The history of Planet of the Apes cartoons is brief but notable, as the franchise primarily found its success through live-action films and television. However, during the 1970s, there was one major foray into animated television. Here's a look at that history:
🐵 1. "Return to the Planet of the Apes" (1975–1976)
Overview:
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Title: Return to the Planet of the Apes
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Produced by: DePatie–Freleng Enterprises (best known for The Pink Panther)
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Aired on: NBC
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Episodes: 13 episodes (one season)
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Air Dates: September to December 1975
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Created by: David H. DePatie and Friz Freleng
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Format: Traditional animation, aimed at children but with serious science-fiction themes
Plot Summary:
Unlike the original films, Return to the Planet of the Apes presented a more technologically advanced ape society, blending elements from the novels by Pierre Boulle and the original film series. It followed astronauts Bill Hudson, Jeff Allen, and Judy Franklin, who crash-land on a futuristic Earth ruled by intelligent apes.
The apes in this version use computers, military vehicles, and live in a city reminiscent of 20th-century America — a significant departure from the more primitive apes in the original films.
Main Characters:
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Bill Hudson – Human astronaut and the show's protagonist
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Jeff Allen – Fellow astronaut
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Judy Franklin – Female astronaut
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General Urko – Militaristic gorilla general
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Dr. Zaius – Orangutan elder and science authority
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Cornelius and Zira – Sympathetic chimpanzee scientists
Style and Themes:
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Though animated, the show kept many of the philosophical and sociopolitical themes of the live-action films.
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The animation was limited (minimal movement, static backgrounds) but used bold and detailed illustrations.
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It had an ongoing storyline, rare for cartoons of the time, with cliffhangers and continuity between episodes.
🧠 Legacy and Cultural Impact:
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Return to the Planet of the Apes was not as successful as the live-action films but developed a cult following over the years.
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It was praised for its ambitious storytelling and faithfulness to the tone of the original material.
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The show was later released on DVD in 2006 and is occasionally referenced by fans and historians of the franchise.
❌ Other Attempts at Animation?
There have not been any other animated series or films under the Planet of the Apes brand since 1975. While the franchise has seen several reboots in film (2001, 2011–2024), these have all been live-action.
🦍 Fun Fact:
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The series was originally envisioned as more comedic and cartoony but was retooled to fit the serious tone of the Apes franchise.
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Despite being a cartoon, it was among the first animated shows to use a serialized sci-fi format for children.
Clip...
- B.Israel 🙈🙉🙊
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