What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedDawn of the Planet of the Apes
Matt Reeves · Film · 2014
If you loved Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, start with Planet of the Apes (Pierre Boulle, 1963) — a book from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Dawn of the Planet of the Apes across media.
What hooked you in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes was the brutal tension between survival and the moral decay of civilization.
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
The Maze Runner (Book 1)
James Dashner · Book · 2014
Shares a thread with Dawn of the Planet of the Apes: Survival.
Like the isolated communities in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, this story captures the desperate struggle for order and survival within an enclosed, high-stakes environment.
The Day of the Triffids
John Wyndham · Book · 2003
Shares 2 threads with Dawn of the Planet of the Apes: Survival, Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction.
This narrative mirrors the societal collapse found in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, focusing on the primal challenge of humanity facing an overwhelming, non-human existential threat.
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
Yuval Noah Harari · Book · 2015
Explores: Human Evolution, Cognitive Revolution, Agricultural Revolution.
If the evolutionary and leadership dynamics of Dawn of the Planet of the Apes fascinated you, this exploration of humanity's destructive rise offers the deeper context you crave.
The Walking Dead
Robert Kirkman · Book · 2014
Shares a thread with Dawn of the Planet of the Apes: Survival.
The moral ambiguity and ruthless leadership tactics seen in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes are front and center in this gritty, high-stakes conflict between competing survivor groups.
Series on the same thread
The Walking Dead
Frank Darabont · Series · 2010
Shares 2 threads with Dawn of the Planet of the Apes: Survival, Loss of Innocence.
The loss of innocence and the brutal community building depicted in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes define this series as characters navigate a shattered, unforgiving world.
Attack on Titan
Series · 2013
Shares 2 threads with Dawn of the Planet of the Apes: Survival, Loss of Innocence.
Just as in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, this story centers on the existential horror of humanity being pushed to the brink by a superior monster.
12 Monkeys
Terry Matalas · Series · 2015
Shares a thread with Dawn of the Planet of the Apes: Moral Ambiguity.
This series captures the same heavy atmosphere of a decimated future found in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, emphasizing the burden of sacrifice for future generations.
Planet Earth II
Series · 2016
Shares a thread with Dawn of the Planet of the Apes: Survival.
The focus on environmental adaptation and the raw struggle for survival in this series provides the perfect real-world foundation for the primal animal behavior in 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
Explores: Human-wildlife conflict, Apex predators, Biological survival.
This podcast explores the intense human-wildlife conflict that serves as the central driver for the tension and power struggles throughout the film Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.
Revolutions
Mike Duncan · Podcast · 2025
Explores: societal collapse, power dynamics, cyclical history.
The power dynamics and patterns of societal collapse explored here mirror the political turmoil and shifting leadership structures that define the community in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Dawn of the Planet of the Apes based on the 1963 book?
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is part of the broader franchise inspired by the 1963 novel Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle. While it shares the core premise of intelligent primates and human struggle, it functions as a modern cinematic entry within the established series mythology.
What order should I watch the films including Dawn of the Planet of the Apes?
To experience the series chronologically by release date, begin with the original 1968 film Planet of the Apes, followed by its sequel Beneath the Planet of the Apes. You should then proceed to modern entries like Dawn of the Planet of the Apes to see the evolving narrative.
How does Dawn of the Planet of the Apes connect to the 1968 Planet of the Apes movie?
Both Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and the 1968 film Planet of the Apes explore the central conflict between humans and intelligent primates. While they are separate productions, they share the thematic foundation established by the original source material regarding the survival of humanity and ape dominance.
Should I watch Beneath the Planet of the Apes before Dawn of the Planet of the Apes?
Watching Beneath the Planet of the Apes provides historical context for the franchise's development. While Dawn of the Planet of the Apes stands as a distinct 2014 production, viewing the earlier films helps you understand the long-term thematic evolution of the series and the core premise of ape society.