Audiobook guide · Updated November 2026
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.
Fantasy is an enormous genre, so it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why I’ve compiled this list of the best fantasy audiobooks of all time, from timeless classics to modern fantasies. Where a book is part of a series, I’ve featured the first title. Every pick links to its Audible edition, and I’ve listed the narrator for each one.
By Noah Feasey-Kemp · Originally published February 2023 · Updated November 2026
Some links are affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no cost to you. How I make money.
Three easy ways in if you are new to fantasy audiobooks.
Jump to a style
Tolkien and the Timeless Classics
Where modern fantasy began, from Middle-earth to Pern.
The Hobbit
By J. R. R. Tolkien · Read by Andy Serkis
Bilbo Baggins is perfectly happy at home until Gandalf and thirteen dwarves turn up and sweep him into a quest to win back a mountain from the dragon Smaug.
It’s lighter and funnier than the trilogy, so it’s the easiest way into Middle-earth. Andy Serkis gives the dwarves, Gandalf and Gollum their own voices, and the riddle game in the dark is a joy.
The Fellowship of the Ring
By J. R. R. Tolkien · Read by Andy Serkis
Few stories have shaped fantasy as much as The Lord of the Rings. An ordinary hobbit, Frodo, is handed the One Ring and has to carry it across Middle-earth to destroy it.
There are a few versions of this audiobook, but I think the magic is best captured by Andy Serkis, the man behind Gollum in the movies.
A Wizard of Earthsea
By Ursula K. Le Guin · Read by Rob Inglis
Ged is a gifted young wizard whose pride gets him into trouble at a school for mages. Ursula K. Le Guin wrote it in 1968, decades before Hogwarts.
It’s short, thoughtful and unhurried, which suits audio beautifully. Rob Inglis reads it like a storyteller by the fire.
Dragonflight
By Anne McCaffrey · Read by Sophie Aldred
Is any animal more fantasy than a dragon? Pern is under threat, and only dragons and their riders can save it, but the dragons are laying fewer eggs than they should.
It’s full of adventure, dragon riding and big ideas, and it doesn’t feel its age. Sophie Aldred’s narration is a treat.
Epic Fantasy Sagas
Big worlds, big casts and series you can disappear into for months.
The Eye of the World
By Robert Jordan · Read by Michael Kramer and Kate Reading
Moiraine, an Aes Sedai, arrives in a quiet village and sweeps five young villagers, Rand al’Thor among them, into a flight from the Shadow’s agents toward Tar Valon.
With 14 main books plus a prequel, this could keep you company for years. I’m still working my way through it and have enjoyed every moment. The main link is the original Michael Kramer and Kate Reading recording, and there’s a Rosamund Pike version too.
The Way of Kings
By Brandon Sanderson · Read by Michael Kramer and Kate Reading
Brandon Sanderson wrote hundreds of thousands of words of worldbuilding before this was published, and it shows: complex characters, thrilling battles and plenty of surprises. It opens the Stormlight Archive, planned as ten books.
I found the production excellent. Michael Kramer and Kate Reading, a husband-and-wife duo, give it a lovely male and female dynamic.
Mistborn: The Final Empire
By Brandon Sanderson · Read by Michael Kramer
Ash falls from the sky, a godlike Lord Ruler has reigned for a thousand years, and a street thief named Vin discovers she can burn metals for magical powers. A crew of rebels wants her help overthrowing him.
The magic system is brilliantly inventive and the heist-style plot rattles along like a thriller. Michael Kramer makes it a great first Sanderson.
The Name of the Wind
By Patrick Rothfuss · Read by Nick Podehl
Kvothe starts out as a humble innkeeper, but his story takes in a deadly education at a magical school and a hunt for the secrets of his past.
It’s classic fantasy, full of magicians, thieves, prophecy and danger, and Nick Podehl’s narration suits it well.
A Game of Thrones
By George R. R. Martin · Read by Roy Dotrice
Rival houses fight for power in Westeros and beyond, and nobody is safe. The books took off even more once the HBO series began in 2011.
Fans often say the show misses much of the depth of the books, but the audiobooks keep every detail, and Roy Dotrice’s performance is a big part of that. I can’t recommend it enough.
The Fifth Season
By N. K. Jemisin · Read by Robin Miles
In a world of ancient magic, a death sets off an apocalyptic event as a huge rift tears across the land and begins to spit fire.
N. K. Jemisin’s award-winning series is full of captivating characters and twists you won’t see coming, and Robin Miles’s immersive performance will keep you hooked.
Age of Myth
By Michael J. Sullivan · Read by Tim Gerard Reynolds
A human slays a god, and the balance of power between gods and humans shifts for good. Raithe, a reluctant god killer, and Persephone, who must lead her people through a personal conflict, are at the heart of it.
I love how Michael J. Sullivan uses language to stir real emotion, and Tim Gerard Reynolds narrates it well.
Dark and Gritty Fantasy
Morally grey heroes, violence and sharp-edged storytelling.
The Blade Itself
By Joe Abercrombie · Read by Steven Pacey
Inquisitor Glokta, a former champion fencer turned torturer, drags his broken body through his duties, while the barbarian Logen Ninefingers sets out on a journey of revenge and redemption.
It’s gory, vivid and darkly funny. One description I’ve read compares the series to A Song of Ice and Fire written by Quentin Tarantino, and Steven Pacey’s narration is as good as it gets.
The Lies of Locke Lamora
By Scott Lynch · Read by Michael Page
Locke Lamora is a thief and con man in the canal city of Camorr, and his gang, the Gentleman Bastards, are very good at fleecing nobles. Then a mysterious figure starts hunting the underworld and things turn dark.
It’s fast, funny and foul-mouthed, think Ocean’s Eleven with swords, and Michael Page delivers the banter perfectly.
The Last Wish
By Andrzej Sapkowski · Read by Peter Kenny
Geralt of Rivia is a witcher, a monster hunter for hire, and these linked stories are where the Witcher saga began, long before the games and the TV show.
Each tale blends fairy tale and dark fantasy, which makes it easy to dip into. Peter Kenny reads Danusia Stok’s translation.
The Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger
By Stephen King · Read by George Guidall
The last gunslinger, Roland, chases a man in black across a desolate world that sits closer to our own than most fantasy settings.
You can hear every drop of Stephen King’s storytelling skill, and George Guidall’s narration puts you in a dreamlike trance, eager to see what unfolds.
Full-Cast Productions
Different actors for different characters, for a performance more like a play.
Good Omens
By Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett · Read by Full cast
An angel and a demon who have grown fond of life on Earth decide to stop the coming apocalypse themselves. It’s a very funny collaboration between Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, full of fate and free will.
The cast includes David Tennant, Rebecca Front, Michael Sheen and Peter Forbes, so the conversations flow like you’re hearing events rather than a reading. If you’ve never tried a full-cast audiobook, start here.
American Gods
By Neil Gaiman · Read by Full cast
Shadow, fresh out of prison, is drawn into a strange and dangerous world of gods and mortals. It’s imaginative, twisty and blurs the line between reality and fantasy.
This tenth-anniversary edition uses a full cast, so every character gets a distinct voice.
The Golden Compass
By Philip Pullman · Read by Philip Pullman and full cast
Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials is adventure and mystery in one, following Lyra and later Will through different worlds filled with magical creatures, secrets and spirit animals.
A full cast voices every book, each actor giving their character a style of their own. I’ve found the recent TV series and movies don’t quite recreate the magic, so all the more reason to listen.
The Complete Chronicles of Narnia
By C. S. Lewis · Read by Full cast (BBC Radio 4 dramatisations)
Children evacuated during WWII find a wardrobe that leads to a land of talking lions, fauns and centaurs, and soon they’re helping to defend it from evil.
This is the complete Chronicles as a full-cast BBC Radio 4 dramatisation, which makes a classic feel wonderfully immersive.
Redwall
By Brian Jacques · Read by Brian Jacques and full cast
Mice in armor and badgers with swords: what more could you ask for? Peaceful Redwall Abbey is threatened by the rat warlord Cluny.
It was a childhood favorite of mine, and nostalgia aside it’s still great for adults and kids. Brian Jacques narrates it himself, with a full cast.
Magic in the Modern World
From Hogwarts to Chicago to a circus that only opens at night.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
By J. K. Rowling · Read by Jim Dale
A young wizard learns he’s far more important than he knew. You probably know the rest, and it’s an iconic story that grew into a global franchise.
There are two popular versions. The UK one is read by the wonderful Stephen Fry, whose performance captures every drop of magic. I haven’t listened to the US version read by Jim Dale, but I understand it’s amazing too, and that’s the Audible link.
Storm Front
By Jim Butcher · Read by James Marsters
Harry Dresden, one of the only practicing wizards around, investigates dark magical murders in Chicago while becoming a suspect himself. Vampires, zombies and mobsters all join in.
I like how this urban fantasy steps away from the usual clichés. James Marsters, who played Spike in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, narrates.
Guards! Guards!
By Terry Pratchett · Read by Jon Culshaw, Peter Serafinowicz and Bill Nighy
Discworld is where fantasy gets funny. A ragtag Night Watch faces a secret society that has summoned a dragon, with Carrot, a human raised by dwarves, joining as a new recruit.
It’s a satire of fantasy tropes that’s also a properly good story. This recording features Bill Nighy, Peter Serafinowicz and Jon Culshaw.
The Night Circus
By Erin Morgenstern · Read by Jim Dale
A black-and-white striped circus appears without warning and opens only at night. Behind the scenes, two young magicians are locked in a competition neither fully understands.
It’s lush, romantic and all about mood, which makes it perfect for a long evening. Jim Dale’s narration gives it a storybook feel.
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
By Susanna Clarke · Read by Simon Prebble
In alternate Napoleonic-era England, the reclusive Mr Norrell and the younger Jonathan Strange set out to bring magic back.
It’s written like a nineteenth-century novel, footnotes included, and won the Hugo and World Fantasy awards. Long and rewarding, with Simon Prebble perfect for the period voice.
Piranesi
By Susanna Clarke · Read by Chiwetel Ejiofor
Piranesi lives in a house of endless halls filled with statues and tides, and keeps careful journals of his explorations. His only company is a man called the Other.
It’s short, strange and best enjoyed knowing as little as possible. Chiwetel Ejiofor’s performance is warm and precise.
The House in the Cerulean Sea
By TJ Klune · Read by Daniel Henning
Linus Baker is a quiet caseworker with a cunning cat, sent to look into an orphanage of six children with powers they can’t control. He has to choose between his desires and his responsibilities.
I like the light-hearted, candid tone. It’s fantasy, but it explores ideas closer to real life than dragons and knights. Daniel Henning narrates.
Legends & Lattes
By Travis Baldree · Read by Travis Baldree
Viv, an orc warrior, retires from adventuring to open the first coffee shop in the city of Thune. There’s no world to save, just a business to build and a team to gather.
It’s gentle and funny, and read by the author himself, Travis Baldree.
Myth, Fairy Tale and Family Favorites
Old stories retold, and fantasy the whole family can share.
Heroes
By Stephen Fry · Read by Stephen Fry
Stephen Fry’s modern retelling of classic Greek myths is full of quests, monsters and riddles. It’s the second book in his series, after Mythos, and not for the faint-hearted, as many of these adventures are full of peril.
He wrote and narrates it, acting out each character with precision. I love how it revisits old myths with a modern eye.
Circe
By Madeline Miller · Read by Perdita Weeks
Madeline Miller retells Greek myth through Circe, the daughter of the sun god Helios, banished to the island of Aiaia for witchcraft. There she sharpens her craft and meets figures like Daedalus and Odysseus.
It’s lyrical and character-driven, and a great companion to Heroes. Perdita Weeks narrates.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
By Lewis Carroll · Read by Jodie Comer
Alice tumbles down a rabbit hole and, after drinking a magic potion that shrinks her, ends up on a wonderfully nonsensical journey. It was written for children, but adults will enjoy it too.
Jodie Comer, best known from Killing Eve and Free Guy, narrates, and I think her performance captures its psychedelic, bizarre side perfectly.
Howl’s Moving Castle
By Diana Wynne Jones · Read by Kristin Atherton
Sophie Hatter is cursed by the Witch of the Waste and sets off for the moving castle of the dreaded Wizard Howl, where she befriends a fire demon called Calcifer. Together they try to break her curse.
It’s humorous and imaginative, and Kristin Atherton reads it beautifully. The 2004 animated film is loosely based on the book.
Over Sea, Under Stone
By Susan Cooper · Read by Alex Jennings
While on holiday, three children find a magical map that points to a Grail that could hold back the forces of the Dark. Before long they’re in far deeper than they planned.
As a teenager I’d read this and daydream about being part of something like it. It’s an often overlooked series and a great listen for all ages, with Alex Jennings narrating.
The BFG
By Roald Dahl · Read by Samantha Bond
Sophie meets a giant, a Big Friendly Giant to be exact, who takes her under his wing and shows her the perils and joys of the giants’ world.
It’s heartwarming, funny and family-friendly. I remember listening to a version of this on cassette tape as a child. Samantha Bond narrates this one.
Fantasy audiobook questions
What is the best fantasy audiobook to start with?
If you are new to fantasy, start with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, The Hobbit or Mistborn. All three are easy to follow, and the first two are shorter than most epic fantasy.
Should I listen to The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings first?
The Hobbit was published first, in 1937, and The Fellowship of the Ring followed in 1954. The Hobbit is lighter and works as a standalone adventure, so it is a gentle way in, but you can start with The Fellowship of the Ring if you want the full epic. Both are narrated by Andy Serkis.
Which fantasy audiobooks have a full cast?
On this list, Good Omens, American Gods, The Golden Compass, The Complete Chronicles of Narnia and Redwall all use a cast of actors. For more, see my list of the best full-cast fantasy and sci-fi audiobooks.
What are the longest fantasy audiobook series?
The Wheel of Time is one of the longest, with 14 main books plus a prequel, starting with The Eye of the World. Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive is planned to run to ten books, and the Dresden Files, which starts with Storm Front, runs to well over a dozen.
Are there cozy fantasy audiobooks?
Yes. Legends & Lattes and The House in the Cerulean Sea are two of the best known, and Howl’s Moving Castle is a gentler, quirkier option.
Which fantasy audiobooks are good for kids and families?
The BFG, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Howl’s Moving Castle, Over Sea, Under Stone, Redwall, Narnia and Harry Potter all work well for listening together.
- 24 of the Best Fantasy Audiobooks to Get Lost in
- 10 Best Full-Cast Fantasy & Sci-Fi Audiobooks
- 24 Best Full Cast Audiobooks (2026)
- Best Audiobooks of All Time
- Best Fantasy Audiobooks on Everand
- 19 of the Best Apocalyptic & Dystopian Audiobooks
- Best Fantasy Audiobooks on Audible
- Best Sci-Fi Audiobooks on Audible
- Best Romance Audiobooks on Audible
One email a week: the best current audiobook deals and one editor’s pick.
