Tarzan Movies In Order _top_ Jun 2026

By this point, the Hays Code (censorship laws) was tightening its grip. Jane’s wardrobe became more modest, and the violence was toned down. The series began to shift toward a more family-friendly tone.

This was the first adaptation. Starring Elmo Lincoln as the Ape Man, this film is historic for being one of the first movies to gross over $1 million. However, looking back, it was chaotic. Lincoln, a beefy, middle-aged man, looked less like a lithe jungle boy and more like a wrestler in a bad wig. The "apes" in the film were not actors in costumes, but simply stagehands wearing whatever furry scraps the studio could find. Despite the crudeness, audiences were captivated by the idea of a man raised by beasts. tarzan movies in order

After Weissmuller retired, the role passed to Lex Barker, a handsome, erudite actor. His Tarzan ( 11. Tarzan's Magic Fountain (1949) onward) was cleaner, spoke better English, and was essentially a "jungle G-man." He policed the rainforest. It lacked the raw, animalistic power of Weissmuller, but it kept the franchise alive. By this point, the Hays Code (censorship laws)

Disney reinvented the myth for a new generation. This animated classic gave Tarzan a soulful side, skating through the trees on branches (a physics-defying move borrowed by later live-action films). With a Phil Collins soundtrack, it became a massive commercial hit, introducing the character to children who had never seen a black-and-white movie. This was the first adaptation

– Starring James Pierce. Tarzan the Mighty (1928) – Starring Frank Merrill.

Elmo Lincoln returned for sequels, but the formula was still finding its footing. By the time 3. Tarzan the Mighty (1928) arrived, Lincoln had retired, and the mantle passed to Frank Merrill. This era established the genre as an action serial, with cliffhangers and daring rescues, setting the stage for the sound era.

Tarzan gets a musical makeover and a gritty reboot.