The four-film Caesar-era Planet of the Apes sequence is Rise, Dawn, War, and Kingdom. It begins with Caesar’s emergence and follows the consequences of a pandemic and human–ape conflict before moving generations beyond his reign. The original headline’s “one of the best” is a critical judgment, not an objective ranking; its case rests on the gradual transformation of the setting, visual storytelling, and Andy Serkis’s performance as Caesar.
Which four films does the headline mean?
It refers to the Caesar-era reboot sequence, not the entire Planet of the Apes franchise. Watch the films in release order:
- Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) — directed by Rupert Wyatt.
- Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014) — directed by Matt Reeves.
- War for the Planet of the Apes (2017) — directed by Matt Reeves.
- Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024) — directed by Wes Ball.
The movies share a continuing world and history, but their directors and settings change as the story advances.
How does the story develop?
Rise of the Planet of the Apes: Caesar’s beginning
Released August 5, 2011, this PG-13 science-fiction film introduces Caesar. An experimental drug changes his intelligence and emotions, setting the reboot’s central story in motion. Rupert Wyatt directed the film. 20th Century Studios’ film page
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![Planet of the Apes 4-movie Collection 2011-2024 (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes + War for the Planet of the Apes + Dawn of the Planet of the Apes + Rise of the Planet of the Apes) [Blu-ray] [Region Free]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51NLDJBGlrL._SL160_.jpg)
- Planet of the Apes 4-movie Collection 2011-2024 (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes + War for the Planet of the Apes + Dawn of the Planet of the Apes + Rise of the Planet of the Apes) [Blu-ray] [Region Free]
- Includes 4 Films (2011-2024) – Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, War for the Planet of the Apes, and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
- Region-Free Blu-ray – Playable worldwide, no restrictions
- Stunning HD Quality – Experience breathtaking cinematography and intense action sequences in high definition
- Immersive Audio – Enhanced sound for a cinematic experience
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes: a world after the pandemic
Released July 11, 2014, Matt Reeves’s PG-13 film takes place after a Simian flu pandemic. The story broadens from Caesar’s emergence to the growing conflict between humans and apes. 20th Century Studios’ film page
War for the Planet of the Apes: escalating conflict
Released July 14, 2017, the third film in the sequence was also directed by Reeves. It continues the human–ape conflict that developed in Dawn. The studio’s page lists the film as available on Blu-ray, DVD, and digital. 20th Century Studios’ film page
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes: generations later
Wes Ball’s PG-13 film, released May 10, 2024, moves the story generations beyond Caesar’s reign. It runs 2 hours 25 minutes. The studio lists it on digital, 4K Ultra HD, and Blu-ray. 20th Century Studios’ film page
Why might it stand out?
The sequence’s appeal comes from watching the world change across connected films rather than from a single, isolated premise. The critical case highlighted in the headline points to that gradual evolution, large-scale visual storytelling, and Serkis’s performance as Caesar. Those are reasons for a favorable judgment, not proof that the films rank above other streaming titles by an objective measure.
Rank #3
- 5 Film Collection
- Includes: Planet Of The Apes, Beneath The Planet Of The Apes,
- Escape From The Planet Of The Apes, Conquest Of The Planet Of The Apes,
- And Battle For The Planet Of The Apes
- NEW box set released 2015
Wyatt described Caesar as “a revolutionary figure who will be talked about by his fellow apes for centuries,” a remark that captures the character’s importance to the long arc of the story.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is it currently streaming on HBO Max?
Current availability has not been confirmed, and streaming catalogs can differ by territory and date. An AOL article published March 31, 2026 said the reboot films were available on HBO Max at that time; that dated report does not establish that they are available there now. Check the service’s catalog in your region before subscribing or planning a watch.
Rank #4
- Generations in the future following Caesar?s reign, apes are living harmoniously as the dominant species ? and humans are living in the shadows. As a new tyrannical ape leader builds his empire, one young ape undertakes a harrowing journey that will cause him to question the past and make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike.
For physical media, 20th Century Studios lists Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes on Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD. That listing does not establish that a complete four-film set is available.
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