Is It Based on a Book?
Tarzan of the Apes book cover

Cover via Open Library

Movie · 1932

Is Tarzan the Ape Man based on a book?

Quick answer

Yes. Tarzan the Ape Man is based on the book Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs (1912).

Tarzan of the Apes is book 1 of the Tarzan series.

The movie was released in 1932.

The book behind Tarzan the Ape Man

Tarzan of the Apes cover

Tarzan of the Apes

by Edgar Rice Burroughs · first published 1912 · fantasy, adventure fiction

1912 novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

Tarzan: books in order

  1. Tarzan of the Apes (1912)
  2. The Return of Tarzan (1915)
  3. The Beasts of Tarzan (1914)
  4. The Son of Tarzan (1915)
  5. Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar (1916)
  6. Jungle Tales of Tarzan (1919)
  7. Tarzan the Untamed (1920)
  8. Tarzan the Terrible (1921)
  9. Tarzan and the Golden Lion (1922)
  10. Tarzan and the Ant Men (1924)
  11. Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle (1927)
  12. Tarzan and the Lost Empire (1928)
  13. Tarzan at the Earth's Core (1930)
  14. Tarzan the Invincible (1930)
  15. Tarzan Triumphant (1931)
  16. Tarzan and the City of Gold (1932)
  17. Tarzan and the Lion Man (1934)
  18. Tarzan and the Leopard Men (1935)
  19. Tarzan's Quest (1936)
  20. Tarzan and the Forbidden City (1938)
  21. Tarzan the Magnificent (1939)
  22. Tarzan and the Foreign Legion (1947)
  23. Tarzan and the Madman (1964)
  24. Tarzan and the Castaways (1965)

Other adaptations of Tarzan of the Apes

Common questions

Is Tarzan the Ape Man based on a book?

Yes. Tarzan the Ape Man is based on the book Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs (1912).

Who wrote the book Tarzan the Ape Man is based on?

Tarzan of the Apes was written by Edgar Rice Burroughs and first published in 1912.

Is Tarzan of the Apes part of a series?

Yes, it is book 1 in the Tarzan series (3 books listed below in reading order).

Should I read the book before watching?

Start with Tarzan of the Apes, book 1 of Tarzan of the Apes. If you like knowing the full story and characters first, read it before you watch. Adaptations often change or cut plotlines, so the book is a different experience even if you've seen the movie.

More screen adaptations of Edgar Rice Burroughs's books

Facts from Wikidata (CC0). See also Wikipedia.