25 Best Fantasy Audiobooks Of All Time

Fantasy audiobooks are a great way to get lost in a world of magic and adventure. 

I’ve always been a huge fantasy fan. As a child, I spent countless hours reading and listening to tales filled with dragons, wizards, and other mystical creatures. I was always searching for the next epic adventure.

Fantasy is an enormous genre – with so many books out there it can be hard to know where to start. The last thing you want to do is waste your time listening to mediocre fantasy. That’s why I’ve compiled this list of the best fantasy audiobooks of all time. 

This list ranges from timeless classics to modern fantasies which explore new aspects of the genre. You can rest assured that all of these picks are worth listening to. 

Best Fantasy Audiobooks of All Time

In no particular order, the following are my picks for the best fantasy audiobooks. In cases where the books are part of a series – as many on this list are – I have featured and linked to the first title in the series.

The Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings Trilogy) by J. R. R. Tolkien

Is any other series more iconic in the fantasy realm than The Lord of the Rings trilogy? These books are some of the most influential and inspiring books ever written in the fantasy genre and, of course, went on to become three enormous movies that attracted a new generation of people into fantasy stories. 

You probably already know what The Lord of the Rings is about… but just in case you don’t, this trilogy centers around an unlikely hero’s quest to save Middle Earth. Frodo, a hobbit, somehow gets wrapped into a prophecy where he must go on a perilous journey to the most dangerous corners of the world to destroy the infamous one ring. 

Full of classic fantasy themes and characters, this is easily one of the best fantasy series out there. There are a few versions of this audiobook available but I think the magic is best captured by the performance of Andy Serkis, who voiced and acted as the CGI character of Gollum in the movies.

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A Game Of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire Series) by George. R. R. Martin

Game of Thrones is arguably the most popular fantasy series to come to light in the last decade or so – propelled into widespread fame thanks to the HBO TV series which started in 2011. 

While the plot is vast and complicated (far too detailed to explain fully here), it centers around a struggle for power among competing factions in the realms of Westeros and beyond. 

While the original books took a while to become fully mainstream, this series’ popularity has skyrocketed since the TV show. While fans of the books often say the TV show misses out on so much of the beauty and magic of the original books, the same can’t be said for the audiobooks. The audiobook performances for the series express every last depth and detail written in the original books. 

Whether you are a fan of the TV show, the original books, or both (or haven’t experienced any of it) – I can’t recommend this series enough!

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (Harry Potter Series) by J. K. Rowling

Another iconic fantasy book series for the modern generation – Harry Potter has transitioned from a humble story to an internationally recognized franchise. 

Following the story of a teenage wizard – Harry Potter – you probably already know most of the plot. Harry is a wizard who is called on for his importance in a prophecy to defeat an evil wizard, He Who Shall Not Be Named…

There are two popular versions of the Harry Potter audiobooks. The UK version is narrated by British treasure Stephen Fry and his characterful performance captures every drop of magic from the original books and expresses it in a gripping and entertaining audiobook collection. I haven’t listened to the US versions narrated by Jim Dale but understand they are also amazing!

Heroes by Stephen Fry

Greek mythology has always been a huge inspiration for generations of fantasy stories.

Heroes is a modern reimagining of some of the classic Greek myths and legends. Written and narrated by Stephen Fry, this audiobook was shortlisted for the Specsavers audiobook awards in 2018. 

This retells some of the classic myths, quests, and adventures which were written about hundreds of years ago by the original Greek mythology. These timeless tales will enchant you with ancient heroic events, monsters, puzzles, and riddles. 

This isn’t for the faint-hearted, as many of these adventures are full of peril and danger. 

Heroes is actually the second book in the series, preceded by Mythos which is equally worth listening to. 

Stephen Fry’s narrative performance is on point, and he acts out each character and event with precise intention. I love how this audiobook re-explores some classic Greek mythology with a more modern perception. 

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

A collaboration between two of the most beloved names in the fantasy genre, Good Omens is an exceptionally well-produced full-cast audiobook. 

The story is complex and winding – in essence, a prophecy predicts an immediate apocalypse. This covers themes of good and evil, magic, and the concepts of fate and free will. An angel and demon who have been inhabiting the earth decide to take matters into their own hands to repel the impending rapture. 

Being a full-cast production, each character is voiced by a different actor, and I find this makes the audiobook incredibly engaging and entertaining. Rather than listening to clunky “He said XYZ, She replied XYZ” the conversations flow naturally. You feel like you are listening to the events that take place, rather than a reading of a book. 

The cast includes some huge names such as David Tennant, Rebecca Front, Michael Sheen, Peter Forbes, and more. Listening to this will redefine your perception of the potential of audiobooks. If you haven’t experienced a full-cast audiobook before then I recommend starting with this one.  

Age of Myth (The Legends of the First Empire) by Michael J. Sullivan

Taking inspiration from classical myths, this series takes place in a world where there is a power struggle between gods and humans. A human slays a god, which changes the power dynamic – making the gods feel threatened and revolutionizing the way humans view the world. 

This story follows a reluctant Raithe, destined to become a god killer, and his female counterpart Persephone, who needs to lead her people while overcoming a personal conflict. I love the way the author uses language to evoke powerful emotions in you while you listen. 

Narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds, this audiobook brings an interesting twist to common fantasy tropes and will make you reconsider the meanings of god and humanity. 

The Hand of the Sun King (Pact and Pattern Series) by J.T. Greathouse

A boy is born to two parents of different heritage – his father has roots to the emperor, while his mother and her family want to bring the Empire down. 

The protagonist has to choose his own path, either following in his parent’s footsteps or carving out something new. His journeys bring him face to face with gods and the architect of this world.

Part coming-of-age story, part fantasy epic, The Hand of the Sun King is a well-written and clever tale that explores some interesting themes through the medium of fantasy and magic. This is one of the more recent releases on this list, but the story has huge potential and I would be excited to see this book released as a film or Netflix series!

Narrated by Jeremy Ang Jones, the performance is on point and captures the mystery and intrigue of Greathouse‘s imagined world. 

Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

An abstract, nonsensical masterpiece that has had a huge influence on modern culture, art, and entertainment. Alice In Wonderland is an absolutely classic story that everybody should experience once in their lifetime. 

While this was originally written as a children’s book, adults will still find a huge amount of value in the story and message of this book. 

To summarize the story, Alice drinks an irresistible magic potion that shrinks her, and she soon falls into a deep rabbit hole that takes her on a life-changing journey. 

This version of Alice in Wonderland is narrated by Jodie Comer, best known for her appearances in Killing Eve and Free Guy. I think her performance perfectly expresses the psychedelic and bizarre themes of this iconic tale. 

The Complete Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis

After evacuating their home due to WWII, a family of children finds themselves in an unusual mansion. While playing a game of hide and seek, one of the children discovered a wardrobe that transports them to a fantastical dimension full of talking lions, fauns, nymphs, centaurs, and other mythical beasts. 

The children quickly become wrapped up in the complex political situation of this world, and soon have to fight to defend the good factions from evil. 

This is a classic series that has transcended the fantasy genre to become part of the canon of classic literature, similar to The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter.

This audiobook is for the complete chronicles, containing all the books in this compelling story. It’s also a full-cast production, meaning that most characters are played by unique actors, creating an incredibly immersive listening experience. 

Dragonflight (Dragonriders of Pern Series) by Anne McCaffrey

I don’t think any animal is more synonymous with fantasy than the mighty dragon. Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern series starts with the excellent Dragonflight book. 

The world is under threat from a destructive rain, an ancient enemy who is only defeated by dragons and their riders, although for some unknown reasons, the laying of new dragon eggs is slowing down. 

Full of excitement, adventure, philosophy, and dragon riding, this book is a must-listen for any fans of dragons and high fantasy. 

Narrated by Sophie Aldred, this story feels as relevant today as ever, despite being written over 50 years ago. Just like dragons, it never ages.

Over Sea, Under Stone (The Dark Is Rising Sequence) by Susan Cooper

While on holiday, three children find a magical map in the attic of a house. This map points them in the direction of a Grail – something that can help fight off the threatening evil forces of the Dark. 

While the children begin to search for this grail, they get sucked into the dangerous battle against the Dark, quickly falling in too deep. As a teenager, I would read this book and fantasize about getting wrapped up in a situation like this… 

This often-overlooked series is a fantastic listen for children, teens, and adults alike. Alex Jenning narrates the story with perfect pacing and expression, keeping listeners gripped to the edge of their seats throughout this captivating story. 

The BFG by Roald Dahl

While this is a book written for children, it still has themes that many adults will take something from, and is a creative and entertaining story written by a legend of modern literature. 

The story follows a young girl called Sophie who meets a giant – or a Big Friendly Giant to be specific. The BFG. He takes her under his wing and shows her the perils and joys of the giants’ world. 

Heartwarming, entertaining, and family-friendly, this is a classic short story that everybody should listen to. I remember listening to a version of this on cassette tape when I was a child.

Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones 

First published in 1986, this beloved modern classic was released as an unabridged audiobook for the first time in 2019.

In a world full of classic fantasy themes, beings, and items, Sophie Hatter is put under a dark curse of the Witch of the Waste. She leaves to go to the moving castle, in a hunt for the potentially evil Wizard Howl. 

On this journey, she befriends a fire demon – Calcifer, whom she works together with to break the curse placed on her by the evil witch. 

Read by Kristin Atherton, this audiobook is a humorous and imaginative dive into a unique fantasy world. 

There is also the 2004 Japanese animated fantasy film Howl’s Moving Castle which is loosely based on the book. The film is one of the most commercially successful Japanese films in history and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 78th Academy Awards.

Redwall (Redwall Series) by Brian Jacques

Mice dressed in knight’s armor and fighting badgers with swords… what more could you ask for?

Redwall Abbey was once a peaceful sanctuary for mice, however, the evil rat warlord Cluny threatens their existence. This cute but gripping fantasy tale (or tail) from 1995 gives you a new glimpse into the lives of animals. 

The original story (and spin-off movies) were a childhood favorite of mine. But looking through the nostalgia, this is still a great experience for adults and children today. 

This version is narrated by the author Brian Jacques and a full cast of nearly 20 actors which makes for a fun and lively experience.

The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials Series) by Philip Pullman

With the His Dark Materials series, author Philip Pullman has crafted a world of adventure, mystery, and spirit animals. The story follows Lyra and Will as they journey through different worlds filled with magical creatures, mysterious secrets, and thrilling adventures.

Each book in the series is narrated by a full cast of actors. Each voice actor adds a unique style and emotion to their character, creating an immersive experience filled with wonder and beauty.

Unfortunately, I’ve found the recent TV series and movies to not quite create the same magical experience but I guess that’s all the more reason to listen to this series in the audiobook format!

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman is one of the most beloved modern fantasy authors. American Gods is a masterful and imaginative story that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy.

Released as a tenth-anniversary special edition, this version features a full cast of vocal actors. Each performer brings the characters to life with distinct and captivating voice acting – it even features the voice of Neil Gaiman himself. 

The plot, which follows ex-convict Shadow as he navigates a strange and dangerous world of gods and mortals, is filled with twists and turns that will keep you engaged and entertained.

American Gods is a must-listen for fans of the fantastical and the mythical, and the audiobook is a fantastic way to experience this incredible work of fiction.

The Fifth Season (The Broken Earth Series) by N.K. Jemisin

Written by award-winning author N.K. Jemisin, The Broken Earth series will take you on an unforgettable journey of magic and adventure.

In a world of ancient magic, a mysterious death triggers an apocalyptic event – a terrifying rift opens up and begins to spit flames. 

This epic adventure is packed with captivating characters, unexpected plot twists, and an immersive performance that will keep you hooked from start to finish. 

The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive Series) by Brandon Sanderson

The Way of Kings is the opening of Brandon Sanderson’s acclaimed Stormlight Archive series. The series is estimated to require ten books to complete, separated into two major story arcs, with the fifth book expected in 2024.

Sanderson is a prolific writer and here he has created a world filled with complex characters, thrilling battles, and unexpected twists. Sanderson wrote hundreds of thousands of words worth of worldbuilding before The Way of the Kings was even published, and it shows.

I found the production and narration to both be excellent with this series. I particularly like the use of male and female voice actors which brings an interesting dynamic to the performance. These actors – Michael Kramer and Kate Reading – are a husband-and-wife duo who also narrated the next series in our list…

The Eye of the World (The Wheel of Time Series) by Robert Jordan

This series is easily one of the longest and deepest out there. With a total of 20 books in the series, listening to this audiobook collection could keep you entertained for years.

Here you’ll follow the journey of Rand al’Thor and his friends as they battle against the forces of darkness to save their world. A woman by the name of Moiraine comes into contact with five young men and women in this high fantasy world where magic exists but only a select few have access to it. 

This starts a perilous, worldwide adventure…

The first book details their attempts to flee to the Aes Sedai city of Tar Valon while evading different Shadow agents – but you should explore this fantasy world yourself. I’m still working my way through this epic, but I’ve enjoyed every moment so far. 

Note: I’ve linked to the original versions narrated by Michael Kramer and Kate Reading below but you may also wish to check out the highly-rated Rosamund Pike versions (although at this time only the first two books have been re-recorded and released).

The Blade Itself (The First Law Series) by Joe Abercrombie

The Blade Itself, the first audiobook in Joe Abercrombie’s epic fantasy series, is a thrilling ride into a unique fantasy universe. 

Former fencing champion who got drafted to become a torturer – Inquisitor Glokta, is confined in a twisted and shattered body, but that doesn’t stop him from carrying out his daily duties of torturing smugglers. 

Here you’ll follow the story of Logen Ninefingers, a notorious warrior with a bloody past, as he embarks on a journey of redemption and revenge. 

This gory, vivid audiobook is intoxicating in its adrenaline rush-inducing action and mind-bending plot. One description I’ve read of this series is, “a Song of Ice and Fire if it was written by Quentin Tarantino.” And Steven Pacey’s narration is as good as it gets.

The Name of the Wind (Kingkiller Chronicle Series) by Patrick Rothfuss

Taking influence from a range of excellent fantasy writers throughout history, The Name of the Wind is an intricate and captivating book that sits at the start of the Kingkiller Chronicles series.

Follow Kvothe’s journey as he discovers secrets of the past and battles powerful forces in a quest for knowledge. The unlikely protagonist starts as a humble innkeeper in a morally bankrupt city, although quickly he becomes wrapped up in a deadly education in a magical school. 

This is a classical fantasy story that is filled with all the best elements which make up a fantasy tale – magicians, thieves, dragons, mystery, prophecies, and danger. 

The Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower Series) by Stephen King 

Another cult classic, The Dark Tower series centers around an enigmatic protagonist – the Last Gunslinger. This takes a slight twist on typical fantasy worlds and is based in a universe that is far closer to reality than most books on this list. 

That said, this series still provides a fantastic fantasy adventure that will entertain you for days. You can hear every drop of Stephen King’s writing skills coming through in this epically produced audiobook. 

The narration will put you in a dreamlike trance, and eager to hear the plot of this story unfold. 

Storm Front (The Dresden Files Series) by Jim Butcher 

This huge story spans 17 books and follows the life of Harry Dresden, one of the only practicing wizards in the country. 

In this world, one of the primary rules of magic is “Thou Shalt Not Kill”, although Harry is quickly called into a case in Chicago where this rule has been broken. 

Harry has to uncover the truth behind a series of dark magical murders – and encounters a range of fantastical beasts from vampires to zombies and even mobsters. Throughout the whole story, he is also suspected of being the perpetrator. 

The Dresden Files comes under a subgenre of fantasy called ‘urban fantasy’ which places imaginary and unreal elements in an approximation of a contemporary urban setting. I like how the story moves away from some of the typical fantasy cliches and explores the fantasy genre from this more modern angle. 

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

Full of twists, this captivating tale takes an unusual spin on the fantasy journey – and touches on themes that many people experience in real life. 

Linus Baker, age 40, lives in a small, quiet home with his cunning cat as his companion. He spent many tedious years at the Department in Charge of Magical Youth supervising their orphanages. 

He is called into an unusual case where six orphans have become a danger thanks to their uncontrollable magic powers. In this tale, Linus is forced to choose between his desires and his responsibilities.

I like the light-hearted, candid nature of this story, and while still fantasized, it explores concepts that are closer to reality than dragons, knights, and other fantasy beasts. 

The Crown Tower (The Riyria Chronicles Series) by Michael J. Sullivan

Follow the journey of an unlikely pair of heroes – an exiled warrior and a mischievous assassin – as they are tasked with stealing an impossible treasure. Locked away in the Crown Tower, the treasure holds the key to both of their freedom. 

I think the narrator perfectly expresses the unusual dynamic between these two characters, and the performance will captivate your attention throughout the whole series. 

Prepare for an Epic Fantasy Audiobook Journey!

With this epic list of the best fantasy audiobooks of all time, you should have no problem finding a magical new realm to escape into! 

I hope you enjoy these books as much as I have. If you have any suggestions for fantasy books and series that you feel deserve to be on this list please let me know if the comments section below.

Looking for more of the best audiobook recommendations? You may enjoy:

• Best Audiobooks of All Time
• Best Fantasy Audiobooks on Everand
• Best Full-Cast Fantasy & Sci-Fi Audiobooks