The 8 Most Fun Fantasy Books of All Time, Ranked

Image via Scholastic Paperbacks Published Aug 26, 2026, 7:51 AM EDT Diego Pineda has been a devout storyteller his whole life. He has self-published a fantasy novel and a book of short stories, and is actively working on publishing his second novel. A lifelong fan of watching movies and talking about them endlessly, he writes reviews and analyses on his Instagram page dedicated to cinema, and occasionally on his blog. His favorite filmmakers are Andrei Tarkovsky and Charlie Chaplin. He loves modern Mexican cinema and thinks it's tragically underappreciated. Other interests of Diego's include reading, gaming, roller coasters, writing reviews on his Letterboxd account (username: DPP_reviews), and going down rabbit holes of whatever topic he's interested in at any given point. Sign in to your Collider account There are many fantasy books out there which are absolute masterpieces, but it's no controversial statement to say that not all the cornerstone works that make up the canon of history's greatest fantasy books are equally fun. Indeed, it's a whole art unto itself to write a fantasy novel that's irresistibly entertaining from cover to cover, the sort that's an all-around page turner. These books are great, sure, but they're also so imaginative, amusing, and universally enjoyable that there's no word to better capture their quality than "fun." Whether it's a proper fantasy comedy like the works of Terry Pratchett; or YA fantasy that's nevertheless enjoyable for fantasy readers and lovers of all ages, like the Harry Potter books, the most fun fantasy books of all time are proof of just how incredibly entertaining the genre can be when in the hands of a capable author. Impeccably world-building, interesting magic systems, fun mythological creatures, and perfect plotting are the name of the game here, resulting in pieces of fantasy literature that all those who tend to enjoy the genre should check out at least once. 8 'Going Postal' (2004) Terry Pratchett is far and away one of the most important and universally beloved satirical fantasy authors in all of English literature, best-known for his 41-book Discworld series. The 33rd book in the series is Going Postal, the first book in mainline Discworld to be divided into chapters. In it, a con artist is forced to revive a derelict post office in order to not face execution, and what results from that is a satirical gem that was unsurprisingly shortlisted for both the Nebula and Locus Awards. Are there any [Discworld books] that are more purely fun than Going Postal? There's a strong argument to be made that there aren't. Are there better books in the Discworld series? Many would certainly argue that there are. But are there any that are more purely fun than Going Postal? There's a strong argument to be made that there aren't. Redemption arcs are always entertaining to read, and Going Postal features a hugely compelling one that's balanced with a witty, comedically sharp exploration of topics like corporate greed and the power of words. Turning government bureaucracy into a high-stakes, fast-paced narrative like this is the sort of literary miracle that only someone like Pratchett could have possibly pulled off. 7 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire' (2000) Image via Bloomsbury Publishing At this point, there's pretty much no need to introduce J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. After all, far more than just the highest-selling fantasy book series in history, this saga is nowadays one of the biggest pop-cultural phenomena on the planet. That all started with Rowling's books, however, and it was Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire that changed the series' course forever. Suddenly, Harry Potter novels were far darker, more mature, and more sprawling than they had ever been before. This is still a children's novel at heart, though, yet it's one that fantasy readers of any and all ages should be perfectly capable of enjoying. As one of the low fantasy books with the best magic systems, Goblet of Fire delivers the single most entertaining narrative in the entire Harry Potter franchise. Trading the routines of the traditional school year with a high-stakes magical competition was a risky creative move on Rowling's part, but she executed the concept beautifully. Fast-paced, action-packed, full of fresh and fun ideas, and with a perfect balance between fantasy and coming-of-age elements, this is the peak of what Harry Potter has to offer in terms of entertainment value. 6 'The Princess Bride' (1973) Image via Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Before William Goldman penned the screenplay for Rob Reiner's film adaptation, easily one of the most fun fantasy movies of the entire 20th century, he wrote the fantasy romance novel The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure, The "Good Parts Version. Aside from having one of the most legendary titles in the history of the genre, this is one of the best books of the 1970s, a metafictional genre-blending masterpiece that has only gotten better with age. An ambitious mixture of genre influences and elements can either make or break a novel. It should come as no surprise, though, that in the hand of a writer like Goldman, the way The Princess Bride incorporates elements of the fairy tale, romance, dramedy, and adventure genres only works flawlessly. There's something in The Princess Bride for pretty much any and all kinds of fantasy fans to enjoy, making it a must-read for anyone who likes speculative fiction. 5 'Mistborn: The Final Empire' (2006) Image via Tor Books Few speculative fiction authors from modern times have ever been more prolific or successful than Brandon Sanderson, one of the most beloved fantasy authors currently working. For proof of why most people tend to call him a brilliant writer, one needn't look any further than his overarching Cosmere universe, of which the Mistborn series is a vital pillar. Mistborn: The Final Empire is the first installment in the series, a fascinating book with what may very well be the most interesting magic system of any fantasy novel of the last two decades. Who could possibly find the idea of a high-stakes heist plot à la Ocean's Eleven set in an incredibly inventive fantastical world unappealing? Trying to figure out mysteries alongside the characters while exploring the delectable complexity of Sanderson's hard magic system is irresistibly entertaining from start to finish, with action that feels incredibly tactile and cinematic and a constant avalanche of payoffs that keep things satisfying all the time. Reading The Final Empire is the sort of addictive fantasy reading experience that should be able to get anyone to purchase the next novel in the series almost immediately. 4 'The Lies of Locke Lamora' (2006) Image via Bantam Spectra 2006 was a hell of a year for incredibly fun fantasy books, and the 2000s as a whole didn't produce very many fantasy novels much more entertaining than Scott Lynch's The Lies of Locke Lamora. The first book in the Gentleman Bastard series, this is one of those fantasy books that are a masterclass in world-building. Though the rest of the book series is amazing as well, Lies is such a fun masterpiece that it can even be read as a standalone and still remain thoroughly satisfying. Lynch trades genre clichés with a cleverly-constructed heist and con narrative full of witty dialogue and hugely effective humor. For anyone tired of the usual "Chosen One" archetype that has kept the fantasy genre feeling very samey since the first half of the 20th century, Lies of Locke Lamora should be considered essential reading. Lynch trades genre clichés with a cleverly-constructed heist and con narrative full of witty dialogue and hugely effective humor, one that also happens to feel much like Ocean's Eleven in all the right ways. The author keeps the stakes so nail-bitingly high from the beginning to the end that there's almost no humanly possible way of willingly putting the book down. 3 'Dungeon Crawler Carl' (2020) Image via Ace Books The science fantasy gem Dungeon Crawler Carl was initially self-published by Matt Dinniman via online publisher Royal Road. Soon enough, this groundbreaking LitRPG (short for literary role-playing game, a genre that combines the conventions of computer RPGs with fantasy and sci-fi) and its seven sequels were acquired by Ace Books. However, there's just no beating the original, a subversive gem that deconstructs the whole LitRPG genre with absurdist humor, sharp satire, and a gripping critique of corporate exploitation. Those sorts of genre subversions keep Dungeon Crawler Carl feeling exquisitely fresh for all of its nearly 500 pages, balancing a dark tone with a laugh-out-loud sense of humor perfectly. It's flawlessly written, full of compelling character development, and perfectly understanding of what keeps history's best RPGs and LitRPG books addictive. The world-building is nothing if not expansive, the plot is exceptionally well-paced and well-structured, and the whole thing is remarkably difficult to stop reading. 2 'The Hobbit' (1937) Image via George Allen & Unwin There are probably no fantasy authors from the 20th century more important or groundbreaking than J. R. R. Tolkien, whose The Lord of the Rings is arguably the single most influential and historically significant fantasy novel of the last century. But as entertaining and admirable as Lord of the Rings is, some may find Tolkien's ultra-detailed prose a little too dense at times. On the other hand, The Hobbit—the children's novel that gave birth to Middle-earth—is one of the most fun novels ever written, regardless of genre. Whether it's read by a kid as one of their first "grown-up" fantasy books, by a parent to their children as a bedtime story, or even just by an adult fantasy fan who somehow still hasn't read one of the most important fantasy books in history, The Hobbit is equally fun for all. One of those fantasy books where every chapter is a masterpiece, this adventure is the most fun that the fantasy genre had to offer throughout the 20th century. 1 'The Blade Itself' (2006) Image via Gollancz Where the 20th century was often busy building the canonical texts that became the pillars of fantasy's many subgenres, the 21st century has so far had more time and liberty to focus on being purely fun. Then there are masterpieces of the caliber of Joe Abercrombie's The Blade Itself, a fantasy epic that's hugely influential and also hugely entertaining. It's the first installment of the first trilogy—one of the best book trilogies of all time—that makes up the overarching First Law series, and it helped completely redefine the modern grimdark genre. The Blade Itself is the ultimate fun fantasy book, all thanks to how it blends the epic fantasy genre with elements of a dark yet hilarious comedy of elements, a mixture of genres you don't often find in literature. This isn't some overly serious or pretentious quest to save the world, but rather a masterclass in character voice and humor whose wit, sharpness, and subversive nature make it incredibly fun from start to finish. No one can call themselves a true fan of modern fantasy books without having read The Blade Itself. Collider Exclusive · Middle-earth Quiz Which Lord of the RingsCharacter Are You? One Quiz · Ten Questions · Your Fate Revealed The road goes ever on. From the green hills of the Shire to the fires of Mount Doom, every soul in Middle-earth carries a destiny. Ten questions stand between you and the truth of who you are. Answer honestly — the One Ring has a way of revealing what we most want to hide. 💍Frodo 🌿Samwise 👑Aragorn 🔥Gandalf 🏹Legolas ⚒️Gimli 👁️Sauron 🪨Gollum BEGIN YOUR QUEST → 01 You are handed a responsibility that could destroy you. What do you do? The weight of the world falls on unlikely shoulders. AAccept it. Someone has to, and running changes nothing. BStay by the side of whoever carries it. They shouldn't go alone. CStep forward and lead. This is exactly what I was made for. DIt's mine now. I won't let anyone else have it. NEXT QUESTION → 02 Your closest companion is heading into terrible danger. You: True loyalty is revealed not in comfort, but in crisis. AFollow them without hesitation. I'd rather die beside them than live without them. BRally others and forge a plan to help — strength in numbers. COffer wisdom and guidance. My counsel may save them where swords cannot. DLet them go. Only the strong survive, and sentiment is a weakness. NEXT QUESTION → 03 Enormous power is within your reach. Your instinct is: Power corrupts — but only those who reach for it. ADestroy it. Nothing good comes from power this absolute. BUse it to protect those I love — just this once. CWield it wisely. I have the will and the knowledge to do good with it. DSeize it. I have waited long enough. It belongs to me. NEXT QUESTION → 04 What does "home" mean to you? Where we long to return reveals who we truly are. AA simple, peaceful place — green hills, good food, no adventure required. BWherever the people I love are. Home is a feeling, not a place. CA kingdom I must earn before I can truly claim it as mine. DI lost it long ago. That loss is what drives everything I do. NEXT QUESTION → 05 When a battle is upon you, your approach is: War reveals what we are made of — whether we like it or not. ASurvive by any means. I'm not a fighter — but I'll do what I must. BFight for the person beside me, not for glory or honour. CLead the charge. Nothing inspires an army like a king at the front. DStrike from range, fast and precise — never let them get close. NEXT QUESTION → 06 Someone comes to you for advice in their darkest hour. You: Wisdom is not knowing all the answers — it's knowing which questions to ask. AListen, then offer honest encouragement. Sometimes people just need belief. BGive them practical help — words are fine, but action is better. CSpeak carefully. I have seen much, and I know what counsel can cost. DTell them what they want to hear. Trust is a tool like any other. NEXT QUESTION → 07 How do you see yourself, honestly? Self-knowledge is the most dangerous kind. ASmall and ordinary — but perhaps that's exactly why I was chosen. BDefined entirely by who I serve and love. I am nothing without them. CForged by hardship into something the world has not yet fully seen. DDiminished from what I once was — and consumed by the need to reclaim it. NEXT QUESTION → 08 Which of these best describes your relationship with the natural world? Middle-earth speaks to those who know how to listen. AI find peace in it — forests, rivers, open skies. Nature restores me. BI prefer the earth underfoot — stone, mines, solid and real things. CI have watched the world change for longer than most can comprehend. DNature offers hiding places, cold water, raw fish. That's enough for me. NEXT QUESTION → 09 You encounter a wretched, pitiable creature who has done terrible things. You: How we treat the fallen reveals the height of our character. AShow mercy. Even the most broken souls deserve a chance at redemption. BPity them — but never trust them. They made their choices. CSee them as a tool. Their knowledge or skills may still serve a purpose. DDestroy them before they can cause more harm. Mercy is a luxury we cannot afford. NEXT QUESTION → 10 When the quest is over and the songs are sung, what do you hope they say about you? In the end, we are all just stories. AThat an ordinary person did an extraordinary thing — and came home. BThat I never abandoned the person who needed me most. CThat I was worthy of the crown — and everything it demanded. DNothing. I don't need songs. I needed it, and now it's gone. REVEAL MY FATE → The Fellowship Has Spoken Your Place in Middle-earthThe scores below reveal your true character. Your highest number is your match. Even a tie tells a story — the Fellowship was never made of simple people. 💍 Frodo 🌿 Samwise 👑 Aragorn 🔥 Gandalf 🏹 Legolas ⚒️ Gimli 👁️ Sauron 🪨 Gollum You carry something heavy — and you carry it alone, even when you don't have to. You were not born for greatness, and that is precisely why greatness chose you. Your courage is not the roaring, sword-swinging kind; it is quiet, stubborn, and terrifying in its refusal to quit. The Ring weighs on you more than anyone can see, and still you walk toward the fire. That is not weakness. That is the rarest kind of strength there is. You are, without question, the best of them. Not the most powerful, not the most celebrated — but the most essential. Your loyalty is not a trait; it is a force of nature. You would carry the person you love up the slopes of Mount Doom if it came to that, and we both know you'd do it without being asked. The world needs more people like you, and the world is lucky it has even one. You were born to lead, and you have spent years running from it. The crown is yours by right, but you know better than anyone that right means nothing without the will and the worthiness to back it up. You are tempered by loss, shaped by long roads, and defined by a code of honour you hold to even when no one is watching. When you finally step forward, the world shifts. Because it was always waiting for you. You have seen more than you let on, and you say less than you know — which is exactly as it should be. You are a catalyst: you do not fight the battles yourself, you ignite the people who can. Your wisdom comes not from books but from an age of watching what happens when it is ignored. You arrive precisely when you mean to, and your presence alone changes what is possible. A wizard is never late. Graceful, perceptive, and almost preternaturally calm under pressure — you see things others miss and act before others react. You do not need to make a scene to be remarkable; your presence speaks for itself. You are loyal to those you choose to stand beside, and that choice is not made lightly. You have lived long enough to know that the most beautiful things in this world are also the most fragile, and that is why you fight to protect them. You are loud, proud, and absolutely formidable — and beneath all of that is one of the most fiercely loyal hearts in Middle-earth. You don't do anything by half measures. Your friendships are forged like iron, your grudges run as deep as mines, and your courage in battle is the kind that makes legends. You came into this fellowship suspicious of everyone and ended it willing to die for an elf. That is not a small thing. That is everything. You think in centuries and act in absolutes. Order, dominion, control — not because you are cruel by nature, but because you have decided that the world left to itself always falls apart, and you are the only one with the vision and the will to hold it together. You were not always this. Something was lost, or taken, or betrayed, and the version of you that stands now is the answer to that wound. The tragedy is that you're not entirely wrong — just entirely too far gone to course-correct. You are a study in contradiction — pitiable and dangerous, cunning and broken, capable of both cruelty and something that once resembled love. You are defined by loss: of innocence, of self, of the one thing that gave your existence meaning. Two voices war inside you constantly, and the tragedy is that the better one sometimes wins, just not often enough, and never at the right moment. You are a warning, yes — but also a mirror. We are all a little Gollum, given the right ring and enough time. ↻ RETAKE THE QUIZ