Collider ranks landmark fantasy novels by their influence on the genre, arguing that they changed how writers approached world-building, heroism, magic and conflict. The article emphasises their wider cultural impact, including their influence on later fiction, tabletop role-playing games and video games.

– 10. *The Black Company* (1984) — Glen Cook is credited with helping establish grimdark through its morally ambiguous mercenaries and costly warfare.
– 9. *The Name of the Wind* (2007) — Patrick Rothfuss is praised for centring language, music, learning and psychological depth within epic fantasy.
– 8. *A Game of Thrones* (1996) — George R. R. Martin’s politically driven, unpredictable story helped popularise gritty fantasy for a mass audience.