Narnia books in order: your complete reading guide
Jason Boog
The Chronicles of Narnia Publication Order
C.S. Lewis published the seven Chronicles of Narnia books in an epic writing marathon between 1950 and 1956. If you follow the order in which he released the books, you can experience the series the way I did as a kid.The adventure begins with the story of four English children stepping through the famous wardrobe for the first time. I also watched the 1988 BBC adaptation of the story as a kid. The somewhat frightening and awe-inspiring lion at the heart of the story looks a little silly to me in 2026, but I have such powerful memories of the show!1. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950) by C. S. Lewis
In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, four English children are sent to their uncle's house in the country during World War 2. The youngest, Lucy, discovers a wardrobe that is a portal to a magical world, known as Narnia, filled with talking animals, fauns, nymphs, dwarves, and an evil queen who keeps the world always winter but never Christmas. When the rest of her brothers and sisters join her in Narnia, they meet the great Lion Aslan, and quickly become embroiled in a battle between good and evil that will determine the fate of Narnia itself.2. Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia (1951) by C. S. Lewis
Prince Caspian has become part of the canon of classic literature, drawing readers of all ages into a magical land with unforgettable characters for over seventy-five years.3. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952) by C. S. Lewis
Narnia . . . where a dragon awakens . . . where stars walk the earth . . . where anything can happen. A king and some unexpected companions embark on a voyage that will take them beyond all known lands. As they sail farther and farther from charted waters, they discover that their quest is more than they imagined and that the world's end is only the beginning.4. The Silver Chair (1953) by C. S. Lewis
Narnia . . . where giants wreak havoc . . . where evil weaves a spell . . . where enchantment rules. Through dangers untold and caverns deep and dark, a noble band of friends is sent to rescue a prince held captive. But their mission to Underland brings them face-to-face with an evil more beautiful and more deadly than they ever expected.5. The Horse and His Boy (1954) by C. S. Lewis
Narnia . . . where horses talk . . . where treachery is brewing . . . where destiny awaits. On a desperate journey, two runaways meet and join forces. Though they are only looking to escape their harsh and narrow lives, they soon find themselves at the center of a terrible battle. It is a battle that will decide their fate and the fate of Narnia itself.An important note about The Magician's Nephew!
Let’s pause for a second. If you read this order, you’ll notice that you are encountering the February film story nearly at the end of your journey.The Magician's Nephew is directed by Academy Award–nominated filmmaker Greta Gerwig, who directed a 2019 adaptation of Little Women starring an iconic cast that included Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Laura Dern, Timothée Chalamet, and Meryl Streep.The Magician's Nephew is out in theaters on February 12, 2027, and on Netflix on April 2, 2027. Sneak previews in IMAX begin February 10, 2027, teasing the film for a new generation of readers.6. The Magician's Nephew (1955) by C. S. Lewis
Narnia . . . a land frozen in eternal winter . . . a country waiting to be set free. Witness the creation of a magical land in The Magician's Nephew, the first title in C. S. Lewis's classic fantasy series. On a daring quest to save a life, two friends are hurled into another world, where an evil sorceress seeks to enslave them. But then the lion Aslan's song weaves itself into the fabric of a new land, a land that will be known as Narnia. And in Narnia, all things are possible.7. The Last Battle (1956) by C. S. Lewis
Narnia . . . where lies breed fear . . . where loyalty is tested . . . where all hope seems lost. During the last days of Narnia, the land faces its fiercest challenge — not an invader from without but an enemy from within. Lies and treachery have taken root, and only the king and a small band of loyal followers can prevent the destruction of all they hold dear in this, the magnificent ending to The Chronicles of Narnia.The Chronicles of Narnia Chronological Order
Reading the Chronicles of Narnia in chronological order means following Narnia's history from its very creation. Many newer editions number the books this way, which is why readers often encounter The Magician's Nephew listed as Book 1. Here is the chronological sequence:1. The Magician's Nephew
Fable reader Maci: "Re-reading Narnia feels like taking the day off work to go on a trip with an old friend."Read & Discuss The Magician's Nephew on Fable2. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Fable reader Jeneis: “A classic. Narnia was the first book I ever read, and I needed to reread it now that I am well into my book obsessions.”Read & Discuss The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe on Fable3. The Horse and His Boy
Fable reader Faith: "I think I just really enjoy C.S Lewis. This book was so good 😭."Read & Discuss The Horse and His Boy on Fable4. Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia
Fable reader Dakota: "This continuation of the four children and their story and adventures in Narnia is such a sweet one. I love the side characters: stupid and miserable giant, the wee mice, the dwarves, etc. The world gets more and more fantastical with each book!"Read & Discuss Prince Caspian on Fable5. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Fable reader Faith: "Bittersweet ending, and honestly, I love this series. I wish I had read it as a child, but here I am now."Read & Discuss The Voyage of the Dawn Treader on Fable6. The Silver Chair
Fable reader Erika: “Narnia always has my heart. Jill and Eustace are wonderful. Puddlegum is an absolutely wonderful guy. Prince Rilian’s rescue is wonderful, and seeing Caspian again makes me really nostalgic.”Read and discuss The Silver Chair on Fable7. The Last Battle
Fable reader Colin: “NARNIA ALL STARS !! Honestly, a great way to close out this series, and I was impressed by how shocking the few twists were.”Read and discuss The Last Battle on Fable.What Is the Correct Reading Order for the Narnia Series?
Honestly, there’s no right or wrong way to read this series. Fable readers shared a wide variety of opinions."As a massive die-hard fan, I like the publication order,” Tori told me in the post. “This way you follow the characters, which are the heart of the story, and it's the way C S Lewis intended the books to be read. I liked the idea of finding out the history in Magician's Nephew later, as it reveals and makes things more prevalent as you read it. I feel like reading chronologically cheapens the wonder of those discoveries the first time if you already know they're coming. I also felt like reading The Magician's Nephew and Last Battle together really hits hard."A number of readers voted for following publication order just like Tori. When readers follow this path, they learn the backstory as the series unfolds and explore Narnia the way Lewis did while writing the series in the 1950s.Fable reader Rosa added this thought: "I liked starting with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. The Magician's Nephew is a prequel, but it also expands the world. There's something magical about feeling like you understand something and then learning there's so much more to it."That said, a number of readers also argue that starting with The Magician’s Nephew will give readers a whole new appreciation for the series. "I'm a purist about Star Wars and will only watch them in release order, while my daughter watches in chronological order, and I get the rage! Must be an age thing,” confessed Fable reader Katie. “I can't imagine starting anywhere other than The Magician's Nephew and am losing my mind with excitement about the film next year."Fable reader Meg offered this advice: "When I speak to an adult about to read the series for the first time, I recommend The Magician's Nephew. Reading it in chronological order is helpful to establish a foundation. However, when it's a young 'un about to start the series, I definitely recommend starting with The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. In my opinion, it's the better overall story, and it catches their interest and makes them want to read more about this world. Once they're hooked, then you hit 'em with the lore."Frequently Asked Questions About the Narnia Books
What is the order of the Narnia books?
In publication order, the seven Chronicles of Narnia books are: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950); Prince Caspian (1951); The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952); The Silver Chair (1953); The Horse and His Boy (1954); The Magician's Nephew (1955); and The Last Battle (1956). In chronological order, the series begins with The Magician's Nephew and ends with The Last Battle.Should I read The Magician's Nephew or The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe first?
Fable readers think that it depends on whether you are a first-time reader or not. Wordswitch explained: "Based on my preference - publication order for first time readers; chronological for re-reading." "I got a compilation book that has all of the books in one, and it put them in chronological order, starting with The Magician's Nephew," wrote Fable reader Brandi. "I actually really like the world-building and ability to follow the story straight through that way instead of the release schedule."How many Chronicles of Narnia books are there?
There are seven Chronicles of Narnia books, all written by C. S. Lewis and published between 1950 and 1956. The series concludes with The Last Battle, which won the Carnegie Medal — the UK's most prestigious award for children's literature — in 1956.What order did C. S. Lewis intend the Narnia books to be read?
According to the author himself, there is no right or wrong way. "While he 'preferred' chronological order, explained one scholar, they also included a quote from Lewis where he wrote: “perhaps it does not matter very much in which order anyone reads them."Are the Chronicles of Narnia books available as audiobooks on Everand?
Yes — all seven Chronicles of Narnia audiobooks are available on Everand. Each book entry in this my essay links directly to the Everand audiobook page. If you'd rather make a list or read on Fable, I also linked to those books!Keep reading on Everand!
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Jason Boog