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Escape From the Planet of the Apes

Play trailer Poster for Escape From the Planet of the Apes G 1971 1h 38m Sci-Fi Play Trailer Watchlist
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75% Tomatometer 28 Reviews 53% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
In this second sequel to "Planet of the Apes," three apes flee their world before it's destroyed, and travel back in time to present-day America. When the humans discover that the trio are intelligent and capable of speech, they treat them as experimental research animals until they attempt to escape.
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Escape From the Planet of the Apes

Escape From the Planet of the Apes

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Critics Consensus

One of the better Planet of the Apes sequels, Escape is more character-driven than the previous films, and more touching as a result.

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Critics Reviews

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Michael McNay Guardian Jun 8, 2020
It is efficiently directed by Don Taylor and sanely scripted by Paul Dehn. Go to Full Review Margaret Hinxman Daily Telegraph (UK) Jun 8, 2020
it isn't really up to standard. Go to Full Review Penelope Gilliatt The New Yorker Mar 19, 2019
Rather splendid, rather encouraging. Go to Full Review Dilys Powell Sunday Times (UK) Mar 17, 2020
The film is likeable as well as amusing; it even has a note of pathos, something alien from its predecessors. Go to Full Review Tony Mastroianni Cleveland Press Jan 18, 2019
Escape looks more like a made-for television movie than anything else. The first half, in fact, might pass for a situation comedy in which people are amused at apes who act like humans. Go to Full Review Zaki Hasan Zaki's Corner Oct 31, 2018
...a story that retains its cynical, hard-edged hallmarks while also packing in a considerable amount of pathos. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad Sep 7, 2026 This was a very entertaining movie! See more diogo13 T @Tua_mera Jul 10, 2026 Este filme tinha um conceito interessante para a franquia, mas a adaptação à cultura americana não foi das melhores, e não entendo como dar álcool escondido para uma macaca grávida não foi considerado algo tão ruim. See more Brighton N @RT09904023 May 30, 2026 In the end, this is my second favorite movie of the series! What I love so much about this series is how different every entry is, and this one perfectly combines what I love about older action films, the premise of the series, and great social commentary. While I still slightly prefer the original film, this is still one of my all time favorite movies! If you were ever hesitant to watch some of the sequels, I still highly recommend giving this movie a watch. I know you'll be pleasantly surprised! Check out my more in-depth review at The Reel Ranker by searching "Escape from the Planet of the Apes" ;) See more Anthony C. @charteronebuf Apr 14, 2026 A refreshingly brilliant second sequel to the original masterpiece. Excellent writing with the return of Jerry Goldsmith to write another creative score that keeps the audience locked in See more Stephen C @bob25009 Oct 13, 2025 All ages admitted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The worldwide gross is $12,348,905.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Jace T @CineChamber Oct 2, 2025 After watching Beneath the Planet of the Apes, you are like "how can this series possibly continue on?" So of course, in Escape from the Planet of the Apes, you see they had that ah-ha moment of completely changing where the story takes place by sending your favorite apes to the past! Honestly, when they arrive to our world, it is quite charming and cute how the world interacts with them, and if Dr. Otto Hasslein didn't hate the apes and sabotage their friendship, the planet may have never become the Planet of the Apes. See more Read all reviews
Escape From the Planet of the Apes

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Cast & Crew

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Don Taylor

Director

Roddy McDowall

Cornelius

Kim Hunter

Dr. Zira

Bradford Dillman

Dr. Lewis Dixon

Natalie Trundy

Dr. Stephanie Branton

Eric Braeden

Dr. Otto Hasslein

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Escape From the Planet of the Apes

Escape From the Planet of the Apes (1971) Escape From the Planet of the Apes (1971) Escape From the Planet of the Apes (1971) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In this second sequel to "Planet of the Apes," three apes flee their world before it's destroyed, and travel back in time to present-day America. When the humans discover that the trio are intelligent and capable of speech, they treat them as experimental research animals until they attempt to escape.
Director
Don Taylor
Producer
Arthur P. Jacobs
Screenwriter
Paul Dehn
Distributor
CBS/Fox, 20th Century Fox
Production Co
APJAC Productions, Twentieth Century Fox
Rating
G
Genre
Sci-Fi
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 21, 1971, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 1, 2013
Runtime
1h 38m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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