If you loved
Planet of the Apes
Pierre Boulle · Book · 1963
What hooked you in Planet of the Apes was the unsettling way it uses speculative scenarios to force a mirror onto human nature.
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
2001: A Space Odyssey
Stanley Kubrick · Film · 1968
Like Planet of the Apes, this film uses a journey into the unknown to confront humanity with its own origins, evolution, and potential obsolescence in a vast, indifferent universe.
Avatar
James Cameron · Film · 2009
This film mirrors the cultural critique found in Planet of the Apes by exploring the moral consequences of colonialism and the friction between human expansion and an alien environment.
A Trip to the Moon
Georges Méliès · Film · 1902
This early masterpiece shares the spirit of adventurous discovery found in Planet of the Apes, highlighting the inherent absurdity and scientific hubris of humans encountering the truly alien.
The Time Machine
George Pal · Film · 1960
This story echoes the dystopian social hierarchy of Planet of the Apes by thrusting a traveler into a future where the roles of predator and prey have been brutally reversed.
Series on the same thread
The Outer Limits
Leslie Stevens · Series · 1963
Much like Planet of the Apes, this anthology series leverages the flexibility of science fiction to examine moral ambiguity and the existential dread caused by our own technological advancements.
The Man in the High Castle
Frank Spotnitz · Series · 2015
This series captures the unsettling atmosphere of Planet of the Apes by presenting a stark, alternate reality that challenges your perception of political power and the fragility of civilization.
Black Mirror
Charlie Brooker · Series · 2011
This show functions as a modern companion to Planet of the Apes, using speculative technology to expose humanity's darkest traits and the unintended consequences of our societal progress.
Battlestar Galactica
Glen A. Larson · Series · 2004
This series shares the desperate survivalist tension of Planet of the Apes, forcing you to question what remains of human identity when your civilization is pushed to the brink.
Podcasts on the same thread
Revolutions
Mike Duncan · Podcast · 2025
This narrative history provides the same analytical depth as Planet of the Apes, examining the cyclical patterns and power dynamics that inevitably lead to societal collapse and radical change.
Making Sense with Sam Harris
Sam Harris · Podcast · 2026
This podcast mirrors the intellectual rigor of Planet of the Apes, challenging you to examine the cognitive biases and ethical dilemmas that define the human experience in modern society.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What order should I watch the original Planet of the Apes movies?
You should begin with the 1968 film Planet of the Apes. The story continues in Beneath the Planet of the Apes released in 1970, followed by the third installment, Escape from the Planet of the Apes, which was released in 1971.
Is Planet of the Apes based on a book?
Yes, Planet of the Apes is based on the 1963 book written by Pierre Boulle. The novel was also published under the title Monkey Planet, serving as the original source material for the subsequent film adaptations released throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s.
How many films are in the original Planet of the Apes series?
The original film series consists of three titles mentioned here: the 1968 film Planet of the Apes, the 1970 sequel Beneath the Planet of the Apes, and the 1971 film Escape from the Planet of the Apes. These movies are all based on the original concept by Pierre Boulle.
Should I read the book before watching the 1968 Planet of the Apes movie?
Reading the 1963 book by Pierre Boulle provides the original context for the franchise. Whether you read it before or after watching the 1968 movie Planet of the Apes, you will experience the core narrative that also inspired the sequels Beneath the Planet of the Apes and Escape from the Planet of the Apes.