War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)
Kernel Score: 81% · 9,595 ratings · Rated PG-13
Genres: Drama, Science Fiction, War
Released: 2017-07-11
Runtime: 140 minutes
Is War for the Planet of the Apes worth watching?
Worth watching. A serious, sombre finish to the reboot trilogy, anchored by Andy Serkis's remarkable motion-capture performance. It's slow and heavy and plays more like a war film than a monster movie.
Watch it if you
- followed the earlier Apes films
- like serious science fiction with real emotion
- admire great motion-capture work
Skip it if you
- want fast, fun action
- haven't seen the first two films
Best for: Solo night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch War for the Planet of the Apes
- Stream: Cinemax Apple TV channel
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
Caesar and his apes are forced into a deadly conflict with an army of humans led by a ruthless Colonel. After the apes suffer unimaginable losses, Caesar wrestles with his darker instincts and begins his own mythic quest to avenge his kind. As the journey finally brings them face to face, Caesar and the Colonel are pitted against each other in an epic battle that will determine the fate of both their species and the future of the planet.
War for the Planet of the Apes parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that War for the Planet of the Apes is a PG-13 war drama with intense battle violence, themes of slavery and suicide, and heavy emotional content.
- Violence & scariness: Strong — Intense war violence, imprisonment, slavery, and death themes involving apes and humans in armed conflict.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like War for the Planet of the Apes
If you liked War for the Planet of the Apes, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014) — 83%: The middle film, where the trouble starts
- Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) — 85%: The first film of the trilogy
- Planet of the Apes (1968) — 86%: The original science-fiction classic
- The Batman (2022) — 88%: Same director's dark, patient film
- Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024) — 80%: Later film in the same universe
- Enemy Mine (1985) — 77%: Two enemies forced to survive together
Director
Cast
- Andy Serkis as Caesar
- Woody Harrelson as The Colonel
- Karin Konoval as Maurice
- Terry Notary as Rocket
- Steve Zahn as Bad Ape
- Amiah Miller as Nova
- Ty Olsson as Red Donkey
- Michael Adamthwaite as Luca
- Toby Kebbell as Koba
- Gabriel Chavarria as Preacher
War for the Planet of the Apes FAQ
Is War for the Planet of the Apes worth watching?
Worth watching. A serious, sombre finish to the reboot trilogy, anchored by Andy Serkis's remarkable motion-capture performance. It's slow and heavy and plays more like a war film than a monster movie.
Where can I watch War for the Planet of the Apes?
In the US you can stream War for the Planet of the Apes on Cinemax Apple TV channel and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is War for the Planet of the Apes OK for kids?
War for the Planet of the Apes is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that War for the Planet of the Apes is a PG-13 war drama with intense battle violence, themes of slavery and suicide, and heavy emotional content.
What movies are like War for the Planet of the Apes?
If you liked War for the Planet of the Apes, try Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Planet of the Apes and The Batman.