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The Best Ape Movies By All Genre Movies Lists [161 more lists]
With moviegoers going bananas over 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes,' it only seems right to formulate a list of the best ape movies ever. Our primate relatives have starred in countless monkeylicious movies over the years. Some of these movies are CGI, some are animated and some are just 'regular' movies (What?! No IMAX 3D digital? The horror!). All represent great cinematic achievements for these apes. Sadly, there is no specific Oscar category for primates, but there should be! In the meantime, let's show these monkeys, orangutans and gorillas a little love by giving them a place of honor on this list of the best ape movies ever. Did your favorite not make the list? No problem - just add it!
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Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Rupert Wyatt“ 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' is certainly the newest film on this list - but man, the apes DID rise. In a big way. This 'Planet of the Apes' prequel rocked the box office in its debut weekend, taking in $54 million and seriously renewing the simian sci-fi franchise, with gusto. „ - 2
1968Franklin SchaffnerThriller, Science Fiction, Adventure, Cult, New Hollywood“ The first 'Planet of the Apes' movie (starring Charlton Heston) hit theaters in 1968, giving way to the birth of a true cult classic and spawning some pretty forgettable follow-up movies (really, Tim Burton? Really?) along the way and a hit TV series (that wasn't too bad). Yes, this 'Planet' is the granddaddy of them all, following a trio of astronauts who discover a planet where simians rule supreme. „ - 3
2005Peter JacksonDrama, Thriller, Action, Adventure, Action/Adventure, Romance Film, World cinema, Monster movie, Remake Moreadded by: rockboy - 4
1933Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. SchoedsackBlack-and-white, Disaster, Action, Adventure, Action/Adventure, Horror, Stop motion, Pre-Code, Monster movie, Airplanes and airports More“ Ah yes, the great ape. The original 'King Kong' movie (1933) is without a doubt the best of the best. Who can honestly forget the iconic images from this movie? Plus, it's pretty classic Hollywood: Large gorilla falls in love with beautiful blonde starlet. And, also like Hollywood, it ends badly. Grab some tissues, because things go horribly wrong for this poor, misunderstood ape. „ - 5
1987Jonathan KaplanDrama, Comedy, Thriller, Science Fiction, Adventure, Action/Adventure“ Chimps as trained pilots? Yes, please. Adding 'Project X' to our ever-expanding list of best ape movies. This 1987 gem features 80s heartthrob Matthew Broderick as a military man in charge of training chimpanzees to be pilots. Ultimately though, with the help of scientist Helen Hunt, he realizes the monkeys are at risk - so he helps them escape. Okay, so the premise seems...a bit standard (bad experiments done on poor primates) but really, this movie is pretty good and, dare we say, a bit underrated. „ - 6
1978James FargoComedy, Action, Adventure, Action/Adventure“ Ah, a sentimental favorite! 'Every Which Way But Loose' - Clyde! Clyde the orangutan actually deserves his own list: Most Awesomest Monkey Ever, but for now, he resides on this list. In this 1978 ape classic, Clint Eastwood is trucker/fighter Philo. When he wins Clyde on a bet, he has no idea the adventures they'll see together. Extra points to this one because Clint punches a lot of people and Clyde drinks a lot of beer. „ - 7 2011Rupert WyattDrama, Thriller, Science Fiction, Action, Adventure, Rebootadded by: ozzy“ 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' is certainly the newest film on this list - but man, the apes DID rise. In a big way. This 'Planet of the Apes' prequel rocked the box office in its debut weekend, taking in $54 million and seriously renewing the simian sci-fi franchise, with gusto. „
- 8 2001Tim BurtonThriller, Science Fiction, Action, Adventure, Time traveladded by: ozzy
- 9 1988Michael AptedDrama, Period piece, Biography, Biographical film“ 1988's 'Gorillas in the Mist' earned a whopping five Oscar nominations, including Best Actress (Sigourney Weaver). In the movie, Weaver plays Dian Fossey, a groundbreaking scientist who studies gorillas in the mountains of Africa, as she fights to save the endangered creatures. Excellent ape movie, solidifying our belief that the Academy Awards needs to include a special "best ape" supporting actor category. „
- 10 1998Ron UnderwoodFantasy, Family, Thriller, Action, Adventure“ Disney's 'Mighty Joe Young' features one of the larger primates on this list (aside from Kong, of course) - a 15-foot gorilla named Joe. In this 1998 action-adventure movie, Joe and his human friend, Jill (Charlize Theron), travel from Africa to California at the urging of a zoologist. This turns out to be a huge mistake, when the gentle gorilla gets loose in L.A. We saw that coming. I mean really, L.A. is not exactly a safe haven for anyone, much less a ginormous primate! „
- 11 1984Hugh HudsonDrama, Period piece, Adventure, Action/Adventure, Film adaptation“ 1984's 'Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes' can compete with 'Gorillas in the Mist,' at least in terms of Oscar nominations (three for 'Greystoke,' including a Supporting Actor nod for the late Ralph Richardson. Yes, we've got lots of apes, we've got a stellar cast and we've got Christopher Lambert in a loincloth....oh, yeah okay, back to the apes. It should be noted that the legendary make-up artist Rick Baker is responsible for the awesome monkey make-up (if you don't know Rick Baker, you should). „
- 12 2011Jennifer Yuh NelsonComedy, Family, Animation, Action, Adventure, LGBT, Computer Animationadded by: manderavi
- 13 1976John GuillerminAdventure, Action/Adventure, Horror, Monster movie, Remakeadded by: ozzy
- 14 1976Paul LederScience Fiction, Horror, Monster, Natural horror filmsadded by: Lons
- 15 1996Ken KwapisComedy, Family, Slapstick“ No list of great ape movies would be complete without including 1996's 'Dunston Checks In.' This mischevious orangutan brings the funny as he tries to break out of his larcenous ways. Dunston is specially trained to steal - but deep down, he knows it's wrong. You must love Dunston, if for no other reason than his efforts result in seeing Faye Dunaway face down in a large cake. And because Paul Reubens is hilarious as a whacked-out animal control officer. Hey, we know it's not Oscar-worthy monkey material but really, 'Dunston' is definitely good for random Wednesday afternoon, home-from-work-with-flu entertainment. „
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Going Bananas
added by: chicosh“ Fine film featuring Dom DeLuise, Jimmy "J.J." Walker and a creepy ape named Bonzo. „ - 17 1994Franco Amurri, Franco AmurriComedy, Family, Adventure“ What is it with monkeys and thievery? Pickpocket Dodger, star of 1994's 'Monkey Trouble,' befriends a young girl (Thora Birch) after escaping his master, a nasty street performer played by Harvey Keitel. Yes, you read that right. Anyway, Dodger the Klepto Monkey is adorable and sweet despite his habits. It's not his fault he's a thief! „
- 18 1981Jeremy Joe KronsbergComedy, Slapstickadded by: chicosh“ Tony Danza inherits three orangutans. In order to collect his full inheritance, he has to make sure the apes stay safe and well cared for for three years. „
- 19 1995Frank MarshallThriller, Action, Adventure, Action/Adventure, Horror, Film adaptation
- 20 2008Kirk DeMiccoComedy, Family, Animation, Adventure, Computer Animation“ Animated monkey movies deserve some love, too, even the adorable little primates in 2008's 'Space Chimps.' Okay, so the movie isn't really THAT good - but did we mention the adorable chimps? And that they're astronauts? See this one, skip the sequel... „
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- 21 1996Bill CouturiéDrama, Comedy, Family, Sports“ Ed the Chimpanzee deserves a spot on this best ape movies list - not because the 1996 movie 'Ed' is a wonder to behold, but because Ed is! Yes, this chimp starts out as a mere baseball team mascot, but quickly becomes a stellar third baseman - one of the best, in fact. Ed definitely overshadows his co-star, Matt Le Blanc, with ease. Monkeys, baseball and that guy from 'Friends' - win, win and win. „
- 22 René CardonaHorroradded by: Lons
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Space Chimps at 8/09/2011 8:41 PM