13 Of The Best Audiobooks For Movie Fans

Narrated by: Tom Alexander, Barbara Barnes, Michael Biehn, Lance Henriksen, Lorelei King, Laurel Lefkow and Keith WickhamIn the hands of cyberpunk pioneer William Gibson, Alien III would've been very different. Whereas the cinematic release sees Ripley battling for survival in the corridors of a male-only prison, Gibson's concept for the franchise's third instalment focuses on Corporal Hicks and Bishop, as they fight Xenomorphs aboard Anchorpoint, an enormous transit hub. The narrative includes genetic-engineering, airborne contagions and a cold war subplot, and after being leaked online several years ago, has achieved cult status amongst die-hard Alien fans. In this Audible dramatisation of Gibson's revered 'second daft', Michael Biehn and Lance Henriksen reprise their roles as Hicks and Bishop. Buy the Dark Horse graphic novel adaptation from Hive.

Narrated by: Marc ThompsonWarning: Potential spoilers ahead. The novelisation of Star Wars: Rise Of Skywalker has caused quite a disturbance in the Force, and for positive reasons. In addition to the novel providing fans with another way of accessing their favourite universe, the most exciting thing this novelisation offers is canon-confirmed expanded and deleted scenes, additional content and context. Amongst many, many other things, here are a few points the novelisation offers listeners: Leia's training is explored further, as is her reason for stopping; how Palpatine survived the events of Return Of The Jedi is explained; Leia's death is different and provided more weight, and Kylo Ren's youth and subsequent conversion to The Dark Side is explored. It's certainly a worthy addition to any Skywalker Saga collection. Buy the audiobook CD from Waterstones.Buy the book from Hive.Buy the book from Waterstones.

Narrated by: Neil GaimanIn Norse Mythology, Gaiman retells the tales of the old gods, from the birth of everything to the end of it all, Ragnarök. Thor God Of Thunder, Freya Goddess Of Love, Odin King Of Asgard and Loki The Trickster have their origins brought to life under Gaiman's masterful pen (and subsequent narration). While fascinating and fantastical tales in themselves, the stories will have the listener gain a new appreciation for the myths that underpin the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, G.R.R. Martin, and Marvel Comics. Buy the book from Hive.Buy the book from Waterstones.

Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot We all know what happens when the Xenomorphs come into contact with a technologically advanced human race, but how would a pre-industrial, feudal society fare? Aliens: Phalanx answers this question. Ataegina was a medieval world, populated by a simple and proud folk. That is, until a mysterious alien race emerges and wipes out 90% of life and forcing the survivors to flee from their castles and seek refuge in the mountains. Hope seems all but gone when a weapon is discovered. Now a trio of adventures must seek the Demon Mother, who is rumoured to dwell below Black Smoke Mountain. Buy the book from Hive.Buy the book from Waterstones.

Narrated by: Sally Mortemore, Warwick Davis, Evanna Lynch, Jason Isaacs, Bonnie Wright, Noma Dumezweni and Jude Law.J.K. Rowling's collection of fairy fables for young witches and wizards is available to muggle ears for the first time in The Tales Of Beedle The Bard. The stories are full of youthful innocence and character, and are read by familiar wizarding world names. There are tales of light-hearted mischievousness like 'The Wizard And The Hopping Pot" read by Professor Flitwick (Davis) or "Babbitty Rabbitty and her Cackling Stump" read by Ginny Weasley (Wright), and cautionary yarns of dark magic such as "The Warlock's Hairy Heart" read by Lucius Malfoy (Isaacs). There's even the odd annotation and footnote from Dumbledore (Law) himself. A fun listen for a Potterhead of any generation. Buy the book from Hive.Buy the book from Waterstones.

Narrated by: Rob InglisThe Dark Lord Sauron has returned. Middle-earth is in danger. All that he needs to fulfil his evil desire is the One Ring, which is to be found in the most unlikely of places – with a hobbit, in sleepy surrounds of The Shire. At the behest of Gandalf, Frodo Baggins embarks on a journey which holds the fate of the world in its outcome. J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy world is always worth revisiting, and in spoken form, the magic of Tolkien's words are only amplified, highlighting their ceaselessly poetic, mesmeric and masterful quality. Buy the book from Hive.Buy the book from Waterstones.

Narrated by: Grove GardenerA deadly flu has changed society forever. The human race is decimated, and new power structures begin to form amongst the surviving peoples of the once-United States of America. Some wish to rule for themselves, some seek the salvation of a higher power in this iconic post-apocalyptic tale. It's eerie, darkly funny and hugely enjoyable. It's also King's longest work, and in audiobook form will keep listeners enthralled for over 47 hours. The novel is currently being adapted for TV by CBS All Access, though there's no accurate release date at the moment. Buy the book from Hive.Buy the book from Waterstones.

Narrated by: Scott Brick, Orlagh Cassidy, Euan Morton, Simon Vance and Ilyana KadushinHerbert's Dune is a staggering feat of imagination, blending sci-fi and fantasy tropes to epic effect. The story follows the young Paul Atreides as he and his family take up the stewardship of the desert planet Arrakis. The families appointment to Arrakis is the glorifying gesture it seems, and deep in the desert there hides a secret power. Winner of the first Nebula Award for Best Novel 1966, the inspiration and influence that the book has is hard to understate, and it's worth a listen before Denis Villeneuve's adaptation arrives. Buy the book from Hive.Buy the book from Waterstones.

Narrated by: Elisabeth MossOffred has only one job in the Republic of Gilead: she's a breeder, a vessel for child-bearing and nothing more. Yet, even in a world ruled by religious law and order, and where the threat of death is an ever-present reality, human desire holds strong. This longing prospers in two forms and with two men, each holding its own undeniable danger. Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale is a triumphant dystopian fiction with witty, shocking and pertinent sentiments which echo uncomfortably true to this very day. The audiobook is narrated by Elisabeth Moss, who plays Offred in the international-hit TV adaptation. Buy the book from Hive.Buy the book from Waterstones.

Narrated by: Stephen FryIt's fair to say that Arthur Dent is thrown off his stride when Earth is destroyed. Luckily, his friend Ford Prefect (an alien, naturally) rescued him, and now Dent can travel the universe helping Prefect perfect his 'Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy'. Douglas Adam's writing is sharp, inventive and laced with a thoroughly British wit that's captured perfectly by Stephen Fry's narration (yes, even Vogon poetry sounds better in Fry's well-spoken and amiable manner). Buy the audiobook CD from Hive.Buy the book from Hive.Buy the book from Waterstones.

Narrated by: Jeff HardingIn The Visitor, Lee Child mixes things up a little bit. Action-hero loner Jack Reacher is used to solving problems with his well-trained fists, but when two female military high-flyers from his past wind up dead, Reacher has to engage just as much brains as brawn to uncover the corrupt truth at the centre of the deaths. Child, by bringing in a little detective fiction into the narrative, freshens up the franchise and manages to keep things interesting, and most importantly for a Jack Reacher novel, fun. But hardcore fans don't worry, there's still plenty of fists and burnt rubber. Buy the book from Hive.Buy the book from Waterstones.

Narrated by: Robert PetkoffUna McCormack's Star Trek: Picard: The Last Best Hope details the events preceding the latest TV series, Star Trek: Picard. The narrative begins roughly 14 years before the events of the TV show, filling in details surrounding the happening in the Next Generation timeline and the life of Jean-Luc Picard. The novel is a truly valuable tie-in to the series, and a worthy text in its own right. Buy the book from Hive.Buy the book from Waterstones.

Narrated by: Christopher RaglandFollowing the near-destruction of the human race at the clawing hands of undead zombie hordes, Max Brooks took it upon himself to travel the world, meeting survivors and recording their stories of the (almost) apocalypse. The fruits of this effort are found in World War Z. Never before has there been such a comprehensive and unique exploration of the zombie apocalypse genre, with revolution, criminality, isolation and pure, desperate survival. Buy the book from Hive.Buy the book from Waterstones.