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Action thriller

War for the Planet of the Apes (2017): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

War for the Planet of the Apes (2017) movie poster

War for the Planet of the Apes is a 2017 action thriller directed by Matt Reeves, starring Woody Harrelson, Andy Serkis and Steve Zahn. It brings to the screen characters from Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle and Xan Fielding. It runs 2 hours 20 minutes and earned $490.7 million worldwide on a $150 million budget. It won 1 award from 6 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination. Critics gave it 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.8/10.

IMDb rating
7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
94%
worldwide gross
$490.7M
award won
1
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Watch the trailer Plot & ending explained
War for the Planet of the Apes (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 20m (140 min)
Director
Matt Reeves
Genres
Action , Adventure , Sci-Fi , Drama
Original language
English
Studio
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
Budget
$150M
Based on
Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle and Xan Fielding
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is War for the Planet of the Apes About?

The premise of War for the Planet of the Apes without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Caesar leads his ape colony through a desperate fight for survival against a militaristic human faction led by the relentless Colonel. Suffering heavy losses and facing impossible choices, Caesar struggles to maintain peace among his people while battling his own desire for vengeance. The conflict escalates into an all-out war, pushing both species to their limits in a final, decisive confrontation that will determine the future of their world.

War for the Planet of the Apes Themes & Keywords

· 2 tags
  • dvd extra
  • psychotronic filmmaking
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Cast & crew

War for the Planet of the Apes Cast

Woody Harrelson leads the cast, with Andy Serkis and Steve Zahn. Directed by Matt Reeves; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in War for the Planet of the Apes

· 6 more
From the director

More from Matt Reeves

More films directed by Matt Reeves, best-rated first: The Batman, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Let Me In and Cloverfield.

Full filmography
Ratings

War for the Planet of the Apes Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave War for the Planet of the Apes 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 82/100, strongest in sensory experience (90) and weakest in story & flow (70).

82 /100

War for the Planet of the Apes Echo Score Breakdown

War for the Planet of the Apes delivers a powerful combination of visual grandeur and emotional intensity, tempered by occasional pacing lapses and narratively anticlimactic moments. Critics praised the film’s compelling performances, immersive design, and the seamless integration of complex themes, while some viewers noted gradual pacing and underused narrative threads. The film’s sensory achievements and character work anchor its strengths, even as its structural momentum wavers at times.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of art and craft, the film’s cinematography and production design consistently receive acclaim for their immersive scope and meticulous detail. Reviewers highlighted the seamless blend of live-action and digital environments, along with thoughtful editing that sustains narrative focus. While a few viewers cited occasional technical inconsistencies, the overall visual composition underscores the film’s depth and stylistic cohesion.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to character and emotion, the performances are widely praised for their nuanced expressiveness and depth. Observers noted Andy Serkis’s portrayal of Caesar as particularly resonant, and supporting roles effectively amplify the central moral conflicts. Although some viewers mentioned occasional overemphasis in certain character arcs, the emotional core remains compelling and firmly grounds the narrative.

  • Story & Flow 70

    In terms of story and flow, the film earns commendation for its thematic complexity and narrative depth, presenting moral dilemmas within its epic framework. Critics highlighted the coherent exploration of sacrifice and leadership, even as a few battle sequences felt extraneous. User perspectives noted occasional pacing lulls and anticlimactic developments, but the central plot maintains engagement through its introspective focus.

  • Sensory Experience 90

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film’s score and sound design consistently receive high marks for their emotive power and atmospheric depth. Michael Giacchino’s compositions were described as majestic, while the dynamic sound mix amplifies both quiet tension and grand set pieces. The visual style further reinforces the auditory impact, creating a cohesive and immersive viewing environment.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    When it comes to rewatch factor, the film’s layered themes and complex character interactions enhance its lasting appeal. Several critics noted that the film reveals new subtleties upon repeated viewings, though some viewers mentioned its solemn tone and measured pacing may limit casual revisits. Overall, its rich emotional and visual textures support strong replay value for those seeking depth over spectacle.

Plot

War for the Planet of the Apes Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in War for the Planet of the Apes from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Five years after the intense Battle of San Francisco, a battalion of the U.S. Army known as Alpha-Omega is on a relentless quest to locate Caesar’s ape colony, aided by apes referred to as “donkeys.” During their pursuit, a platoon attempts to assault an ape outpost, but the skilled apes don’t back down, resulting in the death of all but four humans and a donkey gorilla named Red. In a surprising act of goodwill, Caesar chooses to release the remaining humans, but Red manages to escape after launching an attack on Winter.

Full summary

The whole story of War for the Planet of the Apes, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

War for the Planet of the Apes Box Office & Budget

War for the Planet of the Apes grossed $490.7 million worldwide on a $150 million budget, 3.3 times what it cost. $146.9 million came from the US and Canada and $343.8 million (70%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$490.7M

3.3× its budget

US & Canada
$146.9M
International
$343.8M
Budget
$150M
US & Canada 30% Rest of the world 70%
Awards

War for the Planet of the Apes Awards & Nominations

War for the Planet of the Apes won 1 award from 6 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination. Its biggest night was the Critics' Choice 2018, with 1 win from 2 nominations.

1 win6 nominations5 ceremonies

Show all 5 ceremonies
Videos

War for the Planet of the Apes Trailers & Videos

18 videos: 6 trailers, 1 teaser, 6 clips and 5 featurettes.

All 18 videos
War for the Planet of the Apes | Official HD Trailer #1 | 2017
  • Trailer War for the Planet of the Apes | Official Trailer [HD] | 20th Century FOX
  • Trailer War for the Planet of the Apes | Official HD Trailer #2 | CinemaCon | 2017
  • Trailer War for the Planet of the Apes | Final Trailer | 20th Century FOX
  • Trailer War for the Planet of the Apes | Official HD Trailer #3 | 2017
Quiz

How Well Do You Know War for the Planet of the Apes?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What group is searching for Caesar's ape colony?
Cars

Cars in War for the Planet of the Apes

8 cars on screen, including the General Dynamics M1A1 'Abrams' and the AM General HMMWV M1043.

All 8 cars
  • General Dynamics M1A1 'Abrams' in War for the Planet of the Apes General Dynamics M1A1 'Abrams' Minor role
  • AM General HMMWV M1043 in War for the Planet of the Apes AM General HMMWV M1043 Background role
  • AM General HMMWV M1044 in War for the Planet of the Apes AM General HMMWV M1044 Background role
  • 1983 AM General M-923 in War for the Planet of the Apes 1983 AM General M-923 Background role
Details

War for the Planet of the Apes Also Known As

45 alternative titles, including “Planet of the Apes 3” and “Война планеты обезьян”.

Also known as
  • Planet of the Apes 3
  • Война планеты обезьян
  • Вiйна за планету мавп
  • Meymunlar Cəhənnəmi: Savaş
  • War of the Planet of the Apes
  • Planet der Affen 3 - Survival
  • 猿人爭霸戰3：猩兇巨戰
  • حرب لأجل كوكب القردة
  • La Planète des singes : Suprématie
  • La guerra del planeta de los simios
  • Planet der Affen - Survival
  • Ο Πλανήτης των Πιθήκων: Η Σύγκρουση
+33 more
  • 猩球崛起3：终极之战
  • A Majmok bolygója: Háború
  • The War - Il pianeta delle scimmie
  • Planeta dos Macacos: A Guerra
  • Планета обезьян: Война
  • Війна за планету мавп
  • כוכב הקופים: המלחמה
  • Maymunlar Cehennemi: Savaş
  • Войната за планетата на маймуните
  • Abernes planet: Opgøret
  • 猿の惑星：聖戦記
  • 혹성탈출: 종의 전쟁
  • Planeta dos Macacos - A Guerra
  • Sota apinoiden planeetasta
  • Wojna o Planetę Małp
  • Планета мајмуна: Рат
  • La guerre de la planète des singes
  • 猩球崛起：終極決戰
  • Vojna o planétu opíc
  • Válka o planetu opic
  • Apornas planet: Striden
  • Đại Chiến Hành Tinh Khỉ
  • Planeta maimuțelor: Războiul
  • جنگ برای سیاره میمون‌ها
  • มหาสงครามพิภพวานร
  • El Planeta de Los Simios 3: La Guerra
  • Karš par Pērtiķu planētu
  • Karas už beždžionių planetą
  • 猿人爭霸戰：猩凶巨戰
  • Vojna za planet opic
  • Planet majmuna: Rat, ბრძოლა მაიმუნების პლანეტისთვის
  • La guerra del planeta dels simis
  • वॉर फॉर द प्लॅनेट ऑफ द एप्स

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Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Battle for the Planet of the Apes and Rise of the Planet of the Apes.

From the blog

Articles About War for the Planet of the Apes

2 articles about War for the Planet of the Apes. The latest: “The Art of Cinematic Makeup and Prosthetics”.

FAQ

War for the Planet of the Apes FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of War for the Planet of the Apes, each answered in a sentence.

How long is War for the Planet of the Apes?

War for the Planet of the Apes runs 2 hours 20 minutes (140 minutes).

When was War for the Planet of the Apes released?

War for the Planet of the Apes was released on July 14, 2017.

Who directed War for the Planet of the Apes?

War for the Planet of the Apes was directed by Matt Reeves.

More films by Matt Reeves

Who is in the cast of War for the Planet of the Apes?

War for the Planet of the Apes stars Woody Harrelson, Andy Serkis and Steve Zahn, among 10 credited actors.

How much did War for the Planet of the Apes make at the box office?

War for the Planet of the Apes grossed $490.7 million worldwide ($146.9 million domestic, $343.8 million international) on a budget of $150 million.

How is War for the Planet of the Apes rated?

War for the Planet of the Apes has 7.8/10 on IMDb, 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 82 on Metacritic and 72% on TMDB.

What awards did War for the Planet of the Apes win?

War for the Planet of the Apes won 1 award from 6 nominations, including Best Visual Effects at the Critics' Choice 2018.

Does War for the Planet of the Apes have a post-credit scene?

No. War for the Planet of the Apes has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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