This list ranks the best science fiction novels ever written, as voted on by sci-fi readers. Anyone can add their picks to this list of sci-fi books, making it an accurate, real-time ranking of the best sci-fi books of all time by the people who live and breathe Asimov, Heinlein, Bradbury, and Clarke.
Vote up the novels that you think best represent the greatest science fiction books ever written in order to determine the most popular science fiction books on the shelves. It doesn't much matter they're classic or modern, utopian or dystopian; if they're popular sci-fi books, this list is the place to rank them.
If you see a good book that's missing, add it whether it be a lesser-known classic or a new sci-fi book fellow readers need to try. Vote up your favorite literary slices of sci-fi. And for maximum impact, make your own list by reranking this one your own way, so that everyone can see whether your top rated sci-fi novels take place on Arrakis, Mars, or even Earth. Then, check out the best new science fiction books, many of which will become the next generation's classics.
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7,5642,067Nineteen Eighty-Four
George OrwellFirst Published: 1949-06-08
Subjects: Brainwashing, Literature, Classics, English Language, English Literature
Genres (Book): Utopian and dystopian fiction, Social science fiction, Political fiction
Original Language: English Language
Nineteen Eighty-Four, sometimes published as 1984, is a dystopian novel by English author... more on Wikipedia
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6,0161,688Fahrenheit 451
Ray BradburyFirst Published: 1953
Subjects: Bibliophilia, American science fiction, Literature, Book burning, Classics
Genres (Book): Speculative fiction, Utopian and dystopian fiction, Children's literature, Dystopia, Fiction
Original Language: English Language
Fahrenheit 451 is a dystopian novel by Ray Bradbury published in 1953. It is regarded as one... more on Wikipedia3
5,1391,743The Time Machine
H. G. WellsFirst Published: 1895
Subjects: Literary, Education, Literature, Classics, Adventure
Genres (Book): Romance novel, Speculative fiction, Children's literature, Dystopia, Fiction
Original Language: English Language
The Time Machine is a science fiction novel by H. G. Wells, published in 1895. Wells is... more on Wikipedia4
8,5692,953The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Douglas AdamsFirst Published: 1979-10-12
Genres (Book): Speculative fiction, Comic novel, Comic science fiction, Humour, Science Fiction
Original Language: English Language
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is the first of five books in the Hitchhiker's Guide to... more on Wikipedia5
5,0411,720Frankenstein
Mary ShelleyFirst Published: 1818-01-01
Subjects: Science, Love
Genres (Book): Romance novel, Speculative fiction, Suspense, Horror Film, Romanticism
Original Language: English Language
Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, is a novel written by English author Mary Shelley... more on Wikipedia6
6,6352,510Ender's Game
Orson Scott CardFirst Published: 1985
Genres (Book): Speculative fiction, Fiction, Science Fiction
Original Language: English Language
Ender's Game is a 1985 military science fiction novel by American author Orson Scott Card. Set... more on Wikipedia7
8,2243,230Dune
Frank HerbertFirst Published: 1965
Subjects: Galaxy, Space opera, Adventure
Genres (Book): Philosophy, Planetary romance, Military science fiction, Conspiracy fiction, Psychological thriller
Original Language: English Language
Dune is a 1965 epic science fiction novel by Frank Herbert. It won the Hugo Award in 1966, and... more on Wikipedia8
4,3591,577I, Robot
Isaac AsimovFirst Published: 1950
Subjects: American science fiction, Film
Genres (Book): Speculative fiction, Children's literature, Fiction, Short story, Science Fiction
Original Language: English Language
I, Robot is a collection of nine science fiction short stories by Isaac Asimov. The stories... more on Wikipedia9
4,4421,680The War of the Worlds
H. G. WellsFirst Published: 1898
Subjects: Literary, Education, Motorcycles, Performing arts, Adult
Genres (Book): Children's literature, Fiction, Scientific romance, Science Fiction
Original Language: English Language
The War of the Worlds is a science fiction novel by English author H. G. Wells. It first... more on Wikipedia10
3,6271,591The Martian Chronicles
Ray BradburyFirst Published: 1950
Subjects: American science fiction, Literature, Classics, Drama
Genres (Book): Speculative fiction, Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, Utopian and dystopian fiction, Fiction, Short story
Original Language: English Language
The Martian Chronicles is a 1950 science fiction short story collection by Ray Bradbury that... more on Wikipedia11
3,6841,629Flowers for Algernon
Daniel KeyesFirst Published: 1959
Subjects: Literary, American science fiction, Mental retardation, Young adult, Surgery
Genres (Book): Speculative fiction, Children's literature, Fiction, Novel, Science Fiction
Original Language: English Language
Flowers for Algernon is a science fiction short story and subsequent novel written by Daniel... more on Wikipedia12
4,9672,273Foundation
Isaac AsimovFirst Published: 1951
Subjects: Milky Way, Scientist, Spaceflight
Genres (Book): Speculative fiction, Children's literature, Fiction, Novel, Science Fiction
Original Language: American English, English Language
Foundation is the first novel in Isaac Asimov's Foundation Trilogy. Foundation is a collection... more on Wikipedia13
4,5252,057Brave New World
Aldous HuxleySubjects: Literary, Technology, Brainwashing, Literature, Classics
Genres (Book): Speculative fiction, Utopian and dystopian fiction, Children's literature, Dystopia, Fiction
Original Language: English Language
Brave New World is a novel written in 1931 by Aldous Huxley and published in 1932. Set in... more on Wikipedia14
4,2861,635A Wrinkle in Time
Madeleine L'EngleFirst Published: 1962
Subjects: Classics
Genres (Book): Speculative fiction, Children's literature, Young adult literature, Science Fiction, Fantasy
Original Language: English Language
A Wrinkle in Time is a science fantasy novel by American writer Madeleine L'Engle, first... more on Wikipedia15
4,0571,8792001: A Space Odyssey
Arthur C. ClarkeFirst Published: 1951
Subjects: Computers
Genres (Book): Speculative fiction, Science Fiction
Original Language: English Language
2001: A Space Odyssey is a 1968 science fiction novel by Arthur C. Clarke. It was developed... more on Wikipedia16
1,739751A Journey to the Center of the Earth
Jules VerneFirst Published: 1864
Genres (Book): Children's literature, Fiction, Scientific romance, Adventure fiction, Science Fiction
Original Language: French Language
Journey to the Center of the Earth is a classic 1864 science fiction novel by Jules Verne. The... more on Wikipedia17
3,9011,929Stranger in a Strange Land
Robert A. HeinleinFirst Published: 1961-06-01
Subjects: Consumerism, Classics, Mars
Genres (Book): Fiction, Science Fiction
Original Language: English Language
Stranger in a Strange Land is a 1961 science fiction novel by American author Robert A.... more on Wikipedia18
3,5671,49320,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Jules VerneFirst Published: 1870
Subjects: Literary, Literature, Classics, Adventure
Genres (Book): Children's literature, Fiction, Novel, Scientific romance, Adventure fiction
Original Language: French Language
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea is a classic science fiction novel by French writer... more on Wikipedia19
2,4071,065The foundation trilogy
Isaac Asimov20
3,3661,695Slaughterhouse-Five
Kurt VonnegutFirst Published: 1969
Subjects: Literary, American science fiction, Classics, Prisoner of war, World War II
Genres (Book): Philosophy, Speculative fiction, War novel, Black comedy, Fiction
Original Language: English Language
Slaughterhouse-Five, or The Children's Crusade: A Duty-Dance with Death is a satirical novel... more on Wikipedia21
2,9231,326The Andromeda Strain
Michael CrichtonFirst Published: 1969-05-12
Subjects: Espionage, American science fiction, Adventure, Arizona
Genres (Book): Speculative fiction, Techno-thriller, Suspense, Mystery, Fiction
Original Language: English Language
The Andromeda Strain, by Michael Crichton, is a techno-thriller novel documenting the efforts... more on Wikipedia22
3,6941,880Starship Troopers
Robert A. HeinleinFirst Published: 1959-12
Subjects: Military
Genres (Book): Speculative fiction, Fiction, Science Fiction, Philosophical fiction
Original Language: English Language
Starship Troopers is a military science fiction novel by Robert A. Heinlein, first published... more on Wikipedia23
2,5621,220Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Robert Louis StevensonFirst Published: 1886-01-05
Subjects: Medical, Literary, Supernatural, Education, Literature
Genres (Book): Speculative fiction, Drama, Children's literature, Horror Film, Thriller
Original Language: English Language
Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is the original title of a novella written by the... more on Wikipedia24
4,1521,976Jurassic Park
Michael CrichtonFirst Published: 1990-11
Subjects: Espionage, Dinosaur, Cloning, Adventure, Dinosaurs
Genres (Book): Romance novel, Speculative fiction, Techno-thriller, Children's literature, Fiction
Original Language: English Language
Jurassic Park is a science fiction novel written by Michael Crichton, divided into seven... more on Wikipedia25
3,7401,825Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
Philip K. DickFirst Published: 1968
Genres (Book): Speculative fiction, Dystopia, Fiction, Science Fiction
Original Language: English Language
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? is a science fiction novel by American writer Philip K.... more on Wikipedia
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