On April 3rd, 1968, the Franklin J. Schaffner sci-fi film, "Planet of the Apes" was released in the United States. Released on the same day as the Stanley Kubrick film, "2001: A Space Odyssey", the film starred Charles Heston, and is well-known for its iconic plot twist, which is often considered one of the most iconic plot twists in film history. The film became a box-office hit, grossing $33.3 million in the U.S. on a $5.8 million budget. The films success led to four sequel films, as well as a television series, animated series, comic books, and more. The film has also been referenced and parodied in pop culture, including on "The Simpsons".
