1. Planet of the Apes (1968)
Though the premise may have long started to wear thin, the original Planet of the Apes remains a sci-fi classic. It’s remembered for its brilliant plot twist ending, then-groundbreaking practical effects (which hold up remarkably well today), and its strong undercurrent of social commentary. It’s so popular that many people didn’t even know it was based on a book at all.
The 1968 film was based on Pierre Boulle’s 1962 novel La Planète des singes (guess what that means, we dare ya). However, the film made more than a few changes to the book’s story, and those ultimately elevated the film above its source material. In the book, the planet is orbiting the star Betelgeuse, with the film adding the time-travel twist that the planet was Earth all along.
The ending of the film is by far one of its best and most memorable aspects, but it’s not the only way it surpasses the book. The excellent production values helped Planet of the Apes become iconic sci-fi, and tell an incredibly engaging and accessible story. The final twist ultimately sealed it: it’s just one of those movies that’s far better than its source material.
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