The Planet of the Apes franchise has delivered some of the most iconic and thought-provoking endings in sci-fi cinema, becoming known for its deep dives into dystopian themes and humanity’s complex relationship with apes. Spanning from the original film’s shocking finale in 1968 to the recent films’ nuanced reflections on loyalty, identity, and survival, each ending offers a unique perspective on the saga’s central conflicts. With Kingdom of the Planet of the Ape’s bizarre ending, the conversation of Planet of the Apes endings has been brought to the forefront.
Some Planet of the Apes endings challenge audiences with gut-punch revelations. Others leave audiences contemplating the cyclical nature of power and resistance. Some leave viewers questioning the Planet of the Ape’s timeline, and some leave audiences completely baffled at how mediocre they are. The franchise’s complex, layered storytelling means that not all endings pack the same punch, and a few have left audiences divided over their significance and impact. Whether these endings leave people speechless, questioning, or satisfied, they have all played a part in cementing the franchise as a timeless exploration of humanity’s worst tendencies and greatest aspirations.
10 War for the Planet of the Apes
The Baffling Ending Of This Film Lacked Common Sense
- Release Date
- July 14, 2017
- Budget
- 150–152 million
War for the Planet of the Apes attempted to wrap up Caesar’s journey in an epic, near-perfect final act, and, for the most part, War for the Planet of the Apes succeeded as a film. Yet its ending was rather unsatisfying. After an intense journey marked by battles and losses, Caesar leads his apes to a new sanctuary only to succumb to a crossbow wound—an overly anticlimactic conclusion to such a heroic character.
Caesar’s final moments are somber but lack the triumphant resolution expected from this trilogy’s grand finale. Although the action scenes are phenomenal and the film’s adventurous scope makes it truly feel like one of the best Planet of the Apes films, the story’s conclusion undermines its success by resorting to “movie logic.” For instance, while Caesar is gravely injured, none of his allies seem to notice the bolt wound—a puzzling detail given that apes treated a similar wound in Dawn.
This ending of
War of the Planet of the Apes
detracts from the impact of Caesar’s fate, making his death feel like a whimper when he should have died as a war hero.
This ending of War of the Planet of the Apes detracts from the impact of Caesar’s fate, making his death feel like a whimper when he should have died as a war hero. While the movie excels in cinematography, action, and character work, its ending falls flat. The ending of War of the Planet of the Apes completely lacks the narrative closure and heroic catharsis that would have made Caesar’s final act feel fully realized and satisfying.
9 Planet of the Apes (2001)
A Misguided Reimagining Of The Original Movie’s Ending
- Release Date
- July 27, 2001
Tim Burton’s Planet of the Apes ending was ambitious, but so much so that it ultimately left audiences scratching their heads. After journeying to escape the oppressive ape society, astronaut Leo Davidson returns to Earth, only to discover a world that now mirrors the one he left behind, but with apes in charge. He’s greeted by an imposing statue of General Thade and a law-enforcing police force of apes, leaving him and the audience in stunned confusion. While Burton’s twist was certainly bold, it didn’t connect well with viewers or critics.
This ending attempted to replicate the shock factor of the original 1968 film but lacked its thematic depth and impactful execution. Without adequate build-up or clear logic, this twist felt more like a last-minute shock than a meaningful conclusion, leaving many unsatisfied. Rather than exploring the consequences of power and resistance like its predecessors, the film’s final moments felt like an unearned curveball, making it one of the franchise’s most controversial finales. Despite Burton’s attempt to surprise, Planet of the Apes (2001) failed to deliver an ending that resonated with the philosophical underpinnings of the franchise.
8 Battle for the Planet of the Apes
A Rushed And Simplistic Ending
- Director
- J. Lee Thompson
- Release Date
- June 15, 1973
Battle for the Planet of the Apes, the final entry in the original series, attempts to conclude the saga with an optimistic message about unity. Following a violent clash between humans and apes, Caesar brokers a tentative peace, hoping to prevent the future of destruction glimpsed in previous films. However, the ending, which shows a future statue of Caesar shedding a tear, is too sentimental and simplistic compared to the bleak, existential tones of earlier films. This emotional choice doesn’t quite align with the harsh realism that made previous entries compelling.
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While the intention of a hopeful future was clear, the execution felt uneven, as if the series was trying to sugarcoat its otherwise dark themes. Caesar’s vision for unity comes across as noble, but the tearful statue suggests a future still haunted by violence, creating a mixed message about peace and survival. As the final note of the original series, this rushed ending doesn’t quite achieve the impact needed to wrap up such a dystopian narrative. While Battle for the Planet of the Apes offers closure, it lacks the thought-provoking weight that defines the best in the series.
7 Rise of the Planet of the Apes
A Great Beginning Yet A Mediocre Ending
- Director
- Rupert Wyatt
- Runtime
- 105 Minutes
- Budget
- 93million
Rise of the Planet of the Apes sets the stage for the franchise’s modern trilogy with a stirring, action-packed ending that successfully ignites the ape uprising, even if some say Rise of the Planet of the Apes does not hold up. After escaping captivity, Caesar leads his fellow apes to freedom in the Redwood Forest, symbolizing both the birth of a new society and the dawn of conflict with humanity. The last scenes hint at the spread of a deadly virus, foreshadowing the downfall of human civilization and the rise of ape dominance. This foreboding ending captures both hope and dread, setting up a thrilling start to Caesar’s journey.
The narrative emphasis on Caesar’s liberation and the impending downfall of humanity is effectively conveyed, but it’s still more of a beginning than a definitive ending.
However, Rise doesn’t provide a completely satisfying resolution, instead functioning more as a prologue of what is to come. The ending leaves viewers on edge, eager for what’s to come, but lacks the full-circle emotional closure seen in later films. The narrative emphasis on Caesar’s liberation and the impending downfall of humanity is effectively conveyed, but it’s still more of a beginning than a definitive ending. While it successfully establishes the stakes and depth of the modern trilogy, Rise of the Planet of the Apes lacks the lasting thematic weight of the franchise’s strongest conclusions.
6 Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
An Intriguing Yet Rushed Ending
Set several years after the events of War for the Planet of the Apes, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is the next installment in the Apes saga. Ape clans have taken up residence in the oasis that Caesar sought to colonize, but humans have reverted to their animalistic nature in their absence. Now battling between enslavement and freedom, outliers in the Ape clans will take sides in a newly burgeoning society.
- Director
- Wes Ball
- Release Date
- May 10, 2024
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, the series’ latest entry, attempted to deepen the modern trilogy’s exploration of peace between humans and apes, blending post-apocalyptic survival with nuanced character development. The film concludes with a fragile but hopeful alliance, as humans and apes finally reach an understanding, leaving room for both suspense and optimism about what’s next. This cautious peace contrasts with earlier endings, which often suggested a grim inevitability to the ape-human conflict. The visual storytelling in Kingdom is striking, showcasing beautifully desolate landscapes that emphasize the theme of rebirth.
Though the film’s themes resonate, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes‘ ending feels slightly insignificant and unmemorable compared to other iconic finales in the franchise. It offers a satisfying step forward but stops short of delivering the gut-punch conclusions that defined earlier entries. As a result, Kingdom stands as a solid addition to the franchise, one that balances the bleakness of prior films with a cautiously optimistic outlook. It may not be the most memorable finale, but its depth and maturity mark a fitting continuation for the series, solidifying its place as a strong entry while hinting at even greater possibilities.
5 Escape from the Planet of the Apes
A Shocking Yet Subdued Finale
Set after the events of Beneath the Planet of the Apes, three apes, Cornelius, Zira, and Dr. Milo, are brought from the future to 1970s America. Initially treated as celebrities, the trio soon faces fear and prejudice from humans who see them as a threat to mankind’s supremacy, forcing them to fight for their right to exist.
- Director
- Don Taylor
- Budget
- $2.5 Million
- Release Date
- May 26, 1971
Escape from the Planet of the Apes provides one of the most surprising and poignant endings in the original series. After Cornelius and Zira, the beloved ape couple, travel back in time to modern-day Earth, humans initially embrace them but they soon face opposition when authorities realize their offspring could lead to the rise of intelligent apes. The ending is heart-wrenching as both apes meet tragic fates, sacrificing themselves to protect their son, Milo, who holds the potential to carry their legacy forward.
Escape from the Planet of the Apes is an emotionally powerful film because it humanizes Cornelius and Zira, highlighting the tragedy of their circumstances and the cruelty of human paranoia, and this is displayed more than ever in the ending. By portraying the apes as victims rather than aggressors, Escape turns the franchise’s usual dynamics on their head, evoking sympathy and a deep sense of loss. The somber, reflective ending shows that even with time travel and new settings, the apes’ plight remains an unbreakable cycle, making it one of the most moving conclusions in the series.
4 Conquest of the Planet of the Apes
An Ending Only Limited By Its Age
- Director
- J. Lee Thompson
- Release Date
- June 30, 1972
- Runtime
- 88 Minutes
The controversial ending of Conquest of the Planet of the Apes marks a darker turn in the original series, ending on a note that is both chilling and empowering. After enduring years of human oppression, Caesar, the son of Cornelius and Zira, leads a rebellion against humanity, sparking the war that will eventually culminate in the world seen in the original film. The ending scene is a fiery declaration of freedom, with Caesar calling for justice and revenge, igniting a powerful uprising.
This film has two endings to choose from: the original soft ending where Caesar has a change of heart and the uncut, dark ending where Caesar goes on a full rampage.
This ending stands out for its sheer intensity, illustrating how oppression and brutality can create monsters from even the noblest of beings. Caesar’s transformation from a peaceful leader to a ruthless revolutionary reflects the franchise’s themes of cyclical violence and the darker side of human nature. As Caesar claims his place as the leader of a new order, the film concludes on a powerful note, one that foreshadows the inevitable downfall of humanity. Conquest doesn’t offer a hopeful resolution but rather a sobering reflection on how quickly societies can crumble.
3 Beneath the Planet of the Apes
A Bad Movie With A Hardcore Ending
Astronaut Brent’s quest to locate his missing comrade Taylor leads him to a dystopian future Earth where intelligent apes reign supreme. While searching for Taylor, Brent stumbles upon a hidden society of telepathic mutants living beneath the planet’s surface. These mutants, who idolize a doomsday nuclear weapon, pose a significant threat to the apes.
- Director
- Ted Post
- Release Date
- May 26, 1970
Beneath the Planet of the Apes delivers the bleakest ending in the Planet of the Apes franchise. After discovering an underground society of mutated humans worshiping a nuclear bomb, the film takes a nihilistic turn as Brent and Nova’s quest to rescue Taylor ends in catastrophe. Taylor, mortally wounded, triggers the bomb in a desperate act, effectively ending all life on Earth. This apocalyptic finale is one of the boldest conclusions in sci-fi cinema, erasing any hope for reconciliation or redemption. With the bomb detonated, the cycle of violence and destruction comes to a chillingly abrupt end.
In a film that is otherwise quite generic,
Beneath the Planet of the Apes’s
ending is bold and unflinchingly grim, setting
Beneath
apart as a daring and unforgettable chapter in the
Planet of the Apes
saga.
The impact of this ending lies in its pessimism, driving home the franchise’s recurring themes of fear and self-destruction. There is no happy ending, only the grim inevitability of humanity’s self-inflicted annihilation. While controversial, this conclusion resonates with the series’ darker undertones, challenging viewers to confront the potential consequences of unchecked power and prejudice. In a film that is otherwise quite generic, Beneath the Planet of the Apes’s ending is bold and unflinchingly grim, setting Beneath apart as a daring and unforgettable chapter in the Planet of the Apes saga.
2 Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
An Emotionally-Charged Finale
A decade after a deadly virus decimates humanity, a burgeoning society of intelligent apes, led by Caesar, finds its peaceful existence threatened by a group of human survivors who stumble upon their sanctuary. As both sides grapple with fear and mistrust, Caesar works to broker peace despite growing hostilities. The tension escalates, leading to a dramatic clash that will determine the future of both species.
- Release Date
- July 11, 2014
- Runtime
- 130 Minutes
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes builds on the tensions introduced in Rise and ends on the most emotional note of any film in the franchise. Following the betrayal by Koba, Caesar’s former ally, the apes are left divided and vulnerable as humanity’s remaining forces prepare for war. Caesar, weary but resolute, recognizes the tragic cycle they’re entering. In his final moments on screen, he resigns himself to the harsh reality that peace may never be possible. This emotionally charged ending is both a rallying cry and a warning, establishing the tragic inevitability of conflict between apes and humans.
This ending is one of the franchise’s most impactful, blending action and emotional gravitas with Caesar’s quiet realization that leadership often comes at a painful cost. His acceptance of the impending war speaks volumes about the series’ recurring themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the search for a better future, even when it seems impossible. Dawn succeeds in crafting an ending that is as thought-provoking as it is sombre, firmly grounding Caesar as a tragic hero who can’t escape the violent world around him.
1 Planet of the Apes (1968)
One Of Cinema’s Best Twists
Planet of the Apes (1968)
George Taylor, an astronaut, finds himself on a strange planet ruled by apes after his spaceship crashes. In this topsy-turvy world, apes are the intelligent rulers while humans are mute and oppressed. Captured and held in captivity, Taylor’s struggle for survival leads him to an alliance with Zira and Cornelius, two chimpanzee scientists who recognize his intelligence. As Taylor uncovers the dark secrets of this civilization, he faces shocking revelations that challenge everything he knows about his own species and their future.
- Director
- Franklin J. Schaffner
- Release Date
- April 3, 1968
- Runtime
- 112 Minutes
The original Planet of the Apes (1968) remains relevant due to its unforgettable twist ending, one that has become legendary in the world of science fiction. After surviving the brutal trials on a seemingly alien planet, astronaut George Taylor stumbles upon the Statue of Liberty buried in the sand, realizing that he’s been on a post-apocalyptic Earth all along. This shocking revelation transforms everything viewers have seen, highlighting the destructive consequences of humanity’s arrogance and hubris in a way few films since could accomplish.
The sight of the statue is haunting, underscoring the theme of mankind’s self-destruction and the cyclical nature of history. This ending is as powerful today as it always has been, delivering a twist that delivers a poignant message about the dangers of unchecked ambition and war. Its impact is so profound that it’s often cited as one of the greatest movie endings of all time, and it remains the defining moment of the franchise. No other Planet of the Apes film has come close to matching the original’s emotional impact, making it the undeniable high point of the series.
