On This Day

Planet of the Apes released

April 3rd 1968

11:36 3 April 2024

'Planet of the Apes' opened in theaters across North America on this day in 1968. Franklin J. Schaffner's classic science fiction film, based on the 1963 novel 'La Planète des singes' by Pierre Boulle, stars Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter and Maurice Evans.

The movie was well received by critics and was a big hit with audiences, grossing more than $33 million at the North American box office on a budget of $5.8 million. Its success launched a franchise which includes four sequels, a short-lived television series, an animated series, comic books and various merchandising. A Tim Burton remake arrived in 2001, followed by a reboot trilogy that began with 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' (2011). A new film: 'Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes' is scheduled for release in 2024.