The Planet of the Apes franchise, spanning decades and multiple continuities, presents a complex, evolving timeline. Understanding the actual in-universe time elapsed between films requires careful consideration of each series’ specific narrative.
The Original Series (1968-1973)
This iconic series established the core mythology and explored themes of humanity, evolution, and societal collapse. Let’s break down the temporal gaps:
- Planet of the Apes (1968): This film sets the stage. Astronaut George Taylor crash lands on a future Earth dominated by intelligent apes. The exact year he arrives is crucial: 3978 AD.
- Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970): Following Taylor’s disappearance, a search and rescue mission arrives. This film takes place approximately six months to a year after the events of the first film. Brent, the new astronaut, discovers the truth about Taylor’s fate and the mutant society.
- Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971): Cornelius and Zira, along with Dr. Milo, escape the dying Earth and travel back in time to 1973 AD. The film explores their experiences in 20th-century America.
- Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972): This film jumps forward approximately 20 years from Escape, placing it in 1993 AD. It depicts the rise of Caesar, Cornelius and Zira’s son, and the beginning of the ape rebellion.
- Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973): Battle takes place roughly 10 years after Conquest, setting it around 2003 AD. It showcases the aftermath of the ape rebellion and the formation of a new ape society. The movie’s epilogue introduces a time loop and complicates the continuity.
In short, the original series covers a span of over 2,000 years from the late 20th century to nearly 4000 AD, with the majority of the action concentrated within a relatively short period.
The Reboot Series (2001)
Tim Burton’s 2001 reboot, Planet of the Apes, presents an alternate continuity.
- Planet of the Apes (2001): Captain Leo Davidson accidentally travels through a wormhole and lands on the ape-dominated planet Ashlar in 5028 AD. This film stands alone in its timeline and does not connect to any other entries in the franchise beyond thematic similarities. There is no subsequent film to analyze for time gaps.
The Rise of the Planet of the Apes Trilogy (2011-2017)
This modern trilogy offers a grounded and realistic origin story for the ape uprising. The timeline is far more straightforward than the original series.
- Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011): The film begins in the early 2010s, likely 2011 AD based on release date and context. It depicts the development of ALZ-113, the virus that enhances ape intelligence and endows them with human-like capabilities.
- Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014): Dawn takes place 10 years after the events of Rise, establishing it in 2021 AD. The film shows the emergence of the ape civilization and their conflict with the surviving humans after the Simian Flu pandemic.
- War for the Planet of the Apes (2017): War is set approximately two years after Dawn, placing it around 2023 AD. The film focuses on the escalating war between apes and humans and Caesar’s journey to lead his people to a new home.
This trilogy spans roughly 12 years, chronicling the rapid evolution of apes and the decline of humanity. The recent installment, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, is set many generations after the events of War for the Planet of the Apes. This represents a significant time jump from Caesar’s era.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)
Kingdom occurs nearly 300 years after the events of War for the Planet of the Apes. This puts the film around 2323 AD. The film depicts ape society significantly changed since Caesar’s time with different ape clans developing unique cultures and traditions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions about the timelines and time jumps in the Planet of the Apes franchise:
H3 FAQ 1: What is the single longest time jump in the entire franchise?
The longest time jump is between War for the Planet of the Apes and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, spanning roughly 300 years. This significantly advances the ape civilization beyond anything seen in the previous installments.
H3 FAQ 2: Is the 2001 Planet of the Apes film connected to any of the other timelines?
No, the 2001 film, directed by Tim Burton, operates in its own separate continuity. It’s a reimagining of the original story, not a direct sequel or prequel to any other entry.
H3 FAQ 3: Why are there so many different timelines in the Planet of the Apes franchise?
The franchise’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to adapt and explore different aspects of the ape-human conflict. Reboots and sequels offer fresh perspectives on the same core themes, leading to multiple diverging timelines. Also, the original series introduces time travel which can change the timeline as well.
H3 FAQ 4: Which Planet of the Apes timeline is considered the “definitive” one?
There is no single “definitive” timeline. The original series is arguably the most iconic, but the Rise trilogy provided a compelling and realistic origin story that resonated with modern audiences. Each timeline has its own merits and contributes to the overall mythology.
H3 FAQ 5: How does the time travel in Escape from the Planet of the Apes affect the timeline?
The time travel in Escape creates a predestination paradox. Cornelius and Zira’s arrival in 1973 AD leads to the birth of Caesar and the eventual ape uprising, fulfilling the future they were trying to escape. It ensures the inevitability of the ape-dominated future.
H3 FAQ 6: What is the significance of the year 3978 in the Planet of the Apes lore?
3978 AD is the year that George Taylor arrives on the planet in the original Planet of the Apes. It represents the culmination of the ape’s evolutionary ascent and the downfall of human civilization. It’s the key anchor point for the original film’s timeline.
H3 FAQ 7: Does the Planet of the Apes television series fit into any of the movie timelines?
The Planet of the Apes television series, which aired in 1974, features two astronauts traveling to the future. It has elements that align with the original movie timeline, but the characters and some events differ. It’s often considered a separate, loosely connected interpretation of the original movie’s premise.
H3 FAQ 8: Is Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes a direct sequel to the Rise trilogy?
Yes, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is a direct sequel to the Rise trilogy. It continues the story after a substantial time jump following the events of War for the Planet of the Apes.
H3 FAQ 9: Did Caesar know his parents, Cornelius and Zira, from Escape?
Within the timeline established by Escape and Conquest, Caesar was raised in secret and did not have conscious memories of his parents. However, his inherent intelligence and instinctual understanding of ape society are directly attributed to his lineage.
H3 FAQ 10: How does the Simian Flu pandemic contribute to the timelines in the more recent films?
The Simian Flu, a direct result of the ALZ-113 research in Rise, is a crucial plot point in the Rise trilogy. It decimates the human population while simultaneously enhancing the intelligence of the apes, paving the way for their dominance.
H3 FAQ 11: What is the likely reason the rebooted films haven’t reached the advanced ape civilization of 3978 AD as depicted in the original?
The rebooted films take a more realistic and grounded approach to the ape uprising. The timelines may diverge significantly, and the circumstances leading to ape dominance might be different. Also, the rebooted series might be attempting to avoid directly retreading the same narrative ground as the original. Each timeline presents a unique interpretation of the core concept.
H3 FAQ 12: How long would someone have to watch all the Planet of the Apes films back-to-back?
Excluding the TV series, a complete Planet of the Apes movie marathon, comprising all nine films, would take approximately 16-17 hours. Make sure to factor in bathroom and snack breaks!