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Movies Like Planet of the Apes
Looking for movies like Planet of the Apes? Here are 10 films with similar cerebral, imaginative vibes, matching themes, and the same emotional impact.
Sci-Fi
Adventure 1968
Best Movies Like Planet of the Apes
The best movies like Planet of the Apes are Avatar, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Stargate SG-1: Children of the Gods. Each shares the cerebral, imaginative tone and explores similar themes of sci-fi, adventure.
If you loved Planet of the Apes (1968) for astronaut taylor crash lands on a distant planet ruled by apes who use a primitive race of humans..., these 10 movies deliver a similar experience. We picked each one based on shared tone, themes, and emotional feel — not just surface-level genre tags.
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1. Avatar
2009 Sci-FiWhy it's similar: In the 22nd century, a paraplegic Marine is dispatched to the moon Pandora on a unique mission, but becomes torn between following orders... Vibe: cerebral, imaginative, sci-fi Best for fans of: Planet of the Apes, Sci-Fi filmsWhere to watch Avatar -
2. Rise of the Planet of the Apes
2011 ThrillerWhy it's similar: A highly intelligent chimpanzee named Caesar has been living a peaceful suburban life ever since he was born. But when he gets taken to a... Vibe: cerebral, imaginative, thriller Best for fans of: Planet of the Apes, Thriller filmsWhere to watch Rise of the Planet of the Apes -
3. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
2014 Sci-FiWhy it's similar: A group of scientists in San Francisco struggle to stay alive in the aftermath of a plague that is wiping out humanity, while Caesar trie... Vibe: cerebral, imaginative, sci-fi Best for fans of: Planet of the Apes, Sci-Fi filmsWhere to watch Dawn of the Planet of the Apes -
4. Stargate SG-1: Children of the Gods
2009 ActionWhy it's similar: An alien similar to Ra appears out of the Stargate, killing five soldiers and kidnapping another, a year after the original Stargate miss... Vibe: cerebral, imaginative, action Best for fans of: Planet of the Apes, Action filmsWhere to watch Stargate SG-1: Children of the Gods -
5. War for the Planet of the Apes
2017 DramaWhy it's similar: Caesar and his apes are forced into a deadly conflict with an army of humans led by a ruthless Colonel. After the apes suffer unimaginabl... Vibe: cerebral, imaginative, drama Best for fans of: Planet of the Apes, Drama filmsWhere to watch War for the Planet of the Apes -
6. Stargate: Continuum
2008 ActionWhy it's similar: Ba'al travels back in time and prevents the Stargate program from being started. SG-1 must somehow restore history. Vibe: cerebral, imaginative, action Best for fans of: Planet of the Apes, Action filmsWhere to watch Stargate: Continuum -
7. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
2024 Sci-FiWhy it's similar: Several generations following Caesar's reign, apes – now the dominant species – live harmoniously while humans have been reduced to livin... Vibe: cerebral, imaginative, sci-fi Best for fans of: Planet of the Apes, Sci-Fi filmsWhere to watch Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes -
8. Enemy Mine
1985 DramaWhy it's similar: A soldier from Earth crashlands on an alien world after sustaining battle damage. Eventually he encounters another survivor, but from the... Vibe: cerebral, imaginative, drama Best for fans of: Planet of the Apes, Drama filmsWhere to watch Enemy Mine -
9. 2073
2024 ThrillerWhy it's similar: Inspired by Chris Marker's iconic 1962 featurette La Jetée; the year is 2073—a not-so-distant dystopian future—and the setting is New San... Vibe: cerebral, imaginative, thriller Best for fans of: Planet of the Apes, Thriller filmsWhere to watch 2073 -
10. Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
2017 AdventureWhy it's similar: In the 28th century, Valerian and Laureline are special operatives charged with keeping order throughout the human territories. On assign... Vibe: cerebral, imaginative, adventure Best for fans of: Planet of the Apes, Adventure filmsWhere to watch Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
Why These Movies Are Similar to Planet of the Apes
Every film on this list connects to Planet of the Apes through shared sci-fi DNA — but we went deeper than genre alone. The cerebral, imaginative tone, recurring themes of sci-fi, adventure, and the way Planet of the Apes makes you feel are the real criteria. Whether it's the narrative structure, visual atmosphere, or emotional payoff that hooked you, these recommendations are chosen to recreate that experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the closest movie to Planet of the Apes?
Avatar (2009) is the most similar overall. In the 22nd century, a paraplegic Marine is dispatched to the moon Pandora on a unique mission, but becomes torn between following orders...
What should I watch after Planet of the Apes?
If you want the closest experience, watch Avatar. For a different angle on similar themes, try Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014).
Are there more sci-fi movies like Planet of the Apes?
Yes. Most films on this list fall within Sci-Fi and Adventure. We have 10 recommendations above, all chosen for their cerebral, imaginative qualities.
What are the top 3 movies like Planet of the Apes?
Our top 3 picks are: Avatar, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. Each captures a different aspect of what makes Planet of the Apes special.
What is a hidden gem similar to Planet of the Apes?
Check out Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017). It's less well-known but captures a similar feel: In the 28th century, Valerian and Laureline are special operatives charged with keeping order throughout the human territories. On assign...