7 Epic Fantasy Stories We’re Desperate To See Turn Into Movies After Brandon Sanderson’s 16-Year-Old Classic

It feels like there’s an endless supply of fantasy stories available, covering everything from epic adventures with swords and magic to modern, city-based tales, and even stories that blend fantasy with horror and the supernatural. There are plenty of novels and series to choose from, many of which would make fantastic movies. With Brandon Sanderson’s popular series finally being adapted for the screen, fantasy films are especially on everyone’s minds right now.

Adapting a fantastic book into a successful movie isn’t easy. It needs strong visuals that translate well, characters we can truly care about – whether we love or hate them – and a world or magic system that can come alive on screen. The books listed below all have these qualities and would make excellent films.

7) Babel by RF Kuang

Since its release in 2022, Babel has rightfully earned all the acclaim it’s received. The novel tells the story of Robin Swift, an orphan from Canton who is brought to London to study languages – Latin, Ancient Greek, and Chinese – in preparation for attending Babel, the Royal Institute of Translation at Oxford University. Babel isn’t just about translation; it’s the center of ‘silver-working,’ a magical practice that uses enchanted silver to harness the power of translated meaning, and is the source of Britain’s global dominance. However, when Britain goes to war with China, Robin is torn between his two homes and faces a difficult question: can a powerful system be reformed from within, or is violent revolution the only path to change?

The novel Babel is complex, intellectually challenging, and full of twists and turns, which makes it ideal for a film or television series that can delve into its many layers of meaning.

6) The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

Carlos Ruiz Zafón’s The Shadow of the Wind is a captivating historical fantasy ripe for adaptation. Set in post-war Barcelona in 1945, the story follows Daniel, a young boy grieving his mother’s death. His father introduces him to a hidden library called The Cemetery of Books, hoping to offer him comfort. Daniel discovers a forgotten novel, The Shadow of the Wind, by Julian Carax, which deeply resonates with him. But his newfound solace turns into a dangerous obsession when he learns someone is deliberately destroying all copies of Carax’s work – and he may possess the last remaining book. What begins as a simple search quickly unravels a thrilling mystery filled with murder, insanity, and tragic romance, exposing the hidden darkness beneath the city’s surface.

There’s a strong, classic film noir feel to Shadow of the Wind. Reading it is like watching a movie unfold, with its dark atmosphere, complex plot, and rich symbolism. It would make a fantastic film in the hands of a director who really connects with the story.

5) The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Behind the enchanting facade of a circus that mysteriously appears and disappears overnight lies a fierce and dangerous competition between two magicians, Celia and Marco. Trained by even more powerful mentors, they’re caught in a game they don’t fully grasp, and as years pass, they fall in love. Their relationship, set against the rich and vibrant world of the circus, is complex and fraught with danger. The story reads like a screenplay, and with its magic, suspense, and vivid imagery, Celia and Marco’s tale of being manipulated as pawns would translate wonderfully to the big screen.

4) The Modern Faerie Tales by Holly Black

Holly Black’s The Modern Faerie Tales is a unique and compelling young adult urban fantasy series that first appeared in 2002, and nothing quite like it has emerged in books or movies since. The story begins with Tithe, where we meet Kaye Fierch, a young woman who moves in with her grandmother after a traumatic event at a concert. There, she starts looking for the imaginary friends she had as a child, but her life takes a dramatic turn when she rescues a faerie knight named Roiben and discovers she’s actually a changeling – a faerie child swapped for a human one at birth. The series is notably darker than most young adult fiction, blending glamour with a gritty realism that influenced a generation’s style. These fae aren’t the romanticized versions you might be used to; they’re closer to the dangerous, often frightening creatures of myth and legend. With the right adaptation, The Modern Faerie Tales has the potential to become a truly exceptional film trilogy.

For years, fans have hoped Holly Black’s Folk of the Air series, connected to her earlier Modern Faerie Tales, would become a TV show, but those plans have stalled since 2017. Many believe the characters and intricate world from Black’s first book, Tithe – including Kaye, Roiben, and Corny – would make a fantastic movie.

3) Crier’s War by Nina Varela

Blending science fiction and fantasy into a truly grand story, Crier’s War is surprisingly captivating. Despite a complex backstory, the story unfolds smoothly, creating a rich and believable world. After a devastating war, the Automae—originally created as toys for the royal class—rose up against their human owners, seizing power and enslaving humanity. Ayla, a human servant working her way up the ranks, is given a dangerous mission: to assassinate Lady Crier, the Sovereign’s daughter. However, Crier isn’t who Ayla expects. Meanwhile, Crier is promised in marriage to Scyre Kinok, an Automae harboring countless secrets that threaten to destroy everything.

Nina Varela’s Crier’s War builds a beautifully detailed world that blends science fiction and fantasy into a cohesive and compelling narrative. The story powerfully explores themes of loss, grief, and revenge, and offers a classic enemies-to-lovers romance alongside intricate court politics and shocking betrayals. Ultimately, it asks profound questions about the very definition of humanity.

2) Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

Brandon Mull’s Fablehaven is the first book in an exciting young adult series with the potential to become as popular as Harry Potter or Percy Jackson. The story begins when siblings Kendra and Seth go to stay with their grandparents while their parents are away. They meet the groundskeeper, Dale, and the housekeeper, Lena, and quickly realize something is unusual – their grandmother is nowhere to be found. They soon discover that their grandparents’ home, Fablehaven, is actually a hidden sanctuary for magical creatures. After completing a series of challenges from their grandfather, including a final, cryptic instruction to “Drink the milk,” Kendra and Seth unlock the ability to see the magical world around them.

The adventures of Kendra and Seth are so engaging, they could easily become a whole movie series. The Fablehaven books are charming and grow with their readers, making it a fantastic and lasting story that would translate well to film.

1) The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri

The Jasmine Throne takes place in the Parijatdvipan Empire and tells the story of two women with vastly different lives. Malini is held captive by her brother within the Hirana, a once-powerful temple now in ruins after a magical artifact was stolen. Priya, a maidservant who survived the temple’s destruction, lives quietly, hoping to keep a dangerous secret hidden. When Malini discovers Priya’s true identity, their lives become connected as they both seek to change their destinies and the fate of the empire.

Tasha Suri’s The Jasmine Throne is a richly detailed and immersive fantasy novel inspired by Indian mythology. It brilliantly builds a world rarely seen in this genre, and features complex female characters who are often labeled as monstrous due to their strength or intelligence. With two more books in the series, this story has the potential to become a fantastic movie trilogy if adapted for the screen.

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2026-03-16 21:18