The term PLANET OF THE APES is a science fiction film franchise that began in 1968 with the release of the original film. The franchise follows the adventures of a group of human astronauts who crash land on a planet ruled by intelligent APES. The films explore themes of racism, slavery, and the consequences of nuclear war. The franchise has spawned numerous sequels, remakes, and spin-offs, including a television series and a rebooted film series.