Science fictionblockbusters are a staple of modern Hollywood.The Martianstands out as a spectacular example, in which Matt Damon’s Mark Watney is stranded on Mars after his mission goes wrong. Ridley Scott’s extraterrestrial drama combines action, horror, and thrills in a tale of survival, including human waste-based potato farms, giving viewers a glimpse of an incredible experience they will never experience. And it all started on page:The Martianwas adapted from Andy Weir’s 2011 novel of the same name. It’s just one of the incredible movies that have leaped to the screen from imaginativesci-fibooks.
From space odysseys to time travel and alien encounters, sci-fi has great appeal as it offers a vast range to viewers and readers. Here, we’ve curated some of the best book deals currently at Amazon — all classic tomes that have inspired film classics and novelizations of modern movie blockbusters. Fans might want to strap in for this one!
Frank Herbert’s Dune Saga 6-Book Boxed Set
This boxed set includes Frank Herbert’sDunesaga, books 1-6.Dune,Dune Messiah,Children of Dune,God Emperorof Dune, andHeretics of Dunewill transport readers to a remote planet where epic adventures await. A stunning collection for any bookshelf that gives readers the chance to delve into the story behind the Timothée Chalamet-starringDunemovies and see where the franchise could head.
The Time Traveler’s Wife
Henry DeTamble is the time traveler — a librarian with a unique gene that lets him involuntarily travel through time. His wife, artist Claire Abshire, has to cope with his repeated disappearances in this extraordinary love story that defies the logic of time. It’s a challenging read; the couple first meet when Clare is 6 years old and Henry is 36 — but it’s an outstanding examination of the timelessness of love that has been adapted as a movie, TV series, and musical.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxywas the much-anticipated 2005 adaptation of Douglas Adam’s legendary science fiction comedy. It was tough for director Garth Jennings to condense the idea-packed plot into a film, but this was always a cross-media franchise that morphs through adaptations (it started as a radio play). It’s worth every sci-fi fan reading Adam’s original novel and consuming it in different media — unpacking the cosmic adventure that challenges everything, including the meaning of life.
Starship Troopers
Starship Trooperswas already a cult classic when Paul Verhoeven’s searing 1997 gave it a new satirical blockbuster spin. Set in the 23rd century, Heinlein sets out a future of failed democracy where humanity is locked in battle against alien bugs. Any fans who’ve seen the film, with its savage social commentary and blistering action, should read the source influential, which, while hugely influential on the space marine genre, is markedly different from Verhoeven’s adaptation. It’s a chance to go through the fascinating questions this action-packed slice of speculative fiction throws up at a great price.
The War of the Worlds
The War of the Worldsby H. G. Wells is the definitive science fiction novel that did much to grow the genre on page and film. A seminal masterpiece of alien invasion, it’s a vivid invasion story that sees Martians arrive in Victorian England and devastate the Earth as their red weed, a voracious vegetation, spreads over the ruined planet. It’s a landmark work that has influenced many sci-fi movies, not least two high-profile movie adaptations of Wells' novel in 1953 and 2005.
The Prestige
This story follows two magicians on an unending journey to outdo each other — a great concept with a fantasy sci-fi twist. Fans may be familiar with Christopher Nolan’s 2006 adaptation, which starred Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman as Victorian stage rivals Borden and Angier. It’s an incredible tale, and its turns from reality to magical fantasy and sci-fi are well worth catching on the page. This is a real magic trick of a novel.
Interstellar (Movie Novelization)
This novelization of Christopher Nolan’s 2014 space epic brings the extraordinary expedition of Matthew McConaughey’s ex-NASA pilot, Joseph Cooper, to the page. It’s epic speculative sci-fi that sees humanity head through a wormhole searching for a new home. Nolan created a visual masterpiece on screen, delivering another smash-hit blockbuster with a thought-provoking plot. Separated from the visuals, the film’s incredible score, and performances, this is a fascinating way for fans to revisit the movie.
John Carter Mars Trilogy
Picar’s first live-action film,John Carter, may not have been a box-office smash, but it had an epic story behind it. It was based onA Princess of Mars, a science fantasy novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Like Matt Damon’s character inThe Martian, Carter finds himself on Mars, which the indigenous population calls Barsoom, and embarks on a quest to become a mediator between the competing inhabitants of Barsoom, learning a lot about his humanity on the way. Just as the movie brought Golden Age action and stunning special effects to the screen, Burrough’s series (the first three books included here) is an inspirational tale of great characters and anti-heroes.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (Blade Runner)
Ridley Scott’s 1982 tech-noir cult classic is well-known to every sci-fi fan. If they haven’t read the source novel, it’s well worth it. Philip K. Dick’s typically imaginative short novel dives into a future where war has driven most of humanity off-planet, destroyed all animals, and led to a reliance on sophisticated androids indistinguishable from humans. Fans familiar with the speculation around bounty hunter and replicant hunter Rick Deckard being human or not will find more profound philosophical questions in the source novel that didn’t make it into the stylish but more straightforward film.
Cloud Atlas
The Wachowskis' adaptation of what many thought was an unfilmable book had a legendarily tough time at the box office. But it fully committed to the mind-blowing plots of David Mitchell’s source novel and won the author’s praise. Love meets time, past and present, in the convoluted story of lovers fighting for survival through multiple incarnations. It’s an epic read and a 10/10 for readers who want a high-concept mix of time travel, romance, and hardcore sci-fi.
Arrival
Sci-fi fans are no doubt familiar with the stunning Oscar-nominated adaptation of this book byDunedirector Denis Villeneuve.Arrivalwas based on the award-winning novellaStory of Your Lifeby Ted Chiang. This intriguing and emotional story follows Dr. Louise Banks as she recovers from unthinkable loss as pod-shaped crafts mysteriously appear at 12 locations around the world. It’s an emotional roller coaster sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats and their brains ticking over.
All You Need Is Kill (Edge of Tomorrow)
Hiroshi Sakurazaka’sAll You Need Is Killis the thriller that became the sci-fi movieThe Edge of Tomorrow,starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt. It’s a high-concept examination of the fight to survive that sees devastating alien forces attack Earth, forcing Major William Cage to endlessly repeat his life and death as he attempts to save the planet. This is the source novel that inspired the imaginative film many hope will earn a sequel.
Our top recommendation has to be the stunning collection of Frank Herbert’sDunenovels, perfect for anyone inspired by the recent blockbusters to dive into that epic universe. Readers should be ready for the plot to spin in incredible directions as the story heads even further into the far future! Just as epic and imaginative, but with a wildly different tone, is Douglas Adams’The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.It’s an inarguable slice of sci-fi genius that mixes brilliant absurd comedy with philosophy.
We’d also recommendInterstellarby Greg Keyes. If you’ve only seen the film, the book will provide a fascinating chance to explore the story’s extraordinary themes in a different medium. Fans can always listen to Han Zimmer’s incredible movie score while they read! As always, shoppers looking for the best prices and delivery options at Amazon can.
FAQs
What Is The Definition Of Science Fiction?
Usually futuristic, science fiction speculates about alternative ways of life made possible by technological change. It’s sometimes called, more accurately, speculative fiction.
What Is The Highest-Grossing Sci-fi Movie Series?
TheStar Wars franchisesits comfortably at the top with a total gross of $10.3 billion. However,Avatarcurrently has the best average of any science fiction series, with a jaw-dropping $2.6 billion across its two installments.
