Years after Caesarโs sacrifice, the apes have risen to dominate the Earth, forming distinct kingdoms while humans live in scattered, struggling tribes. The apes are split between those who honor Caesarโs vision of peace and others who seek conquest, mirroring humanityโs past mistakes. Amidst this fragile balance, tensions grow as rumors surface of humans attempting to reclaim lost technology to regain their power.
The story follows Proxima, a young ape who believes in preserving Caesarโs ideals. She must navigate growing unrest between ape factions, especially with Zarok, a warlord intent on expansion and domination. Zarok views humans as a lingering threat that must be eliminated, while Proxima strives to prevent war and seek coexistence. She encounters Kellan, a human driven by his tribeโs survival, who forces her to question her assumptions about humanity.
As Zarokโs forces grow stronger, Proxima discovers a hidden truth about Caesarโs teachings and works to unite the divided ape kingdoms. Meanwhile, Kellanโs human faction accidentally activates a dormant weapon, threatening both species. The climactic showdown occurs in the ruins of a human city, where Proxima, Zarok, and Kellan face difficult choices about leadership, survival, and the future of their species.
The film concludes with Proxima making a great personal sacrifice to uphold Caesarโs legacy, leading to Zarokโs demise and Kellan confronting the consequences of his actions. Peace is temporarily restored, but the fragile nature of coexistence remains evident. The story leaves open the possibility of future conflict and evolution, highlighting themes of power, unity, and the cost of peace.