Adaptation guide

Rick Riordanbooks & movies in order

Every essential book matched to its screen version - 3 adaptations - Updated June 2026

Percy Jackson's path to screen has been rocky. Two Fox films disappointed fans and the author alike, but Disney+ finally delivered a faithful adaptation with Riordan directly involved in the writers' room.

Book to screen, by book publication

BookPub.AdaptationReleasedTypeScoreWatch onRead
The Lightning Thief
The Lightning Thief
2005Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief2010Film49%Disney+Read →
The Sea of Monsters
The Sea of Monsters
2006Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters2013Film42%Disney+Read →
The Lightning Thief
The Lightning Thief
2005Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Season 1)2023Series93%Disney+Read →
Recommended read & watch order

Skip the films entirely and go straight to the Disney+ series. The 2010 and 2013 films aged out the characters, cut major plot points, and frustrated fans. The 2023 series follows the book faithfully and has Riordan's blessing.

Where to watch

Max5 titles
Netflix2 titles
Prime Video3 titles
Hulu1 title

Streaming availability changes monthly. We re-check this table regularly.

Where to buy & read

Frequently asked questions

Only as curiosities. They aged Percy up to a teenager, cut key characters and plot points, and collapsed after two films. Rick Riordan publicly criticized them. The Disney+ series is the definitive adaptation.

That is the plan. Season 1 covers The Lightning Thief. Each subsequent season is expected to adapt one book, pending renewal.

Absolutely. The series was designed to work for new audiences. That said, kids who read the books tend to enjoy the show even more because of the details Riordan wove in for readers.

Contains affiliate linksUpdated June 2026