–2013) both exist within the reboot’s timeline. This creates a hybrid universe where the live-action films, animated adaptations, and even the original series’ lore intersect. The reboot’s intentional ambiguity—whether to honor the original or carve its own path—has left many wondering how many films truly belong in the same continuity.

Myth 3: The Franchise Ended with *War for the Planet of the Apes

While War (2017) concluded the reboot trilogy, the franchise’s future remained uncertain due to legal battles between Sony Pictures and 20th Century Studios. The rights to the original Planet of the Apes were split, with Sony holding the live-action films and 20th Century owning the animated series and comics. This division stalled any new projects for years, despite strong box office performance—War grossed over $470 million worldwide on a $100 million budget. Industry speculation has suggested a fourth reboot film, potentially exploring the original series’ time-travel elements or introducing new characters like Caesar’s descendants. However, no official announcement has materialized, leaving fans in limbo. The franchise’s cultural staying power—it remains one of the most recognizable sci-fi properties—ensures that any new film would be a major event, but the legal hurdles have kept it in development hell for over a decade.

What Holds Up to Scrutiny

At its core, the live-action Planet of the Apes franchise consists of nine films if you include the original six and the reboot trilogy. However, this count varies when factoring in: - The 2014 CGI film (Planet of the Apes), which serves as a bridge between live-action and animated media. - The animated series (Planet of the Apes, 2011–2013), which exists in the reboot’s timeline. - Potential future films, which could expand the reboot’s universe or revisit the original’s lore. The most accurate breakdown, for live-action theatrical releases only, is: 1. Planet of the Apes (1968) 2. Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970) 3. Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971) 4. Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972) 5. Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973) 6. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) 7. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014) 8. War for the Planet of the Apes (2017) The 2014 CGI film and animated series are often excluded from "official" counts, but they remain part of the franchise’s expanded universe.

"The Planet of the Apes franchise is a living organism—it evolves with each new story, but its DNA remains the same. The question isn’t just how many films exist, but how they all connect." — Matt Reeves, director of the reboot trilogy

Common Belief	What the Evidence Says
The original series has three films.	Six films exist, with Escape, Conquest, and Battle forming a prequel trilogy.
The reboot is standalone.	It was intended to bridge with the original series, with War’s ending directly referencing 1968.
The franchise is dead.	Legal disputes have stalled new films, but the IP remains active in comics and potential future projects.

Why the Confusion Persists

The franchise’s non-linear storytelling is its greatest strength—and its biggest weakness. The original series’ time-travel structure was groundbreaking but required careful viewing to understand. Modern audiences, accustomed to linear narratives, often miss the connections between films. Additionally, the reboot’s ambiguous marketing—positioning it as both a continuation and a fresh start—further obscured the franchise’s true scope. Legal battles have also played a role. The split rights between Sony and 20th Century Studios created a fragmented ecosystem where new films could only move forward if both parties agreed. This has led to years of speculation, with no clear path forward. Meanwhile, the franchise’s cultural relevance ensures that any new project would be scrutinized—fans demand answers to "how many movies in Planet of the Apes?" while also questioning whether the next film will honor the legacy or abandon it entirely.

Conclusion

The Planet of the Apes franchise is more than a collection of films—it’s a cultural phenomenon that has reinvented itself across generations. The answer to "how many movies in Planet of the Apes?" depends on what you’re counting: live-action theatrical releases, animated adaptations, or the entire expanded universe. What remains undeniable is the franchise’s enduring appeal, which has spanned over five decades without losing its edge. For now, the live-action count stands at nine (including the 2014 CGI film), with the reboot trilogy serving as a modern reinterpretation of the original’s themes. The legal hurdles and creative delays may slow progress, but the franchise’s mythic status ensures that new stories will emerge—whether through film, television, or other media. Until then, the question of "how many movies in Planet of the Apes?" remains open-ended, much like the franchise itself.

Comprehensive FAQs

#### Q: Are the original Planet of the Apes films connected to the reboot? A: No, but they share thematic DNA. The reboot was intended to recontextualize the original’s ideas—particularly the rise of intelligent apes and human extinction—rather than serve as a direct sequel. War for the Planet of the Apes (2017) ends with a direct reference to the 1968 film, suggesting a loose connection, but the two series exist in separate timelines. #### Q: Why was Planet of the Apes (2014) made? A: The 2014 CGI film was a direct-to-video release created to bridge the gap between the reboot trilogy and the animated series. It served as a visual guide to the reboot’s universe, introducing new characters and settings that appeared in Planet of the Apes (2011–2013). It’s often overlooked but remains part of the franchise’s expanded lore. #### Q: Will there be more Planet of the Apes movies? A: Speculation persists, but no confirmed plans exist. Legal disputes between Sony and 20th Century Studios have delayed development, though industry sources suggest a fourth reboot film could explore the original series’ time-travel elements. Until an official announcement, the franchise’s future remains uncertain. #### Q: How does the animated series fit into the reboot? A: The 2011–2013 animated series is set after *War for the Planet of the Apes (2017) and serves as a sequel to the live-action films. It introduces new characters like Koba’s descendants and expands on the reboot’s world-building. The 2014 CGI film acts as a visual companion, showing locations and characters that appear in the animated series. #### Q: Are there any Planet of the Apes comics or books? A: Yes, multiple adaptations exist. Dark Horse Comics has published ongoing series set in the reboot’s timeline, including Planet of the Apes: Redemption and Planet of the Apes: Legacy. Additionally, novelizations of the original films and original stories (like Planet of the Apes: The Fall) have been released, expanding the franchise’s universe beyond cinema. #### Q: Why did the reboot trilogy end with War? A: The 2017 film’s ending—showing Caesar’s death and the rise of a new ape civilization—was intended as a conclusive statement on the reboot’s themes. However, the legal battles over the franchise’s rights made it impossible to immediately continue. Creative differences may have also played a role, as Matt Reeves has expressed interest in exploring new stories but has not confirmed a direct sequel.