Is Planet of the Apes appropriate for children?

# Planet of the Apes - Parent Guide An astronaut crashes on a planet ruled by intelligent apes and must escape while humans are treated as slaves. The PG-13 rating reflects strong action violence and intense scenes that may disturb younger children. Despite mild language and sexual content, the overall concept and sustained tension make this better suited for older children and teens.

What age is Planet of the Apes suitable for?

Our verdict for Planet of the Apes is: Not recommended. See the age grid on this page for specific recommendations by age group.

Is Planet of the Apes safe for children?

Content breakdown

🔫

Violence

Strong

🗣️

Language / Profanity

Mild

🔞

Sexual Content

Mild

👻

Horror / Scary

Mild

About this movie

Type

Movie

Released

2001

Rating

PG-13

Genre

Thriller, Science Fiction, Action, Adventure

Synopsis

After a spectacular crash-landing on an uncharted planet, brash astronaut Leo Davidson finds himself trapped in a savage world where talking apes dominate the human race. Desperate to find a way home, Leo must evade the invincible gorilla army led by Ruthless General Thade.

Cast

Mark Wahlberg

Captain Leo Davidson

Tim Roth

Thade

Helena Bonham Carter

Ari

Michael Clarke Duncan

Attar

Full cast on IMDb ›

Age suitability

Under 6

Not yet

Ages 6–8

Not recommended

Ages 9–12

Not recommended

Ages 13+

Not recommended

Where to watch

🎬 Find on Amazon

Affiliate links support ScreenWise at no extra cost to you.

Parents also checked

Ratings based on MPAA/TV classification and TMDB metadata. Updated March 2026.
Every child is different — always preview content for your family's specific needs.