What we flagged
View all categories
Our take
Ape warfare, captivity, and frightening raids drive the adventure, with the jokes mostly stepping aside. For an M-leaning action film, the language stays light. Kids who adore the creature designs may still wince during the battles. Anyone who sat through the recent Apes films will recognise this terrain.
Uplifting themes
Blind loyalty to a violent king is shown here as a trap to avoid. The path forward lies in working together, past fear and the old tales about who the enemy is. In the end it is co-operation that pays off Noa challenges cruelty even when simply going along would be the easier choice. His allies win trust by standing up for those who cannot protect themselves. Leadership, in this story, means courage paired with a conscience
Story (may spoil tone)
Several generations following Caesar's reign, apes – now the dominant species – live harmoniously while humans have been reduced to living in the shadows. As a new tyrannical ape leader builds his empire, one young ape undertakes a harrowing journey that will cause him to question all he's known about the past and to make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike.
Details
Violence The ape battles bring fists, spears, knives, and shock weapons, and one…
The ape battles bring fists, spears, knives, and shock weapons, and one strangling scene takes a life. Raids and attacks on horseback come around again and again. The hits register plainly, though the film stops short of wall-to-wall gore
Language A few s-words slip out in moments of shock or strain, and the rest of t…
A few s-words slip out in moments of shock or strain, and the rest of the dialogue stays clean. Next to all the action, language barely rates as a concern. If even light swearing is an issue at home, keep an ear out for those louder beats
Frightening Night raids, the threat of drowning, burning buildings, and a huge tyra…
Night raids, the threat of drowning, burning buildings, and a huge tyrant ape all stoke a sense of chase and dread. Humans and smaller apes are left scrambling just to stay alive. The loud set pieces could unsettle younger viewers at home
Bullying / discrimination A cruel pecking order is what keeps the villain in charge. Under the ki…
A cruel pecking order is what keeps the villain in charge. Under the king's rule, the bigger apes bully and belittle the weaker ones. This reads as clan-wide oppression, a long way from any light playground teasing
Gore / death / weapons After the fighting you glimpse bloodied faces, a spear wound shot in di…
After the fighting you glimpse bloodied faces, a spear wound shot in dim light, and remains laid on a funeral pyre. Weapons stay in view throughout the battles. The detail is kept limited and never turns surgical
Grief / bereavement Noa is carrying the loss of family and clan members, and the funeral ri…
Noa is carrying the loss of family and clan members, and the funeral rites give that sorrow room to breathe. Grief is what sets him on his journey. It can hit hard if your child is still raw from a real goodbye
Flashing lights We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
Family watch notes
What other parents think.
Be the first family to leave a watch note.
Talk after watching
- When does following a strong leader cross into fear instead of respect?
- How should Noa's clan weigh trust when humans and rival apes both need help?
Ask ClearAge
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
Ask about this guide, or name another film to open its ClearAge page.
