In an attempt to find a cure to dementia, Will Rodman ends up with a chimpanzee, Caesar, whose intelligence is enhanced as a result of testing the cure. When Caesar begins to question how apes are being treated, all hell breaks loose as more apes get enhanced intelligence and clash with people.
A group of humans who survived a devastating virus that has struck the planet a decade earlier, are at peace with genetically evolved apes led by Caesar. Proven fragile, peace is broken and a war begins between both sects that will determine who will dominate Earth.
After a devastating confrontation between the intelligent apes and a rogue army unit, Caesar must fight to balance his desire to avenge his slain wife and son, and his responsibility towards his tribe that is being hunted by the ruthless leader of the army unit.
Several years after Caesar's rule ends, a young ape embarks on a quest that challenges all he has been taught and forces him to make decisions that will impact both apes and humans in the future.