Best Selling Novels Of All Time – Top 25 List
We can all probably name a few best sellers off the top of our heads. Writing a best-selling novel is probably the ultimate marker of success for an author. As impressive as it is, there are certain novels that transcend time and culture and achieve a truly enduring popularity. In this article, we embark on that journey, aiming to spotlight the top 25 best-selling novels of all time that have left an indelible mark on the world.
Table Of Contents
Top 25 Best-Selling Novels Ever
Before we get into the best sellers, I have to note a few things. First, many of these sales numbers are approximate, but I have done my best to compile the most accurate info from across many sites and threads.
This list excludes things like comics, textbooks, religious, political, and philosophical texts. Certain other books that would surely be somewhere on the list but aren’t included are things like The Lord of the Rings, which is both old and has been sold as a three-volume series, a single combined volume, and many more.
In other words, when there were no consistent estimates, I left them off the list. For each entry, you’ll find the author, publication date, approximate date, genre, and a small synopsis. Now, without further ado, let’s jump in.
25. The Tale of Peter Rabbit
- Author: Beatrix Potter
- First published: 1902
- Approximate sales: 45 million
- Genre: Children’s literature
This charming story with its endearing characters and beautiful illustrations has captivated young readers for over a century, exploring themes of obedience and the consequences of disobedience in a gentle and engaging way.
24. The Ginger Man
- Author: J. P. Donleavy
- First published: 1955
- Approximate sales: 50 million
Sebastian Dangerfield, an American law student in post-war Dublin, navigates a world of debt, drink, and increasingly desperate schemes. His chaotic pursuits of pleasure and freedom, often at the expense of others, are rendered with a biting wit and a lyrical, stream-of-consciousness style that pulls readers into his anarchic existence, making them wonder what outrageous situation he’ll tumble into next.
23. Charlotte’s Web
- Author: E. B. White
- First published: 1952
- Approximate sales: 50 million
Fern’s love saves Wilbur the pig from an early demise, but it’s the quiet wisdom and devoted friendship of Charlotte the spider that truly ensure his future. The detailed, comforting rhythms of farm life are a backdrop to a story of profound loyalty and the acceptance of life’s natural cycles, leaving a lingering warmth long after the final page.
22. Watership Down
- Author: Richard Adams
- First published: 1972
- Approximate sales: 50 million
- Genre: Children’s fiction
When their warren faces destruction, a band of wild rabbits embarks on a perilous journey across the English countryside to find a new home. Their desperate struggle for survival, guided by the visionary Fiver and the brave Hazel, reveals the intricate social dynamics and ancient folklore of their kind, painting a vivid picture of courage and community against overwhelming odds.
21. The Eagle Has Landed
- Author: Jack Higgins
- First published: 1975
- Approximate sales: 50 million
- Genre: War, thriller
A crack team of German paratroopers, led by the resourceful Colonel Steiner, infiltrates a quiet English village with a seemingly impossible mission: to abduct Winston Churchill. Every step of their daring plan is meticulously detailed, keeping readers on edge as the tension mounts, wondering if their audacious gambit could possibly succeed against all odds.
20. The Name of the Rose (Il Nome della Rosa)
- Author: Umberto Eco
- First published: 1980
- Approximate sales: 50 million
- Genre: Historical novel, mystery
In a secluded medieval abbey, Franciscan friar William of Baskerville arrives to investigate a series of mysterious deaths. Amidst ancient manuscripts, secret passages, and theological debates, he applies deductive reasoning to unravel a complex web of intrigue and heresy. The intricate details of monastic life and the intellectual pursuit of truth against a backdrop of chilling murder offer a puzzle that challenges and fascinates.
19. Black Beauty
- Author: Anna Sewell
- First published: 1877
- Approximate sales: 50 million
- Genre: Children’s literature
The life story of a beautiful, well-bred horse, Black Beauty, unfolds from his own perspective, charting his journey through various owners – some kind, some cruel – in Victorian England. His experiences offer a window into the often harsh realities of animal treatment, subtly encouraging empathy and compassion through his trials and triumphs.
18. Anne of Green Gables
- Author: Lucy Maud Montgomery
- First published: 1908
- Approximate sales: 50 million
- Genre: Children’s novel
A spirited, imaginative orphan named Anne Shirley arrives at Green Gables by mistake, initially disappointing Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, who expected a boy. Her vibrant personality, knack for getting into scrapes, and vivid inner world quickly win them over, as she charms her way into the hearts of an entire island, proving that a unique perspective can truly transform a quiet life.
17. Heidi
- Author: Johanna Spyri
- First published: 1880
- Approximate sales: 50 million
- Genre: Children’s fiction
Young orphan Heidi is sent to live with her gruff grandfather in the Swiss Alps, where her bright spirit and love for nature slowly thaw his reserved heart. Her simple joys, deep connection to the mountains, and unwavering kindness bring light to everyone she meets, embodying the enduring power of innocence and the restorative beauty of the natural world.
16. Lolita
- Author: Vladimir Nabokov
- First published: 1955
- Approximate sales: 50 million
- Genre: Novel
Humbert Humbert, a middle-aged literature professor, becomes obsessed with 12-year-old Dolores Haze, whom he renames “Lolita.” His narrative, a dazzling and disturbing confession, meticulously details his psychological entanglement and the disturbing journey they embark on across America, all while demonstrating the seductive and deceptive power of language.
15. One Hundred Years of Solitude (Cien años de soledad)
- Author: Gabriel García Márquez
- First published: 1967
- Approximate sales: 50 million
- Genre: Magic realism
The Buendía family founds the mythical town of Macondo, and their saga unfolds over a century, brimming with love, war, incest, revolutions, and fantastical occurrences – from flying carpets to prophesying gypsies. The intoxicating blend of the mundane and the miraculous, all rendered with lush, poetic language, creates a universe that feels both utterly alien and profoundly human.
14. The Bridges of Madison County
- Author: Robert James Waller
- First published: 1992
- Approximate sales: 60 million
- Genre: Romance
Francesca Johnson, an Iowa farm wife, finds her quiet life irrevocably changed by the arrival of Robert Kincaid, a National Geographic photographer. Their intense, four-day affair, sparked by an unexpected connection, explores the poignant beauty of a love that can only exist briefly, leaving a bittersweet ache of what might have been.
13. The Catcher in the Rye
- Author: J. D. Salinger
- First published: 1951
- Approximate sales: 65 million
- Genre: Coming-of-age
Holden Caulfield, a cynical and alienated teenager, recounts his adventures in New York City after being expelled from prep school. His distinctive voice, full of witty observations and raw vulnerability, captures the universal angst of adolescence, as he grapples with phoniness, identity, and the elusive desire to protect innocence in a complicated world.
12. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
- Author: J. K. Rowling
- First published: 1998
- Approximate sales: 77 million
- Genre: Fantasy, children’s fiction
Harry’s second year at Hogwarts brings new dark mysteries as students are petrified, and a secret chamber is opened. The familiar comfort of Hogwarts is tested by sinister whispers and lurking threats, pulling readers deeper into the intricate lore of the wizarding world and intensifying the bond with Harry, Ron, and Hermione as they face growing dangers together.
11. The Da Vinci Code
- Author: Dan Brown
- First published: 2003
- Approximate sales: 80 million
- Genre: Mystery thriller
Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is called to the Louvre after a murder, discovering a trail of cryptic clues hidden in Da Vinci’s art and history. The relentless pace of the chase, combined with tantalizing theories about religious history and secret societies, propels readers through a world of ancient enigmas and modern conspiracies.
10. She: A History of Adventure
- Author: H. Rider Haggard
- First published: 1887
- Approximate sales: 83 million
- Genre: Adventure
Two English adventurers venture into the heart of Africa, discovering a lost civilization ruled by the mysterious and immortal queen Ayesha, or “She-who-must-be-obeyed.” The exotic setting, the enigmatic queen’s power, and the perilous journey into uncharted lands ignite a primal sense of wonder and the thrill of exploration.
9. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
- Author: C.S. Lewis
- First published: 1950
- Approximate sales: 85 million
- Genre: Fantasy, children’s fiction
Four siblings discover the magical land of Narnia through a wardrobe, a world enchanted by the White Witch’s endless winter. Their journey to meet Aslan, the great lion, and help restore Narnia, paints a timeless picture of good versus evil, sacrifice, and the profound triumph of spring after a long, dark, cold winter.
8. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
- Author: Lewis Carroll
- First published: 1865
- Approximate sales: 100 million
- Genre: Fantasy, absurdist fiction
Alice tumbles down a rabbit hole into a nonsensical world populated by peculiar characters like the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, and the Queen of Hearts. Her curious encounters and the playful subversion of logic invite readers to delight in the absurd and explore the boundaries of imagination, where anything is possible.
7. The Hobbit
- Author: J. R. R. Tolkien
- First published: 1937
- Approximate sales: 100 million
- Genre: Fantasy, children’s fiction
Bilbo Baggins, a peace-loving hobbit, is unexpectedly swept away on an adventure with a company of dwarves and the wizard Gandalf to reclaim their treasure from the dragon Smaug. His transformation from reluctant homebody to resourceful hero, set in a meticulously crafted world of elves, goblins, and ancient lore, offers the ultimate journey of self-discovery.
6. Dream of the Red Chamber
- Autho: Cao Xueqin
- First published: 1791
- Approximate sales: 100 million
- Genre: Family saga
This sprawling epic follows the fortunes and misfortunes of the Jia family, an aristocratic clan, through the eyes of its sensitive young protagonist, Jia Baoyu. The intricate web of relationships, the rich details of 18th-century Chinese elite life, and the poignant exploration of love, illusion, and the inevitable decline of even the grandest families draw readers into a world of both beauty and sorrow.
5. And Then There Were None
- Author: Agatha Christie
- First published: 1939
- Approximate sales: 100 million
- Genre: Mystery
Ten strangers, each with a hidden past, are lured to a remote island, only to find themselves picked off one by one according to a chilling nursery rhyme. The relentless tension and clever unfolding of the murders, with no apparent killer among them, compel readers to frantically guess alongside the diminishing cast, hoping to solve the impossible puzzle before it’s too late.
4. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
- Author: J. K. Rowling
- First published: 1997
- Approximate sales: 120 million
- Genre: Fantasy, children’s fiction
Eleven-year-old Harry Potter, living a miserable life with his abusive aunt and uncle, discovers he is a wizard destined for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. His entry into a hidden world of magic, friendship, and adventure, along with the tantalizing mystery of his past, immediately transports readers into a realm where anything is possible and extraordinary destinies await.
3. The Alchemist (O Alquimista)
- Author: Paulo Coelho
- First published: 1988
- Approximate sales: 150 million
- Genre: Fantasy
Santiago, a young Andalusian shepherd, dreams of a hidden treasure near the Egyptian pyramids and embarks on a journey to find it. His encounters with wise mentors, challenges, and moments of profound insight along the way encourage readers to reflect on their own aspirations, trust their intuition, and believe in the profound power of pursuing one’s true calling.
2. The Little Prince (Le Petit Prince)
- Author: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
- First published: 1943
- Approximate sales: 200 million
- Genre: Fantasy, children’s fiction
A pilot stranded in the Sahara Desert encounters a peculiar young prince who has traveled from a distant asteroid, visiting various planets and their strange inhabitants. Their conversations, seemingly simple, offer profound insights into the nature of love, friendship, loss, and the importance of looking beyond superficial appearances to see the true essence of things.
1. A Tale of Two Cities
- Author: Charles Dickens
- First published: 1859
- Approximate sales: >200 million
- Genre: Historical fiction
Set amidst the brutal upheaval of the French Revolution, the novel interweaves the fates of Sydney Carton, a dissolute English lawyer, and Charles Darnay, a French aristocrat. Their lives become entangled through love, sacrifice, and the relentless machinery of revolution, culminating in a powerful story of redemption and the enduring human spirit amidst chaos and suffering.
Key Takeaways: Why Novels Become All-Time Best Sellers?
Looking at this list of best-selling novels, it seems several patterns emerge for which types of books capture truly enduring popularity. For example, a significant portion of these works are beloved children’s books like The Little Prince, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and many more. This makes sense when you consider that many of these stories are passed down through generations as nostalgic parents and schools introduce them to kids.
Beyond childhood favorites, many of the most successful novels delve deeply into the human condition. Things like A Tale of Two Cities, One Hundred Years of Solitude, and The Catcher in the Rye touch on universal themes of love, loss, and the complexities of human nature. These being universal experiences allows readers across different times and cultures to find resonance and meaning within the stories.
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Interestingly, some of the more modern entries, such as the Harry Potter series, I suppose, achieve their immense popularity through captivating world-building, relatable characters, and epic adventures that tap into some desire for magic, wonder, and imagination on a grand scale. All this said, each novel on the list, to some degree, probably has the zeitgeist of the given are to thank as well.
Conclusion
There you have it, my friends, the top 25 best selling novels of all time. While we can’t all have our names etched into the history books, some can. So, check out my articles on:
- How To Write A Novel: Simple 5-Step Guide
- How To Know If You’re A Good Writer
- How To Get A Book Published (The traditional method)
- How To Publish A Book On Amazon
Now all that is left to do is get out there and write. If you don’t already use LivingWriter for your novels, check it out via the link. Voted the best writing app of 2025 – From story outlines to more unique characters, LivingWriter helps you reach your full potential.