Entertainment
10 Essential Sci-Fi Books for Beginners
Science fiction is one of the most popular genres in fiction as a whole, but especially popular in the world of literature. There are countless sci-fi novels that have been released over decades upon decades that have been turned into gigantic hit movies and television shows that have gone on to help define the genre as the world knows it. However, not every single person is a sci-fi connoisseur.
Thankfully for said people, there are plenty of stories out there that act as perfect ones for beginners—either as introductions to the young adult world, more mature stories, hard sci-fi, or soft sci-fi. The genre—no matter how beyond this world it can lie—almost always reflects the reader’s own world in some way, which is why some people really connect so strongly to it. Being special in that way is so impactful means that anyone who’s read sci-fi would most likely recommend it to others, and these books are some of the best places to start.
‘Jurassic Park’ (1990)
The Jurassic Park film franchise is one that almost everyone and their mothers are aware of. It’s so extremely popular for so many reasons, and the entire concept and story comes from the 1990 novel of the same name. Jurassic Park, written by Michael Crichton, is a bit different from the film, but dedicated readers have been on record saying that it actually just might be better.
Jurassic Park leans far more into the horror side of sci-fi than the movie does, and that is part of what makes it so great. Due to it already being a film that many have seen, this 1990 hit is a great starting point for anyone who wants some nasty, horror-filled sci-fi in their life. It’s familiar, while still being pretty different, which makes it a perfect starting-off point.
‘Dark Matter’ (2016)
2016’s Dark Matter by Blake Crouch is commonly noted to be a pretty beginner-friendly book. With fast pacing, simple line writing, and some thrilling stakes that can get people invested quite easily. The plot of Dark Matter feels like that of a blockbuster action movie—feeling very exciting—with a similar exposition style, keeping explanations of complex topics (like the multiverse) simple and not via a lecture.
Dark Matter also has shorter chapters, with multiple spots to leave off if a newer reader wants to take a quick break from the breakneck pace and action of this 2016 book. Finally, though, what makes the book so great is how relatable it is at its core. The main story is really just about a father who wants nothing more than to find his family and return to them.
‘Dungeon Crawler Carl’ (2020)
One of the most popular sci-fi adventures in recent years is, without a doubt, Dungeon Crawler Carl. Depicting a world in which the Earth is taken over, the survivors are forced into an intergalactic game show that looks and operates like a dungeon crawler video game. This immediately sets it apart from any other sci-fi book out there at the moment. This has led to a gigantic surge in popularity for Matt Dinniman‘s gaming-inspired epic.
Dungeon Crawler Carl is incredible at balancing tone. It can go from goofy, silly fun to emotional drama in one moment and Dinniman makes it feel very natural. It’s because of this that it’s so beginner-friendly, because it’s easy to understand, without dumbing itself down for the reader. There’s no doubt in anyone’s minds that Dungeon Crawler Carl is one of the next “big things”—already having a graphic novel adaptation and an in-development streaming series.
‘Ender’s Game’ (1985)
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card is commonly considered one of the most logical starting points for an aspiring sci-fi novel reader. Many have probably heard of 2013’s film adaptation of it—starring Asa Butterfield and Harrison Ford—but the 1985 book is where it all began. Ender’s Game doesn’t ask the reader to know a lot of scientific speak, which makes it very easily accessible, despite the high-concept ideas at play.
The writing of Orson Scott Card is quite straightforward and easy to understand. So, for anyone who isn’t used to typical sci-fi terminology or ideas, Ender’s Game helps them get almost acquainted with them, in a way. This doesn’t make it some sort of simple—in a degrading sense—story, either, though. This plot is abundantly thought-provoking, inventive, and masterfully written.
‘Project Hail Mary’ (2021)
Of the many smash hits to come out of cinemas this year, Ryan Gosling‘s Project Hail Mary remains one of the best. It is, however, based on a novel written by the one and only mind behind The Martian, Andy Weir. Project Hail Mary, the book, is great for beginners for a similar reason why Jurassic Park is. People who’ve seen the movie are obviously drawn to want to read the source material, and while it is the same story, the novel iteration finds itself still being different enough to be a new experience for movie-goers.
Anyone who’s seen the movie knows that Project Hail Mary‘s plot deals with some heavy, intricate science. However, the book doesn’t expect the reader to know any of that. Ryland Grace’s inner monologues actually explain this complex science in a way that almost anyone can understand—better than the movie does, at times. So, for anyone who wants a more reality-based sci-fi adventure, without having to do much legwork on the “science” part of it, without losing it, Project Hail Mary may be a match made in heaven.
‘Cello’s Gate’ (2025)
For any beginner looking to grow with an author, look no further than the likes of the absurdly talented Maurice Africh—a debut author who, in 2025, released the exceptional Cello’s Gate. At its core, this adventure is heart-filled, fun, and filled with great worldbuilding.
There’s something really special about catching a series—books, television, and movies alike—in its infancy, before the entire world will come to gush over it (which will most certainly be the case with Cello’s Gate). Beginners who want to grow with a series should look no further than Cello’s Gate because of how friendly it is to new readers, while still being a story that is deeply rooted in sci-fi and is a world unlike the one they know. Of recent sci-fi releases, Cello’s Gate is most definitely one of the best out there.
‘Heir to the Empire’ (1991)
Very few sci-fi fans of any sort (not just of literature) can say they hate the Star Wars franchise. Being one of the founding fathers of sci-fi cinema that helped define the genre to this day, almost everyone knows what this series is. (Genuinely, who doesn’t know what a lightsaber is at this point?) The sequel trilogy to follow the ever-hailed original is controversial—in the sense that some are happy with it, and others do not see it as a worthy successor—and for those who are looking for a story that is more of a true sequel to the original trilogy are in for quite a treat if they’re picking up Heir to the Empire.
Once a canon story—now put into the category of “Legends” (non-canon)—this plot is one that any Star Wars fan can get down with, following the legendary trio as they keep trying to clean up the remnants of the Empire post-Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi. If there’s a Star Wars fan who wants to get into their humongous catalog of novels, Heir to the Empire is the place to jump in.
‘Fahrenheit 451’ (1953)
What makes sci-fi stories like Fahrenheit 451 so special is the fact that their world isn’t too far from ours—especially in 2026—and is one of those sci-fi stories that serves as a dark, potential future for the real world. Thankfully for first-time readers, this Ray Bradbury book isn’t a long one, sitting at under 200 pages, making it not too long of an experience.
Despite being written in 1953, Fahrenheit 451 is very timely—to a chilling degree. While someone may be a beginner, that doesn’t mean they don’t want something that will make them think deeply about not just their life, but the world around them. That’s exactly what Bradbury’s story does for those experiencing it, as well as dissecting the importance of literature and its place in our culture.
‘Red Rising’ (2014)
When it comes to good books for beginners, they ideally won’t just be a good first read, but an excellent one. Not only does Red Rising end up being a nice read for first-timers, but it is also commonly known as one of the best sci-fi books of the modern age, thanks to the phenomenal writing by none other than Pierce Brown.
The first Red Rising franchise entry borrows a lot of young adult novel tropes—like those of The Hunger Games and Percy Jackson & the Olympians—that feel familiar to sci-fi enjoyers outside of literature. However, Brown manages to use these to keep things feeling similar, while still introducing a completely unique world that has never been seen before, and people wholly adore it.
‘Ready Player One’ (2011)
Video games have a huge place in modern society, but Ernest Cline‘s Ready Player One begs the question of what would happen if they became a cornerstone of society—one that’s gone dystopian. In this 2011 novel, the world has dived fully into a virtual reality world called the Oasis. When the creator dies, he sends everyone on a scavenger hunt for his fortune and ownership/control of the Oasis.
The protagonist, Wade Watts, then must go on a journey to find the treasure and the adventure of a lifetime. Ready Player One has simple line-writing that is easy to understand. Not to mention, most people who are into sci-fi have most likely played a video game, making this far more enticing than others for gamers.
Ready Player One
- Release Date
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March 29, 2018
- Runtime
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140 minutes
- Writers
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Zak Penn, Ernest Cline
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Tye Sheridan
Parzival / Wade
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There are so very few video game worlds that have a visual identity as instantly recognizable as Cyberpunk 2077. The world of Night City is just drenched in neon, there are enormous corporations everywhere you turn, and you have to look cool if you want to get ahead — that’s how to survive there. The game has also evolved well beyond video games by this point, with projects like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, not to mention merchandise and numerous collaborations, too. But now, you can look like you’re part of the solution in Night City.
Cyberpunk 2077 has officially teamed with GUNNAR for a collection of glasses inspired by the game, including designs based on Dexter DeShawn and Militech. The officially licensed collaboration features GUNNAR’s lens technology designed to reduce digital eye strain while incorporating aesthetics directly inspired by characters and corporations from CD Projekt Red’s universe.
The Dex glasses are inspired by Dexter DeShawn, the larger-than-life Night City fixer who plays a major role during the opening stretch of Cyberpunk 2077. The wide frames feature an oversized angular shield-lens design constructed from magnesium aluminum alloy, with Amber, Sun and Amber Max lens options. They’re priced at $125 and come with a collector’s map-print microfiber cleaning cloth and padded sleeve.
The Militech Glasses Bring One of Night City’s Biggest Corporations to Life
Then there’s Militech. The second design takes its cues from the heavily armed megacorporation, adopting their black-and-yellow color scheme alongside a tactical shield design. The frames use engineered polymer and are available with Amber or Sun lenses, with GUNNAR saying the design is intended to improve peripheral clarity while reducing digital eye strain and sharpening contrast.
The Militech glasses are priced slightly lower at $99 and include a branded microfiber pouch, cleaning cloth and matte metal case, alongside a 12-month warranty. The frames also block 100% of UV light and feature a G-Shield Plus coating designed to be anti-reflective and smudge resistant. Both designs are already available to order now.
Cyberpunk 2077 is available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC. The Cyberpunk 2077 collection is available now via GUNNAR.
The best thing about streaming is, while you’re often waiting for big movies to come onto platforms so you can watch them again, they’re also like a digital Blockbuster Video. You can just browse and find yourself a little gem, something that lets that unpleasant feeling slowly crawl beneath your skin, and that’s exactly what this movie does. It took the rhythms of an old-school Western and dropped them into a bleak modern American town where almost everyone seems to be carrying something they would rather keep buried.
Sweet Virginia largely flew under the radar when it came out back in 2017, but it has all the ingredients of the kind of movie you’re delighted you stumble across on a Saturday night, which explains its re-emergence on streaming. It’s got a tight 95-minute runtime, an outstanding cast, and the sort of slow-burning tension that gets increasingly difficult to shake. Better still, Sweet Virginia is currently available to stream on Paramount+ in the United States.
Directed by Jamie M. Dagg, Sweet Virginia follows former rodeo champion Sam Rossi, whose injuries have left him managing a small-town motel and trying to live a quiet existence. His life changes when he befriends Elwood, a mysterious motel guest whose arrival coincides with a brutal outbreak of violence in the community. The less you know beyond that, the better. The film gradually transforms into a grim collision between two damaged men, with Jon Bernthal stripping away the aggression associated with many of his better-known characters to deliver an unusually restrained performance.
The film stars Bernthal as Sam Rossi, Christopher Abbott (Wolf Man) as Elwood, Imogen Poots (Outer Range) as Lila McCabe, Rosemarie DeWitt (La La Land) as Bernadette Barrett, Odessa Young (Shirley) as Maggie Russell, and Jared Abrahamson (Travelers) as Paul.
Was ‘Sweet Virginia’ Successful?
The film was never really intended to be a mega hit at the box office, because it was only released on a limited basis back in November 2017. Its gross is just $8,400, which tells you this is a movie that was built purely for home viewing. However, the critical response to the movie was a lot more enthusiastic, with 79% of critics on Rotten Tomatoes enjoying the movie and praising both the performances and the atmospheric tension it brought.
Sweet Virginia is currently streaming on Paramount+ in the United States and is also available to rent or purchase digitally.
- Release Date
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November 30, 2017
- Director
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Jamie M. Dagg
- Writers
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Paul China, Benjamin China
The name’s Cavill. Henry Cavill. Yes, many thousands of people across the world have felt for a very long time that Henry Cavill was destined to don a tuxedo and play the most famous spy in the world. But, Cavill botched his audition for the role due to being, well, far too young and, as a result, the window passed. That doesn’t mean he couldn’t show audiences what they missed out on, and that’s exactly what he did in 2015.
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. has recently been charting globally, and Guy Ritchie’s slick adaptation of the classic television series had all the ingredients of a long-running franchise. It had a pair of charismatic leads, globe-trotting espionage, witty banter, and utterly immaculate tailoring. Seriously, it’s quite beautiful. But sadly, as is ever the case, audiences didn’t turn up when they should have. Nearly a decade later, however, the film has become something of a cult favorite, and with its recent return to streaming, there’s never been a better excuse to revisit one of Cavill’s coolest performances.
The movie is set in the 1960s at the height of the Cold War, and follows CIA agent Napoleon Solo and KGB operative Illya Kuryakin. Forced to put aside longstanding hostilities, the two join forces on a joint mission to stop a mysterious international criminal organization which is bent on destabilizing the fragile balance of power through the proliferation of nuclear weapons and technology. The duo’s only lead is the daughter of a missing German scientist, who is the key to infiltrating the criminal organization, and they must race against time to find him and prevent a worldwide catastrophe.
The film stars Cavill as Napoleon Solo, Armie Hammer (The Social Network) as Illya Kuryakin, Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl) as Gaby Teller, Elizabeth Debicki (The Crown) as Victoria Vinciguerra, Jared Harris (Foundation) as Sanders, Hugh Grant (Heretic) as Alexander Waverly, and Luca Calvani (The Beautiful Life) as Alexander.
Was ‘The Man from U.N.C.L.E.’ a Success?
Produced for around $75 million, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. earned approximately $110 million worldwide, falling well short of the numbers required to justify the franchise Warner Bros. had clearly hoped to launch. But critics responded much better than the paying customers, and it currently holds a 68% Rotten Tomatoes score, while audiences have increasingly embraced it over the years thanks to its chemistry between Cavill and Hammer, the action and the banter.
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. is currently streaming on Netflix in the United States. It is also available to rent or purchase digitally through Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home.
- Release Date
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August 14, 2015
- Runtime
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116 minutes
- Producers
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Guy Ritchie, John Davis, Lionel Wigram, Steve Clark-Hall
It’s already been over a month since one of the biggest Western arrivals on streaming this year completed its gripping opening season. On July 3, the ups and downs of Rip (Cole Hauser) and Beth’s (Kelly Reilly) new life in South Texas at Dutton Ranch exploded in perfect finale fashion, with the stakes set for a confirmed second season, which is scheduled to begin filming early next year. We shouldn’t be surprised by the latest series in Taylor Sheridan‘s Yellowstone universe being a streaming sensation, but few expected it to break the record for the biggest original series debut in the history of Paramount+.
With Dutton Ranch Season 1 coming to an end, a Western-sized hole opened up in the viewing habits of millions. Luckily, Netflix rode in on horseback to save the day with the timely return of My Life With the Walter Boys. The YA Western hit, often likened to Prime Video’s The Summer I Turned Pretty, follows young Jackie (Nikki Rodriguez), who is caught in a love triangle with brothers Cole (Noah LaLonde) and Alex Walter (Ashby Gentry).
The series began life as a sleeper hit for Netflix, scoring a respectable 7.5 million views in its debut weekend. However, the show increased in popularity come Season 2, which debuted with 11.8 million views in its first four days of release, marking a 57% viewership increase from Season 1. Earning 9 million views and 71 million hours watched during its opening tracking window, Season 3 couldn’t live up to the highs of Season 2, but cemented the series as a strong favorite of Netflix subscribers. A week after the third season debuted, My Life With the Walter Boys is officially the most-watched series on Netflix in the U.S.
What Else Should You Be Watching on Netflix This August?
My Life With the Walter Boys is certainly one of the most anticipated streaming arrivals on Netflix this month, but there is also plenty more to be excited about. The likes of One Hundred Years of Solitude, based on Gabriel García Márquez‘s Nobel Prize-winning novel; Jung Hae-in and Ha Young‘s Our Sticky Love; and the perfect Bridgerton replacement, My Brilliant Career, have already arrived this August, with George Kay‘s Blood Sacrifice and a fifth and final season of Outer Banks still to come.
My Life With the Walter Boys is officially the most-watched series on Netflix in the U.S. Stay tuned to Collider for more streaming stories.
- Release Date
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December 7, 2023
- Network
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Netflix
- Directors
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Jerry Ciccoritti, Winnifred Jong, Nimisha Mukerji
- Writers
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Melanie Halsall, Ali Novak
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Nikki Rodriguez
Jackie Howard
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Stephen King has written books that have inspired several great films, but adapting his work to the small screen has been a greater challenge. King has such high-concept ideas that they require a true creative voice to interpret them, but streaming’s growing resources have allowed his work to find a home on the small screen. Hulu’s 11.22.63 is one of the most distinctive King adaptations ever because it offers far more substantial philosophy than what its premise might suggest. Although it has the trappings of a time-travel thriller and revolves around a famous political conspiracy, 11.22.63 is about the double-edged sword of changing history and how certain fates are unavoidable.
‘11.22.63’ Puts a Unique Spin on Political Drama
11.22.63 is based on King’s 2011 novel of the same name, and stars James Franco as English teacher Jake Epping, who learns through his friend Al Templeton (Chris Cooper) that it is possible to travel back in time via a portal to the events of October 21, 1960, which could allow him to reset history. Although Al is dying of cancer and unable to personally go through with the mission, he urges Jake to go back in time and spend several years in the ‘60s, where he would be able to stop Lee Harvey Oswald (Daniel Webber) from assassinating U.S. President John F. Kennedy in Dallas in November 1963. The process of actually changing the past has unexpected consequences, as even the smallest decisions can ripple through history in surprising ways.
King is a very savvy writer when it comes to worldbuilding, and 11.22.63 is a strong adaptation because it understands what to explain and what to leave ambiguous. Time travel’s existence is simply a conceit that has to be accepted in order for the story to work, and 11.22.63 doesn’t get too obsessed with trying to develop a scientific explanation that would only be more confusing. What is more important is the logic of this specific method of time travel, and the series makes the case for why Jake is the perfect candidate to go back in time and potentially offer the country a brighter future by saving Kennedy. He’s a man who doesn’t have a family and feels as if he no longer has an impact on the present, but could do good if allowed to start over. It’s an emotionally satisfying character arc because of the similarities between Jake and Al, who are both flawed men who have come to regret being frivolous with time; since Al cannot personally make use of his discovery, Jake is given the task of fulfilling his legacy.
11.22.63 is also successful as a time travel story because it goes to great lengths to replicate the ‘60s in terms of the aesthetics, culture, and relevant historical events. Jake is initially inspired by the optimism of an era in which patriotism and positivity were ample, but he slowly discovers that there was a lurking threat beneath the idealistic country that was always going to rear its ugly head, regardless of whether Kennedy was killed. It helps that the show gives Jake three years to learn and adjust to his new circumstances, and the series becomes more compelling when he is forced to choose where to focus his efforts. Since Jake is now changing the timeline, there is no guarantee that he has a present to return to.
‘11.22.63’ Is a Sci-Fi Story That Explores Themes of Fate
Although it has some of the most clever set pieces and historical analysis of any King adaptation, 11.22.63 stands out because of its love story. Once he’s stuck in the ‘60s, Jake falls for the librarian Sadie Dunhill (Sarah Gadon). Despite knowing that he doesn’t actually belong in 1963, Jake feels their relationship is predestined when he saves Sadie from her abusive marriage to Johnny Clayton (T. R. Knight). It’s a reminder that saving the past is about more than just stopping a bullet, and that an act of kindness can have a substantial impact during an era where misogyny was rampant. This also provides an emotional justification for Jake’s involvement in the mission; while he intellectually understands that the world might be a better place if Kennedy could’ve served two terms, he also wants to make a better reality for Sadie in the immediate future.
11.22.63 is a densely packed, entertaining science fiction series that asks existential questions while also providing a compelling character story about recovering from trauma and heartbreak. King’s ability to capture a different era makes 11.22.63 timeless, which might explain why it has become such a streaming hit despite being a decade old at this point. The assassination of JFK is one of the most highly discussed events in American history, but King uses it as a springboard in 11.22.63 to question whether changing the past is a noble or dangerous endeavor.
Former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema shared intimate details about her alleged affair with her married former bodyguard, Matthew Ammel.
“We were staying at an Airbnb in Napa, California,” Sinema, 50, revealed during a July 31 deposition, per People. “We were outside. Matt kissed me. We went inside and had sex.”
Sinema was deposed in July as part of a lawsuit filed by Matthew’s ex-wife, Heather Ammel, under North Carolina’s alienation of affection law — which states that someone can be sued for intentionally destroying a marriage. Heather is seeking $75,000 in damages.
The former Arizona senator has tried to dismiss the suit, arguing that the alleged affair did not actually take place in North Carolina, where the Ammels lived.
President Donald Trump took to social media to praise a mystery “daughter,” sparking online confusion. “Great daughter. My Honor!!!” Trump, 80, wrote via Truth Social on Saturday, June 20, sharing a photo of a woman who was not either one of his daughters, Ivanka Trump or Tiffany Trump. He signed off the post with his […]
As part of July’s deposition, Sinema acknowledged under oath that she was first intimate with Matthew in Napa, California, around Memorial Day in 2024.
She said that they later met up one month later in New York City while she was in town for a wedding. While they had separate hotel rooms, Sinema recalled that she was “intimate” with Matthew in her room.
Per the former senator, they met on more occasions between July and October 2024 at her Washington, D.C., apartment and at her home in Phoenix, and they also took a trip to Aspen.
During the deposition, she was shown a text message she allegedly wrote to Matthew in October 2024, which read, “Putting my hand on my heart. I’ll see you soon. I miss you.”
The opposing attorney asked Sinema whether she could understand why “a wife reading this might get concerned about who is sending her husband that kind of message.”
“Yes,” she replied.
Us had reached out to Sinema for comment.
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema Alex Wong/Getty Images
Sinema first conceded she’d had an affair with her married bodyguard in March as part of a motion to have Heather’s lawsuit thrown out. The politician has acknowledged that she knew Matthew was married when they were seeing each other.
Heather filed her lawsuit last year, arguing that Sinema intentionally interfered in “a good and loving marriage” where there was “genuine love and affection,” per CBS News. Her lawsuit hinges on her contention that Sinema made calls and sent texts to Matthew while she knew he was in North Carolina with his wife and their children.
Sinema’s attorneys denied Heather’s accusation, insisting she only communicated with Matthew while he was in North Carolina “when the marriage was already over.”
“[Sinema’s] conduct related to her romantic relationship with Mr. Ammel does not connect her to North Carolina in a meaningful way,” Sinema’s attorney Steven Epstein wrote in March.
Sinema reportedly hired Matthew as her head of security after he retired from the U.S. Army in 2022. Two years later, Heather allegedly found messages of a “romantic and lascivious nature” between Sinema and Matthew on the Signal app.
President Donald Trump’s recent exit out of Turkey was allegedly much more than just an ordinary travel day. According to multiple reports, Trump, 80, secretly slipped out of Turkey in July on an alternate military plane, which he boarded while hidden inside a catering truck. (The White House previously stated he was aboard Air Force […]
An evidentiary hearing in the case will take place on Wednesday, August 19. (The suit was initially filed in North Carolina state court but has since moved to federal court.)
From 2013 to 2019, Sinema represented Arizona’s 9th district in the House of Representatives before serving one term in the U.S. Senate, from 2019 to 2025. Sinema caused controversy during her single Senate term by leaving the Democratic Party to become an Independent in December 2022.
Sinema announced in March 2024 that she would not run for re-election. (Democrat Ruben Gallego won Sinema’s vacant Senate seat by defeating Donald Trump ally Kari Lake in the November 2024 election.)
“Because I choose civility, understanding, listening, working together to get stuff done, I will leave the Senate at the end of this year,” she said at the time.
Sinema now works as a senior adviser for Washington, D.C., lobbying firm Hogan Lovells Cadwalader.
It is sad to see, but physical video games are slowly dying, especially with the recent announcement that PlayStation will be moving away from physical releases in general. While fans are encouraged to buy physical games like Red Dead Redemption 2, the convenience of digital is hard to pass up. Everyone has their preference, but sometimes, games can only be bought digitally.
Whether it be through Steam, Epic Games, or on a console store page, fans can buy the digital version of almost any game. That is why this list will feature the ten greatest digital-exclusive video games right now based on trends, popularity, critical acclaim, design, narrative, visuals, originality, fan opinion, and overall quality. None of the games featured have a physical version, but they are still must-play titles.
‘Cairn’ (2026)
A lot of the games on this list will be indie titles since it is rare for a AAA game to only be digital, and one of the best indie releases this year was Cairn. Controlling a mountaineer named Aava, players control each individual limb to be the first person to climb the ominous and mysterious Mount Kami, which has made victims of everyone who has attempted to conquer it.
The grueling controls make the climb up the mountain even more challenging. However, it’s also quite immersive, never letting players get away with an easy time. Cairn takes it a step further by including resource management, giving it a more authentic feel. This video game has worldbuilding, fun gameplay, and offers a true challenge for those willing to take the risk.
‘Pokémon Champions’ (2026)
Pokémon already had one best-selling spin-off come out in 2026, but while that has a physical edition, Pokémon Champions does not. Reminiscent of old N64 and GameCube spin-offs, this game is free to play and lets players choose from a select roster of Pokémon and battle it out in an arena-based fighting game.
This turn-based strategic battler is solely focused on competitive multiplayer fights, ignoring the usual RPG elements in favor of pure battling fun. Pokémon Champions is the perfect game for players wanting a little extra Pokémon duels outside the mainline experience. Each match feels like a riveting new video game boss fight where players can test their skills and strategy against other gamers.
‘Marathon’ (2026)
There is an endless supply of free-to-play first-person shooters out there, most of which are digital exclusives, and the best new one of 2026 to play right now is Marathon. Taking place in a colony far in the future, players are characters called Runners who are tasked with taking down rival Runners to steal ancient artifacts while also dealing with aliens.
After years of updating Destiny 2, Bungie returned to this IP to bring back one of the best modern-day shooters. The extraction gameplay is just similar enough and just different enough to land in a particular niche of shooting games, not to mention the sharp gunplay and striking visuals make it a dazzling new game that more fans need to experience.
‘Palworld’ (2024/2026)
Pokémon Champions is one of the franchise’s best new spin-offs, but for players who don’t have a Nintendo Switch, the next best alternative is Palworld. Gamers are stranded on the Palpagos Islands, where they must build bases, catch pals, and survive the harsh conditions while also learning about the dark mystery behind the island.
Palworld has been hit with some legal troubles and criticism from fans claiming it is a rip-off. And while some of the designs look exactly like Pokémon, it is different enough to stand on its own. The game recently released its 1.0 version, meaning there is even more to do. Palworld is Pokémon with base building, resource management, bigger boss fights, and gunplay, creating a wild experience that has taken the world by storm.
‘Marvel Rivals’ (2024)
While a lot of the best digitally exclusive video games right now are usually from this year, some games remain forever enjoyable, like Marvel Rivals, which came out in 2024. In this hero-based arena shooter, players choose from a selection of Marvel heroes and villains to battle it out for supremacy in a war between Doctor Doom and his future counterpart from 2099.
Marvel Rivals retains its player base with new characters and skins being continuously added on top of its addictive gameplay and assortment of beloved fighters. Marvel fans love it for the style, and gamers love it for the gameplay, which adds an extra layer through team-up abilities. Since it is free to play, Marvel Rivals is a definitive digital experience that fans can spend endless hours in.
‘Subnautica 2’ (2026)
Subnautica was a fabulous open-world deep-sea explorer, but it also had a physical release. However, that isn’t the case for Subnautica 2, which released its digital version in 2026. When a group of players lands on the underwater planet of Proteus to learn about the disappearance of some colonists, they need to track down the recordings to find them, as well as repair a power plant to learn more about the planet.
Subnautica 2 is only in its early access state, meaning there will be more to do in the future, and that this is just the early stage of the game. However, it is also a fantastic experience that elevates the typical underwater exploration with multiplayer, bringing gamers together to experience the wonder and scariness of the ocean floor. With one of the best worlds in video games, exploring is an absolute delight, and gamers can’t wait for what is in store when Subnautica 2 fully releases.
‘Mewgenics’ (2026)
It may have taken a long time to release, but after 13 years, Mewgenics is finally out, and it is already one of the best games of the year. Players breed different types of cats to create their perfect specimen with whatever traits they want. Gamers then send them out into procedurally generated turn-based combat to test their strength.
Mewgenics is one of the most unique recent video games, and for fans of turn-based RPGs, this is a must-play. Maybe it isn’t deserving of being on this list since there is a physical version confirmed for the future, but for the time being, Mewgenics is a digital exclusive. The complex breeding system offers emergent gameplay and systemic moments that keep each round fresh and innovative.
‘Pokémon Fire Red and Leaf Green’ (2004/2026)
Pokémon and Pokémon-adjacent video games are popular right now because, after a spin-off and an inspired game, the next entry on this list is Pokémon Fire Red and Leaf Green. This remake of the original game has players traveling around the Kanto region collecting gym badges while also battling Team Rocket and foiling their evil plans, leading into the player’s main goal of defeating the Champion.
This is a tricky game to include because it came out two decades ago through a physical format. However, Nintendo released Fire Red and Leaf Green on the Nintendo eShop in 2026, and there is no legitimate way to buy the old physical copies, meaning they are eligible for this list. The original was one of the best-selling video games ever, and this port is already selling like hotcakes, proving that fans want to re-experience OG Pokémon.
‘Meccha Chameleon’ (2026)
There is always a trendy video game that comes out every year which is cheap, fun to play, everyone plays it for months, and then it dies. While the last has yet to happen, Meccha Chameleon seems to be the hit trend of 2026. In it, a group of players is sent out into a world to hide, being able to paint themselves to blend in. A hunter is then set free to find the painted hiders in one of the most fun games of hide-and-seek.
Meccha Chameleon is the must-play game of summer 2026, reeling in millions of fans with its addictive gameplay that try-hards and casuals will both enjoy. This silly game has excellent replay value because each map has hundreds of new spots, and with fan-made maps, there are endless opportunities. Meccha Chameleon is an affordable game that players can sink hours into, proving it is the hit video game right now that is only available digitally.
‘Mixtape’ (2026)
Most of the big games that could earn a Game of the Year nomination are also on physical discs, but there is usually an indie game nominated, and the best bet so far to fill that spot is Mixtape. On the final night before high school ends, three friends reminisce about their best memories while planning to make a night they don’t forget.
Some gamers weren’t fans of the gameplay, mainly because it is a narrative-focused game without many specific inputs to control. However, the charm in this game lies in its fun micro-mechanics and nostalgic vibe that portrays a bittersweet feeling of highs and lows of youth. Mixtape features a gorgeous playlist and inventive mechanics that enhance the coming-of-age narrative, making it one of the best video games of the year so far.
Since the days of Ancient Greece, many works of literature have aspired to take their readers on painful emotional journeys, a symbolic purgation of emotion that Aristotle called catharsis. Despite the thousands of years that have passed since then, the idea has stayed firmly planted in our cultural consciousness, and there’s no denying the fact that we all enjoy a powerful, heartbreaking read every once in a while. Over the years, there have been plenty of books that fit the bill, including both those drawn on personal experiences and stories of fiction that nonetheless evoke the same emotion.
From stories set against the backdrop of horrific events to more personal tragedies rooted in everyday pain, these heartbreaking books seek out the uncomfortable and even traumatic and transform them into something uplifting, inspiring, and beautiful. In the process, they’ve also earned widespread acclaim and sold millions of copies around the world, earning their places in both our libraries and the bestseller lists. So, if you’re in the mood for a read that will truly shatter your heart in the best ways possible, we’ve got you covered. Read on to discover our ranked selection of the most heartbreaking books of all time, including both modern hits and timeless classics.
7
‘The Fault in Our Stars’ (2014)
John Green’s fourth solo novel, The Fault in Our Stars is a tragic young adult romance novel that centers on 16-year-old Hazel Grace Lancaster, who suffers from thyroid cancer that has spread to her lungs. Forced to attend a support group by her parents, Hazel meets and falls in love with 17-year-old cancer survivor Augustus Waters. Bonding over their shared love of books, the two plan a trip to Amsterdam to meet the author of their favorite novel.
A best-selling book that broke the hearts of a whole generation of fans, The Fault in Our Stars is both bitterly tragic and a life-affirming coming-of-age story. Sweet, funny, and often melancholic, the novel lives and breathes with its characters, who are easily among Green’s most endearing. Arguably the author’s best book, The Fault in Our Stars was adapted as a 2014 feature film directed by Josh Boone and starring Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort, which was similarly successful.
6
‘The Song of Achilles’ (2011)
Written by Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles is a reimagining of Homer’s Iliad, approaching the story of the Trojan War from the perspective of Patroclus. The book recounts Patroclus’s early life, his initial encounter with Achilles, the development of their relationship, and their exploits during the war. Though largely inspired by the Iliad, the novel also draws from other sources and makes a few changes to the original mythology.
Published in 2011, The Song of Achilles was well-received by critics and awarded the Orange Prize for Fiction, but it’s only in the 2020s that the book became a major bestseller. With over 2 million copies sold across formats, the novel is a highly popular and influential take on the romance of Achilles and Patroclus, capturing deep emotion in their fate-crossed story. It’s painful and tragic, but also deeply poetic, and a brilliant read overall.
5
‘The Book Thief’ (2005)
Written by Australian author Markus Zusak, The Book Thief is a historical fiction novel that follows the adventures of a young girl in Nazi Germany. The story is narrated by Death, who reveals the story of Liesel Meminger, who lives with foster parents Hans and Rosa Hubermann and, recognizing the power of literature, begins to steal books to read. As bombs fall around her and she loses all the people she knew and loved, Liesel’s love of reading and writing carries her to the very end of her life, when she finally speaks with Death.
First published in 2005, The Book Thief is an acclaimed international bestseller that has sold over 17 million copies around the world and inspired countless readers with its powerful story. It unravels a deeply moving narrative with themes of death, love, and the value of sharing stories — one that’s sure to resonate with any lover of literature and break the hearts of plenty more as well. A feature film based on the novel was released in 2013, and the book has also inspired a musical.
4
‘Hamnet’ (2020)
Written by Maggie O’Farrell, Hamnet is a work of historical fiction that presents a fictional account of the death of its titular character, the son of William Shakespeare and Agnes Hathaway. Focusing primarily on Agnes, the novel chronicles the couple’s meeting, courtship, marriage, and other events leading up to the death of their only son. From there, it explores the fracturing of their relationship amid overwhelming grief, culminating years later when Shakespeare stages a new play called Hamlet.
Combining known facts of the legendary playwright’s life with fiction, Hamnet is a book about the untold history of grief. Charged with emotion and intensely cathartic, the novel explores a key moment in the Bard’s life that is known of but not known about, filling in the gaps with imagination and a touch of literary magic. The novel received several accolades when it was published in 2020 and was adapted as an Oscar-winning film directed by Chloé Zhao, starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal.
3
‘Kafka on the Shore’ (2002)
Written by Japanese author Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore is a magical realist novel that follows the stories of young runaway Kafka Tamura and elderly, mentally disabled man Satoru Nakata. Cursed by his father, Kafka leaves Tokyo for Shikoku, experiencing a series of surreal events along the way. Meanwhile, Nakata, who possesses the ability to talk to cats, finds himself called on a quest that takes him far away from his home, guided by the universe and an ineffable force.
First published in 2002 and translated into English in 2005, Kafka on the Shore is a highly acclaimed and award-winning novel that has inspired generations of readers. The book isn’t heartbreaking the same way many of the other entries on this list are. However, there is a pervasive sense of melancholy that suffuses the narrative, balanced by its meditations on metaphysics, philosophy, and fate, as well as its surprising sense of humor. The novel is many things to many people; it’s transformative, cathartic, spiritual, sexual, satirical, and yes, heartbreaking, all at the same time.
2
‘And the Mountains Echoed’ (2013)
The third novel written by Afghan-American author Khaled Hosseini, And the Mountains Echoed chronicles the lives of multiple characters living in and around Kabul, Afghanistan. The book primarily follows the story of 10-year-old Abdullah and his younger sister Pari, whose lives take them oceans apart, touching the lives of many others along the way. The novel is a departure from Hosseini’s previous books, which follow a more traditional narrative, but features similar themes of family and loss.
Using sibling relationships as a consistent theme, And the Mountains Echoed takes readers through a series of human and realistic stories, each with its own complexity, and paints an overall picture of Afghanistan, identity, and transformation. It’s a powerful, engrossing novel that’s been critically acclaimed and has sold millions of copies around the world. Though relatively underrated compared to Hosseini’s previous work, And the Mountains Echoed is an experience that’s both deeply painful and yet overflowing with love.
1
‘The Diary of a Young Girl’ (1947)
Commonly called The Diary of Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl is a book that’s practically synonymous with its young author. A German-born Jewish girl who lived in the Netherlands during the Nazi occupation, Anne Frank was captured and sent to a concentration camp, where she died at the age of 15. The book collects writings from her diary, written during her two years in hiding and given to her father, Otto Frank, the sole survivor of the family, at the end of World War II.
To say that The Diary of a Young Girl is one of the most heartbreaking books ever written would be an understatement. The book captures the daily thoughts and life of its young author as she lives through one of humanity’s darkest chapters, chronicling her search for friendship, her inner development, and her enduring hope in the face of unspeakable horror. The book has been critically and popularly acclaimed ever since it was first published in 1947, and it continues to break the hearts of millions around the world today.
The Diary of Anne Frank
- Release Date
-
August 19, 1995
- Runtime
-
102 Minutes
- Director
-
Akinori Nagaoka
- Writers
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Hachirô Konno, Roger Pulvers
-
Reina Takahashi
Anne Frank
-
-
-
Jiro Sakagami
Hermann van Daan
It truly has been an excellent year for horror. Whether it’s Nia DaCosta’s masterpiece 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, Sam Raimi‘s long-awaited return to the genre with Send Help, or a lore-expanding slasher sequel in Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, there’s been something for every horror fan. But the horror headlines have been stolen by director Curry Barker‘s indie breakout Obsession, which defied all expectations by turning a budget of less than $1 million into almost half a million at the box office.
But this great year for horror isn’t without its hiccups. Perhaps the most egregious release so far in 2026 is The Strangers: Chapter 3, which debuted in February and only managed four weeks in theaters and a haul of just $11 million worldwide. Called “an odd attempt to expand this world in an irritating way that couldn’t be further away from what makes this series great,” in Ross Bonaime’s review for Collider, the film capped off a terrible modern horror trilogy that received unanimously poor reviews across the board.
That being said, its fortunes on streaming have proven much more positive. The Strangers: Chapter 2, the 2025 second in a trilogy based on the 2008 original, is currently one of the most-watched movies on HBO Max in the U.S. The sequel stars Madelaine Petsch, alongside returnees Gabriel Basso and Ema Horvath, and is directed by Renny Harlin of A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master and Exorcist: The Beginning fame. The Strangers: Chapter 2 is the third-most-watched movie on HBO Max, behind the second-placed fantasy disappointment Mortal Kombat II, and Zendaya and Robert Pattinson‘s The Drama, which tops the charts.
What Did Critics Say About ‘The Strangers: Chapter 2’?
After the first in the trilogy was universally panned by both critics and audiences, Chapter 2 didn’t exactly have a lot to live up to. Alas, it couldn’t even reach the lowest of bars, scoring just 21% on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. Collider’s Ross Bonaime gave the film just 2/10 in his review, writing, “The Strangers: Chapter 2 is an exhausting bastardization of where this story began in 2008.” He continued, “No one seems to remember why The Strangers worked, and instead, tries to water this concept down with terrible pacing, villain (and boar) origins, and extremely stupid choices made at every turn.”
The Strangers: Chapter 2 is streaming now. Stay tuned to Collider for more stories.
- Release Date
-
September 26, 2025
- Runtime
-
98 Minutes
- Director
-
Renny Harlin
- Writers
-
Alan Freedland, Alan R. Cohen
- Producers
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Courtney Solomon, Jeremy Alter, Brian Pitt, Gary Raskin, Christopher Milburn, Charlie Dombek, Mark Canton, Alastair Burlingham
When you hear the term “military thriller,” you probably imagine a big budget, tons of open warfare, scale, violence, you name it, but it’s not always the case. Sometimes all they need is a tense rescue mission, a ticking clock, and a man in the chair with more gravitas than a movie like this actually would ever need.
That’s exactly what Land of Bad delivers. After earning solid word of mouth during its theatrical run, the action thriller has found an even bigger audience on streaming, becoming one of the genre’s latest success stories, and it has recently been charting globally. When a Delta Force special ops mission goes terribly wrong, Air Force drone pilot Captain Eddie “Reaper” Grimm has only 48 hours to remedy what has devolved into a wild rescue operation. Teaming with Sergeant JJ “Playboy” Kinney, a young Air Force JTAC thrust into the mission unexpectedly, Reaper uses the only weapon he can from thousands of miles away: an unmanned Reaper drone.
The cast includes Liam Hemsworth (The Witcher) as Kinney, Russell Crowe (Gladiator) as Eddie Grimm, Luke Hemsworth (Westworld) as Abel, Ricky Whittle (American Gods) as Bishop, Milo Ventimiglia (This Is Us) as Sugar, Daniel MacPherson (Foundation) as Colonel Duz Packett, and Chika Ikogwe (Heartbreak High) as Staff Sergeant Nia Branson.
Was ‘Land of Bad’ a Success?
Land of Bad is one of those movies that was almost designed in a lab to do well on streaming, rather than in the multiplexes. It cost around $18 million to make, and went on to gross over $22 million worldwide. So obviously, not a huge hit, but then when it went onto streaming, that’s when things really took off. The movie managed to find a significantly larger audience through premium video-on-demand and streaming.
While critics were somewhat divided, audiences responded far more enthusiastically, praising its practical action, grounded military realism and Crowe’s commanding supporting performance. The film has a 66% positive rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, but audience response was much higher, sitting at 93%. Probably because it’s a simple enough story, and it’s well-made with actors who aren’t just phoning it in. It’s truly the perfect Saturday night movie if you want to find something easy to check out.
Land of Bad is currently streaming on Netflix in the United States. Stay tuned to Collider for all the latest updates on streaming.
- Release Date
-
February 16, 2024
- Runtime
-
113 Minutes
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