Listen to ‘The Odyssey’ Audiobook Narrated By Claire Danes, Dan Stevens, Ian McKellen, Before Watching New Film

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Few literary works carry the weight of Homer’s The Odyssey. Believed to have been composed nearly 3,000 years ago, the ancient Greek epic has been mostly appreciated by students of classical literature and lovers of ancient history. But Christopher Nolan’s ambitious cinematic adaptation — starring Matt Damon, Elliot Page, Zendaya, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Travis Scott, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Lupita Nyong’o and others — is introducing this mythical universe to a larger audience.

Due out in theaters July 17, the Universal Pictures film is Nolan’s latest project following Oppenheimer in 2023, and was produced with a reported $250 million budget. But for those looking to understand the story — and fast — before watching the movie, an audiobook offers a shortcut through one of literature’s longest stories.

Over centuries, translations of this written epic have ended up being over 500 pages, detailing the decade-long journey of Odysseus as he attempts to return home after the Trojan War. But on Audible, several audio versions of The Odyssey — narrated by acclaimed performers and scholars — have brought new energy to Homer’s ancient poem in just a few hours.

Here’s a look at the best audiobook versions of The Odyssey that you can listen to online right now. A bonus: Amazon is currently offering a limited-time Audible deal that gets you access for just $0.99/month for your first three months of service. The deal also includes a $20 site credit. Use the Audible deal to stream thousands of audiobooks, podcasts and playlists online. You also get one digital download a month that is yours to keep, even if you cancel your membership. See full details here.

The audiobook holds a 4.6 rating from more than 4,000 Audible listeners, making it a widely-praised introduction to Homer’s masterpiece. One reviewer described the translations as “so accessible” to modern listeners.

Narrated by Downton Abbey alum Dan Stevens, the unabridged Macmillan Audio edition was released in 2014 and runs 10 hours and 15 minutes.

Stevens’ theatrical voice complements Fitzgerald’s lyrical style, creating an immersive listening experience. The audiobook has earned a 4.7 Audible rating from more than a thousand listeners.

McKellen’s dramatic Shakespearean voice is perfectly suited to this ancient story, as Odysseus encounters gods, creatures and impossible obstacles. The audiobook has a 4.5 Audible rating from more than 3,500 listeners, and remains a favorite among classic literature fans.

Available on Audible, the audiobook also includes its precursor, The Iliad, as part of a 15-book series. One of the shorter versions of the journey, BBC’s stream of The Odyssey was re-released in 2026 and is currently number-one on Amazon’s ancient history audiobook chart. This stream clocks in at three hours and 49 minutes.

Listen to this version of The Odyssey for $0.99 or stream it free online with a free trial to Audible Standard here.

Released in 2025, this unabridged Chronicle Books audiobook runs 10 hours and 37 minutes and is narrated by Fry himself. As the fourth installment in his “Mythos” series, it has earned an impressive 4.9 Audible rating from 1,400 listeners, appealing to both mythology newcomers and longtime classics readers. It’s also the current number-one bestseller on Amazon’s Greek history audiobooks chart.

The new Odyssey film stars Damon in the titular role, with Holland playing Odysseus’ son, Telemachus, Hathaway playing Odysseus’ wife, Penelope, and Theron as the nymph, Calypso (Theron). Pattinson plays Penelope’s suitor, Antinous, who schemes to marry the queen and become the ruler of Ithaca.