Dune
Dune by Frank Herbert is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
The top 50
Science fiction novels of all time
50 standout choices selected for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
What earns a placeGenre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership. Every pick combines lasting value with current availability.
Why It Ranks →
The Left Hand of Darkness
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
Foundation
Foundation by Isaac Asimov is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
Neuromancer
Neuromancer by William Gibson is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
Hyperion
Hyperion by Dan Simmons is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
Ender’s Game (Ender's Saga, #1)
Ender’s Game (Ender's Saga, #1) by Orson Scott Card is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, #1)
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, #1) by Douglas Adams is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
Dune (Dune #1)
Dune (Dune #1) by Frank Herbert is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
1984
1984 by George Orwell is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
Fahrenheit 451
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
Foundation (Foundation, #1)
Foundation (Foundation, #1) by Isaac Asimov is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
Brave New World
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
Hyperion (Hyperion Cantos, #1)
Hyperion (Hyperion Cantos, #1) by Dan Simmons is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
The Martian
The Martian by Andy Weir is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
2001: A Space Odyssey (Space Odyssey, #1)
2001: A Space Odyssey (Space Odyssey, #1) by Arthur C. Clarke is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
I, Robot (Robot, #0.1)
I, Robot (Robot, #0.1) by Isaac Asimov is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
Slaughterhouse-Five
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
Ready Player One (Ready Player One, #1)
Ready Player One (Ready Player One, #1) by Ernest Cline is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
The Foundation Trilogy (Foundation, #1-3)
The Foundation Trilogy (Foundation, #1-3) by Isaac Asimov is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)
The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1) by Suzanne Collins is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
Stranger in a Strange Land
Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
Neuromancer (Sprawl, #1)
Neuromancer (Sprawl, #1) by William Gibson is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
Frankenstein: The 1818 Text
Frankenstein: The 1818 Text by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
Childhood’s End
Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Clarke is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
The Martian Chronicles
The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
Flowers for Algernon
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
The Time Machine
The Time Machine by H.G. Wells is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
The Forever War (The Forever War, #1)
The Forever War (The Forever War, #1) by Joe Haldeman is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
Jurassic Park (Jurassic Park, #1)
Jurassic Park (Jurassic Park, #1) by Michael Crichton is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
The Handmaid’s Tale (The Handmaid's Tale, #1)
The Handmaid’s Tale (The Handmaid's Tale, #1) by Margaret Atwood is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
Starship Troopers
Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
Rendezvous with Rama (Rama, #1)
Rendezvous with Rama (Rama, #1) by Arthur C. Clarke is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
Snow Crash
Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
The War of the Worlds
The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
Speaker for the Dead (Ender's Saga, #2)
Speaker for the Dead (Ender's Saga, #2) by Orson Scott Card is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
Animal Farm
Animal Farm by George Orwell is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
Old Man's War (Old Man's War, #1)
Old Man's War (Old Man's War, #1) by John Scalzi is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
A Canticle for Leibowitz (St. Leibowitz, #1)
A Canticle for Leibowitz (St. Leibowitz, #1) by Walter M. Miller Jr. is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress
The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
A Clockwork Orange
A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
A Wrinkle in Time (Time Quintet, #1)
A Wrinkle in Time (Time Quintet, #1) by Madeleine L'Engle is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
The Dispossessed: An Ambiguous Utopia
The Dispossessed: An Ambiguous Utopia by Ursula K. Le Guin is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
Leviathan Wakes
Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
Solaris
Solaris by Stanisław Lem is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
Ringworld (Ringworld #1)
Ringworld (Ringworld #1) by Larry Niven is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
The Stand
The Stand by Stephen King is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
Foundation and Empire (Foundation, #2)
Foundation and Empire (Foundation, #2) by Isaac Asimov is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
Contact
Contact by Carl Sagan is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.
The Fall of Hyperion (Hyperion Cantos, #2)
The Fall of Hyperion (Hyperion Cantos, #2) by Dan Simmons is a durable novel choice, recognized for genre influence, ideas, storytelling and continued readership.