Rowling
Harry Potter
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Harry Potter
J.K. Rowling - Series books
The other defining kids' fantasy series. If your kid loved Percy, Harry is the natural next step.
Adaptation guide
Rick Riordan books & 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.
Riordan
The Lightning Thief
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1
Riordan
The Lightning Thief
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1
Read the book behind the screen version
Start with The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan, then follow the full reading order.Listen on AudiblePercy Jackson books in order →Best Percy Jackson book to start with →Rick Riordan reading guide →
Book to screen, by book publication
| Book | Pub. | Adaptation | Released | Type | Score | Watch on | Get the book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Lightning Thief | 2005 | Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief | 2010 | Film | 49% | Disney+ | Read on Kindle→ |
The Sea of Monsters | 2006 | Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters | 2013 | Film | 42% | Disney+ | Read on Kindle→ |
The Lightning Thief | 2005 | Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Season 1) | 2023 | Series | 93% | Disney+ | Read on Kindle→ |
Best way to read and watch
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.
See the full reading order →Where to watch
Disney+3 titles
Streaming availability changes monthly. We re-check this table regularly.
Buy or rent on Amazon →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.
Watch the Disney+ series first (it is faithful to the books). The Fox films (2010, 2013) are separate and less accurate. The show and films have no shared continuity.
Much more so than the Fox films. Rick Riordan was directly involved in the writing. Season 1 covers The Lightning Thief closely.
If you like Rick Riordan
More to read and watch.
Riordan
The Kane Chronicles
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The Kane Chronicles
Rick Riordan - Series books
Same author, same formula, Egyptian mythology instead of Greek. Reads like a Percy Jackson spinoff.
mythologymiddle gradeadventure
Mull
Fablehaven
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Fablehaven
Brandon Mull - Series books
Hidden magical preserves, dangerous creatures, and siblings who get in over their heads. Great for 10 to 14 year olds.
fantasymiddle gradecreatures
Riordan
Percy Jackson books in order
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Percy Jackson books in order
Rick Riordan - Novel books
The full 5-book reading order. Start with The Lightning Thief.
Riordan
Best Percy Jackson books ranked
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Best Percy Jackson books ranked
Rick Riordan - Novel books
All 5 books ranked from best to weakest.
Riordan
Rick Riordan reading guide
✦
Rick Riordan reading guide
Rick Riordan - Novel books
The full Riordan universe reading order across all mythology series.
Netflix
The Witcher
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The Witcher
Netflix - TV books
Mythology-heavy fantasy with monsters and moral ambiguity. For older kids who aged out of Percy.
fantasydarkNetflix
Disney+
Loki
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Loki
Disney+ - TV books
Norse mythology meets time travel. Fills the same mythology-as-adventure niche as Percy Jackson.
MarvelmythologyDisney+
Ready to start reading?
Start with The Lightning Thief, then follow the full reading order when you are ready to keep going.
Contains affiliate linksUpdated June 2026