Another magical hit has found its way to Disney Plus, and it might not be what you expected. No, it’s not a Star Wars epic or a Marvel blockbuster but a tale dripping in both nostalgia and fur: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. This latest installment has quickly climbed to the top of the charts across various regions, as reported by Flixpatrol. Arriving on Disney Plus less than three months after its May cinematic debut, it’s already making waves.
Some might interpret this swift transition to streaming as a lack of box office success, but the numbers tell a different story. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is the eighth highest-grossing film of 2024, raking in a robust $397 million globally, according to Box Office Mojo. While it hasn’t reached the heights of Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, which grossed $710 million a decade ago, this film marks a commendable resurgence of the franchise, aiming to launch another trilogy.
Critically, the film has been well-received, earning an impressive 80% on Rotten Tomatoes. Under the direction of Wes Ball, known for the Maze Runner sequels, the movie was a surprisingly solid hit. Fans of the franchise can find comfort in its closer alignment with the original 1968 movie, diverging a bit from the modern trilogy that spanned from 2011 to 2017.
While there’s no official word on the sequel yet, anticipation is running high. For now, fans can dive into Disney Plus’s extensive library, which features every era of the Planet of the Apes saga—from the original 1968 release to this latest adventure. The list includes the original Planet of the Apes (1968), followed by Beneath, Escape, Conquest, Battle, the 2001 Burton version, and the revered trilogy starting with Rise of the Planet of the Apes in 2011.
Are you excited about Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes? Which era of Ape movies is your favorite? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation! Don’t forget to share this story with your fellow Disney Plus enthusiasts.
Source: Andrew Williams
