From The Never Ending Story to The Lord of the Rings, the fantasy genre has no shortage of adventure and excitement when it comes to film. Millions of viewers around the world fairly enjoy riding off far away places with wizards, swordsmen, and dragons in search of fame and glory.
But, like so many entries in the genre, many fantasy films got their start as books and novels. Have a look at these titles for a recommended reading list.
The Sandman by Neil Gaiman
Honestly, many of Neil Gaiman's works could have taken the first slot on the list, but, for the sake of variety, this graphic novel series combines a practical cornucopia of fantasy elements to create its dark and mysterious world. Readers follow Morpheus, the lord of sleep, and his various adventures throughout the realms of man and myth. From battling demons two encounters with Shakespeare and the Justice League, readers will remain thoroughly engrossed in Gaiman's dreamscape.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
The Lightning Thief alone is worthy of an entry on this list. Although its film adaptations have been somewhat subpar, Percy Jackson and the Olympians is practically mandatory for any young reader interested in mythology
The series involves a young demigod living in the 21st century dealing with the trials of adolescence and destiny in a world of gods and monsters. It's a perfect chaser after reading another certain series about a boy with magical powers.
Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
Something Wicked This Way Comes is the epitome of dark fantasy, think of it as a horror story where nobody dies. When a mysterious carnival comes to town one late October, the citizens have a small town began to lose their souls at the hands of a sinister ringmaster. While Ray Bradbury might be considered one of the godfathers of science fiction, he wasn't afraid to dive into magical realms.
The Witcher Series by Andrzej Sapkowski
The Netflix adaptation might be what's considered popular, but it's this magical and monstrous book series that inspired the popular video games on which the show is based that's the star of the show, here.
The adventures of Geralt of Rivia are a beautiful combination of fantasy epic and familiar fairytale. A magic-wielding bounty hunter who deals with the likes of vampires, witches, goblins, and other things that go bump in the night is definitely something all fans of the genre will love.
The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander
Taking inspiration from Celtic and Welsh mythology instead of contemporary tropes, Lloyd Alexander created The Chronicles of Prydain, a sword and sorcery series absolutely dripping with everything your typical Dungeons and Dragons campaign wishes it could have. With brave heroes, magic, and a very infamous Black Cauldron, it's a perfect fit for those looking to take a detour from Middle Earth.
Redwall by Brian Jaques
With millions of copies sold, this incredible anthropomorphic animal adventure might be a YA novel, but it takes some seriously dark turns with its cute and cuddly critters.
It might feature a sword-wielding mouse as it's hero, but it also has instances of torture, violence, and destruction that would get George R.R. Martin's attention. It has swords, battles, and surprises around every corner, this mouse's blade is anything but dull.
The Once and Future King by T.H. White
The saga of King Arthur is practically second nature to most hardcore fantasy fans, but this retelling from T.H. White gives the familiar legend more of a fairytale flavor by incorporating more magic, chivalry, and romanticism. It's certainly a lighter affair than its inspiration. Notably, its prequel, The Sword in the Stone, later became the basis for Disney's interpretation, and it only gets better from there.
The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
To say Harry Potter is an icon in the hearts of both readers and moviegoers alike is a gross understatement. Since his first publication in 1997, J.K. Rowling's boy wizard has only flourished exponentially as his series progressed.
From The Sorcerer's Stone to The Deathly Hallows, the adventures of Harry, Ron, and Hermione have turned millions of fans into avid readers from a very young age.
The Chronicles of Narnia
Second to only his friend and colleague, J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis's Narnia books have thrilled and delighted children around the world since the 1950s. With his use of classic mythology, high fantasy elements, and Christian allegory, Lewis's Narnia became one of the most beloved fantasy realms ever put to paper. In a world of witches, fauns, dwarves, and talking Christ-like lions, it's very easy to get lost in the magic.
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Hobbit is practically the bare minimum for any fantasy fan of any level. While Tolkien is more well-known and praised for his immortal Lord of the Rings, it's the prequel that takes the crown for this list. The war for the ring of power is no doubt an iconic saga, but the tale of Bilbo Baggins is a great jumping point for any fan of the fantasy genre. It's a cozy adventure perfect for a night warmed by the hearth or by dragon fire.
