The Best Planet of the Apes Characters, Ranked
The “Planet of the Apes” film series, captivating audiences since its inception in 1968, draws considerable attention to its varied characters, both human and ape. Ranking these characters is a challenging endeavor given their depth and the distinct impressions they leave on fans. Nevertheless, here’s an exploration of some of the best characters from “Planet of the Apes,” in descending order.
1. Caesar – The consensus favorite, Caesar is an evolved chimpanzee who leads his species through rebellion and ultimately to freedom. His character arc is nothing short of epic, embodying leadership, intelligence, emotion, and the complexities of morality.
2. Dr. Zaius – As a central figure in the original 1968 film, Dr. Zaius serves as both Minister of Science and Chief Defender of the Faith. He is a complex antagonist, responsible for maintaining ape society’s status quo while harboring deep secrets about humanity’s past.
3. Koba – A bonobo with a sinister streak, Koba is driven by a thirst for vengeance against humans due to past torture and abuse. His descent into darkness provides a stark contrast to Caesar’s more compassionate approach to leadership and liberation.
4. George Taylor – Portrayed by Charlton Heston in the original film, Taylor is the cynical human astronaut who becomes a catalyst for revealing the twisted history of mankind within this new world order.
5. Maurice – The wise and gentle orangutan serves as Caesar’s advisor and friend. His kindness and perspective bring balance to Caesar’s leadership style.
6. Cornelius – Featured in the original series as an archeologist and ally to Taylor, Cornelius plays an essential role in unearthing humanity’s true fate and supporting the subsequent movies’ storylines.
7. Zira – As Cornelius’ partner, Zira is equally impactful in her scientific curiosity and empathy towards humans—a stance not widely accepted among her peers.
8. Rocket – Rocket starts as a rival to Caesar but grows into one of his most trusted allies. His evolution from adversary to supporter illustrates one of the core themes of collaboration within the franchise.
9. Bad Ape – Introduced in “War for the Planet of the Apes,” Bad Ape brings humor and heart to what could have been a solely dark narrative arc in this installment.
10. Nova – Though different iterations of Nova appear throughout the franchise, her incarnations often symbolize innocence amidst chaos and serve as bridges between humans and apes.
This ranking captures just some of these compelling characters that have contributed to making “Planet of the Apes” a profound narrative about civilization, evolution, and what it means to be human or ape—often blurring those lines with sophisticated storytelling and character development.