Tarzan Movies: The Ultimate Watch Order
Hello there, movie buffs! Are you ready to swing into action with everyone's favorite ape man? Today, we're going to tackle the Tarzan movie series and guide you through the best Tarzan movie watch order. So, grab your loincloth and let's dive in! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and tarzan movie order.
A Brief History of Tarzan on the Silver Screen
Before we start our journey through the jungle, let's take a quick look at how Tarzan made his way onto the big screen. The character, created by Edgar Rice Burroughs, first appeared in print in 1912. It wasn't until 1918 that Tarzan made his film debut in a silent short film. Since then, Tarzan has been adapted into numerous films, TV shows, and even video games. But today, we're focusing on the movies!
The Classic Era: 1932 - 1948
Tarzan the Ape Man (1932)
Our Tarzan movie watch order kicks off with the first feature-length Tarzan film, Tarzan the Ape Man. This film introduced the world to Johnny Weissmuller as Tarzan and Maureen O'Sullivan as Jane. It's a classic tale of Tarzan protecting Jane from the dangers of the jungle and learning about the white man's world.
Tarzan and His Mate (1934)
In Tarzan and His Mate, Tarzan and Jane are back, this time facing off against a greedy hunter who wants to capture Tarzan's elephant friend. This film is known for its stunning location shooting in Florida and California and its iconic swimming scene between Weissmuller and O'Sullivan.
Tarzan Escapes (1936)
Tarzan Escapes finds our heroes captured by a greedy millionaire who wants to exploit Tarzan's strength. This film is notable for its introduction of Cheetah, Tarzan's chimpanzee companion, who would become a staple of the series.
Tarzan Finds a Son! (1939)
In Tarzan Finds a Son!, Tarzan and Jane discover a young boy in the jungle and decide to raise him as their own. This film marks the first appearance of Boy, played by Johnny Sheffield, who would go on to star in many Tarzan films.
Tarzan's Secret Treasure (1941)
Tarzan's Secret Treasure sees Tarzan and Boy searching for a hidden treasure while also protecting a group of archaeologists from a hostile tribe.
Tarzan Triumphs (1943)
In Tarzan Triumphs, Tarzan and Boy must stop a mad scientist from using a powerful weapon to take over the world. This film is notable for its use of stop-motion animation to depict the scientist's dinosaur army.
Tarzan and the Leopard Woman (1946)
Tarzan and the Leopard Woman finds Tarzan and Boy protecting a young woman from a leopard-worshipping cult. This film is unique for its focus on a female villain, played by Brenda Joyce.
Tarzan and the Huntress (1947)
In Tarzan and the Huntress, Tarzan and Boy must stop a big-game hunter from killing an endangered species. This film is notable for its environmental message, which was quite progressive for its time.
Tarzan and the Mermaids (1948)
Our Tarzan movie watch order wraps up the classic era with Tarzan and the Mermaids. In this film, Tarzan and Boy are stranded on a island and must find a way to escape while also protecting a group of mermaids from a greedy sea captain.
The Weissmuller Era: 1951 - 1959
After a brief hiatus, the Tarzan series returned with Johnny Weissmuller reprising his role. These films are known for their lighter tone and more comedic approach.
Tarzan's Peril (1951)
Tarzan's Peril starts the Weissmuller era with Tarzan and Boy protecting a group of scientists from a hostile tribe and a greedy oil tycoon.
Tarzan and the Lost Safari (1957)
In Tarzan and the Lost Safari, Tarzan and Boy must find a way to survive in the jungle after their plane crashes. This film is notable for its emphasis on survival and Tarzan's resourcefulness.
Tarzan and the Trappers (1958)
Tarzan and the Trappers finds Tarzan and Boy protecting a group of animals from a group of poachers. This film is notable for its message about the importance of wildlife conservation.
Tarzan's Fight for Life (1959)
The final film in the Weissmuller era, Tarzan's Fight for Life, sees Tarzan and Boy protecting a young boy from a group of slave traders.
The Gordon Scott Era: 1959 - 1960
Gordon Scott took over the role of Tarzan in the late 1950s and early 1960s. These films are known for their more serious tone and greater emphasis on action.
Tarzan, the Ape Man (1959)
Tarzan, the Ape Man is a remake of the 1932 film and serves as a reboot of the series. It tells the origin story of Tarzan, from his birth in the jungle to his first encounter with Jane.
Tarzan's Greatest Adventure (1960)
In Tarzan's Greatest Adventure, Tarzan and Boy help a group of archaeologists find a hidden treasure while also protecting them from a hostile tribe.
The Mike Henry Era: 1962 - 1968
Mike Henry took over the role of Tarzan in the 1960s. These films are known for their more modern take on the character and their greater emphasis on adventure.
Tarzan and the Hidden City (1962)
Tarzan and the Hidden City finds Tarzan and Boy searching for a lost city in the jungle. This film is notable for its use of location shooting in Mexico.
Tarzan and the Great River (1967)
In Tarzan and the Great River, Tarzan and Boy must find a way to stop a group of revolutionaries from using a powerful weapon to take over a small country.
Tarzan and the Jungle Boy (1968)
The final Tarzan film in our watch order, Tarzan and the Jungle Boy, sees Tarzan and Boy protecting a young boy from a group of slave traders. This film is notable for its message about the importance of family.
Honorable Mentions
While the films listed above are the most well-known Tarzan movies, there are a few others that are worth mentioning.
Tarzan, the Fearless (1933)
Tarzan, the Fearless is a serial that follows Tarzan as he protects a group of archaeologists from a hostile tribe. This serial is notable for its cliffhanger endings and its introduction of the character of Jane.
Tarzan's New York Adventure (1942)
Tarzan's New York Adventure is a unique film in the Tarzan series. In this film, Tarzan and Boy travel to New York City to find a missing friend. This film is notable for its fish-out-of-water humor and its depiction of Tarzan as a cultural icon.
Tarzan and the Jungle Goddess (1978)
Tarzan and the Jungle Goddess is a made-for-TV movie that stars Ron Ely as Tarzan. This film is notable for its more serious tone and its greater emphasis on action.
Conclusion
And there you have it, folks! That's our Tarzan movie watch order. Whether you're a long-time fan of the ape man or a newcomer to the jungle, we hope this guide helps you enjoy the Tarzan series in the best possible order. So, grab your copy of this Tarzan movie watch order, put on your favorite Tarzan movie, and get ready to swing into action!