The Evolution of Monkey Movies

When ‘The Monkey Kingdom’ hits theaters later this month, it joins a long list of movies with simian stars.  Here’s a look back at Hollywood’s progression of the primate pic (try saying that 10 times fast).

There has never been a funnier monkey than the one Buster Keaton imitated back in 1921.  Keaton later went on to feature an actual monkey in his 1928 film 'The Cameraman' which quickly became a box office hit.

When special effects pioneer Willis O'Brien made the giant gorilla come to life in 'King Kong,' he freed filmmakers from ever having to rely on filming men dressed up in gorilla suits.

With the clamor for monkey movies still strong, 'Mighty Joe Young' was a hit at the box office and earned Willis O'Brien an Oscar for Best Visual Effects.

Long before becoming president, Ronald Reagan starred in this film with Bonzo the chimp. Historians believe that working closely with a monkey taught Reagan how to successfully deal with members of Congress.

In this flick TV network executives discover that a chimpanzee can predict which new programs will be ratings winners.  Considering the low caliber of shows on network TV these days, let’s hope someone wises up soon and brings back the monkey.

"Twilight Zone" creator Rod Serling took evolution into a new direction when he gave monkeys all the brains.

Okay, so maybe they weren't actually "monkeys" but that didn't stop them from becoming a big hit with fans who liked to monkey around.

George isn't very smart, but lucky for him his good friend Ape is brilliant.

Sigourney Weaver got up close and personal with the monkeys in this film.  The special effects were so good, it is impossible to tell the difference between the apes that were fake and those that were simply acting.

Clint Eastwood and his trusty orangutan Clyde brought monkey business and bare-knuckle boxing to the main stream audiences in a succession of wonderful films.

In the earliest Tarzan films, primates were mainly extras, but with this film, the apes are front and center -- and they are amazing!

In this slapstick adventure, Dunston the orangutan plays a jewel thief making his way through a posh New York hotel.

Somewhere over the rainbow there is a place where monkeys fly!!!

When a baseball team discovers that their chimpanzee mascot is an amazing third baseman, it is time to put him in the game!

The monkey movie heads back to the jungle in this riveting documentary about the struggle of a newborn monkey and its mother.  Produced by Disney Nature, the film marks the first time cameras have captured the fight for survival amidst the Temple Troop, a dynamic group of monkeys who live among ancient ruins in the jungles of South Asia.