Is the makeup too 'fake' for modern kids?

Surprisingly, no. Because they are practical appliances, the actors can actually emote through them. It feels more 'real' than a lot of low-budget CGI they see today.

What's the deal with the nudity?

There's a scene where the humans are captured and hosed down. You see Charlton Heston's backside for a few seconds. It's clinical, not sexual, but worth a heads-up if your family is sensitive to that.

The 'hunt' scene where the gorillas emerge from the cornfield is genuinely tense and a bit scary for younger kids, but there's no gore.

Do we need to watch the sequels?

The 1968 original stands perfectly on its own. The sequels vary wildly in quality and get increasingly weird, so start here and see if they want more.

Planet of the Apes

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie1968

84%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A 1960s sci-fi masterclass that proves humans are usually the problem—even when talking apes are involved.

8/10

86%

88%

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Planet of the Apes

movie

G, 1968

84%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A 1960s sci-fi masterclass that proves humans are usually the problem—even when talking apes are involved.

86%

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8/10

86%

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Screenwise Verdict

This isn't just a 'monkey movie.' It is a sharp, cynical, and deeply imaginative piece of storytelling that holds up better than most of its contemporaries. While the modern reboots are great for action, this original 1968 version is the one that actually makes you think about the state of the world.

Be prepared for some 'old movie' friction. The pacing is deliberate, the acting is a bit theatrical (it's Charlton Heston, after all), and the action isn't going to win over a kid who needs a blast every five minutes. But if you watch it together, the payoff—especially that final shot—is one of the most iconic moments in cinema for a reason.

Age Fit

Best for 10 and up. Younger kids might get bored by the long stretches of dialogue, but middle-schoolers will appreciate the 'mind-blown' factor of the story.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The film deals with a society that treats humans like cattle, including experimentation and hunting for sport. While not 'dirty,' the tone is cynical and the worldview is fairly bleak.

Imaginative

The world-building is legendary. From the upside-down social hierarchy to the iconic prosthetic makeup, it creates a fully realized, alien-yet-familiar civilization.

Safe

Contains 1960s-style action violence (rifles, nets, horse chases) and some brief non-sexual nudity when the astronauts are captured. No gore or modern jump scares.

Enriching

It is a masterclass in social allegory. It tackles race, religion vs. science, and human nature in a way that remains sharp and relevant.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

The social commentary is surprisingly modern, sparking great talks about prejudice and environmentalism.
Rod Serling's script brings that classic Twilight Zone tension and a legendary twist ending.
The practical makeup still looks impressive and carries more character than a lot of modern CGI.
It is a cornerstone of pop culture literacy that every kid should see at least once.

⚠

What to Watch For

There is a brief scene of male backside nudity when the astronauts are being hosed down after capture.
The pacing is 1960s slow, which might feel like a slog for kids raised on high-speed YouTube edits.
The 'primitive' humans are treated quite roughly, including being caged and leashed, which can be unsettling for younger viewers.

Conversation Starters

"Why do the apes think humans are incapable of thinking or feeling?"
"Taylor is pretty cynical about humanity at the start—does the ending prove him right or wrong?"
"If you landed on a planet where animals were in charge, how would you try to prove you were 'civilized'?"

Deep Dive

The original is still the king

Before it was a massive franchise with Andy Serkis in a mocap suit, Planet of the Apes was a high-concept gamble written by Rod Serling. You can feel the Twilight Zone DNA in every scene. It’s less about 'apes vs. humans' and more about how societies use dogma and fear to keep the status quo. For a parent, this is a goldmine for discussing how we treat those we don't understand.

The 'Boredom' Factor

Let's be real: modern kids might struggle with the first thirty minutes. It’s a lot of guys in jumpsuits walking through a desert. But once they hit the ape city, the movie finds its groove. The chimpanzees are the scientists, the orangutans are the religious/political leaders, and the gorillas are the muscle. It’s a perfect setup for a kid to start recognizing social archetypes.

Why it still matters

We live in an era of disposable sci-fi. This movie isn't disposable. It sticks. The ending is the kind of thing that stays with a kid for years. If you're doing a 'classics' night, this is a much better pick than something like 2001: A Space Odyssey, which is a masterpiece but will put a 12-year-old to sleep in ten minutes. Apes has enough plot and 'weirdness' to keep them engaged while sneaking in some heavy philosophical lifting.

What Parents Ask

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