Monkey Movies That I Love

I just love movies about monkeys, whether they are chimps or gorillas. Gorillas aren’t strictly in the monkey family, but for the purposes of movies, I’m going to broaden the definition! Bearing this in mind, here are my five best monkey movies. It was difficult to come to a decision because there are so many great movies involving monkeys. However, below are my five top movies that I could watch over and over again.

Monkey Business

This was released in 1952 and is a screwball comedy. The stars are Ginger Rogers and Cary Grant. It also features Marilyn Monroe. The plot is totally unbelievable which makes it all the more hilarious. We see Esther the chimpanzee let loose to pour some chemicals into the water cooler. A research chemist, Dr Barnaby Fulton, played by Cary Grant, has developed an experimental youth elixir. Then he tries the elixir on himself, it is unfortunately washed down with the water from the cooler. The consequence is that he starts to behave like a little boy.

Planet Of The Apes

I like both versions of this movie, the 1968 version with Charlton Heston and the 2001 version with Mark Wahlberg. There was even a television series based on the 1968 movie that starred Roddy McDowall. Unfortunately, it was not screened for very long – only 14 episodes. In its day the 1968 movie was quite original in its use of prosthetic makeup for the apes.

King Kong

There have been three notable versions of King Kong, in 1933, 1976 and more recently in 2005. The 2005 version directed by Lord of the Rings director, Peter Jackson, was considered a great success and it was just as well because it is one of the most expensive movies made. From a director who brought the fantastical characters of Lord of the Rings to life, it’s not surprising that the special effects were excellent and King Kong looked very realistic.

Gorillas In The Mist (1988)

Dian Fossey was a leading scientist working with primates in Africa. Sadly, she was murdered in 1985. Her life and work is portrayed in this beautiful movie starring Sigourney Weaver as Dian Fossey.

Tarzan

There are lots of movies about the lord of the jungle – Tarzan. Personally, I like those starring Johnny Weissmuller. My favorite character in the Tarzan movies – apart from Tarzan himself – is Cheeta the chimpanzee. The movies would be a lot less funny if it weren’t for Cheeta.

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Technorati Tags: king kong, monkey business, monkey movies, tarzan

Tags: king kong, monkey business, monkey movies, tarzan