If Matt Reeves’ much-anticipated “War on the Planet of the Apes” (20th Century Fox) opens Friday to an expected $70 million or more, that would put it ahead (in domestic returns at least) of such recent high altitude-franchise stumbles as “Alien: Covenant,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” and “Transformers.”
Several factors contribute to the elevated respect for the series, going back almost half a century to when the first film, never intended as anything other than a standalone, became a surprise success in 1968.
Let’s track some curious highlights on the unusual trajectory that brings us to the ninth entry in the longest running English-language film series other than James Bond:
The Genesis Was a Stand-Alone Novel
Pierre Boule was well-known for the World War II novel “The Bridge on the River Kwai” which became a David Lean Best Picture winner and massive worldwide hit in the late 1950s.
Several factors contribute to the elevated respect for the series, going back almost half a century to when the first film, never intended as anything other than a standalone, became a surprise success in 1968.
Let’s track some curious highlights on the unusual trajectory that brings us to the ninth entry in the longest running English-language film series other than James Bond:
The Genesis Was a Stand-Alone Novel
Pierre Boule was well-known for the World War II novel “The Bridge on the River Kwai” which became a David Lean Best Picture winner and massive worldwide hit in the late 1950s.
- 7/13/2017
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
Similar News
‘Aang: The Last Airbender’ Delayed to 2026, ‘Transformers One’ Moves Back a Week
- 4/18/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Steven Spielberg is Going Back to His Et Roots With Next Aliens Project and Denis Villeneuve’s Dune 2 Might Have Been the Catalyst
- 4/18/2024
- by Rahul Thokchom
- FandomWire
‘Transformers One’ Trailer Launches the Autobots Into Space — Literally
- 4/18/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Brian Cox calls Joaquin Phoenix’s Napoleon performance “terrible” and “wacky”
- 4/18/2024
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
“Napoleon”
- 4/18/2024
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
“The script is brilliant”: Joseph Quinn Assures Marvel Fans Fantastic Four Team is Capable Enough to Beat the Superhero Fatigue in MCU
- 4/18/2024
- by Rahul Thokchom
- FandomWire
“Secrets of the Octopus”
- 4/18/2024
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Aliens Expanded documentary takes a 4-hour deep dive into Aliens with James Cameron
- 4/17/2024
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
12 Must-Watch Sci-Fi Movies That Redefine the Genre
- 4/15/2024
- by Pia Vermaak
- buddytv.com
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.
More to explore
Henry Cavill Says ‘Maybe I’m Too Old Now’ to Play James Bond as Fake Movie Trailer With Him as 007 Goes Viral With 2.5 Million Views
- 4/18/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety - Film News
Quentin Tarantino Scraps ’The Movie Critic’; Brad Pitt Would Have Reprised Cliff Booth Role From ‘Once Upon A Time In Hollywood’
- 4/17/2024
- by Rodrigo Perez
- The Playlist
Martin Scorsese’s Long-Gestating ‘Sinatra’ Film With Leonardo DiCaprio Adds Jennifer Lawrence
- 4/17/2024
- by Christopher Marc
- The Playlist
Director Steven Spielberg Is Quietly Planning Another Movie About Aliens
- 4/17/2024
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
Sundance Film Festival Courting New Host City for 2027 and Beyond
- 4/17/2024
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety - Film News
Henry Cavill Says ‘Maybe I’m Too Old Now’ to Play James Bond as Fake Movie Trailer With Him as 007 Goes Viral With 2.5 Million Views
- 4/18/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety - Film News
Rachel Zegler, Kit Connor to Star on Broadway in ‘Romeo and Juliet’
- 4/16/2024
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Selena Quintanilla Deserves to Be Celebrated This Year - Not Exploited
- 4/16/2024
- by Lucas Villa
- Popsugar.com
Bad Bunny's First NYC Show From His Most Wanted Tour Is Proof His Latine Fans Still Come First
- 4/12/2024
- by Johanna Ferreira
- Popsugar.com
Olivia Rodrigo's "Guts" Tour Made Me Feel Like a Teen Again
- 4/8/2024
- by Yerin Kim
- Popsugar.com
Cannes Directors’ Fortnight Title ‘Eephus’ Picked Up by Film Constellation (Exclusive)
- 4/18/2024
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety - Film News
Love ‘The Beast’? Bertrand Bonello’s Vlogger Nightmare ‘Coma’ Finally Hits Theaters — Watch the Trailer
- 4/18/2024
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Eliza Hittman’s Fourth Feature Receives Grant from Rooftop Films’ 2024 Filmmaker Fund
- 4/18/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Jake Gyllenhaal’s ‘Presumed Innocent’ to Premiere at 2024 Tribeca Festival TV and Now: See the Full Lineup
- 4/18/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Everything to Remember from ‘The Jinx’ Season 1
- 4/18/2024
- by Proma Khosla
- Indiewire
Quentin Tarantino Scraps ’The Movie Critic’; Brad Pitt Would Have Reprised Cliff Booth Role From ‘Once Upon A Time In Hollywood’
- 4/17/2024
- by Rodrigo Perez
- The Playlist
Martin Scorsese’s Long-Gestating ‘Sinatra’ Film With Leonardo DiCaprio Adds Jennifer Lawrence
- 4/17/2024
- by Christopher Marc
- The Playlist
Director Steven Spielberg Is Quietly Planning Another Movie About Aliens
- 4/17/2024
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
Sundance Film Festival Courting New Host City for 2027 and Beyond
- 4/17/2024
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety - Film News
Tribeca Festival Reveals 2024 Feature Film Lineup Including New Movies With Lily Gladstone, Jenna Ortega and Michael Cera
- 4/17/2024
- by Jack Dunn
- Variety - Film News
‘For All Mankind’ Renewed for Season 5, Soviet Space Program Spinoff in the Works at Apple TV+
- 4/17/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety - TV News
‘Oldboy’ English-Language TV Series in the Works From Park Chan-wook, Lionsgate
- 4/17/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
The Witcher Season 4: Liam Hemsworth and Laurence Fishburne Join Cast
- 4/18/2024
- by Chancellor Agard
- Tudum - Netflix
Dr. Jennifer Ashton Is Leaving ‘GMA3’ & ABC News After 13 Years at Network
- 4/18/2024
- TV Insider
Miss Scarlet's Already Got a New Partner for Season 5
- 4/18/2024
- by Danette Chavez
- Primetimer