If you’ve watched Planet of the Apes and like it, then you’re going to love these similar sci-fi action movies that are like it.
Today on our list, we have films like Jurassic Park and Jurassic World, King Kong, Gozilla, etc., so without wasting much of your time, let’s see the 20 best sci-fi action movies like Planet of the Apes.
20 Sci-Fi Action Movies Like Planet of the Apes
Related: Top 55 best 1-man-vs-many action movies like “Nobody”.
Avatar
In the 2009 movie Avatar, Jake Sully, a paraplegic former Marine, is chosen to participate in the Avatar Program on the alien moon Pandora. The program involves linking his mind to a genetically engineered body, called an Avatar, that resembles the indigenous Na’vi people. Jake’s mission is to gather information about the Na’vi and their home, as humans want to mine a valuable mineral called unobtanium found beneath their land.
As Jake explores Pandora, he becomes close to the Na’vi, particularly Neytiri, who teaches him their ways and culture. Jake starts to see the beauty of Pandora and the deep connection the Na’vi have with their environment. His loyalty begins to shift as he realizes the destructive intentions of the human corporation he works for.
Conflict arises as the humans prepare to forcibly remove the Na’vi to gain access to the unobtanium. Jake finds himself caught between his duty to his own kind and his growing bond with the Na’vi. He must decide where his true allegiance lies as tensions escalate and the fate of Pandora hangs in the balance.
Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park is a groundbreaking sci-fi adventure that follows a group of experts invited to a remote island to witness a groundbreaking theme park. Billionaire John Hammond has managed to genetically engineer dinosaurs from prehistoric DNA, creating a living, breathing prehistoric world.
The group, including a paleontologist, a mathematician, and a lawyer, are initially awestruck by the incredible spectacle. However, their excitement quickly turns to terror when a series of unfortunate events leads to a catastrophic power failure, allowing the dinosaurs to escape their enclosures. Stranded on the island, the group must fight for survival as they’re hunted by prehistoric predators.
Jurassic World
Taking place twenty-two years after the events of the original Jurassic Park, a new dinosaur theme park has been built on the same island where Jurassic Park once stood. The park is a massive success, attracting visitors from all over the world.
To keep the excitement high and boost attendance, the park’s scientists create a new genetically-engineered dinosaur called the Indominus rex, which is bigger, faster, and more dangerous than any other dinosaur.
However, the park’s obsession with bigger and better attractions leads to disaster. The Indominus Rex escapes its enclosure and wreaks havoc on the island. Chaos ensues as visitors and park staff fight for survival.
Amidst the panic, Owen Grady, a dinosaur expert, and Claire Dearing, the park’s operations manager, must work together to contain the situation and protect the people on the island.
King Kong
King Kong is a classic tale of adventure and spectacle. Set in the 1930s, the story follows a film crew venturing to the mysterious Skull Island in search of exotic footage. Led by the ambitious director Carl Denham, the crew encounters a world of prehistoric creatures, including the colossal gorilla, Kong.
Captivated by the beauty and power of the island’s ecosystem, the filmmakers find themselves in a dangerous struggle for survival. Their encounter with Kong leads to a complex relationship, as the giant ape is both a terrifying force of nature and a tragic creature longing for companionship. The film becomes a thrilling spectacle as Kong is captured and brought to the concrete jungle of New York City, where he becomes a symbol of both wonder and terror.
Godzilla
In the 2014 movie Godzilla, scientists uncover ancient fossils and a dormant, massive creature deep underground. This awakening disturbs the balance, leading to the emergence of enormous creatures called MUTO (Massive Unidentified Terrestrial Organisms). These creatures pose a severe threat to humanity due to their destructive nature and ability to emit powerful electromagnetic pulses.
As the MUTOs begin to wreak havoc across various cities, the military and a group of scientists, including Dr. Ishiro Serizawa and Dr. Vivienne Graham, seek ways to combat them. Meanwhile, a Navy officer named Ford Brody, who has a personal history with these monsters due to his father’s obsession with the creatures, becomes deeply involved in the efforts to stop the threat.
In the midst of the chaos, an ancient, powerful creature known as Godzilla rises from the ocean. Unlike the MUTOs, Godzilla seems to have a natural balance-keeping role in nature. As cities around the world face destruction, humanity looks to Godzilla as their unlikely savior, hoping that the beast can defeat the MUTOs and restore balance.
And there you have them, folks, the best sci-fi action movies you must watch today if you like Planets of the Apes.