If you loved
Beneath the Planet of the Apes
Ted Post · Film · 1970
If Beneath the Planet of the Apes gripped you, it is because you crave stories where humanity faces its own inevitable, self-inflicted destruction.
Start with the source
Adaptation
Planet of the Apes
Franklin J. Schaffner · Film · 1968
Adaptation
Escape from the Planet of the Apes
Film · 1971
Books on the same thread
The Day of the Triffids
John Wyndham · Book · 2003
Shares a thread with Beneath the Planet of the Apes: Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction.
Much like Beneath the Planet of the Apes, this narrative explores the fragility of civilization when faced with an existential threat that renders our former dominance entirely obsolete and irrelevant.
A Canticle for Leibowitz
Walter M. Miller (Jr.) · Book · 1997
Explores: Nuclear War, Religious Order, Preservation of Knowledge.
This work mirrors the grim, circular history found in Beneath the Planet of the Apes, focusing on how religious fanaticism and nuclear fallout shape the ruins of human society.
Among the Brave
Margaret Peterson Haddix · Book · 2004
Explores: Identity, Government Control, Rebellion.
You will recognize the tension of Beneath the Planet of the Apes here, as the characters navigate a landscape defined by oppressive government control and a desperate need for identity.
The Forge of God
Greg Bear · Book · 2001
Explores: Extinction Event, Existential Threat, Humanity's Survival.
This story captures the same existential dread present in Beneath the Planet of the Apes, illustrating how scientific hubris often leads humanity toward an unavoidable and catastrophic extinction event.
Series on the same thread
See
Steven Knight · Series · 2019
Shares a thread with Beneath the Planet of the Apes: Religious Fanaticism.
The struggle for survival in a world that has fundamentally changed since the fall of man echoes the post-apocalyptic atmosphere that defined Beneath the Planet of the Apes.
Lost in Space
Irwin Allen · Series · 2018
Explores: Family Survival, Interplanetary Colonization, Human vs. Environment.
Like the protagonists in Beneath the Planet of the Apes, these characters find themselves stranded in a hostile, alien environment where every shadow hides a dangerous secret to uncover.
Raised by Wolves
Aaron Guzikowski · Series · 2020
Shares a thread with Beneath the Planet of the Apes: Dystopian Science Fiction.
This series examines the collision of religious conflict and artificial life, mirroring the way Beneath the Planet of the Apes uses its setting to critique the loss of humanity.
Lost
Jeffrey Lieber · Series · 2004
Explores: Survival, Secrets, Moral Ambiguity.
Just as in Beneath the Planet of the Apes, the survivors here must reconcile their moral ambiguity while trapped in a place where the environment itself hides dark secrets.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Existentialism, Individual Responsibility, Cultural Critique.
This podcast provides the philosophical depth you appreciated in Beneath the Planet of the Apes, analyzing how our values and existential crises define the trajectory of human culture today.
The Orphans
The Light and Tragic Company · Podcast · 2025
These stories of castaways on hostile worlds evoke the same sense of isolation and discovery that makes the journey of the survivor in Beneath the Planet of the Apes compelling.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What order should I watch the series if I just finished Beneath the Planet of the Apes?
To follow the narrative timeline, you should watch the 1968 Planet of the Apes film first, followed by Beneath the Planet of the Apes. After finishing this title, you should proceed to the 1971 film Escape from the Planet of the Apes to continue the story.
Is Beneath the Planet of the Apes based on the 1963 book?
Beneath the Planet of the Apes is a direct sequel to the 1968 film adaptation. While the original 1963 book by Pierre Boulle served as the foundation for the initial movie, this specific sequel expands on the cinematic universe rather than adapting the remaining chapters of the novel.
Should I watch the 1968 Planet of the Apes before Beneath the Planet of the Apes?
Yes, you should watch the 1968 Planet of the Apes film first. Beneath the Planet of the Apes functions as a direct continuation of the events depicted in the first movie, and viewing them in order provides the necessary context for the rescue mission and the subsequent discovery of the secret.
How does Beneath the Planet of the Apes connect to Escape from the Planet of the Apes?
Escape from the Planet of the Apes is the direct sequel to Beneath the Planet of the Apes. The 1971 film continues the overarching plot established in the previous entries, following the aftermath of the events that occurred on the planet where the rescue mission took place.