Stephen King's 10 Best Fantasy Books, Ranked

The horror master has also written some acclaimed works of fantasy fiction.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 4:18pm

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While Stephen King is best known for his horror novels, he has also written a number of acclaimed fantasy books over the years. This list ranks his 10 best fantasy works, including classics like "The Dark Tower" series, "The Stand," and "The Eyes of the Dragon."

Why it matters

Stephen King is one of the most prolific and influential authors of the modern era, with a body of work spanning multiple genres. His fantasy novels, while less numerous than his horror stories, have also earned critical praise and a devoted fanbase. This ranking provides a comprehensive overview of King's top fantasy titles for both longtime readers and those new to his speculative fiction.

The details

The list covers a range of King's fantasy works, from the epic "Dark Tower" saga to standalone novels like "The Eyes of the Dragon" and "The Talisman." It highlights the key elements that make each book stand out, such as world-building, character development, and thematic depth. The ranking also notes how some of these fantasy tales blend genres, incorporating horror, science fiction, and other elements alongside the fantastical.

  • Stephen King's first published novel, "Carrie," came out in 1974, establishing him as a major horror author.
  • "The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger," the first book in King's acclaimed fantasy series, was published in 1982.
  • "The Talisman," King's collaborative fantasy novel with Peter Straub, was released in 1984.
  • "The Eyes of the Dragon," one of King's standalone fantasy works, was published in 1984.
  • "It," King's epic horror/fantasy hybrid, was released in 1986.
  • "The Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three" was published in 1987, expanding the series.
  • "The Stand," King's post-apocalyptic fantasy novel, was first published in 1978 and later released in an uncut edition in 1990.
  • "The Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla" came out in 2003, marking a turning point in the series.
  • "The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower," the final book in the series, was published in 2004.
  • King's third "Talisman" novel, "Other Worlds Than These," is scheduled for release in 2026.

The players

Stephen King

An acclaimed American author known for his prolific output and influential works of horror, fantasy, and other genres. He is one of the most successful and recognizable writers of the modern era.

Peter Straub

An American author who collaborated with Stephen King on the fantasy novels "The Talisman" and "Black House." Straub was a highly regarded writer in his own right, known for his contributions to the horror and dark fantasy genres.

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What they’re saying

“The Dark Tower is going to pop up a few times here, since it's a book series that encompasses seven main novels, and then one interquel set between books #4 and #5; call it book 4.5, if you want.”

— Jeremy Urquhart, Author

“Wolves of the Calla says, 'Yep, okay, let's get this done,' having a good deal of action and then a very intense final 50 to 100 pages or so, all of it very important for the final two books in the series.”

— Jeremy Urquhart, Author

“The Eyes of the Dragon is potentially the gentlest book Stephen King wrote before the 1990s, or maybe even before the 2000s, as he's gotten a little more sentimental as he's gotten older (see Lisey's Story, for a dramatic example).”

— Jeremy Urquhart, Author

“The best way to experience the story [of It], by far, is still as a novel, and even if It is an incredibly long novel, it's ultimately very much worth tackling.”

— Jeremy Urquhart, Author

“The Stand, in its uncut form, is easily Stephen King's longest single novel, so there's ample room here for him to play around and do a bit of everything, and here, he does a bit of everything so incredibly well.”

— Jeremy Urquhart, Author

What’s next

With the release of "Other Worlds Than These," the third book in the "Talisman" series, scheduled for 2026, fans of Stephen King's fantasy works will have another highly anticipated title to look forward to. The continued popularity of the "Dark Tower" saga also suggests the possibility of further explorations of that expansive fictional world in the years to come.

The takeaway

Stephen King's fantasy works, while less numerous than his horror classics, showcase the author's remarkable versatility and imagination. From the epic scope of "The Dark Tower" to the more intimate fairy tale-like qualities of "The Eyes of the Dragon," these books demonstrate King's ability to craft immersive, thought-provoking speculative fiction that appeals to a wide range of readers.