This is the only Tarzan film to win an Academy Award (Best Original Song). 7. The Gritty Reboot: The Legend of Tarzan (2016) After a 17-year hiatus from live-action cinemas, Warner Bros. tried to launch a new series with The Legend of Tarzan , starring Alexander Skarsgård and Margot Robbie.
This isn't an origin story. Instead, it’s a "What if?" sequel: Tarzan (now Lord Greystoke) has left the jungle for British high society. He is lured back to the Congo to stop a Belgian slave trader (Christoph Waltz).
Let’s swing through the vines and break down the definitive Tarzan movie series —the hits, the misses, and the legend that keeps coming back. Before superheroes had spandex, they had loincloths. The first official Tarzan film was a silent movie starring Elmo Lincoln. While primitive by today’s standards, this series starter established the core tropes: the shipwreck, the ape foster mother Kala, and the iconic "Me Tarzan, you Jane" dynamic. tarzan movie series
A gold-medal swimmer, Weissmuller became the definitive Tarzan for the Golden Age of Hollywood. Starting with Tarzan the Ape Man (1932) and running through 12 films, Weissmuller perfected the "Me Tarzan, you Jane" broken English. His chemistry with Maureen O’Sullivan (Jane) and the sidekick Cheetah the chimp turned the series into a family-friendly adventure franchise.
With Phil Collins on the soundtrack (you will hum "You’ll Be in My Heart" later), revolutionary "Deep Canvas" animation, and a script that actually explored the psychology of belonging, this film is a masterpiece. It took the Lord of the Apes and turned him into a tragic, romantic hero for the Aladdin generation. This is the only Tarzan film to win
For over a century, one primal cry has echoed through the halls of cinema history. It’s not a famous quote or a catchphrase—it’s a yell. A triumphant, bone-chilling, three-second yodel that promises adventure, danger, and a man who rules the apes.
Partially. Skarsgård has the body, but the CGI-heavy action and serious tone feel heavy compared to Weissmuller’s fun. However, it remains a visually lush attempt to modernize the myth. The Complete Tarzan Filmography (Quick Reference) | Decade | Notable Star | Vibe Check | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 1910s-20s | Elmo Lincoln | Silent, raw, historical artifact. | | 1930s-40s | Johnny Weissmuller | The Classic. Fun, fast, fantastic yell. | | 1950s | Lex Barker / Gordon Scott | Transitional; B-movie charm. | | 1960s | Mike Henry | Bond wannabe in a loincloth. | | 1999 | Animated (Disney) | Emotional, musical, perfect. | | 2016 | Alexander Skarsgård | Gritty, beautiful, uneven. | Why We Keep Watching The Tarzan movie series is a mirror of cinema itself. When Hollywood was young, he was a brute. When America was optimistic, he was a swimming champion. When animation became art, he became a heartthrob. When we got cynical, he got dark. tried to launch a new series with The
Tarzan and His Mate (1934) is considered the best of the bunch, featuring an underwater battle sequence that still looks stunning. 3. The Dad-Bod Era: Lex Barker & Gordon Scott (1949–1960) After Weissmuller hung up the vine, the series needed a new look. Lex Barker brought a more handsome, romantic lead to the jungle, while Gordon Scott (a former lifeguard) started the trend toward a "stronger, smarter" Tarzan.