Where Was “Planet of the Apes” Filmed?

Watched the film classic movie and are now wondering: where was “Planet of the Apes” filmed? We understand your intrigue concerning this film’s filming locations. We are going to take our own journey to the planet today and see the real-life locations that became the “Planet of the Apes.”

If you are one of the many who were inspired by this film and who are looking to create your own project, we also share a “Planet of the Apes”-inspired filming location that you can rent for yourself through Peerspace. Peerspace is the premier online destination for filming locations and production studios that anybody can rent. Now swing into the action and check out where this classic movie was made!

What is “Planet of the Apes”?

Just about everyone has heard of the classic 1968 movie “Planet of the Apes” or seen one of the more recent entries. The clever science fiction concept along with humans’ fascination with monkeys makes it a cultural phenomenon. Loosely based on a novel by French author Pierre Boulle, the first “Planet of the Apes” was directed by Franklin J. Schaffner and starred legends of the screen Charlton Heston and Roddy McDowell.

In the movie, a crew of astronauts crash lands on an exotic planet to discover that it is home to a species of hyper-intelligent apes who speak English and have their own functional civilization. The movie has many iconic locations, like the fantastical Ape City or the unforgettable beach at the very end of the movie. So even people who haven’t seen the movie might be asking the question, “Where was ‘Planet of the Apes’ filmed?” Let’s get to it!

If you adore classic films, check out where they filmed “ET” next!

Where is the desert from “Planet of the Apes”?

Back when the movie was made in the late 1960s, it would be very obvious if the filmmakers made a desert recreation on a Hollywood soundstage or backlot. The desert that surrounds Ape City looks appropriately sweltering and is sure to beg the question “Where was ‘Planet of the Apes’ filmed?”

The production went with the genuine article, and they filmed the desert in Arizona, mainly in the Glen Canyon area according to IMDB. Intermountain Histories writes that Glen Canyon can be found in Vermillion Cliffs National Park, located in northern Arizona. The first scene in the movie where the astronauts crash land was in Lake Powell, while the “Forbidden Zone” is at a place called Horseshoe Bend.

It was much harder to create an alien-feeling landscape without the use of modern technology. The filmmakers had to be quite clever and pick real-life locations like Glen Canyon to capture what they were looking for. Not all of the film was shot in Arizona, though. In fact, there are several other places for us to cover from “Planet of the Apes.”

Where did they film Ape City?

Much of the movie takes place in the city on the water where the apes have settled, known by the name of Ape City. The massive construction is a sight to behold in the movie, and fans who have seen it are sure to ask, “Where was ‘Planet of the Apes’ filmed?”

It turns out that the location used here was a little closer to Hollywood than Arizona. Then and Now Movie Locations tells us that Ape City was filmed in Malibu Creek State Park, on the shore of Century Lake. Sadly, it sounds like there are no traces of the set remaining, but you can still visit the site for yourself if you ever find yourself in Malibu Creek State Park.

Movie fans should be sure to check out the park if they want to see where “Planet of the Apes” and many other classics were shot. Malibu Creek State Park’s website tells us of some of the other movies that were filmed in the park. “Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid,” “Love Me Tender,” and “Pleasantville” were just a few.

Movies are no longer shot in the park, but that shouldn’t stop you from checking out the natural beauty it has to offer.

Scout out these 12 amazing desert photoshoot ideas to get that stunning shot for your production!

Where did they film the beach in “The Planet of the Apes”?

Who can forget the end of the movie when Charlton Heston’s character sees the remains of the Statue Of Liberty buried in the sand on a beach, realizing he has been on Earth the whole time? This classic scene is hard to forget, and Heston’s performance really sells it.

Even if you haven’t seen the movie, you may have seen one of the many parodies or homages to this scene. If you ever wanted to visit the beach for yourself, then you are sure to have also asked the question, “Where was ‘Planet of the Apes’ filmed?”

This is another location that was filmed in Malibu, according to Movie Locations – specifically at the far eastern end of Westward Beach. They also give some handy directions for visiting this location for yourself! So be sure to follow their instructions if you end up deciding to check it out.

Find your own “Planet of the Apes”-inspired filming location

One of Hollywood’s true classics, “Planet of the Apes” has inspired many in filmmaking and other creative fields, spawning comic books and other kinds of spinoffs.

If you’re one of the many looking to create your own “Planet of the Apes”-inspired piece of media and you’re in need of a filming location, that’s where Peerspace comes in. It’s a platform with thousands of beautiful and unique locations available for rent to anyone.

For example, check out this 20-acre property featuring over 18 locations, including ocean views, raw lands, dirt roads, and more. This massive piece of land can be found in Malibu, not far from where much of the production for the original “Planet of the Apes” took place. Check out some of the high-quality images uploaded by the host and see for yourself what this area has to offer.

Whether you’re looking in Malibu, Arizona, or anywhere else, Peerspace should be your first stop for filming locations.

Find unique filming locations on Peerspace