Pithecophobia

Pithecophobia (from Greek pithekos, "ape, monkey") is the fear of apes. Sufferers are afraid that apes can come and attack them, so they would limit going outdoors, while severe sufferers would not leave the home at all. Watching the  films may trigger pithecophobia to some people, especially young children.

Pithecophobia was first coined by William K. Gregory in a 1927 issue of Science magazine's letters section. He described it as "... a new kind of phobia which is now widely prevalent among the American public ... pithecophobia, or the dread of apes - especially the dread of apes as relatives or ancestors. ... this phobia has become almost pandemic ..."