Every Charlton Heston Sci-Fi Movie, Ranked

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Charlton Heston, the actor who won an Academy Award, has been a versatile performer throughout his long and diverse career, although he is especially recognized for his accomplishments in science fiction. Given that he rose to fame by starring in biblical epics, it speaks volumes about Heston’s openness to new opportunities that he wholeheartedly immersed himself in the science fiction genre after achieving immense success with the movie “Planet of the Apes.” Known for his powerful presence as well as his ability to play ordinary individuals convincingly, Heston skillfully navigated between stardom and genuine character portrayals.

A significant number of Heston’s finest films fall within the science fiction genre, transporting viewers across barren dystopian wastelands, chilling futuristic terrors, and ominous premonitions of planetary catastrophes. While not every sci-fi film starring Heston received recognition, one production was so poorly received that its director renounced the project entirely. As a bona fide legend in Hollywood, Heston’s impact on the science fiction genre should never be overlooked.

6. Solar Crisis (1990)

Charlton Heston as Admiral “Skeet” Kelso

In the case where Solar Crisis bore the alias of Alan Smithee instead of its rightful director, Richard C. Sarafian, you can gather that this science-fiction thriller wasn’t exactly stellar. The pseudonym ‘Alan Smithee’ was traditionally used by directors who sought to distance themselves from a production they didn’t want linked to their name. As for the plot revolving around an astronaut charged with detonating a bomb into the sun to prevent a solar flare from obliterating our planet, it had potential. However, the film was weighed down by tiresome clichés that made it less than enthralling.

Despite Charlton Heston’s portrayal as the lead astronaut’s father, his appearance couldn’t rescue the film “Solar Crisis“. In the story, Heston was shown on Earth, engaged in heated disputes with agents intent on sabotaging the mission and capitalizing on public fear. It seems evident that Heston himself recognized that “Solar Crisis” was lackluster, as his performance felt half-hearted. The most disheartening aspect of “Solar Crisis” was its potential, as it showcased some impressive special and practical effects. However, these technical accomplishments were wasted on a movie that fell far short of their true value.

5. Beneath The Planet Of The Apes (1970)

Charlton Heston as George Taylor

The movie “Planet of the Apes” was expanded into a series with the debut of “Beneath the Planet of the Apes”, a follow-up that struggled to maintain the excellence of its predecessor. Charlton Heston reappeared as George Taylor, the iconic astronaut, but this time in a secondary role. The main character, Brent, an American astronaut dispatched to rescue Taylor, was portrayed by James Franciscus. With an engaging plot that delved deeper into the series’ mythology, “Beneath the Planet of the Apes” took an unexpected turn by suggesting that not all humans had descended into speechless, bestial creatures.

Underneath the world depicted in “Planet of the Apes” sequel, there existed a race of telepaths. These beings were descendants of the human survivors who endured a nuclear catastrophe and evolved over time. This concept was intriguing, but it weakened the impact of the original film’s shocking conclusion. This element of the series’ lore has been largely disregarded in later installments of the franchise. The main criticism leveled against “Beneath the Planet of the Apes” is that it lacked the social commentary that gave other films in the series their contemporary relevance.

4. The Omega Man (1971)

Charlton Heston as Robert Neville

The movie “Omega Man” served as the second cinematic interpretation of Richard Matheson’s acclaimed science fiction novel, “I Am Legend,” following the 1964 film “The Last Man on Earth” starring Vincent Price. In this film, Charlton Heston played army colonel Robert Neville, who found himself as the only immune survivor after a devastating plague broke out from a major conflict and biological warfare. Most of humanity had been transformed into violent, nocturnal albino mutants, but Neville remained immune due to his self-administered experimental vaccine.

Exploring a post-apocalyptic world, The Omega Man follows Neville’s journey as he meets fellow survivors and struggles to stay alive. Packed with catchy dialogue and boasting a 70s vibe, this film was a fun take on Matheson’s novel. However, it’s the 2007 version of I Am Legend starring Will Smith that is widely regarded as the definitive portrayal of this popular zombie sci-fi tale.

3. Armageddon (1998)

Narration by Charlton Heston

In Michael Bay’s blockbuster disaster flick, Armageddon, opinions among moviegoers may vary, but Charlton Heston’s powerful opening monologue effectively set the stage for the impending global catastrophe. Though Heston isn’t physically present on screen, his voiceover over the opening credits provides sage advice as he discusses the asteroid that extinguished the dinosaurs. As he concludes with “it happened before, it will happen again; it’s just a question of when,” Heston prepared viewers for the central struggle in the film, where humanity faced an extinction-level event similar to what occurred millions of years ago.

In a less conventional turn of events, the movie Armageddon drew criticism for its implausible plotline, as NASA inexplicably enlisted a team of roughneck deep-core drillers to obliterate a colossal asteroid the size of Texas, headed straight towards Earth. This unbelievable premise was also one of the film’s appealing quirks, and it boasted an illustrious ensemble cast featuring Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thornton, and Ben Affleck. However, viewers’ opinions on Armageddon are largely determined by their appreciation for Michael Bay’s grandiose blockbuster style and Jerry Bruckheimer’s high-octane action productions.

2. Soylent Green (1973)

Charlton Heston as Robert Thorn

In the 1970s, there was a rising concern about the repercussions of overpopulation and the possibility of global food shortages and societal chaos. This backdrop gave birth to the dystopian sci-fi film Soylent Green, which depicted a world marred by decaying infrastructure, overcrowding, and scarcity of resources. Blending elements of police drama and science fiction, Charlton Heston played NYPD detective Robert Thorn in this gripping tale, who stumbles upon a conspiracy that turns out to be far more horrific than he had ever imagined.

In the movie ‘Soylent Green’, a population struggling with resource scarcity was fed on a supposed miracle food, which they believed was made from plankton. As Heston delved deeper into the horrifying reality, he discovered that the Soylent Green product everyone had been consuming was actually derived from human remains. The unsettling portrayal of a possible future in ‘Soylent Green’ proved to be one of Heston’s most gripping science fiction performances.

1. Planet Of The Apes (1968)

Charlton Heston as George Taylor

Speaking about Charlton Heston’s greatest science fiction films, it’s clear that only one can claim the number one spot. The classic film, “Planet of the Apes,” not only enjoyed immense success when it first hit theaters but has also left a lasting impact on pop culture that few other sci-fi franchises can match. This series, still ongoing today, features Charlton Heston portraying astronaut George Taylor, who uncovers the shocking truth about mankind’s destiny at the base of a half-submerged Statue of Liberty – a twist that continues to be one of the most memorable in cinema history.

Apart from serving as a shrewd political satire on religion, politics, and societal structures, “Planet of the Apes” also showcased an exceptional acting performance by Charlton Heston, who fully immersed himself in his portrayal of a stranded astronaut. Though today’s costumes for the apes might appear somewhat dated, there remains a quirky appeal to “Planet of the Apes,” ensuring its longevity. As one of Heston’s most iconic roles, “Planet of the Apes” ranks alongside films like “Touch of Evil,” “The Ten Commandments,” and “Ben-Hur” as significant milestones in his acting career.

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2025-05-10 18:33