Films about cavemen delve into the primal, often humorous, and sometimes fantastical aspects of prehistoric human life. These films typically explore themes of survival, evolution, and the clash between the primitive and the modern. They can range from historically-inspired dramas to light-hearted comedies, offering viewers a diverse array of stories set in the dawn of humanity.
“Quest for Fire”, 2019
Director: Patrik Bergh
This film takes viewers on a journey with a group of early humans as they search for a new source of fire, a crucial element for their survival. Set 80,000 years ago, it explores the challenges and encounters they face along the way, including interactions with other human species.
Starring: Roger Thomson, Stephen Agnew, Adriano Almeida, Jason Lines;
Production year: 2019;
Genre: short film;
Rating: IMDB: 0;
“The Croods”, 2013
Director: Kirk DeMicco, Chris Sanders
A family of cavemen is forced to leave the safety of their cave and embark on a journey through an unknown and dangerous world in this animated adventure. Themes of fear, courage, and the importance of family are explored against a backdrop of vivid, prehistoric landscapes.
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds, Catherine Keener, Cloris Leachman, Clark Duke, Chris Sanders, Randy Thom;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: animation, fantasy, action, comedy, adventure, family;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 98 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “The Croods” on the website imdb.com
“Caveman”, 1981
Director: Carl Gottlieb
This comedy stars Ringo Starr as a clumsy caveman who, through various misadventures, discovers fire, invents cooking, music, and ultimately wins the heart of his beloved. With a light-hearted take on prehistoric life, the film pokes fun at the dawn of humanity.
Starring: Ringo Starr, Dennis Quaid, Shelley Long, Jack Gilford, Cork Hubbert, Mark King, Paco Morayta, Evan C. Kim, Ed Greenberg, Carl Lumbly;
Production year: 1981;
Genre: melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 91 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,8;
More information about the film “Caveman” on the website imdb.com
“10,000 BC”, 2008
Director: Roland Emmerich
Set in a mythologized version of prehistory, this epic follows a young mammoth hunter on a journey through uncharted territory to secure the future of his tribe. Incorporating elements of adventure, romance, and action, it presents a visually stunning but historically speculative tale of early human societies.
Starring: Steven Strait, Camilla Belle, Cliff Curtis, Joel Virgil Vierset, Affif Ben Badra, Mo Zinal, Nathanael Baring, Mona Hammond, Marco Khan, Reece Ritchie;
Production year: 2008;
Genre: fantasy, action, drama, adventure, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 110 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,1;
More information about the film “10,000 BC” on the website imdb.com
“One Million Years B.C.”, 1966
Director: Don Chaffey
Known for its iconic depiction of cavemen and dinosaurs coexisting, this film follows the story of Tumak, a member of the Rock tribe, who is banished and finds himself amidst the Shell tribe. It showcases the struggles and eventual cooperation between the contrasting tribes against the backdrop of a prehistoric world filled with danger.
Starring: Raquel Welch, John Richardson, Percy Herbert, Robert Brown, Martine Beswick, Jean Wladon, Lisa Thomas, Malya Nappi, Richard James, William Lyon Brown;
Production year: 1966;
Genre: fantasy, adventure;
Age: 12+;
Duration: 100 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,7;
More information about the film “One Million Years B.C.” on the website imdb.com
“The Flintstones”, 1994
Director: Brian Levant
Bringing the beloved animated TV show to life, this film follows the prehistoric Flintstone family in the town of Bedrock. It combines humor, family dynamics, and a touch of modern-day problems, albeit with a Stone Age twist, offering a comedic glimpse into caveman life albeit through a highly stylized lens.
Starring: John Goodman, Elizabeth Perkins, Rick Moranis, Rosie O'Donnell, Kyle MacLachlan, Halle Berry, Elizabeth Taylor, Dann Florek, Richard Moll, Irwin Keyes;
Production year: 1994;
Genre: fantasy, comedy, family;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 92 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5;
More information about the film “The Flintstones” on the website imdb.com
“Encino Man”, 1992
Director: Les Mayfield
This comedy centers on two high school friends who discover a frozen caveman in their backyard and decide to defrost him. Integrating into modern-day life, the caveman experiences the joys and challenges of the 20th century, leading to a series of comedic and heartfelt moments.
Starring: Sean Astin, Brendan Fraser, Pauly Shore, Megan Ward, Robin Tunney, Michael DeLuise, Patrick Van Horn, Dalton James, Rick Ducommun, Ke Huy Quan;
Production year: 1992;
Genre: comedy;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 88 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,8;
More information about the film “Encino Man” on the website imdb.com
These films, each in their unique way, provide entertaining insights into the lives of our earliest ancestors, blending fiction with bits of truth, and imagination with fragments of history.
In conclusion, films about cavemen have long fascinated audiences with their imaginative recreations of a time shrouded in mystery and myth. These narratives, often a blend of fiction and sparse prehistoric facts, have been instrumental in evoking a raw and primal aspect of human nature, exploring themes of survival, community, and the evolution of mankind. Whether through the humorous lens of a family struggling with modern-day problems in a prehistoric setting, or the harsh survivalist reality of early man battling the elements and predatory threats, these films reflect our perpetual curiosity about our origins. As filmmakers continue to push the boundaries of storytelling and technology, the depiction of cavemen in cinema remains a captivating journey into the collective imagination of where we've come from and, at its core, what it means to be human.
