What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedPlanet of the Apes
Pierre Boulle · Book · 1963
If you loved Planet of the Apes, start with Planet of the Apes (Franklin J. Schaffner, 1968) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Planet of the Apes across media.
What hooked you in Planet of the Apes is the way it forces you to confront the fragility of human dominance.
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
Adaptation
Escape from the Planet of the Apes
Film · 1971
Films on the same thread
Fantastic Planet
René Laloux · Film · 1973
Shares 3 threads with Planet of the Apes: Existentialism, Xenophobia, Power Dynamics.
Like Planet of the Apes, this film explores the unsettling reversal of status where humans are treated as animals, perfectly mirroring the themes of oppression and xenophobia you enjoyed.
A Clockwork Orange
Stanley Kubrick · Film · 1971
Shares a thread with Planet of the Apes: Dystopian Fiction.
If you appreciated the cynical societal critique in Planet of the Apes, you will find this exploration of behavioral conditioning and the loss of individual autonomy deeply compelling and relevant.
The Time Machine
George Pal · Film · 1960
Explores: Time Travel, Social Darwinism, Class Conflict.
This story shares the core fascination with social evolution found in Planet of the Apes, depicting a future where class conflict leads to the total divergence of the human species.
2001: A Space Odyssey
Stanley Kubrick · Film · 1968
Shares a thread with Planet of the Apes: Existentialism.
Much like Planet of the Apes, this masterpiece examines the trajectory of human evolution and the existential questions that arise when humanity encounters its own limitations in a vast universe.
Series on the same thread
The Twilight Zone
Rod Serling · Series · 1959
Shares 2 threads with Planet of the Apes: Existentialism, Speculative Fiction.
The moral dilemmas and sharp social commentary that define Planet of the Apes are the heart of this anthology, which consistently uses speculative scenarios to challenge our perceptions of humanity.
The Outer Limits
Leslie Stevens · Series · 1963
Explores: Moral Ambiguity, Existential Dread, Technological Anxiety.
Fans of the existential dread found in Planet of the Apes will appreciate how these self-contained tales use sci-fi horror to dissect the consequences of human ambition and technological advancement.
Star Trek
Gene Roddenberry · Series · 1966
Explores: Exploration, Diplomacy, First Contact.
While more optimistic, this series shares the penchant for using first contact and diplomacy to hold a mirror up to human nature, a central pillar of Planet of the Apes.
Cowboy Bebop
Series · 1998
Shares a thread with Planet of the Apes: Existentialism.
This series captures the same sense of existential isolation and moral ambiguity seen in Planet of the Apes, set against the backdrop of a humanity struggling to survive in space.
Podcasts on the same thread
Desinteligencia Artificial
Podcast
Shares a thread with Planet of the Apes: Existentialism.
If the dystopian critique in Planet of the Apes resonated with you, this podcast offers a modern, thoughtful analysis of the intersections between technology and our changing social structures.
Revolutions
Mike Duncan · Podcast · 2025
Shares a thread with Planet of the Apes: power dynamics.
The themes of societal collapse and cyclical power dynamics that underpin the world of Planet of the Apes are explored here through the lens of historical and futuristic revolution.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What order should I watch the original Planet of the Apes movies?
To follow the narrative sequence, you should start with the 1968 film Planet of the Apes, followed by Beneath the Planet of the Apes in 1970, and conclude with Escape from the Planet of the Apes in 1971.
Is Planet of the Apes based on a book?
Yes, the 1968 film is based on the 1963 book Planet of the Apes written by Pierre Boulle. The original novel was also published under the title Monkey planet.
How many movies are in the original Planet of the Apes series?
The original series consists of three films based on the source material: Planet of the Apes released in 1968, Beneath the Planet of the Apes released in 1970, and Escape from the Planet of the Apes released in 1971.
Should I read the book before watching Planet of the Apes?
Reading the 1963 book Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle provides the original context for the story. You can choose to read the source material before or after watching the 1968 film adaptation to see how the narrative was translated to the screen.