The 33 Greatest Fantasy Series
Highlighting the fantasy fiction series that have most entranced readers, this list is based on the same voluminous research that produced The Greatest Literature of All Time and all our other lists.
For this list, a series is defined as comprising at least three novels or novellas, although it may additionally include stories, poems or other literary works.
Latest update: November 11, 2024
1946–1959
Gormenghast
by Mervyn Peake, England
Novel series includes Titus Groan, Gormenghast, and Titus Alone.
1950–1956
The Chronicles of Narnia
by C.S. Lewis, England
Novel series includes The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; Prince Caspian; The Voyage of the Dawn Treader; and others.
Let's deal with the religious aspect of the Narnia works right off the top. The idea that The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950) and its successive novels present a Christian allegory is raised by both detractors and.... Critique • Quotes • Buy
1968–2001
The Earthsea Cycle
by Ursula K. Le Guin, United States
Novel series, also known as Earthsea or The Earthsea Trilogy, includes A Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan, The Farthest Shore, Tehanu, Tales from Earthsea, and The Other Wind.
The story of the sorcerer's apprentice is retold many times in mythology and fantasy. It goes like this: a seemingly ordinary young lad discovers he has an odd paranormal ability, becomes a novice wizard or magician.... Critique • Quotes • At the movies • Buy
1968–1978
The Dragon Riders of Pern Trilogy
by Anne McCaffrey, United States
Novel series includes Dragonflight, Dragonquest, and The White Dragon.
1970–1991
The Chronicles of Amber
by Roger Zelazny, United States
Novel series includes Nine Princes in Amber, The Guns of Avalon, Sign of the Unicorn, and others.
1977–2020
Shannara
by Terry Brooks, United States
Novel series
1977–2023
Xanth
by Piers Anthony, United States
Novel series
1982–1984
The Belgariad
by David Eddings, United States
Novel series
1982–1986
The Riftwar Saga
by Raymond E. Feist, United States
1982–2004
The Dark Tower
by Stephen King, United States
Novel series includes The Gunslinger, The Drawing of the Three, The Waste Lands, Wizard and Glass, and others.
1983–2015
Discworld
by Terry Pratchett, United States
Novel series
1984—1986
The Fionavar Tapestry
by Guy Gavriel Kay, Canada
Novel series includes The Summer Tree, The Wandering Fire, and The Darkest Road.
1986–2011
Redwall
by Brian Jacques, England
Novel series
1988–2023
The Legend of Drizzt
by R.A. Salvatore, United States
Novel series
1989–1996
Sandman
by Neil Gaiman, England
Graphic novel series
1990–2013
The Witcher Saga
by Andrzej Sapkowski, Poland
Novel series includes story collections The Witcher, The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny, novels Blood of Elves, Time of Contempt, Baptism of Fire, and others.
The Wheel of Time
by Robert Jordan, United States
Novel series includes The Eye of the World, The Great Hunt, and The Dragon Reborn.
1991–
Outlander
by Diane Gabaldon, United States
Novel series
1994–2020
The Sword of Truth
by Terry Goodkind, United States
Novel series includes Wizard's First Rule, Stone of Tears, Blood of the Fold, Temple of the Winds, and others.
1995–1997
Farseer
by Robin Hobb, United States
Novel series includes Assassin's Apprentice, Royal Assassin and Assassin's Quest.
1995–2000
His Dark Materials
by Philip Pullman, England
Novel series includes Northern Lights (The Golden Compass), The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass.
1995–2007
The Old Kingdom
by Garth Nix, Australia
Novel series
1995–2003
Left Behind
by LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, United States
Novel series
1996–
A Song of Ice and Fire
by George R.R. Martin, United States
Novel series includes A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows, A Dance with Dragons, and others.
1997–2007
Harry Potter
by J.K. Rowling, England
Novel series includes Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone; ...and the Chamber of Secrets; ...and the Prisoner of Azkaban; and others.
2000–2020
The Dresden Files
by Jim Butcher, United States
Novel series
2001–2012
Thursday Next
by Jasper Fforde, England
Novel series includes The Eyre Affair, Lost in a Good Book, The Well of Lost Plots, Something Rotten and others.
2005–2008
The Twilight Saga
by Stephanie Meyer, United States
Novel series
2005–2009
Percy Jackson & the Olympians
by Rick Riordan, United States
Novel series
2006–2008
Mistborn: Era One
by Brandon Sanderson, United States
Novel series
2010–2013
Shiva Trilogy
by Amish Tripathi, India
Novel series includes The Immortals of Meluha, The Secret of the Nagas, and The Oath of the Vayuputras.
2010–
The Stormlight Archive
by Brandon Sanderson, United States
Novel series
2015–2017
Broken Earth
by N.K. Jemisin, United States
Novel series includes The Fifth Season, The Obelisk Gate, and The Stone Sky.
