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This wiki is about the characters from the Journey Film series. These are characters from (1)Journey to the Center of the Earth, (2) Journey 2: The Mysterious Island. and (3) Journey 3 from earth to the moon

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15 Great Cinematic Journeys

December 8, 2021 by Tom Jolliffe

Tom Jolliffe offers up 15 great cinematic journeys… 

When it comes to cinema, the very best films will grab the audience and keep us gripped throughout the runtime. Every character goes on a particular journey that can be literal and/or metaphorical. Those literal epic journeys which might see hobbits on a quest to take a ring to a volcano make for particularly enthralling stories.

It usually goes, that a protagonist (or several) steps out of their comfort zone, into lands foreign to them, and usually hostile (because we need some conflict). That journey outward becomes a simultaneous journey inward, as they must find a kind of strength or clarity from within. Cinema has certainly been filled with many great examples of arduous, life affirming journeys. Here are a few:

Conan The Barbarian

Long arduous journey you say? Well how about nigh on twenty years, much of which is spent bound in slavery, before being untethered to roam across dangerous lands? Why? Well Conan asks only one thing from Crom, “Grant me this one request…Grant me revenge…and if you do nahht listen den to hell wid you!!” So it’s a determined, focused trek from adolescence to being a young barbarian behemoth, in search of Thulsa Doom, who murdered Conan’s parents. An unshakable focus on vengeance.

John Milius’ sorely underrated and grandiose operatic fantasy is quite unlike the very many sword and sorceries that rode on its loincloth-tails in the 80’s. This is a bonafide masterwork allowing its imperious musical score to tell the story in a film sparse on dialogue. It looks glorious, the weight of Conan’s quest and journey which transcends beyond the mortal realm, and sees him fall in love in the process too, is truly epic. It’s just head and shoulders above everything else in its sub-genre and Arnold is perfectly cast. The movie is stolen however by Sandahl Bergman who is stunning, whilst James Earl Jones is a great villain.

Andrei Tarkovsky’s sci-fi masterpiece is laden with pondering philosophy and reflection. An amalgamation of some of the characters also seem to deeply reflect his own personality (the ‘Writer’ in particular). Not for the first or last time in his career, Tarkovsky crafts an introspective journey, layered beneath a ‘quest.’ His very distinct approach to visual storytelling and wilfully slow pacing also makes you feel the passing seconds. Once you’re engrossed and ‘present’ in the story, you are then essentially involved in the journey, quite unlike anything else cinema can offer.

As the Stalker, Writer and Professor journey to ‘the zone’ they encounter undefined dangers which may or may not be real. Tarkovsky’s earthy frames are filled with natural detail, rich in texture and another aspect that makes you feel the journey. Ultimately whilst the three protagonists meander to a place where their deepest desires could come true, it’s that parallel inward journey that is even more interesting. Additionally the making of the film was a notoriously arduous quest. Trial by fire almost, having to be almost entirely reshot (after most of the initial footage was lost) and at a location so seeped in radioactivity, that it ultimately shortened the lifespan of many of the crew (who would later die of cancer in many cases).

The Lord of the Rings

Peter Jackson’s original trilogy. For a three year span, The Lord of the Rings became a must see Christmas event. In truth there’s been nothing during the season since which has had quite the same pull. Such was the epic scope of this story and the buzz, that it had audiences hooked in from the start, and made it essential to come back.

Frodo and friends journeying across middle Earth across 9 hours of cinema, never felt overlong from a viewing perspective, but certainly we felt the danger throughout. Jackson seemed to reinvigorate the blockbuster around this time, and his great blending of superb sets and practical work, with grandiose CGI was well balanced (whereas his Hobbit trilogy was a bit CGI heavy). Additionally he legitimised blockbuster cinema with well rounded characters (benefiting from the beefy run times). The films did particularly well at Oscar season considering the genre ( Return of the King , the final instalment won Best Picture). Impeccable, engrossing filmmaking and it holds up brilliantly.

Paris, Texas

Wim Wenders with his quirky cinematic sensibilities was no stranger to road movies, making a number of great films in Europe. Paris, Texas would be the film which introduced him significantly to US audiences, and allowed him to cast his unique eye on a very distinct part of America. That alien eye gives a very classic American road movie a very interesting perspective, and that is further exemplified by Robby Muller’s stunning cinematography.

Southern states America becomes almost otherworldly and ethereal. It becomes occasionally a metaphorical landscape reflecting the inner turmoil and listlessness of our central character Travis (played by a never better, Harry Dean Stanton). He wonders out of the dessert, having been missing for years, presumed dead, with foggy memories of his previous life. He has a son he must reconnect with, and his brother, but the thought of his ex burns in his mind the more he returns to compos mentis. Then he journeys with his son to find her. It’s a long, reflective and slow burning movie but beautifully engaging with a subdued and laconic guitar score from Ry Cooder. It’s also beautifully written by Sam Shepard.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

We’re in November now. Tis the season, the season for Planes, Trains and Automobiles . This is all about the journey, as uptight, successful businessmen Steve Martin is greeted with a non stop barrage of comical obstacles in his quest to get home for Thanksgiving. Many of the moments in this comedy of errors revolve around the travel companion he can’t quite shake, played wonderfully by John Candy.

There’s not much to say about how good this film is. It’s just one of the most endlessly repeatable, beautifully crafted comedies ever made. Martin and Candy are both on top form in what might be John Hughes’ masterwork. Achingly funny but also heartfelt and touching in the right places, perfectly encapsulating just how effortlessly affable Candy was as a performer. I watch it every year, and genuinely look forward to the now traditional seasonal viewing.

Saving Private Ryan

The war film had been in something of a rut across the 80’s and 90’s. There’d been a few standouts, not least Spielberg’s harrowing masterpiece, Schindler’s List . Saving Private Ryan seemed to kickstart a new wave, and nothing after quite matched up (besides The Thin Red Lin e which was so distinctly Malick).

Tom Hanks leads a small unit tasked with heading across war torn France, to find a Paratrooper called Private Ryan, whose brothers have been killed in action. It’s an astonishing cast absolutely loaded top to bottom with stars who flit in and out and give great performances. Hanks is sensational. Spielberg pulls no punches and his Omaha landing sequence is a technical, gut wrenching marvel. The film has become the benchmark by which all other war movies have since been compared. The journey through hostile territories is terse, chilling and nail-biting.

Blending elements of The Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland , Labyrinth tells the tale of young Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) who must journey through a wondrous but hazardous Goblin Kingdom to rescue her baby brother. An array of creatures are brought to life by Jim Henson in a world wonderfully crafted (entirely by sets).

Labyrinth can be seen very much on the surface as a family friendly musical fantasy, but also deeper as a darker tale of paranoid schizophrenia, as a young girl creates an internal delusion based on the literary, movie and musical stories she obsesses over, as well her toy characters (friends), her absent maternal mother and step-father (who is pictured in Sarah’s room, with Bowie in said frame). Sarah becomes her mother, the step-father becomes the Goblin King, as she also takes on the role of Dorothy/Alice too. Labyrinth is seriously complex and they really (really) don’t make kids films like this anymore. Still, you can also enjoy the light hearted surface material, bolstered by Python-esque humour and great Bowie tracks.

Terrence Malick’s poetic coming of age odyssey of misspent youth is a philosophical Bonnie and Clyde. Young tearaway Kit (Martin Sheen) is enamoured by a high schooler (Sissy Spacek). She’s a miner from a broken home. She becomes infatuated by Kit and they leave together, descending into murder and crime after killing Holly’s father.

On the run from the law, this listless and aimless cross country journey to the Montana badlands, sees time slow as they both embrace the wandering aimlessness at first. Kit is simple, lacking in intelligence, only able to react in ways that are dangerous, but Holly is hopelessly dependant on him until it’s too late. Stunningly shot with a beautiful score (which Tarantino, Tony Scott and Hans Zimmer riffed in True Romance ), the film is gorgeous. Sheen is great, pure charisma with underlying intensity. Spacek is luminous.

A literal journey across rugged South American terrain, transporting highly volatile explosives, becomes a very metaphorical journey into hell. Roy Scheider (who is incredible) leads a small unit of nefarious individuals who have all ended up hiding out in the same God-Forsaken place for one reason or another.

This remake of Wages of Fear is one of a few which match or surpass the original. For me the pulsating and slightly more lithe Sorcerer does surpass (narrowly) Wages, but both are exceptional. Sorcerer in fact is oft talked about as one of American cinemas most underrated films. William Friedkin’s big budget and nihilistic masterpiece wasn’t appreciated on its initial release and entirely blown out of the box office waters by a little film called Star Wars , which changed the shape of cinema. Brutally bleak, darkly pessimistic, Sorcerer was everything that American cinema had become from 68-77 in particular, but soon to be replaced by optimism and escapism across the galaxies. It’s Friedkin’s best film (no small praise there), which feels dank, incessantly sweaty and grim, but is also a juggernaut of tension thanks to the concept and Tangerine Dream’s pulsating score. The rope bridge crossing scene, which is all in-camera and shot on location, is absolutely stunning to the point of being almost inconceivable (seriously, how the fuck, did they shoot that???). It’s actually tense to the point of nausea.

2001: A Space Odyssey

Stanley Kubrick allows his audience to journey through time and space in his visual masterpiece. Backed by a collection of classical music pieces, each beautifully suiting their respective sequences, 2001 plays out in several segments, beginning at the dawn of man, mans ascent to space, and then a journey beyond.

From a visual point of view the film is still stunning. The space sequences, ships and VFX are superb. Kubrick’s minute attention to detail and perfectionism make the film feel largely timeless. The standout portion is probably Hal, the increasingly ‘aware’ AI that inevitably malfunctions once sentience begins to overcome him. It’s the most ‘set piece’ aspect of Kubrick’s otherwise distinctly philosophical, ambiguous and challenging film. Very few directors could pull off a film like this, so laboriously paced, so wilfully enigmatic and narratively light, but Kubrick does. It’s an immersive experience and you’ll perhaps not even be able to understand quite why you enjoy it so much.

Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

Speaking of the aforementioned game changing Star Wars , the first film is a classic journey of self discovery as a desert planet farm boy discovers a lineage bound with destiny and is whisked off to headline an intergalactic battle between the rebellion and the Empire.

Inspired by comics, pulp material, TV serials and Samurai movies, George Lucas’ space opus is the most directly influential film of all time. Nothing really changed the landscape of cinema so unequivocally as Star Wars . American cinema was on a creative high, booming. Dark films, fiercely auteurist, thanks to burgeoning young talent, were the order of the day and they were booming. Lucas offered an antithesis in a genre which had been falling by the wayside precisely because these more adult, pessimistic films had taken over. Comparatively quaint and campy, other space Sci-Fi movies of the time look archaic compared to Star Wars now. Revolutionary effects, not exactly on a big budget, created an eye catching world. The simple and relatable story, laid out as an epic quest, was easy to follow and it has Han MF Solo in it too. The young rising cast ooze charisma, the villains, droids and creatures are mesmerising. Star Wars changed everything and at its heart, beneath the bells and whistles, it’s great storytelling.

The original. Peter Jackson got it very right with LOTR, but his follow up, King Kong was arduous for all the wrong reasons. The groundbreaking original follows an intrepid band of film-makers looking to shoot on a mysterious island. They of course find Kong and other monster inhabitants of great size there. You know the rest. The journey to Kong’s island is great, and then the journey becomes more about Kong himself as he is brought back to New York to become a sideshow. Inevitably he escapes, enamoured by Fay Wray (who wouldn’t be) and the films iconic imagery is known by all. This still holds up incredibly well. It’s the archetypal B picture. A classic creature feature. It’s quaint perhaps, but still effective and still touching. Most importantly, even without the benefits of CGI, it tells it’s story far more efficiently and over an hour shorter than Jackson’s indulgent slog of a film. This was a major milestone in stop motion animation which would later be perfected by Ray Harryhausen.

Aguirre: The Wrath of God

Warner Herzog and Klaus Kinski. It was a complicated relationship between director and muse. It was also mesmerising, the two combining often to exceptional effect and perhaps not more so than this brutal journey into deadly terrain in a metaphorical search for God, in an outward search for riches and power.

Kinski is Lope De Aguirre, who vies for power during an arduous expedition, slowly driven mad as nature begins to best the group. It’s a gruelling journey and the increasing descent to madness by Kinski feels beyond cinematic (because it probably was). Astonishing imagery throughout, not least a stunning final shot that lingers long after.

Spielberg again, and the film which really started it. It’s delectably simple in narrative but ruthlessly efficient in execution. A mild-mannered businessman (Dennis Weaver) is travelling across country. Mile upon mile of dusty highway. He’s then targeted for very little reason by the maniacal driver of a big rig. This is essentially the warm up for Jaws . We never see the driver or get a deeper understanding of his motives, but this ambiguity benefits the film.

Above all though we really feel the life changing weight of this journey which is worn on Weaver’s face. He goes through the wringer and then some, finding the kind of baser instincts he never felt prior. Spielberg maintains kinetic energy in this relentless chase and manages to keep a general sense of dread in the quiet moments when the film brings the chase to a pause.

The Straight Story

An old man takes a trip across country to see his ailing brother by riding on a lawnmower. David Lynch delivers his most conventional and perhaps most quaintly heartfelt film. The film’s very distinct story is based on real life events, making what sounds odd, all the more interesting.

Lynch keeps things simple and disciplined never intruding the picture with the enigmatic quirks which became his raison d’etre. The performances are excellent, particularly Richard Farnsworth as the titular Alvin Straight.

What are your favourite cinematic journeys? Let us know on our social channels @flickeringmyth…

Tom Jolliffe is an award winning screenwriter and passionate cinephile. He has a number of films out on DVD/VOD around the world and several releases due out in 2021/2022, including, Renegades (Lee Majors, Danny Trejo, Michael Pare, Tiny Lister, Nick Moran, Patsy Kensit, Ian Ogilvy and Billy Murray), Crackdown, When Darkness Falls and War of The Worlds: The Attack (Vincent Regan). Find more info at the best personal site you’ll ever see  here . 

About Tom Jolliffe

Tom Jolliffe is an award-winning screenwriter, film journalist and passionate cinephile. He has written a number of feature films including 'Renegades' (Danny Trejo, Lee Majors), 'Cinderella's Revenge' (Natasha Henstridge) and 'War of the Worlds: The Attack' (Vincent Regan). He also wrote and produced the upcoming gothic horror film 'The Baby in the Basket'.

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The 12 Best Movies That Follow the Hero's Journey

These movies use the monomyth to spectacular results.

Everyone who's interested in how stories are made is bound to have heard the term "the Hero's Journey." Also known as the monomyth, it's a story archetype coined and popularized by Joseph Campbell in the mid-1900s when he noticed that heroes in myths typically go through the same 17 stages in their journey, from the call to adventure that gets the character out of their comfort zone, to the freedom to live found at the end of the ordeals in their adventure.

This narrative template has served as the basis and inspiration of countless stories throughout history – including numerous outstanding films. From a grand fantastical story like Star Wars , to something more grounded in reality like O Brother, Where Art Thou? , these movies don't always follow every single one of the steps outlined by Campbell, but they stick to more than enough to call each of them a hero's journey . A tried-and-true way of telling successful stories that resonate with audiences of all ages and nationalities, movies that follow the Hero's Journey, if well-written, are always a delight like no other.

12 'Men in Black' (1997)

Barry sonnenfeld's campy sci-fi comedy.

One of the most iconic movies you may not know is based on Marvel comics , Men in Black is the story of a cop ( Will Smith ) who, after a chase with an otherworldly being, is recruited by an organization that monitors and polices alien activity on Earth. There's something for every sci-fi fan to enjoy in this movie, from visually stunning special effects to mind-blowing action and just the right amount of humor.

Men in Black follows the Hero's Journey nearly to a tee , from Agent J getting the call to join the mission of protecting the planet from alien threats and initially refusing the call, to him finally learning to master his two worlds and become the hero he was meant to be. The result is a thrilling sci-fi action adventure that doesn't get nearly enough praise nowadays, with a heroic protagonist that's a joy to follow through his journey.

Men In Black

Watch on Hulu

11 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?' (2000)

Joel and ethan coen's take on an old classic.

The Coen brothers are masters of making some of the most entertaining crime movies, and O Brother, Where Art Thou? is definitely one of their best. Loosely based on Homer 's The Odyssey , it's about three fugitives roaming the southern U.S. in search of treasure with the law hot on their heels. Unlike the Greek classic, however, the Coens' crime film has great Southern American music, traditional Western tropes, and stars George Clooney , Tim Blake Nelson , and John Turturro .

The characters in O Brother, Where Art Thou? encounter mentors, face challenges, and go through profound transformations , just like the heroes in the monomyth do. The ensuing adventure is as humorous as it is exciting, an offbeat adaptation of a massively important and influential classic. You can't go wrong with a well-written and well-directed Coen brothers movie, so O Brother should easily please all cinephiles' palates.

Rent on Apple TV

10 'Batman Begins' (2005)

Christopher nolan's reinvention of the caped crusader.

Movies with Hero's Journey archetypes are fun enough as they are, but mix those elements with a superhero origin story, and you get one of the best entries in the superhero genre . That's what Batman Begins is, as it reinvents the story of Bruce Wayne's ( Christian Bale ) origins as the vigilante hero Batman, by placing the character on a journey to become the guardian that his beloved Gotham City deserves.

Christopher Nolan's first installment in his Dark Knight Trilogy feels more like a character-driven thriller than a traditional superhero film, in the best sense possible. The director cleverly fits Bruce's process of becoming the Dark Knight into Campbell's monomyth , showing audiences how the hero is eventually able to master his new identity to save his city.

Batman Begins

Watch on Max

9 'The Matrix' (1999)

Lana and lilly wachowski's game-changing extravaganza.

When the Wachowskis released The Matrix before the turn of the century, the world was taken by storm, and the sci-fi genre in films would never be the same again. In the movie that cemented him as an action star, Keanu Reeves plays Neo, a man who joins a group of insurgents in their fight against the powerful computers who rule Earth. To this day, The Matrix still receives praise as one of the best sci-fi movies ever .

With its visual innovations, clever cinematography, and unique philosophical themes that have been endlessly analyzed throughout the years, The Matrix was unlike anything audiences had seen before at the time of its release . Perhaps one of the main reasons why its story clicked so well with viewers around the world was because it closely follows the stages of the Hero's Journey, as Neo goes from an average Joe to an all-powerful hero.

Neo (Keanu Reeves) believes that Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), an elusive figure considered to be the most dangerous man alive, can answer his question -- What is the Matrix? Neo is contacted by Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), a beautiful stranger who leads him into an underworld where he meets Morpheus. They fight a brutal battle for their lives against a cadre of viciously intelligent secret agents. It is a truth that could cost Neo something more precious than his life.

8 'Kung Fu Panda' (2008)

Mark osborne and john stevenson's martial arts adventure.

For those that think that family animated movies are exclusively for children, Kung Fu Panda is the perfect mind-changing watch. It follows Po ( Jack Black ), a lazy panda who dreams of being a kung fu hero, as he's thrust into a journey of discovering his destiny as the Chosen One. There are many examples of the Hero's Journey in movies that logically follow the same structure, but the creative things that Kung Fu Panda does with the archetype are entirely its own .

Just like all the compelling heroes of Campbell's model, Po is called to action, goes through several life-threatening ordeals with help from friends and allies, and finds that the power to be the guardian of the Valley of Peace comes from within. Sprinkled with hilarious humor, outstanding voice acting, and some of the best action in any animated film , it's undoubtedly one of DreamWorks Animation's best efforts.

Kung Fu Panda

7 'finding nemo' (2003), andrew stanton's love letter to fatherhood.

Hero's Journey movies are usually action-focused epics, and not often family-friendly stories about fish. That only makes Finding Nemo even more special. It's the story of Marlin ( Albert Brooks ), a timid clownfish who, after his son Nemo ( Alexander Gould in one of the best child voice performances in animated cinema) is kidnapped, sets out to find him against all the threats that the deep blue sea has to offer.

Though Finding Nemo isn't your typical kind of hero's journey, where the story is much more intimate and the biggest threats that the characters face are mostly internal, it very much follows the formula. What finds itself transformed in the end is the relationship between Marlin and Nemo, in one of the most touching endings of Pixar's filmography.

Finding Nemo

Watch on Disney+

6 'The Wizard of Oz' (1939)

Victor fleming's timeless musical classic.

An exciting adventure that uses both black-and-white and beautiful color , through a fantastical land that any movie fan would love to live in, The Wizard of Oz follows Dorothy ( Judy Garland ) in her journey through the magical land of Oz, searching for a mysterious wizard who can send her back home.

The movie was an absolute sensation when it came out, and even after more than three-quarters of a century, it's still remembered as one of the greatest American movie masterpieces. The stages of the monomyth are clear in The Wizard of Oz : the ordinary world is Kansas, Dorothy crosses a very literal threshold to a vastly different world, and her journey of transformation is full of faces both friendly and menacing.

The Wizard of Oz

5 'the lion king' (1994), roger allers and rob minkoff's twist on shakespeare.

1994's The Lion King is a movie that needs no introduction. Many would say that it's the best-animated movie to ever come out of Disney, and it's fully understandable, thanks to its timeless songs and the animated film's brilliant depiction of grief . It's the grand and epic story of Simba ( Matthew Broderick ), a lion cub prince who's tricked into exile by his uncle Scar ( Jeremy Irons ), who wishes to have the throne for himself.

The animation is majestic, with some really charming character designs, and the story is compelling from beginning to end. Its philosophical themes of identity and self-discovery are beautiful, and the way they're conveyed through a classic hero's journey structure in The Lion King is simply perfect . The film is in certain ways an adaptation of William Shakespeare 's Hamlet , but its fidelity to Campbell's monomyth is much more interesting to dissect.

The Lion King (1994)

4 'harry potter' saga (2001 - 2011), warner bros.' magical journey through hogwarts.

The Harry Potter series features not just one, but eight of the movies that best follow the Hero's Journey. From Chris Columbus 's Sorcerer's Stone to David Yates 's Deathly Hallows — Part 2 , the franchise follows the coming-of-age story of the titular character ( Daniel Radcliffe ) and his two best friends, as they grow to become key players in a war against an evil wizard.

Everyone has a different favorite installment in the series, but every Harry Potter movie plays an equally crucial role in the overarching narrative of the story, which very closely follows the monomyth . Not only that, but each film follows a smaller version of the general model as well. It's probably what makes these movies so easy to enjoy, since they so faithfully walk along the lines laid out by Campbell and so many filmmakers from before 2001.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

An orphaned boy enrolls in a school of wizardry, where he learns the truth about himself, his family and the terrible evil that haunts the magical world.

3 'The Lord of the Rings' Trilogy (2001 - 2003)

Peter jackson's walk to mordor.

There are countless things that make Peter Jackson 's The Lord of the Rings trilogy one of the best fantasy film franchises of all time, and one of the most important is the fact that all three installments in the trilogy truly feel like part of a greater whole, as they collaborate in telling the story of Frodo ( Elijah Wood ), the Fellowship of the Ring, and their efforts to destroy the greatest tool of an evil tyrant terrorizing Middle-earth.

Of course, the monomyth-following template was already there, set in stone by the legendary J.R.R. Tolkien when he wrote what's undoubtedly one of the best series of fantasy books in history. Even yet, the way Jackson and company built on top of that, telling a story that feels undeniably cinematic, is admirable beyond measure.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

2 'citizen kane' (1941), orson welles's groundbreaking masterpiece.

When Orson Welles made his passion project Citizen Kane , he probably had no idea that he was making what would in the future be referred to as the single greatest film of all time by thousands of people, as well as one of the most essential movies of the '40s . Inspired by magnate William Randolph Hearst , it's a character study about a group of reporters trying to decipher the last words of Charles Foster Kane (Welles), a powerful newspaper tycoon.

Citizen Kane is an entirely unique picture, and the way it's structured is just as well. Citizen Kane follows Campbell's monomyth formula in a very non-traditional way , which only makes it more of a groundbreaking story. There are plenty of good reasons for its fame, and that's certainly one of the biggest.

Citizen Kane

1 'star wars' (1977), george lucas's revolutionary space opera.

Perhaps no movie more famously follows the Hero's Journey archetype than Star Wars , with George Lucas having taken direct inspiration from Campbell . The hero in this particular story is Luke Skywalker ( Mark Hamill ), a young farm boy who's thrown into an adventure far greater than anything he'd encountered before, joining the Rebellion against the dictatorial Galactic Empire.

One of the best space operas of all time, Star Wars showcases what makes the monomyth such an effective way of telling stories and celebrating the art of storytelling itself. Luke is a deeply compelling hero, his journey is incredibly entertaining, and all the allies and villains that he encounters along the way are equally iconic. As far as modern myths go, Star Wars is certainly one of the best.

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope

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Movies That Follow The Hero's Journey, Ranked By How Well They Use The Monomyth

Vote up the movies that most effectively use the hero's journey.

While there are always exceptions, nearly every film relies on some kind of narrative structure. In its most simplistic form, this structure has a beginning, middle, and end. There are problems and solutions. The main character changes and grows. Viewers are inherently familiar with these elements, but may not be aware of their inner workings.

One of the most widely-used storytelling methods is the monomyth - better known as the hero's journey - which was described and codified by writer Joseph Campbell. There are 17 stages to this narrative pattern that can be split across three acts: Departure, Initiation, and Return. In a nutshell, a hero's journey movie sees the protagonist embark on an adventure or quest. Along the way, they face obstacles that make them question themselves and their purpose. Even though they inevitably hit rock bottom, the hero perseveres and grows into a new person in the end.

While Campbell's full structure includes 17 stages, let's quickly break down the 7 main ingredients:

The Ordinary World - The hero lives a familiar and simple life

Call to Adventure - The hero is presented with a challenge in the unknown world, but is reluctant

Crossing the Threshold - The hero decides to enter the unknown world to take on the challenge

Trials - While meeting mentors and helpers, the hero must overcome obstacles that lead to the main challenge

The Abyss - Setbacks accumulate and leave the hero with a sense of hopelessness

Atonement - Through reflection and aid from others, the hero regains their way

The Return - The hero resumes their quest, overcomes the main challenge (the climax), then returns to the familiar world as a changed person

With that basic understanding of how the monomyth works, take a look at the biggest movies that follow the hero's journey to storytelling success.

Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

What Is The Journey? Luke Skywalker finds out his father was a Jedi and joins Obi-Wan Kenobi, Han Solo, Chewbacca, and two droids to rescue Leia Organa from the Galactic Empire.

What Trials Do They Face?  At first, Luke is unsure if he's worthy of learning how to become a Jedi and wield the magical power called the Force. However, after his aunt and uncle are killed by Stormtroopers, he embarks on a journey with Obi-Wan and begins to learn the ways of the Jedi. He is pulled into a world he knows nothing about, as he's forced to adapt on the fly, survive, and face the seemingly impossible threats of the Empire and Darth Vader. The danger only grows when Obi-Wan is struck down by Vader, leaving Luke without a teacher.

How Do They Overcome?  While Luke hasn't reached the point where he is the Jedi Master everyone knows here, he starts to believe in his own abilities and trust the power of the Force. He successfully taps into the Force to destroy the Empire's world-destroying weapon, the Death Star, and gains the confidence to join the Rebels in the ongoing fight against the Empire.

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The 'Lord of the Rings' Trilogy

What Is The Journey?  The young hobbit Frodo Baggins travels to Mount Doom in Mordor to destroy the powerful One Ring and bring an end to the evil reign of the Dark Lord Sauron.

What Trials Do They Face? Frodo embarks on a literal journey of considerable length, spanning three films. Every twist and turn signals a new threat as the forces of evil try to stop him from reaching Mordor. With each step, he must also resist the temptation of power that the One Ring presents - everyone who has carried it before has become corrupted at some point. As Frodo struggles with the belief that his willpower is not strong enough to resist the ring, his friends and allies, in particular his best friend Samwise Gamgee, aid and encourage him on his quest.

How Do They Overcome? Frodo realizes he isn't an island and needs to rely on the help of others. He shows the ultimate act of bravery by letting go of the burden of believing he is the only one who can complete this mission on his own and accepts the importance and assistance of the Fellowship around him. With Sam's help getting him to Mount Doom and pulling him  back from the brink at the last moment, Frodo completes the mission and returns home to the Shire, irrevocably changed by what he's been through. 

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

What Is The Journey?  11-year-old orphan Harry Potter, who has been mistreated his whole life by his uncaring aunt and uncle, discovers he is a wizard. What's more, he's a legend among wizards for defeating the Dark Lord Voldemort as an infant. Now, as he attends the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, he must live up to the massive expectations on him as "Boy Who Lived” while Voldemort threatens to rise again.

What Trials Do They Face?  For so long, Harry believes himself to be a nobody. Learning of his true heritage is full of joy and uncertainty, as he has great expectations to live up to, but no magic experience whatsoever. He must learn everything about this world from scratch, while withstanding the pressure of everyone watching him more closely because of who he is. Despite the belief and guidance of mentors such as Albus Dumbledore, Rubeus Hagrid, and Minerva McGonagall, he also has a laundry list of people waiting and rooting for him to fail. Harry also doesn't have the luxury of time on his side either, as whispers about Voldemort's return surface.

How Do They Overcome? Harry embraces his natural curiosity and bravery, facing up to unknown challenges even without the certainty that he'll win. He also forms tight bonds with his friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, who have his back no matter how grim the situation gets. Together, they navigate past magical traps and secure the Sorcerer's Stone before Voldemort - whose spirit has been lurking inside of one of their teachers, Professor Quirrell - can use it to restore his life. Harry rises to the challenge and accepts that he will likely have to face Voldemort again in the future.

• Dig Deeper... Things You Didn't Know About 'The Sorcerer's Stone' If You've Only Seen The Movie
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What Is The Journey? Teen Peter Parker gets bitten by a radioactive spider, giving him superpowers; however, he needs to learn how to use these special - and sticky - abilities for the greater good of mankind.

What Trials Do They Face? The young Peter loses his mentor, Uncle Ben, and questions if he has the inner strength to juggle life as a teenager and fighting crime as the masked superhero known as Spider-Man. At the same time, a highly powered and deadly villain known as the Green Goblin rises in the city and offers Spider-Man a place by his side. Peter feels a moral obligation to his uncle's teachings and declines the offer, but now he needs to dodge the never-ending pumpkin bombs hurled at him by the Goblin, whom he soon discovers is his best friend's father.

How Do They Overcome? Peter finally understands his uncle's teachings: “With great power comes great responsibility.” He fights the Green Goblin, knowing that this battle will change both Spider-Man and Peter in the end. Finally, he accepts that his life will never be the same again because his powers are both a gift and curse that he needs to learn how to use for the benefit of all - yes, even J. Jonah Jameson, who sees him as a menace.

• Dig Deeper... Here's Where Every Suit In 'Marvel's Spider-Man' For PS4 Comes From In The Comics
• And Deeper... 12 Facts You Should Know About Mysterio
• # 213 of 772 on The Most Rewatchable Movies

What Is The Journey?  Computer hacker Thomas Anderson, AKA Neo, suspects something isn't right in the world around him, and discovers what everyone perceives to be real is simply a facade to conceal what's actually taking place. When a mysterious mentor named Morpheus offers Neo the infamous red pill, Neo must forget everything he knows of the world and embrace a new truth.

What Trials Do They Face?  Neo is told he's the chosen one who needs to liberate humanity from its enslavement by the machines. However, he lacks the knowledge and skills to fight back against the Matrix, which requires him to change his way of thinking and develop the skills to manipulate the Matrix, which can extend to slowing down time and bending bullets. Morpheus opens his eyes to the reality of what's happening, but Neo is in a race against time to fulfill the prophecy while keeping the pesky agents - who could double as Ray-Ban models - at bay.

How Do They Overcome?  Neo accepts the prophecy that he's the chosen one. He lets go of everything he thought was real to ascend to a higher plain of existence and embrace his destiny to show other humans that freedom is possible.

• Dig Deeper... 33 Things You Didn't Know About 'The Matrix' Trilogy
• And Deeper... 15 Things You (Probably) Didn't Know About The Original 'Matrix' Film
• And Deeper... 11 Behind-The-Scenes Stories From 'The Matrix' That Made Us Say 'Whoa'

What Is The Journey? After escaping evildoers, genius-billionaire-playboy-philanthropist Tony Stark realizes he has used his influence, intelligence, and tech for all the wrong reasons. Now, he plans on using his abilities for the benefit of the world.

What Trials Do They Face? After being captured by terrorists, Tony's heart requires technological intervention from scientist Ho Yinsen to keep on ticking, which acts as both a reminder of the power and danger of his creations. Using a newfound appreciation for life and understanding from Yinsen of how his selfishness caused strife, he needs to learn how to harness all his abilities into fighting the very people he used to do business with. At the same time, he meets resistance from some within his company, like Obadiah Stane, who opposes Stark's desire of ceasing extremely profitable weapons manufacturing.

How Do They Overcome? Tony's cockiness, though initially a flaw, turns out to be his biggest asset, as he refuses to accept the status quo. Redirecting his unrestrained confidence from selfish pursuits towards making the world a better place, he becomes the hero no one believed he could be, putting a stop to Stane's plots to take over Stark Industries sell more and more weapons. In the ultimate showboating act and declaration of defiance, he reveals himself to the world as Iron Man, daring anyone to stop him.

• Dig Deeper... Behind-The-Scenes Facts From The Original 'Iron Man' Movie That Demand A Rewatch
• # 22 of 772 on The Most Rewatchable Movies
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The Lion King

What Is The Journey? After the death of his father Mufasa in a stampede, the young Simba runs away into exile, believing himself to be responsible for the traumatic event. However, he must return to reclaim leadership of the Pride Lands from his uncle, Scar, in order to save the animal kingdom.

What Trials Do They Face?  Due to Scar's manipulation, Simba feels incredible guilt over his father's death. Consequently, he tries to forget who he really is as he lives a carefree life with his pals, Timon and Pumbaa. It takes a combined effort from Nala and Rafiki, plus a message from his father on the other side, to remind Simba of who he is: the rightful king. At the same time, Simba is afraid to return after being away so long, especially due to the danger presented by Scar and his army of hyenas who now control the Pride Lands.

How Do They Overcome? Simba remembers the lessons he learned from his father about the qualities of being a king and how being afraid is never a bad thing. He finds the courage to face his past to create a new future. At the same time, his guilt is unburdened when Scar reveals his role in Mufasa's death, which gives Simba a renewed purpose to fight his uncle. He eventually takes his rightful place as the king of the Pride Lands.

• Dig Deeper... 13 Messed Up Things You Never Noticed About The Lion King
• And Deeper... Every Song in The Lion King, Ranked by Singability
• # 3 of 50 on The Biggest Movies Of The '90s, Ranked

Finding Nemo

What Is The Journey?  Meek and overprotective clownfish father Marlin must find the courage to embark on an unpredictable quest into the darkest reaches of the ocean to bring his son, Nemo, back home.

What Trials Do They Face?  Marlin fears his own shadow, treating life with the utmost caution and preferring the mundane over adventure. With his son gone, he needs to swim out of his comfort zone in more ways than one. He braves the dangers and uncertainties of the ocean, searching hard and refusing to give up on his son. Joining Marlin is the forgetful Dory, who teaches Marlin more about the importance of living in the moment and experiencing the fun of not knowing what happens next. 

How Do They Overcome? There are two major lessons that Marlin learns in the process of finding Nemo: first, he is brave and doesn't need to live his life in a state of paralyzing fear. Secondly, Nemo is more than capable of looking after himself, so it's up to Marlin to let go and allow his son to live life with all the risks that entails.

• # 13 of 772 on The Most Rewatchable Movies
• # 7 of 447 on The 400+ Best Animated Kids Movies
• # 3 of 27 on All Pixar Films, Ranked Best To Worst

Batman Begins

What Is The Journey?  After the death of his parents, Bruce Wayne trains his mind and body to become Gotham City's protector and the scourge of every criminal.

What Trials Do They Face? Due to his family's high profile, Bruce is burdened with carrying on the legacy of the Wayne name and being a public figure. Internally, he harbors a strong desire for justice to eradicate the city's corrupt criminal justice system. Knowing he will need to shed the Wayne name and become something else, Bruce embarks on an arduous journey to learn from the greatest masters as he trains his mind and body as a weapon to fight crime. However, his choice to become a symbol of justice rather than executioner results in his former master, Ra's al Ghul, turning into his enemy and threatening to burn Gotham City.

How Do They Overcome?  As Batman, Bruce honors the code of standing for justice and believing his actions can inspire hope, even when it would be easier snapping necks and putting bullet holes in fiends. Despite the adversity he faces and the limits he is pushed to, he remembers the promise he made on his parents's grave to protect Gotham City, carrying that with him as he embraces his new purpose as Batman.

• Dig Deeper... Small Details From 'Batman Begins' That Prove It's The Most Slept On Nolan Film
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• # 114 of 772 on The Most Rewatchable Movies

The Wizard of Oz

What Is The Journey?  Dorothy Gale dreams of a better life away from Kansas, “Somewhere Over The Rainbow.” However, when she her dog Toto get swept up in a tornado and land in the magical, colorful world known as Oz, she needs to follow the yellow brick road to the Emerald City and speak to the mysterious Wizard about helping her get back to Kansas.

What Trials Do They Face? From the get-go, Dorothy is in a pickle, as she's stuck in an unknown place. Complicating things more, her house lands on the Wicked Witch of the East, which upsets her sister, the Wicked Witch of the West. Now, not only does Dorothy need to make her way on foot to the Emerald City and find the Wizard of Oz with help from her motley crew of companions, but she also needs to keep looking over her shoulder because the Witch has nefarious plans for her. Then, to top it all off, Dorothy finds out the Wizard is a fraud, and it appears to be like there's no way back to Kansas.

How Do They Overcome? Despite the uncertainty, Dorothy learns to embrace the weird and wonderful land of Oz, and learns a lot from her companions, the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion. So, when she finds out she can tap her heels and wish her way back to Kansas, she does so. Once she sees her friends and family again, she realizes that there's truly no place like home.

Kung Fu Panda

What Is The Journey? A bumbling panda and kung fu fan, Po is unwittingly selected as the Dragon Warrior, a prophesied hero. However, neither Po nor others believe it to be true.

What Trials Do They Face?  Po is shocked to be named the Dragon Warrior, since he knows he tumbled into a scenario rather than being intentionally selected. He isn't a natural martial artist and struggles under the training of Master Shifu. It also doesn't help that the Furious Five - a group Po adores - don't believe in the poor panda. To make matters worse, the dangerous snow-leopard Tai Lung is on the loose and Po will need to build his skills quickly in order to face him.

How Do They Overcome? Po uses his lovable personality to win over others, while he develops an unorthodox martial arts style. As he progresses and his heart proves to be his greatest strength, he starts to believe in his potential and realizes he is special in his own way.

• # 28 of 447 on The 400+ Best Animated Kids Movies
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• # 396 of 772 on The Most Rewatchable Movies

What Is The Journey? As cracks appear in her seemingly idyllic life in Barbieland, Barbie ventures to the real world to find the child playing with her who is connected to her sudden worries about mortality.

What Trials Do They Face?  Barbie's sense of inadequacy kicks off when she starts to feel imperfect in a perfect world. It causes her to have an existential crisis about who she is and what defines her. This isn't exactly helped when she experiences the harshness of the real world, either. Even once she finds her “child” - who turns out to be an adult woman named Gloria - she needs to evade Mattel corporate employees trying to capture her, and also deal with Ken, who comes to believe that turning Barbieland into a patriarchal society is the only way to bring value to who he is.

How Do They Overcome? Barbie learns it's important to form her own self-identity, embracing the messy parts of life that bring meaning. She also shows compassion and empathy toward Ken and his brethren, encouraging the citizens of Barbieland to treat each other equally and in a way that doesn't devalue anyone else. Finally, after a meeting with Mattel co-founder Ruth Handler, Barbie decides to write her own story and become a human rather than an idea.

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• # 401 of 702 on The All-Time Greatest Comedy Films

Men in Black

What Is The Journey?  After NYPD officer James Darrell Edwards III impresses the mysterious Agent K, he is enlisted into a top-secret organization known as the Men in Black, which is responsible for keeping an eye on extraterrestrial life on Earth.

What Trials Do They Face?  Taking the alias of Agent J, James is thrown into the deep end as he tries to wrap his head around the MIB's rules and dealing with extraterrestrials. K isn't exactly the most fun-loving, friendly mentor, either, so J frequently feels like he's letting himself and everyone else down by not being good enough. Among all this inner turmoil, there is a genuine alien threat to deal with, too, and it's up to J and K to avert a massive inter-species war. 

How Do They Overcome?  J trusts his natural instincts and abilities, while also applying everything he has learned from K to save the day. Ultimately, he discovers that K wasn't training him to be his partner, but his replacement. The student becomes the master in a bittersweet but moving passing-of-the-torch moment.

• Dig Deeper... 14 Behind-The-Scenes Stories From The Making Of 'Men in Black'
• # 17 of 50 on The Biggest Movies Of The '90s, Ranked
• # 14 of 178 on The 150+ Best Movies With Aliens

What Is The Journey?  Paraplegic marine Jake Sully infiltrates the Na'vi tribe of the planet of Pandora through the use of an avatar as part of a mission for the Resources Development Administration (RDA). After he spends some time among the tribe, he begins to question his loyalties, especially as he falls in love with a Na'vi named Neytiri.

What Trials Do They Face?  Sully needs to keep the purpose of his mission a secret to the Na'vi, as they cannot know his real reason for being on Pandora. As he learns more about the nature of Na'vi life and their respect for each other and the world, he becomes torn about what he should do. The RDA promises him they will help walk again if he gives them what they want, while the Na'vi provide a honest way of life. However, the RDA holds all the power here, as they can simply disconnect his body from his avatar.

How Do They Overcome? Sully chooses love and loyalty to the Na'vi over the RDA, revealing the truth to the tribe. While it's a difficult decision that risks his own safety, he finds himself inspired by the Na'vi way of life and chooses to be on the right side of history. Thankfully, the Na'vi come through for him, as well, and he ends up permanently inhabiting his avatar body and becoming a part of their community.

• Dig Deeper... Anyone Still Missing Pandora? Twitter Reacts To The 'Avatar' Re-Release
• # 25 of 178 on The 150+ Best Movies With Aliens
• # 183 of 772 on The Most Rewatchable Movies
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Screen Rant

Every single planet of the apes movie (in chronological order).

The Planet of the Apes timeline is a bit confusing, so we arranged them in their proper chronological order

• The Planet of the Apes movies have a complex timeline that spans from the original 1968 film to the upcoming Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes in 2024.
• Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) is the first film in the modern reboot trilogy, and the first movie chronologically.
• 1968's Planet of the Apes arrives in the middle of the franchise's timeline, despite being the first movie released.

From the original Charlton Heston films to the modern prequels, the Planet of the Apes movies have a complex timeline — one made even more intricate by an ill-fated 2001 Tim Burton project and the upcoming Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes . Based on the novel by French author Pierre Boulle titled Le Planete des singes , the original 1968 Planet of the Apes ranks among the most iconic science fiction films of all time. Across several sequels and reboots, the Planet of the Apes movies have built a continual timeline, though the chronological order doesn't match the order of release.

There are nine Planet of the Apes movies in the timeline so far, with the tenth, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes , arriving in 2024 . The original Planet of the Apes movies told the story of a future Earth where apes are civilized and humans devolved into a feral state. However, the 2011 reboot Rise of the Planet of the Apes went back in time to show how apes became the dominant species. Th e Planet of the Apes movies in chronological order journey from apocalyptic virus survival action to conceptual sci-fi, covering several decades of filmmaking.

Planet Of The Apes: All Movie Timelines Explained

Rise of the planet of the apes (2011), caesar leads a rebellion, rise of the planet of the apes.

The first film of the rebooted trilogy is the first of the Planet of the Apes movies in order based on the history of its timeline. Rise gave a unique spin on the Planet of the Apes movie series as it focuses on an ape named Caesar who, after having his intelligence augmented through science experiments, leads an ape rebellion while releasing a virus that brings humanity to its knees.

Critics gave the film positive reviews, praising the performances and screenplay, while the movie got an Oscar nomination for its visual effects.

One of the greatest aspects of this trilogy that started in Rise of the Planet of the Apes was the motion capture technology for Andy Serkis to play the protagonist, Caesar , creating a digital character who felt easy to connect with emotionally and lead the story without relying on the human characters. Critics gave the film positive reviews, praising the performances and screenplay, while the movie got an Oscar nomination for its visual effects.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes is available to stream on Hulu.

6 Biggest Differences Between Planet Of The Apes' Reboot Timeline & The Original Movies

Dawn of the planet of the apes (2014), the uneasy coexistence between apes and the remaining humans, dawn of the planet of the apes.

2014's sequel to Rise of the Planet of the Apes, titled Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, is the next movie chronologically in the Planet of the Apes timeline. The motion capture technology also continued to improve. While the apes may not have been exactly lifelike, their performances felt real, which was essential as the human characters became less of the focus in this world.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is set 10 years after the outbreak of Simian Flu. The human population has been decimated since only 1 in 500 are immune. This sequel showed the ape population continuing to grow more organized and self-aware , while the human population drew closer to extinction. Matt Reeves stepped into the director's chair for the sequel and delivered an action-packed movie with emotional nuance that pushed the franchise forward.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is available to stream on Hulu and Max.

War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)

Humanity's last stand against the apes, war for the planet of the apes.

The final film in the rebooted Planet of the Apes trilogy was regarded by some as the best of the franchise. This film's absolute mastery helped cement Matt Reeves' Planet of the Apes movies as one of the greatest trilogies in both the sci-fi genre and in film history. Serkis continues to impress with his motion-capture portrayal of Caesar as a burdened leader and Moses figure, leading to a campaign to make him the first actor nominated for an Oscar in a motion-capture role.

It served as a poignant and exciting end to the story of Caesar while also seeing the end of humankind's time as the dominant species on the planet.

While Serkis's work didn't get the award recognition some were hoping for, it served as a poignant and exciting end to the story of Caesar while also seeing the end of humankind's time as the dominant species on the planet. There is also less of a time jump between War for the Planet of the Apes and the previous movie, with only two years passing since the events of Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, as opposed to the decade that passed between the first and second films in the trilogy.

War for the Planet of the Apes is available to stream on Hulu and Max.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)

The ape population is divided after caesar, kingdom of the planet of the apes.

In 2024, Matt Reeves' Planet of the Apes franchise gets a sequel in Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes . The movie moves into the future, with The Maze Runner director Wes Ball replacing Reeves behind the camera. The lead character also changes to Noa (Owen Teague), an ape living generations after the events of War for the Planet of the Apes . Noa will be fleeing a new tyrannical leader who is perverting the teachings of Caesar .

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes also sees humans reverting to a more feral state while the apes have split up into different clans across the oasis, placing this right before the original franchise when watching the Planet of the Apes movies in timeline order. Of all the modern Planet of the Apes so far, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is the first one where earth is starting to resemble the future Charlton Heston's George Taylor arrives at in the 1968 original.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes hits theaters on May 24, 2024

Planet of the Apes (2001)

The ill-fated remake of the 1968 original.

The Tim Burton-directed reboot of the Planet of the Apes movies had a lot of hype going into it. However, this Mark Wahlberg-starring film was a critical disaster with many calling it the worst of the franchise. Although many technical aspects such as the makeup of the apes received praise, critics complained that the actual storytelling of this movie was left wanting.

Tim Burton's Planet of the Apes had a unique and clever ending twist that did a great job of living up to the original without copying it. Unfortunately, that wasn't enough to save this movie, and it ended any chance of further movies for a full decade. To date, it remains the only Planet of the Apes movie set outside of the official timeline and can be skipped when watching in chronological order.

Tim Burton's Planet of the Apes is available to stream on Hulu.

Why Tim Burton's Planet Of The Apes Never Got A Sequel

Planet of the apes (1968), the strange planet ruled by humans is discovered by an outsider, planet of the apes (1968).

In the original Planet of the Apes movie, released in 1968, Charlton Heston stars as astronaut George Taylor, who lands on a strange planet. Taylor is horrified to find out that this planet is actually ruled by an extremely intelligent race of apes. Humans, on the other hand, have a seriously diminished mental capacity and simply serve as animals and pets of their ape overlords. While this was the first movie made in the franchise, it took place later in the Planet of the Apes' timeline.

The iconic Planet of the Apes twist ending revealing that Taylor was not on an alien planet, but rather a post-apocalyptic Earth, set up the franchise

The iconic Planet of the Apes twist ending revealing that Taylor was not on an alien planet, but rather a post-apocalyptic Earth, set up the franchise to later explore how the world became ruled by apes. This film won several impressive awards, including winning an honorary Oscar for outstanding makeup achievement. The Library of Congress added it to the National Film Registry in 2001.

Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970)

An astronaut explores the planet to find his missing colleagues, beneath the planet of the apes.

The follow-up to the original 1968 classic was 1970's Beneath the Planet of the Apes . Compared to the original, Beneath the Planet of the Apes did not come close to achieving the same level of success or cultural impact. Starring James Franciscus with Charlton Heston returning in a supporting role, it failed to capture what the first film was all about. The movie is a direct sequel to the original with it focusing on another spacecraft arriving and going in search of Taylor (Heston).

Although it was a success at the box office, Beneath the Planet of the Apes was lambasted by critics. Many of the sequel's detractors described it as childish and lacking the interesting storytelling of the original. However, its success was key to the franchise continuing on and building on the timeline.

Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971)

Apes time-travel to explore the history of their planet.

The third movie of the franchise released in as many years, Escape from the Planet of the Apes was the most critically acclaimed of the original Planet of the Apes movies outside the initial 1968 film. While the original movie showed Taylor traveling from the present to the eponymous Planet of the Apes, in this movie the characters Cornelius and Zira used his spaceship to travel back in time to 1973.

Escape from the Planet of the Apes did the job better than any of the other original sequels of replicating what made the original so well received

Escape from the Planet of the Apes did the job better than any of the other original sequels of replicating what made the original so well received, despite the fact it arguably switched up the formula the most. Reversing the situation by sending the apes to the past was a clever twist that kept the franchise interesting . This time travel also meant that part of the movie was actually earlier in the Planet of the Apes timeline than the two previous movies.

Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972)

The first version of caesar's rebellion, conquest of the planet of the apes.

The third sequel to the original movie, 1972's Conquest of the Planet of the Apes , shows the rise of Caesar, who is a sort of mythological figure and savior who is said to bring about the actual Planet of the Apes. In this new world of 1991, a space-borne illness wiped out cats and dogs, leading to apes becoming humans' new pets of choice. Hoping to begin a movement and lead a revolution to free the apes, Caesar frees numerous apes and begins a plan to free more.

It's an intriguing entry in the Planet of the Apes franchise, serving as a prequel to the 1968 original while also introducing multiple new concepts of its own. While Conquest of the Planet of the Apes was quite original in its story, it was very average in its execution. It had minimal critical or box office success. The retelling of Caesar's rebellion in the later movies helped to make him a more iconic character.

Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes' New Ruler Is Caesar's Worst Nightmare

Battle for the planet of the apes (1973), caesar seeks a peace with humans, battle for the planet of the apes.

The final film when watching the Planet of the Apes movies in chronological order, 1973's Battle for the Planet of the Apes, showed Caesar and his forces finally winning their freedom. Humanity has been all-but-destroyed by nuclear war, and the impact this has had on the planet creates a situation of scarcity. However, ape's reign supreme and have enslaved the remaining humans. Toward the end of the movie, Caesar decides to end the vicious cycle and spare the humans. Instead, the two races live together as equals.

The poor reception of the movie would end the franchise for several decades until it was attempted to be revitalized with the 2001 remake.

Battle for the Planet of the Apes was the lowest-grossing film in the entire series . Acclaimed film critic Roger Ebert described the film as " the last gasp of a dying series ." Indeed, the poor reception of the movie would end the franchise for several decades until it was attempted to be revitalized with the 2001 remake.

Planet of the Apes

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In 2004, two years before the St. Andrews Agreement, I visited a friend in Belfast. Changes were already apparent, if you knew what to look for. A Starbucks had opened, an encouraging sign that corporations were no longer shying away from a war zone. There were still echoes everywhere of the decades-long strife that had shattered the community. I took a "black cab tour," and the guide pointed out a pub where a bomb had gone off in the past, adding, almost casually, "My girlfriend's Da got his leg blown off there." It was such a clear example of the multi-generational aspect to The Troubles, to any civil war really, how grief and loss are passed down.

When Martin McGuinness died this past March, the tone of the obituaries spoke to the complexity of his legacy. The headlines were mostly variations of: "From IRA Terrorist/Commander to Peacemaker." Or "From Sinn Féin Leader to First Deputy Minister." The comments sections seethed with arguments. This was a man who started out as a kid throwing rocks at British soldiers, who ended up shaking hands with Queen Elizabeth, a surreal moment if ever there was one, as well as sharing political power with long-time rabblerouser Reverend Ian Paisley (the man who heckled Pope John Paul II in 1988 with the immortal words: “I denounce you, Anti-Christ!"). Paisley and McGuinness actually did become if not friends then allies in their roles as First Minister and deputy First Minister of the new power-sharing government, post the 2006 St. Andrews Agreement.

"The Journey," directed by Nick Hamm , written by Colin Bateman , announces at the outset, "This story imagines that journey" ("that journey" being how Paisley and McGuinness decided to bury the hatchet). It's a weird sentence and I got tripped up on it initially. Since the film is filled with real-life people (Gerry Adams, Tony Blair, Bertie Ahern, etc.), and since it takes place at a real-life event (the St. Andrews peace talks), veering off into a pretend-universe where Paisley and McGuinness are trapped together via circumstances beyond their control and HAVE to get along ... is a simplified grade-school version of political realities. It's " The Odd Couple " with Irish accents. There's a naivete at work in the concept: If only these men could bond about football, their wives, their kids ... if only these staunch enemies could see one another as people, then maybe the Catholics and Protestants will join hands in love and harmony!

Did Ian Paisley ( Timothy Spall ) and Martin McGuinness ( Colm Meaney ), as the film shows, go on a bizarre little road trip where they were forced to listen, grow, change? Of course not. Unfortunately for the film, the real-life version of how these two mortal enemies became so close that they were referred to in the press as "The Chuckle Brothers" is way more interesting than the "imagined" version presented in the film.

According to the film's imagined universe, in the middle of the peace talks, Ian Paisley had to fly back to Belfast for his Golden Anniversary wedding celebration. Martin McGuinness insists on accompanying Paisley. Tony Blair ( Toby Stephens ) and M15 chief Harry Patterson (the late John Hurt ) are thrown into a panic. McGuinness and Paisley MUST have their emotional "breakthrough" during their hour-long car ride to the airport, otherwise there will never be peace in Northern Ireland. Their solution to this is to deck the car with hidden cameras, and provide the fake chauffeur with a Bluetooth (through which they whisper suggestions to get the two scowling adversaries talking). Patterson, Blair, and a taciturn Gerry Adams ( Ian Beattie ) watch the entire thing unfold over video monitors from a command post at St. Andrews, as though it's Mission Control in Houston.

Paisley sits in outraged silence for the first portion of the drive, while McGuinness tries to make conversation. Then a series of phony events—a detour through a forest, a run-in with a deer, a confrontation at a gas station—transforms the two men, and they finally start talking. McGuinness and Paisley argue over familiar territory: Bloody  Sunday , the Enniskillen bombing, the hunger strike. Their views are so diametrically opposed that they basically live in alternate realities. They have fights, which include cliched lines like: "You are so defensive!" "Alright, walk away, walk away, that's what you do!" The moments where McGuinness gets the icily reserved Paisley to crack a smile are sitcom-phony, at best, and it's made even more egregious by Tony Blair and Gerry Adams gasping with excitement from afar that the Emotional Healing has begun.

In 2016, Spall played, back-to-back, two inflammatory and despised real-life men, Holocaust denier David Irving in " Denial " and now Paisley. Spall did so, in both cases, without pleading for any sympathy for the characters, suggesting the striations of fragility, narrowness, and rigidity in these men's emotional makeup. In "Denial," he is vigorous, staunchly upright. In "The Journey" he is believably decrepit and frail. His hatred of the man in the car with him—and all that that man represents—is so believable that it makes his rock-hard refusal to open up to McGuinness' joking comments understandable. His voice is a dead ringer for Paisley's booming religious-harangue tones. (After the doomed Anglo-Irish Agreement in 1985, Paisley addressed a crowd of protesters in Belfast, screaming, famously, "Margaret Thatcher tells us that that [the Irish] Republic should have some say in our province. We say NEVER! NEVER! NEVER! NEVER." Paisley's gigantic voice thunders "Never" over and over again in a kind of incantatory rhetoric, and Spall does not shy away from the intimidating size of Paisley's voice.) Meaney has a thankless role, the McGuinness of "The Journey" being the guy who has to persist in warming up Paisley, almost like a Life Coach, using his charm and humor.

The final exchange between Paisley and McGuinness, when they shake hands, is the best, but by then it's far too late. The plot-manipulations and artificial events stage-managed by Mission Control back in St. Andrews all serve to diminish the peace talks, the importance of tough compromise, and the reality of what is actually required of politicians when they decide to sit down at a table such as that one.

Sheila O'Malley

Sheila O'Malley received a BFA in Theatre from the University of Rhode Island and a Master's in Acting from the Actors Studio MFA Program. Read her answers to our Movie Love Questionnaire here .

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The Journey (2017)

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements including violent images and language.

Timothy Spall as Ian Paisley

Colm Meaney as Martin McGuinness

Freddie Highmore as Jack

Toby Stephens as Tony Blair

John Hurt as Harry Patterson

Catherine McCormack as Kate Elgar

Ian McElhinney as Rory O'Suaird

Ian Beattie as Gerry Adams

Barry Ward as Ian Paisley, Jr.

Mark Lambert as Bertie Ahern

Daniel Portman as Frank

• Colin Bateman

Cinematographer

• Greg Gardiner
• Stephen Warbeck

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2024 New Winter and Spring Movie and TV Releases

By Morgan Klosterman

3:16 PM PDT, April 26, 2024

There are so many new fun movies and TV series that are coming out this winter and spring. Check out some of the new cinematic experiences of 2024!

'The Veil'

Elisabeth Moss plays a spy who comes across another fellow spy. Together, they work together to save lives. The Veil  drops April 30 on Hulu.

'Challengers'

Zendaya plays Tashi, a tennis player who ends up getting an injury and decides to head down the path of coaching, where she meets her husband. She trains her husband, and to help motivate him, she has him play his old friend in a match. The film is centered around the trio navigating their ups and downs. Challengers hits theaters April 26.

'Under The Bridge'

This drama TV series stars Lily Gladstone as Cam Bentland and Riley Keough as Rebecca Godfrey. This is a true-crime series based on a girl who goes missing and her friends are blamed for her murder. This show was released April 17 on Hulu. 

'The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare'

This action comedy war movie is based on a true story of  Churchill's Secret Warriors: The Explosive True Story of the Special Forces Desperadoes of WWII book.   This movie has a star-studded cast including Henry Cavill, Eiza González, Alan Ritchson, Alex Pettyfer, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Babs Olusanmokun, Henry Golding and Cary Elwes. This movie was released in theaters on April 13.

'Baby Reindeer'

Richard Gadd plays Donny Dunn in Baby Reindeer . The character is based on Gadd's real-life experiences. Jessica Gunning plays Martha, the stalker of Donny who forces him to face his traumas. The drama is an emotional rollercoaster that began streaming on Netflix on April 11.

'American Horror Story: Delicate Part 2'

Emma Roberts plays Anna Victoria Alcott in  American Horror Story: Delicate Part 2 . This anthology is a creepy story of an actress trying to get pregnant and the scary things that happen to her along her journey. This series was released on April 3 on Hulu. 

'Immaculate'

Sydney Sweeney stars in Immaculate as a nun from America who movies to Italy to continue her religious journey with a convent. On her new path, everything starts to take a turn for the worst as scary things start happening.  Immaculate was released in theaters on March 22.

'Road House'

Jake Gyllenhaal plays Dalton in Road House . He is a former UFC fighter that decides to become a bouncer in the Florida Keys. His life takes a turn of events and it's not all it is cracked up to be. This movie was released on Amazon Prime on March 22. 

'Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told'

This documentary shows the beginning of Freaknik in 1983, a gathering hosted by HBCU students during Spring Break in Atlanta, Georgia.This party was massive in the 80's and 90's and grew each year. This documentary is released on Hulu on March 12, 2024.

'Monkey Man'

Dev Patel stars in Monkey Man as Kid (Bobby) as a boxer in an underground ring in India. He trains there to make his revenge on Baba and Rana, powerful figures who caused the death of Kid's mother as a young boy. Monkey Man is released on March 11 in theaters.

'Love Lies Bleeding'

Kristen Stewart plays Lou, a gym manager who falls in love with Jackie, a body builder. Their love gets tangled up in violence thanks to Lou's family. This movie was released on March 8, 2024. 

'Ricky Stanicky'

This comedic film follows three friends who pull one over on their wives by making up a friend named Ricky Stanicky to get out of things they don't want to do. When they run into a hiccup, the guys must hire someone to play Ricky Stanicky (John Cena) to help them keep up their little lie. The movie was released March 7, 2024 on Prime Video.

'Dune: Part 2'

Paul Atreides, played by Timothée Chalamet, becomes friends with the Fremen on Arrakis, where he meets Chani, played by Zendaya. His mission is to seek justice for his family and the Fremen people who have faced hardships through House Harkonnen. The movie was released in theaters on March 1.   

'Mr. and Mrs. Smith'

Donald Glover and Maya Erskine play Mr. and Mrs. Smith with a whirlwind of emotional and action-packed episodes that keep viewers on the edge of their seat. Plus, the surprise ending will keep you wanting more. The series was released Feb. 2, 2024 on Amazon Video.

'Mean Girls'

This 2024 Mean Girls  puts a musical spin on the classic 2004 version. The story follows Cady Heron, who moves to a new school and makes new friends. With some hysterical hiccups along the way, she must learn to navigate the pressures of high school. This movie was released on Jan. 12, 2024 and is available on Paramount+. 

'The Brothers Sun'

The Brothers Sun  is a crime thriller staring Michelle Yeoh as Mama Sun, Sam Song Li as Bruce Sun, Justin Chien as Charles Sun. Bruce finds out his family is a big crime family and he has a long lost brother named Charles. Things start to become complicated once Charles comes back into his life. This show began streaming on Netflix on Jan. 4.

Movie Day and PJ

This event series takes place in person at Woodstock Library.

Come unwind and enjoy your afternoon with a kids' movie on the Children's Floor!

April 27:  Kahlil Gibran's: The Prophet

Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet is a visually stunning animated film that brings to life the profound wisdom of the acclaimed Lebanese poet. Through the journey of a young girl named Almitra and her encounters with a wise prisoner named Mustafa, the movie explores themes of love, freedom, and the human condition. With breathtaking animation and a soulful soundtrack, this adaptation offers a captivating cinematic experience that resonates with audiences of all ages.

Groups of 5 or more, please call in advance.

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Back to Black

The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time. The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time. The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time.

• Sam Taylor-Johnson
• Matt Greenhalgh
• Marisa Abela
• Eddie Marsan
• Jack O'Connell
• 54 User reviews
• 62 Critic reviews
• 49 Metascore

• Amy Winehouse

• Mitch Winehouse

• Blake Fielder-Civil

• Cynthia Winehouse

• Joey the dealer

• Nick Shymansky

• Janis Winehouse

• Raye Cosbert

• Chris Taylor

• Artist Development Man
• Aunt Melody

• Perfume Paul

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• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Did you know

• Trivia Marisa Abela had done most of the singing in this film herself. She trained extensively to mimic Amy Winehouse 's vocals.

Technical specs

• Runtime 2 hours 2 minutes

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