Some of today’s most popular fantasy and romantasy books, like Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses series and Rebecca Yarros’s Fourth Wing, are already at various stages of development for the big or small screen. These are the fantasy books we wish were movies (or TV shows) too.
They might not have the name recognition or the TikTok fame. Some lean more high fantasy, while others rely more on the romance. They range from serious, hefty epics to lighthearted comedies. What all of these fantasy books have in common, though, is that they would be amazing on-screen… and they’re pretty great on the page, too.
The Radiant Emperor duology by Shelley Parker-Chan
Parker-Chan’s duology comprises two epic books, She Who Became the Sun and He Who Drowned the World. Set in an alternate, magic-tinged 14th-century China, the story spans from the destinies of two small children to the fates of empires. After her brother, the one prophesied for greatness, dies, Zhu takes his place to avoid her own fate: to be nothing. She soon rises to leadership as the kingdom rises against its Mongol rulers, but even victory may not be a sanctuary for her.
These are the kinds of books that would make exceptional movies. Full of mythology, adventure, a touch of romance, dense political plotting, and complicated characters, they’re just right for fantasy fans looking for something with heft. Revenge plots, epic battles, scheming for a throne, and power struggles — what’s more cinematic than that?
The Folk of the Air by Holly Black
Black’s expansive fae fantasy universe is right up there with ACOTAR in terms of visibility and popularity. The series of romantasy books introduces us to Jude, an orphan stolen to the High Court of Faerie. All she wants is to belong there, and to take care of her sisters. In her path, though, are serious obstacles — including the infuriating, wicked Prince Cardan.
Fae fantasy has become a cornerstone of the romantasy genre, and with ACOTAR optioned, this series seems a natural fit, too. It feels like a real throwback to the golden heyday of YA fantasy. And, of course, with 2020s romantasy tropes and vibes thrown in there. The series has been optioned on paper for an adaptation, but there are no reports yet of active development.
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
Think You’ve Got Mail in a Shadow and Bone-esque world, and you’ve got this new-adult bestselling duology. While many romantasy books are set in epic, high-fantasy worlds, Divine Rivals is grittier and almost steampunk. Ancient gods have called humans to war, and two rival journalists, Iris and Roman, are following the story. Even as they compete in real life, they don’t realize they’re on opposite sides of magical typewriters. They’ve been falling in love via letters all this time. When the war hits close to home, their would-be love becomes an even greater risk.
Many of the fantasy books we wish were movies have a grandly magical tone. This one, though, gets its magic from a more realistic kind of world-building. It’s not far off from a noir-ish version of our own world (if we also had warring gods). This approach would make a more understated movie, with more of a character focus. It’s the best combination of old-school rom-com-banter and high-stakes fantasy.
The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
The best romantasy books find the perfect balance between the romance and fantasy components. That’s why Suri’s India-inspired epic is one of the fantasy books we wish were movies. On the one hand, there’s the forbidden romance between Malini, a captive princess, and Priya, a priestess disguised as a maid. On the other hand, there’s Malini’s quest to depose her cruel and despotic brother, while Priya grapples with her powers and her knowledge of what truly ails the land. It’s the stuff great romantasy books — and movies — are made of.
We’d love to see more fantasy movies with complicated, strong female characters like this. Suri’s rich world-building also feels tailor-made to be brought to life on the screen. Plus, it’s the first book in a trilogy, so there would be plenty of content for more movies!
The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton
We could really use more comedy/fantasies on screen! That’s why one of the fantasy books we wish were movies has to be this madcap Victorian romantasy, the first in a trilogy. This giddy romp features genteel thieves, flying houses, society scoundrels, and so much more. Cecilia wants nothing more than to be fully admitted into the Wisteria Society. When she’s the target of an assassination, courtesy of roguish assassin Ned, she discovers there’s a plot afoot to take down all of England’s powerful women. To save her aunt and herself, she’ll have to team up with Ned to face off against the dreadful, gothic misogynist Morvath.
Enemies-to-lovers is a staple of romantasy books, and it doesn’t get more “enemies” than “attempted assassination.” Holton’s books are wonderfully deadpan and quirky, with the humor of The Princess Bride and the steam of Bridgerton. Romantasy is more than dark glamour—it can be a lot of fun, too, and we’d love to see more of that on screen!
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
Hollywood loves Arthurian legends, but they’ve never seen a version like this before. Deonn’s smart, romantic, urban fantasy takes classic YA and gives it a sophisticated, modern edge. Teenage Bree not only has to deal with the normal stresses of being a young Black teenager in the American South, but with the discovery of a secret underworld at her pre-college program. She’s surrounded by reincarnations of legends—and she might be one herself.
This feels like exactly the kind of fantasy movie that we could use now. It’s romantic without being pure romance, and fantastical without losing sight of the parts that keep it grounded in the real world. It came out before “romantasy books” were a buzzword, but it fits a lot of the genre, at least for the YA segment. Bree’s story is epic in a way that would make for an intriguing visual world on screen. Let’s be honest: YA fantasy movies are due for a revival. Legendborn would be an adaptation that could resurrect the genre.
Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Another entry in the “let romantasy books be funny!” genre. This one makes our list of the fantasy books we wish were movies for basically parodying the genre. Evie needs a job, badly, so she answers the world’s worst job ad: assistant to the evildoer known only as “The Villain.” She’s clumsy and well-intentioned, and the Villain finds that disconcerting. As this is a romantasy, you can guess what comes next.
It’s so deliberately silly, while still embracing some of the expected genre tropes. Romantasy can get a reputation for taking itself very seriously or being all about the steam. There’s nothing wrong with either of those things, to be very clear! But it would be fun to see a wider variety of tone represented, especially in adaptations. Something with a parodic edge like this one could be a delightful addition to the genre.
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
This fantasy epic is another top pick that was doing romantasy before romantasy books were a thing! In a dystopia inspired by ancient Rome, impoverished Laia is faced with a choice. When her brother is arrested and accused of treason, a rebel group offers to help. The catch? She must infiltrate the Empire’s military academy and spy for the rebellion.
As you can probably guess, that’s the start of a love story, too. Laia meets Elias, the most promising soldier at the academy. He’s not a true believer, though; he just wants to be free. Their destinies are bound together, and their hearts might be too. It’s the kind of fast-paced, bruising world that could really light up the screen. And, of course, it’s combined with heart-stopping romance, plus thoughtful depictions of all the forms love can take.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
The fantasy books we wish were movies aren’t all sweeping epics or quirky comedies. This cozy romantasy combines a grumpy/sunshine romance with a found-family cozy fantasy. Mika agrees to take on a job teaching three young witches to control their magic at a mysterious house. It’s a tougher job than it seems, made tougher by Jamie, the house’s prickly and mistrusting librarian.
This book feels like it could be one of those mid-budget movies we all still rewatch constantly. It’s the right blend of magic and realism, which could easily make it a beloved comfort-watch. Epic fantasy is everywhere, and it’s great, but it’s not always what you watch when you want to feel good. A movie adaptation of this book could hit the perfect sweet spot of romance, magic, and warm-and-fuzzies.
The Inheritance Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin
Along with these fantasy books we wish were movies, we’ve got a pair of fantasy series that we wish were TV shows, instead! First up is this seminal trilogy that upends many of the traditional fantasy genre tropes. The story begins when Yeine, an orphan from the outskirts of the kingdom, receives a summons. When she arrives in the glittering city, she’s shocked to be named one of the king’s heirs.
Of course, every inheritance comes at a cost. That goes double in a land of magic and intricate politics like the Hundred Thousand Kingdoms. The trilogy weaves together a tapestry of flawed characters, complicated relationships, and the magic of gods and men. There’s no way movies could do this story justice, but it would absolutely make a phenomenal multi-season TV show.
The Five Queendoms by G.R. Macallister
Every network has been searching for the “next Game of Thrones,” but they’re missing out on this obvious successor! If Westeros were a matriarchy with multiple countries, you’d have this sprawling epic. After centuries of peace, five queendoms find themselves at odds when a generation goes by with no girls born, anywhere. Across the queendoms, women vie for thrones, protect each other, harness forbidden magic, and try to uncover the root of the Drought of Girls.
This series (with two books currently published and more planned) feels made for a lengthy TV show. Its complicated, morally-gray characters are cast across several locations and storylines, which occasionally intersect and then diverge again. Both brutal and beautiful, it’s a vibrant, cinematic, and complex world that seems like a natural fit for a long-running adaptation.
