Tarzan Movies In Order Exclusive Jun 2026

After the disaster of 1981, Hollywood realized they needed to go back to the books, not the comic strips.

Gordon Scott took over in 1955. Initially, his films were low-budget ( Tarzan's Hidden Jungle ), but he eventually evolved the character into a more intelligent, capable hero. His best film, 13. Tarzan's Greatest Adventure (1959) , is a hidden gem. It abandoned the "Me Tarzan" dialogue entirely, portraying him as a competent, gruff adventurer. This gritty approach is often cited as a precursor to the James Bond-style action films.

After Weissmuller, several actors took up the loincloth for lower-budget adventures. tarzan movies in order

Best for: Film historians and purists.

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. After the disaster of 1981, Hollywood realized they

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 period includes the famous TV series and foreign productions. His best film, 13

Which actors have played Tarzan in movies and TV? Who was the best?