If you’re Christmas shopping for a film lover, you don’t necessarily have to pick the perfect movie or box set for them – there are all kinds of books they’ll love too. From coffee-table tomes delving into the making of their favourite imagined worlds, to novels telling the original stories adapted for the screen, art books with beautiful illustrations, and much more, there’s plenty to choose from.
And Empire is here to help – we’ve picked the pages that any film fan would be thrilled to find in their stocking this Christmas. We have deluxe hardback editions of favourites like Jurassic Park, stunning Star Wars art books delving into The Mandalorian and the Prequel Trilogy, works exploring ‘80s classics like Aliens and the SNL-adjacent comedies of the era, and plenty more besides. From display pieces to rip-roaring adventures and more, take a look at our list of recommendations below.
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Empire Christmas Gift Guide 2020: Books
1 of 12The Art Of Star Wars: The Mandalorian, £22.19
As if the show itself wasn’t good enough, each episode of the Star Wars live-action series ends with stunning concept art that inspired the imagery and set-pieces. And there’s plenty more where that came from in this coffee-table (or should that be frog-soup-table?) book.amazon.co.uk
2 of 12Jurassic Park – Michael Crichton, Folio Society Edition, £39.95
You know how it goes: God creates dinosaurs. God destroys dinosaurs. God creates man. Man creates novel about man creating dinosaurs. Other man makes movie masterpiece of novel. You inherit this beautiful hardback tome on Christmas day.foliosociety.com
3 of 12Frank Herbert’s Dune: The Graphic Novel – Volume 1, £12.93
This was supposed to be the Christmas of Denis Villeneuve’s Dune. Since it’s been pushed back by a whole year, ease the pain with a different kind of adaptation – one that presents the epic sci-fi story in comic book form. Consider it a beautifully-drawn primer on all that tricky space politics.amazon.co.uk
4 of 12The Making Of Aliens – J.W. Rinzler, £29.93
Anyone who argues that James Cameron’s sweltering action sequel is better than Ridley Scott’s clammy space-horror original will appreciate this massive making-of book, packed with stills from the film, illustrations, and insights into the production. Game over, man! Game over!amazon.co.uk
5 of 12Killing Floor – Lee Child, Folio Society Edition, £49.95
A must for any Jack Reacher fan – the very first book in Lee Child’s series about the former Army major turned wandering lone-wolf, given the deluxe Folio Society treatment. We think it looks stunning. Reacher, as ever, said nothing.foliosociety.com
6 of 12Wild And Crazy Guys – Nick de Semlyen, £8.12
From Empire’s very own Deputy Editor comes a chronicle of the comedy legends who emerged from SNL in the ’70s and ’80s – including Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, John Candy and more – and blazed across the screen (and off it too) making firm favourite films, indulging in self-destructive behaviour, and crossing paths with each other along the way.amazon.co.uk
7 of 12Ridley Scott: A Retrospective – Ian Nathan, £27.06
The British filmmaker behind Alien, Blade Runner, Gladiator and more is a true cinematic legend. Writer (and Empire contributor) Ian Nathan delves into the thematic throughlines that have defined his career in a major hardback coffee-table book.amazon.co.uk
8 of 12Ready Player Two – Ernest Cline, £15.29
After writing one of the geekiest adventure stories of all time (and having it adapted for the screen by no less than Steven Spielberg), Ernest Cline returns with the next chapter in the story of Wade Watts and the Virtual Reality OASIS.amazon.co.uk
9 of 12The Star Wars Archives 1999-2005, £100.57
The second volume of Taschen’s ultimate Star Wars book, by film historian Paul Duncan, charts the making of the Prequel Trilogy. If the films aren’t as beloved as the originals, they saw George Lucas break major ground in Hollywood with digital production techniques, conjuring distinctive worlds and creatures in his galaxy far, far away. amazon.co.uk
10 of 12A Clash Of Kings – George R.R. Martin, Folio Society Edition, £125
The world of Westeros demands premium presentation – and luckily, the second volume of A Song Of Ice And Fire has made its Folio Society debut with illustrations by Jonathan Burton. Baratheons, battles, Blackwater – it’s all here.foliosociety.com
11 of 12Inside No. 9: The Scripts – Collector’s Edition, £35.35
Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith’s darkly comic anthology series is one of the best British shows around – with high-concept screenplays that shine with character and ideas and invention. Which makes this set of the first three series’ scripts so desirable, presented in luxurious hardback in one collectible set.amazon.co.uk
12 of 12Empire Magazine Subscription
OK, we’re not a book – but what would be better for a film fan to receive on Christmas Day than an Empire subscription? Get brand new issues through your door monthly, packed with massive interviews, the latest reviews, first looks at the latest blockbusters and more, with exclusive subscriber-only covers – quite literally the gift that keeps on giving..greatmagazines.co.uk