What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedWar for the Planet of the Apes
Matt Reeves · Film · 2017
If you loved War for 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 War for the Planet of the Apes across media.
What hooked you in War for the Planet of the Apes was the profound struggle to maintain morality amidst inevitable societal collapse.
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 Making of the Representative for Planet 8
Doris Lessing · Book · 1988
Shares a thread with War for the Planet of the Apes: Survival.
Like War for the Planet of the Apes, this story examines the heavy psychological toll of environmental change and the painful necessity of adapting to a dying world.
War with the Newts
Karel Čapek · Book · 1955
Shares a thread with War for the Planet of the Apes: Xenophobia.
This satire mirrors the xenophobic tensions found in War for the Planet of the Apes, exploring how humanity reacts when faced with a new, sentient species claiming power.
Monsters of Men
Patrick Ness · Book · 2010
Shares 2 threads with War for the Planet of the Apes: Survival, Moral Ambiguity.
Fans of War for the Planet of the Apes will recognize the central burden of leadership and the agonizing choices characters make to secure peace during wartime.
Ender's Game
Orson Scott Card · Book · 2013
Shares 2 threads with War for the Planet of the Apes: Moral Ambiguity, Xenophobia.
Just as Caesar faces impossible tactical decisions in War for the Planet of the Apes, Ender confronts the moral ambiguity of leading a species toward survival through conflict.
Series on the same thread
The Vietnam War
Series · 2017
Explores: War Trauma, Anti-War Movement, Cold War Conflicts.
The visceral portrayal of war trauma in this documentary provides a real-world parallel to the heavy, somber atmosphere that defines the conflict in War for the Planet of the Apes.
Planet Earth II
Series · 2016
Shares a thread with War for the Planet of the Apes: Survival.
This series captures the raw, unforgiving nature of survival that informs the animal perspectives and environmental stakes seen throughout the narrative of War for the Planet of the Apes.
12 Monkeys
Terry Matalas · Series · 2015
Shares a thread with War for the Planet of the Apes: Moral Ambiguity.
The desperate, high-stakes fight for the future found in this show echoes the mythic quest for survival that drives the central characters in War for the Planet of the Apes.
Blue Planet II
Series · 2017
Explores: Ocean Exploration, Marine Life, Environmentalism.
Much like the naturalistic focus in War for the Planet of the Apes, this footage showcases the resilience required for life to persist in an increasingly hostile environment.
Podcasts on the same thread
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History
Dan Carlin · Podcast · 2026
Shares a thread with War for the Planet of the Apes: moral ambiguity.
This podcast explores the same themes of civilizational collapse and the consequences of power that dictate the tragic trajectory of the characters in War for the Planet of the Apes.
Revolutions
Mike Duncan · Podcast · 2025
Explores: societal collapse, power dynamics, cyclical history.
The analytical approach to power dynamics and societal breakdown here complements the historical weight and thematic complexity present in the conflict of War for the Planet of the Apes.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What order should I watch the Planet of the Apes movies in?
To follow the franchise history, start with the original 1968 Planet of the Apes and its sequel Beneath the Planet of the Apes. These films provide the foundational context for the series that eventually leads to the events depicted in War for the Planet of the Apes.
Is War for the Planet of the Apes based on the 1963 book?
War for the Planet of the Apes is part of the modern film franchise inspired by the original 1963 novel Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle. While it shares thematic elements with the book and the 1968 film adaptation, it presents a distinct narrative arc for Caesar.
How does War for the Planet of the Apes connect to the 1968 Planet of the Apes movie?
War for the Planet of the Apes serves as a prequel to the original 1968 Planet of the Apes film. The modern trilogy explores the rise of Caesar and the events that ultimately lead to the world depicted in the classic 1968 movie and its sequel, Beneath the Planet of the Apes.
Should I watch Beneath the Planet of the Apes after War for the Planet of the Apes?
Watching Beneath the Planet of the Apes after War for the Planet of the Apes helps you understand the evolution of the franchise. While the modern films have their own timeline, viewing the 1970 sequel provides deeper insight into the classic series that preceded the current Caesar-led films.