The Planet of the Apes franchise has captivated audiences since its inception in 1963 with Pierre Boulle‘s novel. From the groundbreaking 1968 film to the recent reboot series, these stories of intelligent apes and post-apocalyptic worlds have left an indelible mark on pop culture. 

If you’ve exhausted the Apes saga and are looking for similar thrills, we’ve compiled a list of films that share themes, settings, and excitement with this iconic franchise.

The Book of Eli (2010)

The Book of Eli (2010) stars Denzel Washington as a lone wanderer in a desolate America, much like the barren landscapes seen in later Apes films. Set in a post-apocalyptic America, Eli is on a quest to deliver hope back to humans in a world ravaged by disaster. The film’s desolate landscapes and themes of survival mirror those found in the Apes franchise.

I Am Legend (2007)

I Am Legend (2007) features Will Smith as a survivor in a virus-ravaged New York City, echoing the themes of disease and isolation found in movies like Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Robert Neville is seemingly the last human survivor in New York City following a viral plague. Like Kingdom, I Am Legend utilizes motion capture techniques to bring its infected beings to life. Both films explore the psychological toll of carrying a heavy burden alone in a world transformed by a devastating virus.

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

This movie presents a visceral, action-packed vision of a resource-scarce future that would feel right at home in the Apes universe. This high-octane post-apocalyptic thriller shares Kingdom’s innovative world-building and cinematography. Like Kingdom’s Noa, Max becomes embroiled in a larger scheme to establish civilization and escape oppressive ideologies. Both films showcase masterful filmmaking techniques that immerse viewers in their dystopian worlds.

Children of Men (2006)

For a more contemplative take on societal collapse, Children of Men (2006) explores a world grappling with human infertility, offering a different perspective on species extinction. Set in a war-torn 2027, this movie depicts a world where women have become infertile. This dystopian thriller shares Kingdom’s themes of preserving hope in a ravaged society. Both films present a stark divide between different factions and explore the potential for coexistence in a changed world.

Deep Blue Sea (1999)

This movie features genetically enhanced sharks turning on their human creators. When scientists use great white sharks for Alzheimer’s research, the experiments backfire, resulting in highly intelligent predators. While more horror-focused, Deep Blue Sea raises similar questions about the ethics of animal testing and the consequences of enhancing animal intelligence.

The Jurassic Park franchise

This franchise, starting with the 1993 classic, showcases the dangers of resurrecting extinct species through genetic manipulation. This iconic franchise begins with this thrilling tale of resurrected dinosaurs running amok in a theme park. Like Kingdom, Jurassic Park serves as a cautionary tale about messing with evolution and nature’s balance. 

Avatar (2009)

Avatar (2009) shares this commitment to visual innovation, creating an entirely alien world with breathtaking detail. James Cameron‘s blockbuster shares Kingdom’s groundbreaking use of motion capture technology to bring non-human characters to life. Both films explore themes of exploitation, with humans threatening an alien world in Avatar, mirroring the conflict between apes and humans in the Kingdom.

The Jungle Book (2016)

The live-action remake of The Jungle Book (2016) brings animal characters to life with astonishing realism, much like the apes in the recent Apes films. It brings Rudyard Kipling‘s classic tale to the screen with stunning CGI. Beyond the surface-level similarities of animal characters, The Jungle Book shares Kingdom’s exploration of the “law of the jungle” and societal hierarchies. Both films challenge viewers to question their allegiances and belief systems.

King Kong (2005)

Peter Jackson‘s King Kong (2005) offers another take on the intelligent ape concept, with its titular character showcasing a range of emotions that rival those seen in Caesar‘s journey throughout the Apes reboot series. It features groundbreaking motion capture work by Andy Serkis as Kong. This performance laid the groundwork for Serkis’s later work in the Planet of the Apes reboot. Both King Kong and Kingdom explore the complex relationship between powerful primates and humans.

The Creator (2023)

This movie shifts the focus to artificial intelligence but maintains the theme of humanity grappling with a new, intelligent other. This recent sci-fi feature presents a world where humans and AI are at war. Like Kingdom, The Creator challenges viewers to shift their sympathies between different factions. Both films comment on mankind’s tendency to become its own worst enemy when pushing the boundaries of scientific advancement.

From post-apocalyptic wastelands to genetically enhanced creatures, from stunning visual effects to complex interspecies relationships, these films offer something for every fan of the Planet of the Apes franchise. They expand on the themes and ideas present in the Apes saga, providing new perspectives and thrilling narratives that will keep you entertained long after you’ve finished your Apes marathon.