Every Book In Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere, Ranked by How Much We Want to See It Adapted

Great news for fans of epic fantasy! Apple TV has secured the rights to adapt the entire Cosmere universe created by Brandon Sanderson. While they’re initially focusing on bringing Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive to the screen, it sounds like any of his Cosmere books could become a TV show or movie in the future.

While some authors’ books translate to the screen more easily than others, Brandon Sanderson’s stories generally work well for film and television. His novels typically feature creative magic systems, detailed and engaging settings, and plenty of action. Many of his books could become great movies or shows, but we’re most excited about adaptations of those with particularly memorable stories or worlds – or both. Just to clarify, this list doesn’t include his shorter novellas, and the ‘White Sand’ graphic novels are considered as a single entry.

20) Arcanum Unbounded

Brandon Sanderson’s collection of stories and novellas, Arcanum Unbounded, contains some material worth adapting for the screen, but the strongest stories would fit seamlessly into existing projects. For example, The Eleventh Metal, Mistborn: Secret History, and Edgedancer would be better incorporated into the Mistborn and Stormlight adaptations rather than being made into standalone pieces. While the other novellas are enjoyable, they don’t immediately jump out as compelling visual experiences compared to Sanderson’s novels. Still, I wouldn’t mind seeing Apple TV develop them into something, even if they aren’t a top priority.

19) White Sand

Just slightly better than Arcanum Unbounded is Brandon Sanderson’s White Sand, a graphic novel told over three volumes with art by Julius Gopez, Fritz Casas, and Julius Ohta. While White Sand would make for a good adaptation – and the graphic novel format proves it’s visually engaging – the magic system, based on sand, isn’t as captivating as some of Sanderson’s other creations. The story’s setting and overall idea don’t really break new ground in the fantasy genre, and the story feels too brief to be truly memorable. A TV series could potentially flesh it out, but I’m happy to wait. Ideally, I’d like to read the prose version Sanderson plans to write before diving into this one.

18) The Sunlit Man

Out of all of Brandon Sanderson’s unadapted works, The Sunlit Man is the one I’m least anticipating as a screen adaptation – and that’s not because it’s a poorly written book. In fact, it’s a solid novel, but compared to his other standalone stories, it’s not as visually exciting. The setting is definitely unique, and the premise of characters constantly needing to move on a planet could make for a really interesting adaptation. It has Sanderson’s signature twists and well-developed characters, but it just doesn’t immediately grab me as something I need to see on screen. Considering we’ve been waiting so long for adaptations of his other works, this one doesn’t feel like a top priority. Plus, it takes place later in the Cosmere timeline, meaning other books need to be adapted first.

17) Isles of the Emberdark

While an adaptation of Isles of the Emberdark would be enjoyable, there’s no immediate need to bring it to the screen. The story takes place far into the future of the Cosmere universe, so a lot of groundwork would need to be laid first to make it understandable for viewers. Plus, the book is relatively new, so there’s no pressure to adapt it right away. It’s also quite separate from the other stories, meaning it isn’t essential to the overall narrative. However, Apple TV should definitely keep Isles of the Emberdark in mind for future adaptation possibilities. Its unique lore and science fiction elements are too promising to overlook.

16) The Alloy of Law

Seeing Era 2 of Mistborn adapted for television would be amazing. The combination of Western and steampunk themes creates a really cool and unique atmosphere. While I’m excited about where the story goes, The Alloy of Law isn’t the Mistborn book I’m most eager to see adapted. It sets up an exciting journey, placing it above Sanderson’s graphic novels and some of his other standalone books, but it’s slower-paced and has lower stakes than the other Mistborn novels. Apple TV will likely need to work hard to draw viewers into Wax and Wayne’s world, but the rest of the series will make it worthwhile.

15) Elantris

Many fans consider Elantris to be one of Brandon Sanderson’s less polished novels, which is understandable since it was his first published book. The problems people have with it mostly stem from the writing style, not the story idea itself. Because of this, a TV or movie adaptation could really shine. The political intrigue and world-building in Elantris are strong, though a visual adaptation probably wouldn’t be as exciting as adaptations of Sanderson’s other, more visually dynamic works.

14) Shadows of Self

I’m really looking forward to the next Mistborn book, Shadows of Self. While it might not be in my top ten Sanderson novels, it’s better than many of his standalone books and a step up from the previous one. Shadows of Self brings back the characters from The Alloy of Law, giving them a more involved story with a darker, more intense feel. This higher level of suspense should make for a great adaptation – if the show gets a second season. I think Shadows of Self is the book that would really hook viewers and get them invested in the entire series, especially with its powerful conclusion. Still, I believe adaptations of Mistborn Era 1 and The Stormlight Archive have even more potential.

13) The Bands of Mourning

I’m really excited to see The Bands of Mourning adapted for screen, ranking it just below the first Stormlight book and a few standalone novels in terms of priority. It’s the third book in the Wax and Wayne series, and like the rest of Mistborn Era 2, it’s a strong addition that would translate well to TV or film. The story builds on what came before, deepening the characters and expanding the world. While it has the action and twists you’d expect from Brandon Sanderson, he has other works that feel even more visually compelling and narratively promising.

12) Tress of the Emerald Sea

I’m incredibly excited about a potential adaptation of Tress of the Emerald Sea – honestly, it’s higher on my list than even more of the later Mistborn books! The story is just so wonderfully imaginative, and I think a visual adaptation could really run with that. It feels like the kind of atmospheric tale that would translate beautifully to the screen, maybe even with a Studio Ghibli-esque style that would really make it stand out within the Cosmere, and beyond. For me, it’s all about the visuals – I can just see how stunning it could be, especially as an animated film, though live-action could work too. That said, while it’s brimming with visual potential, it doesn’t have quite the same grand, epic scale as some of Brandon Sanderson’s other works.

11) Wind and Truth

Brandon Sanderson’s The Stormlight Archive is his largest and most complex fantasy series, and I’m really looking forward to seeing it adapted for television. While most of the books rank high on my list of anticipated adaptations, Wind and Truth just doesn’t quite make the top ten. It’s not a bad conclusion to the first story arc, but it’s definitely the weakest installment. The book has some problems with pacing and tone, and while a TV show could potentially fix these, I’m concerned it might still feel disappointing as a finale. Considering how many series are damaged by poor endings, I have mixed feelings about seeing Wind and Truth brought to life on screen – I’m both excited and worried.

10) The Lost Metal

I have some concerns about how the first arc of The Stormlight Archive might end in an adaptation, but I’m very confident a Mistborn Era 2 adaptation would deliver a fantastic finale. The Lost Metal provides a satisfying conclusion to the Wax and Wayne series, giving audiences everything they’d hope for – it’s emotionally resonant, action-packed, and connects to the larger Cosmere universe. It also builds on the strong setting and characters we’ve already come to know. The Lost Metal would be impactful, though potentially not as much as the first Stormlight Archive books or the earlier Mistborn novels. I also think a couple of the standalone Mistborn books would feel especially new and exciting as adaptations, since their magic systems haven’t been introduced on screen yet, while Mistborn’s magic will already be familiar from the Era 1 adaptation.

9) Yumi and the Nightmare Painter

Of all of Brandon Sanderson’s Secret Projects, Yumi and the Nightmare Painter feels the most like a movie – and its engaging story, combined with the unique idea of art being magical, makes it perfect for adaptation. Similar to Tress of the Emerald Sea, it has the potential to be a visually beautiful and immersive production, especially as an animated film. However, Yumi feels more developed in terms of characters, world-building, and plot, making it one of Sanderson’s best books for a screen adaptation. The story also features a heartfelt romance. While I’d prefer to see adaptations of Mistborn Era 1 or The Stormlight Archive first, Yumi and the Nightmare Painter would be my second choice for a standalone project.

8) Rhythm of War

While Rhythm of War is a strong book, its strengths lie in its character growth and satisfying resolutions, which unfold through more subdued scenes. This makes it potentially less visually captivating than the action-packed events in previous Stormlight Archive books and the first Mistborn series. However, by the time an adaptation reaches this point, audiences will likely be just as invested in seeing characters develop as they are in exciting plot twists. Thankfully, Rhythm of War delivers on both fronts – it just unfolds at a slightly more leisurely pace.

7) Warbreaker

Of all of Brandon Sanderson’s standalone novels, I’m most excited to see Warbreaker adapted for the screen. Its magic system is as impressive as those in The Stormlight Archive and Mistborn, and it would translate beautifully to visuals. The story’s vibrant setting would also look fantastic on screen, and the fast-paced plot is perfect for a binge-worthy movie or series. While it might not be Sanderson’s most famous work within the Cosmere, and fans might prioritize Mistborn Era 1 or the best Stormlight Archive books, Warbreaker is the next most deserving of an adaptation.

6) Oathbringer

Out of all the books in The Stormlight Archive, Oathbringer feels like the most moderate in terms of how exciting an adaptation could be. It’s a great book with a good blend of action and political strategy, though the political parts could slow things down if not handled carefully. (Think about how captivating the first seasons of Game of Thrones were!) The different storylines and characters don’t quite feel equally weighted, which could be a problem for a visual adaptation. Thankfully, it focuses a lot on Dalinar, and I’m happy about that! Ultimately, how well Oathbringer is adapted will depend on the creative choices made.

5) The Hero of Ages

Overall, I’m most eager to see an adaptation of the first Mistborn trilogy, and each book offers something unique. However, The Hero of Ages presents the biggest challenge. Its massive and complex ending might be difficult to translate effectively to live-action, and it’s hard to imagine how it would look on screen. By this point in the series, some of the best characters have disappeared or play smaller roles, and the plot twists aren’t quite as shocking. Despite these challenges, The Hero of Ages still provides a satisfying conclusion with plenty of action and important character development. It would be a strong finale to a Mistborn film series, and with the right approach, it could even surpass the first two adaptations…possibly.

4) The Well of Ascension

While some criticize The Well of Ascension, I think it would actually make a better movie than The Hero of Ages. The final battle is incredibly grand and visually stunning – perfect for the big screen. Even the individual fights, like Vin versus Zane, and their eventual team-up, would be spectacular to watch. This book really showcases Vin’s skills after her training and continues to develop the characters in compelling ways. Overall, it’s a fast-paced, powerful sequel, and a film adaptation would likely be fantastic, though it might not surpass the excitement of the first Mistborn movie.

3) The Way of Kings

When it comes to strong starts, The Way of Kings is a phenomenal first book in a fantasy series. It immediately immerses you in the story with a detailed and imaginative magic system, and quickly establishes high-stakes political conflicts. These compelling elements would make for a fantastic TV adaptation, and the book maintains that gripping pace throughout. It’s an epic read that doesn’t feel long because you’re so engaged. If Apple TV can bring that same magic to the screen, The Stormlight Archive has the potential to be one of the best first seasons of television in years. However, Season 2 promises to be even more impressive, and the opening chapter of Mistborn might just be the best of them all.

2) Words of Radiance

Out of all the books in The Stormlight Archive, I’m most eager to see Words of Radiance adapted for television. It’s at an ideal point in the story – the world and magic system are well-established, but there’s still a sense of discovery. Plus, unlike the later Stormlight books which focus more on politics and character development, this one maintains the fast pace of the first book. Because viewers will already be invested in the story, I think this could be the most exciting part of the TV series. It’s a very close second to The Final Empire in terms of adaptability, but that one remains my personal favorite.

1) Mistborn: The Final Empire

It might be because fans have loved it for so long, but the idea of finally seeing The Final Empire adapted for the screen is the most exciting part of Apple TV’s deal. I think the first Mistborn book is still Sanderson’s best work. The action, political intrigue, and unique magic system will make the first movie a must-see. We’ll also finally get to see one of fantasy’s greatest antiheroes – a character who sadly doesn’t appear as much in the later books. The upcoming movie also gives Mistborn an edge over The Stormlight Archive. It’s going to be a fantastic day for fantasy fans when this film is released.

What Brandon Sanderson Cosmere book would you love to see made into a movie or TV show? Share your thoughts in the comments and discuss it with other fans on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-01-31 05:43