This 94% RT Sci-Fi Epic Is the Streaming Hit Nobody Predicted

Nearly a decade after its theatrical release, Matt Reeves' War for the Planet of the Apes has surged back into view, becoming a global streaming hit. The film topped the HBO Max charts last week, briefly displacing Jurassic World Rebirth; it remains in the top 10 alongside its prequel, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.

Reeves co-wrote the film with Mark Bomback. As the third installment in the Planet of the Apes reboot and the ninth film overall, it follows Caesar (Andy Serkis) in 2031, five years after Dawn, as he clashes with an army of humans led by a ruthless colonel (Woody Harrelson) and seeks vengeance.

War for the Planet of the Apes premiered July 10, 2017 at the SVA Theatre in New York City before opening wide on July 14 via 20th Century Fox. The 140-minute film grossed over $490 million against a $150–190 million production budget, earned a Certified Fresh 94% on Rotten Tomatoes for its visual effects and poignant narrative, and received an Oscar nomination for Best Visual Effects.

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