Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes: Hit or Flop? Box Office

Few film franchises have managed to evolve as gracefully as Planet of the Apes. The latest entry, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, faces the challenge of continuing the story after Caesar’s era while introducing a new generation. The film cost $160 million to produce (IMDb (industry database)) and has grossed $394 million worldwide (IMDb (industry database)), sparking debate: was it a hit or just a modest success? Here’s what the numbers and the franchise history reveal.

Budget: $160 million ·
Box Office: $394 million ·
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80% ·
Release Date: May 10, 2024 ·
Director: Wes Ball

Six key facts frame the film’s identity:

Was Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes a hit or flop?

The numbers tell a clear story. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes opened to $58.5 million domestically and $131.2 million worldwide in its debut weekend, according to THR News (trade video). Disney’s own release called it a hit around the world, reporting $131.2 million globally (The Walt Disney Company (studio owner)).

By the end of its run, the film reportedly grossed $394.7 million worldwide, according to IMDb (industry database). Against a $160 million production budget, that yields a solid 2.5× multiplier — comfortably above the typical 2× threshold for a theatrical hit. However, IMDb (industry database) characterized the film as performing below expectations despite being a modest success.

The implication: Kingdom is a solid financial success, but the franchise’s peak box office power remains with the Caesar-era trilogy.

Is Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes connected to Planet of the Apes?

Yes — but in a loose, generational way. Kingdom is a direct sequel to the reboot trilogy (2011–2017), set many generations after War for the Planet of the Apes. It does not remake the 1968 original; instead, it tells a new story within the same universe, according to Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia).

The film introduces a new protagonist, Noa, and explores how the world has evolved after Caesar’s death. The connection to the original film is thematic — Caesar’s legacy of leadership and morality — rather than a direct narrative link. Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator) describes it as a film that “does not take the crown as best in the franchise but justifies its continued reign.”

“It does not take the crown as best in the franchise but justifies its continued reign.”

Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator)

The catch: If you’re looking for a direct prequel to the 1968 film, you won’t find it here. Kingdom is a fresh start within the reboot timeline.

What’s the point of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes?

The plot follows Noa, a young ape who embarks on a journey to challenge a tyrannical ape leader named Proximus Caesar. The story examines themes of legacy, hegemony, and the danger of unquestioningly following the past. Key characters include Freya Allan, Owen Teague, and Kevin Durand, as noted by The Walt Disney Company (studio owner). The film expands the world beyond the ape colony seen in the previous trilogy, introducing new factions and a more complex society.

Why this matters: Kingdom is the first film in the franchise without a direct connection to Caesar, forcing the story to stand on its own merits. Early critical reception suggests it succeeds, with an 80% Rotten Tomatoes score, but it’s not the franchise’s best.

Is Caesar’s son in Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes?

No. Caesar’s son, Blue Eyes, appeared in War for the Planet of the Apes but is not in Kingdom. Blue Eyes’ name comes from his distinctive blue eye color, as explained in the earlier films. His death in War left Caesar without a direct heir, paving the way for Noa to emerge as a new protagonist.

Noa is not a descendant of Caesar. He is a member of a different ape clan, the Eagle Clan, and his story is separate from the Caesar bloodline. Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator) clarifies that Noa is a new character created for this new era.

Why is Caesar’s son called Blue Eyes?

• Blue Eyes received his nickname because of his light blue irises, a trait inherited from his mother, according to the War for the Planet of the Apes plot.

Who is Noa to Caesar?

• Noa is an unrelated ape from a different clan. He is not a relative, descendant, or protege of Caesar. He represents a new generation that must navigate the world Caesar left behind.

Is Noa a descendant of Caesar?

• No, he is not. The film explicitly establishes Noa as a new character, per Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator).

Why was Koba so evil?

• Koba’s motivation stems from the years of abuse he suffered in human captivity. His hatred for humans drove him to betray Caesar, leading to a civil war among apes. This backstory is established in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.

The trade-off: By cutting ties with Caesar’s direct lineage, the franchise risks losing some emotional connection, but gains the freedom to build a new mythology.

Which is considered the best Planet of the Apes movie?

Critical consensus from Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator) ranks the reboot trilogy highly:

According to Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator), War for the Planet of the Apes holds the highest score at 95%, making it the critical favorite of the franchise. Kingdom sits at 80%, which is still fresh but not as revered as its predecessors.

The pattern: Critics and audiences both prefer the Caesar trilogy, but Kingdom manages to keep the franchise afloat with a respectable performance.

“A top-quality summer blockbuster, bringing fresh blood and new ideas into the series.”

The Guardian (UK newspaper)

The film “was a hit around the world” and “exceeded industry expectations.”

The Walt Disney Company (studio owner)

For Disney, the Kingdom experiment is a cautiously positive sign. The franchise can survive without Caesar, but it may never again reach the heights of the 2010s trilogy. The Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes box office hit or flop compared to franchise Caesar legacy will need to either deepen Noa’s story or find a way to reconnect with the legacy that made the earlier films iconic.

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