If you loved
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Matt Reeves · Film · 2014
What hooked you in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes was the visceral struggle to maintain civilization while facing inevitable, species-altering extinction.
Start with the source
Adaptation
Planet of the Apes
Franklin J. Schaffner · Film · 1968
Adaptation
Beneath the Planet of the Apes
Ted Post · Film · 1970
Books on the same thread
Timescape
Gregory Benford · Book · 1981
Like Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, this story centers on scientists making desperate choices to alter the fate of humanity against a backdrop of global ecological collapse.
The Last Kids on Earth
Max Brallier · Book · 2015
If you appreciated the intelligent monster dynamics in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, you will enjoy this team-based survival story where humanity confronts a new, eerie intelligence.
The Lunar Chronicles: Cinder
Marissa Meyer · Book · 2012
This title mirrors the plague-ravaged world of Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, focusing on how a marginalized protagonist navigates complex social tensions to protect a fragile future.
Remains
Steve Niles · Book · 2004
Much like the isolated survivors in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, the protagonists here must navigate a hostile, post-apocalyptic landscape where every encounter could lead to their end.
Series on the same thread
See
Steven Knight · Series · 2019
This series captures the tribal warfare and struggle for supremacy seen in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, exploring how remnants of humanity fight to survive after a virus.
The Strain
Guillermo del Toro · Series · 2014
This thriller echoes the medical urgency of Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, as experts scramble to understand a viral outbreak that threatens the very core of human civilization.
All of Us Are Dead
Chun Sung-il · Series · 2022
The moral dilemmas faced by trapped students during a viral outbreak reflect the difficult survival choices made by the characters in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.
Survivors
Terry Nation · Series · 2008
This series examines the same themes of human resilience and the slow rebuilding of society following a global pandemic that drive the narrative of Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.
Podcasts on the same thread
Tooth & Claw: True Stories of Animal Attacks
Wes Larson, Jeff Larson, Mike Smith | Daylight Media · Podcast · 2026
If the primal leadership and predator dynamics in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes fascinated you, these true stories of human-wildlife conflict provide a grounded, expert-led look at survival.
The Telepathy Tapes
Ky Dickens · Podcast · 2026
This podcast explores the evolution of consciousness and human potential, mirroring the scientific inquiry into intelligent, non-human perspectives found in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What order should I watch the films in if I started with Dawn of the Planet of the Apes?
Since Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is part of the modern reboot series, you should watch the 1968 Planet of the Apes, followed by Beneath the Planet of the Apes, to understand the original cinematic foundation that inspired the franchise's long-standing legacy and themes.
Is Dawn of the Planet of the Apes based on the 1963 book Planet of the Apes?
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is not a direct adaptation of the 1963 novel Planet of the Apes. While it shares the core premise of intelligent apes and human struggle, it operates within the modern reboot continuity rather than following the specific plot of the original source material.
How does the 1968 Planet of the Apes compare to Dawn of the Planet of the Apes?
The 1968 Planet of the Apes introduced the foundational concept of a world governed by intelligent apes that Dawn of the Planet of the Apes explores. While the 1968 film focuses on a human astronaut's discovery, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes centers on the internal societal development of Caesar's community.
Should I watch Beneath the Planet of the Apes after finishing Dawn of the Planet of the Apes?
You can watch Beneath the Planet of the Apes if you want to explore the history of the franchise. It serves as a direct sequel to the 1968 film, providing context for the cinematic universe that preceded the events depicted in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.