Gifts for Sci-Fi and Fantasy Fans, From Arrakis to Middle-earth

By the Gift DeskUpdated October 8, 202619 hand-picked ideas

The ideas at a glance

The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin~$10
Dune Paperback by Frank Herbert~$8
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir~$14
Three-Body Problem Trilogy Box Set~$35
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Complete Five-Book Collection~$30
The Lord of the Rings Paperback Box Set~$25

Science fiction and fantasy fans tend to be loyal in a way few other audiences are. They reread favorite series, argue about adaptations, and remember the exact paperback that hooked them at fourteen. That loyalty makes them rewarding to buy for, as long as you respect the specifics. A die-hard Tolkien reader and someone who mostly loves space-opera TV are not the same fan, even if both would happily spend a Saturday at a convention.

This guide starts with books, since that’s where most of these worlds began, then moves to tabletop role-playing for the fan who wants to tell their own stories. After that come things to build, small pieces for the desk and shelf, and finally a few words on working out what kind of fan they are before you shop.

If they’re as happy watching as reading, gifts for movie lovers covers the home-cinema side. For the friend who runs a weekly game night, see gifts for board game fans, and for the builder with a shelf of starships, gifts for LEGO fans.

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A reading list you can wrap

A good book is still one of the best gifts for this crowd, and the genre is full of titles that are easy to give with confidence. The trick is matching the book to the reader: some want hard science and puzzles, some want sweeping politics, some want to laugh.

If they already own the classics below, a handsome hardcover edition of a favorite is another lovely gift. Readers of these genres are often happy to own a book twice.

1
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
Le Guin’s novel about an envoy on a frozen planet, whose people have no fixed gender, won both of the genre’s top awards and is still one of its most discussed books. It’s thoughtful and slow-burning rather than action-packed. Give it to a reader who enjoys ideas and character, or to anyone who thinks science fiction is only about spaceships.
On Amazonabout $10
2
Dune Paperback by Frank Herbert
Dune (Ace Mass Market Paperback)
Desert planets, noble houses, prophecy and a spice everyone will kill for. Plenty of people saw Denis Villeneuve’s films and never got round to the novel, which is richer and stranger than any adaptation. A cheap paperback makes an easy add-on; for a longtime fan, look for a nicer hardcover edition instead.
On Amazonabout $8
3
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
From the author of The Martian: a schoolteacher-turned-astronaut wakes alone on a spaceship with no memory of how he got there, and has to science his way out. It’s funny, fast and full of problem-solving. A strong pick for a fan of hard sci-fi, and an even better one for someone who doesn’t usually read the genre.
On Amazonabout $14
4
Three-Body Problem Trilogy Box Set
The Three-Body Problem Boxed Set by Liu Cixin
Liu Cixin’s trilogy about humanity’s first contact with an alien civilization, which starts during China’s Cultural Revolution and ends somewhere vast. The scale and ideas are extraordinary, though the characters can feel secondary. It suits a patient reader who loves big concepts, perhaps someone who watched the Netflix adaptation and wants the full story.
On Amazonabout $35
5
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Complete Five-Book Collection
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy 5-Book Box Set
Douglas Adams' comic series in one volume, full of lines fans quote to each other decades later. It’s short, silly and smart, and it’s a gentle first sci-fi read for a teenager. For someone who already owns a battered copy, this omnibus makes a nice replacement.
On Amazonabout $30
6
The Lord of the Rings Paperback Box Set
The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings Boxed Set
The trilogy plus The Hobbit in a slipcase, which is the foundation of modern fantasy. Many people know the films well but have never read the books, and this set makes a natural gift for them. It’s also a good choice for a parent who wants to read The Hobbit aloud to a child before moving on to the rest.
On Amazonabout $25

Know exactly who it’s for?

For the tabletop adventurer

Dungeons & Dragons and other role-playing games have become a regular social night for a lot of adults: a group around a table, a story told together, and a lot of dice. These gifts work for players and for the person who runs the game.

Our favorite7
Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set
A boxed introduction with simplified rules, ready-made characters, dice and an adventure written for first-timers. It’s the easiest way for a group of friends to try D&D without anyone needing to read a thick rulebook. Ideal for a fan of fantasy who keeps saying they’d love to play, and great for families with teenagers.
On Amazonabout $50
8
Dungeons & Dragons Core Rulebooks Gift Set
The three main books for running a full campaign: the Player’s Handbook, Dungeon Master’s Guide and Monster Manual. This is a gift for the person who runs games, or wants to. The rules have been revised over the years and groups don’t always switch at once, so ask which edition their table uses before buying.
On Amazonabout $150
9
Metal Polyhedral Dice Set
Players get attached to their dice, and a heavy metal set has a satisfying weight in the hand. It’s a small gift that feels special at the table. Metal dice can chip a wooden table, so it’s worth pairing them with a rolling tray.
On Amazonabout $20
10
Tabletop RPG Dice Vault
CASEMATIX Dice Tray and Dice Storage Case
A fitted case with slots for each die and a lid that opens into a rolling tray. It keeps a growing collection organized and stops dice from flying off the table mid-battle. A sensible companion to a dice set for any regular player.
On Amazonabout $30
11
Miniature Painting Wet Palette and Brush Set
Golden Maple Wet Palette Set with 9 Brushes
A wet palette keeps acrylic paint workable for hours, and fine brushes handle the tiny details on tabletop miniatures. It’s for the player who has started painting their own figures and is still using a plate and an old brush. Painting miniatures is a hobby in its own right, so only give it to someone who’s already tried it.
On Amazonabout $35

Things to build

Building a famous ship or a working robot is a very satisfying way to spend a weekend. These range from an evening’s project to a serious build.

12
LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon Building Set
A big, detailed Falcon with minifigures and a cockpit. A showpiece build for a Star Wars fan, and plenty of adults have one on a shelf.
On Amazonabout $160
13
3D Metal Starship Model Kit
Metal Earth Star Wars Millennium Falcon 3D Kit
Laser-cut steel sheets that fold into a gleaming spaceship. Fiddly and cheap; tweezers help with the small tabs.
On Amazonabout $16
14
Programmable Robot Building Kit for Teens
Makeblock mBot2
Motors, sensors and simple coding, for a teen who loves robots on screen and wants to build one that moves.
On Amazonabout $160
15
Solar System Orrery Model Building Kit
TECHING Motorized Metal Solar System Model Kit
A mechanical model of the planets turning around the Sun. Lovely for a fan whose love of sci-fi grew from real astronomy.
On Amazonabout $47

For the desk and shelf

Small, inexpensive pieces that add a bit of wonder to a desk, bookcase or office. Good for stockings and swaps.

16.
Plasma Globe Lightning Ball
Thames & Kosmos The Plasma Ball
A glass sphere of glowing filaments that chase your fingertips. Pure retro sci-fi, and a small physics lesson too.
On Amazonabout $20
17.
Retro Sci-Fi Pulp Cover Art Poster Set
Rockets, robots and bug-eyed aliens in the style of mid-century magazine covers. Cheap wall art for an office or game room.
On Amazonabout $22
18.
Dragon Bookends Pair
Pacific Giftware Fantasy Dragon Head Resin Bookends
Heavy resin dragons in an aged bronze finish, guarding a row of fantasy paperbacks. A natural pairing with a book gift.
On Amazonabout $70
19.
Heat-Changing Galaxy Mug
A black mug that reveals a swirling nebula when the coffee goes in. Small, cheap and a nice surprise every morning.
On Amazonabout $20

What kind of fan are they?

The words sci-fi and fantasy cover a lot of ground, and fans usually have a home within it. Some love space opera like Star Wars and Star Trek, where the adventure and the characters matter most. Some prefer hard science fiction, where the physics has to hold up. Fantasy fans may love the epic quests of Tolkien and his descendants, or the smaller, character-led stories that have become popular more recently. Many also have a favorite franchise they follow across books, shows and games.

Their bookshelf will tell you a lot, and so will their reading app if they use one to track books. For a reader who seems to have everything, a bookseller at an independent store can suggest something new based on their favorites. And for the social fan, consider an experience: tickets to a local fan convention, a film marathon at a revival theater, or a seat at a D&D game in a local game store, which many run for beginners.

Shop this guide by price

Shopping tips for genre fans

Work out where they live in the genre: space opera, hard sci-fi, epic fantasy or a particular franchise. Buy for that, not for the genre in general.
Check their shelf before buying a classic. Many fans already own the famous titles, though a nicer edition of a favorite is always welcome.
For tabletop gamers, ask which game and edition their group plays before buying rulebooks.
Build-it gifts suit fans who enjoy projects. A big LEGO set is a commitment of several evenings, which for many fans is the point.
For more ideas, tell our gift finder about the books, shows and games they love.

Questions about sci-fi and fantasy gifts

What’s a good book to give a sci-fi fan?

It depends on their taste. Project Hail Mary suits someone who loves science and humor, The Left Hand of Darkness suits a reader who enjoys ideas and character, and the Three-Body Problem trilogy suits a patient reader who loves enormous concepts.

What do you get a fantasy fan who has read everything?

Try a beautiful edition of a favorite they already own, dragon bookends for the shelf, or a step into tabletop role-playing with a D&D starter set. Tickets to a fan convention are another gift a well-read fan will enjoy.

Is a D&D starter set a good gift for beginners?

Yes. It includes simplified rules, pre-made characters, dice and an adventure designed for first-time players and a first-time game master, so a group of friends can start playing the same evening.

What are cheap gifts for sci-fi fans?

A paperback of Dune or Project Hail Mary, a heat-changing galaxy mug, a metal starship kit, a plasma globe or a set of retro pulp posters all cost under $25.

Gifts for Board Game Fans Gifts for Stargazers Gifts for Chess Players Gifts for Gamers Gifts for Science Nerds Gifts for LEGO Fans Gifts for Movie Lovers Gifts for Kids by Age

A reading list you can wrap

Know exactly who it’s for?

For the tabletop adventurer

Things to build

For the desk and shelf

What kind of fan are they?

Shop this guide by price

Under $25

$25–$50

$50–$100

$100+

Shopping tips for genre fans

Questions about sci-fi and fantasy gifts

Related gift guides

A reading list you can wrap

Know exactly who it’s for?

For the tabletop adventurer

Things to build

For the desk and shelf

What kind of fan are they?

Shop this guide by price

Under $25

$25–$50

$50–$100

$100+