Cool Holiday Gifts: Books

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

It's that time again; Holiday Gift Guide time! We kicked off things with Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals and we will also feature guides on Blu-ray, Box Sets, Collectibles and Toys! But first, here is our list of the best books to buy for the movie fan in your life (or maybe just for yourself!)

If you're a geek like me, then you've probably got rows upon rows of pop culture books that hold a strong sense of nostalgia and importance to your nerd habits. From written works of fiction, behind-the-scenes art books, movie-related tie-ins, or comics and graphic novels, there's a bevy of book-bound goods that bring joy and happiness to satiate any fanboy/girl and help fill those lonely shelves. This year is no different, with plenty to offer in all those departments. Take a gander at some of the coolest (and timeliest) books for this Holiday season!

DISCLAIMER: These prices can be fickle, so there's no telling if and when a money-saving opportunity might end or if the price may change. So if you want something – snap that shit up quick! Don't wait, only to have Festivus roll around and discover you've nothing to give or the price suddenly changed and you no longer have the bread. And remember that if you want to support JoBlo.com, please use our links below for your purchases. We thank you in advance!

Stranger Things: Worlds Turned Upside Down: The Official Behind-the-Scenes Companion ($18.00)

The fanbase surrounding Stranger Things is as fervent as ever. With the third season premiering over a year after the second season finished, fans are clamoring for something to tide them over. This book is packaged like it came right out of Hawkins Public Library and is chock full of photos and tidbits behind the creation of the hit series. This is a fun gift for anyone who loves the 80s homage series.

The Art and Making of AQUAMAN ($28.46)

The DCEU is in a state of flux right now with competing visions trying to balance the dark and gritty (BATMAN V SUPERMAN) and the brighter and inspirational (WONDER WOMAN). James Wan's AQUAMAN looks to be a nice blend of both while still embracing the completely bonkers side of any great comic book world. The movie looks to be a wonderful way to wrap up 2018 and this book should be a nice gift for any comic fan who appreciates the effort that goes into making a film like this a reality.

Stan Lee: The Man Behind Marvel ($16.95)

The world was saddened by the passing of the great Stan Lee. His legacy and creations will last forever, but we will never stop celebrating the man himself who was a beacon of happiness for everyone around him. All True Believers should get a copy of this new biography that chronicles Lee's rise from scrappy young man to enlisted soldier to the creator of Marvel Comics' most enduring superheroes.

Marvel Studios: The First Ten Years ($20.12)

As 2018 comes to a close, so does the celebration of Marvel Studios' first ten years. With plenty more films on the horizon, this book is a nice keepsake to reflect back on the three phases and blockbuster films that have come to change the landscape of franchise filmmaking forever. Full of easter eggs and trivia that even the most hardcore fan may not know, this is essential for any Marvel library.

Fantastic Beasts: The Magizoologist's Discovery Case ($25.31)

J.K. Rowling's latest film has hit theaters and stirred controversy with a wild reveal that will keep fans scratching their heads for two more years. Until then, there are countless Harry Potter box sets and gifts to choose from, but this fun one takes the form of Newt Scamander's suitcase. Open it to reveal all sorts of cool details about the magical creatures that populate the Wizarding World. A great choice for kids and adults alike.

Space Odyssey: Stanley Kubrick, Arthur C. Clarke, and the Making of a Masterpiece ($20.40)

2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY is and will forever be a landmark in cinema history. From the script to the production itself, this book looks into everything that went into the painstakingly detailed creation that transcends the science fiction genre to be something so much more. The word masterpiece is thrown around a lot, but this book will show you why 2001 deserves that title.

All the Pieces Matter: The Inside Story of The Wire ($15.45)

The Wire is one of the most critically acclaimed series of all time and there are so many people who have not seen it. While I highly encourage you to jump into the show, fans who have rewatched the series again and again will love this book that looks into how the crime drama came to be. Full of details that will make you want to rewatch it for the millionth time, this is a great book about the creation of one of HBO's best creations.

Never Grow Up by Jackie Chan ($17.10)

The career of Jackie Chan is one of the few that crosses countries and film industries in equal success. From his beginnings as a martial artist and stuntman to his days as a singer and Hollywood star, this book tells us, in Jackie Chan's own words, what that journey was like.

Die Hard: The Ultimate Visual History ($31.45)

A behind the scenes book about DIE HARD would have been cool enough, but filling it with tons and tons of photographs from the movies makes this a must own. Part reference book and part coffee table book, this is a stunningly detailed collector's item that will have the recipient shouting yippee-kay-yay and maybe motherfucker, too!

The Coen Brothers: This Book Really Ties the Films Together ($25.47)

Anything about the Coens is a must-own in my opinion, but this one may be the best. Full of big photographs and tons of details about the creation of all the films by the Coens, this big tome is almost beyond description. It goes into more detail than you would expect and shows how the themes and styles that the Coens have employed over the years have connections you never realized were there.

Harry Potter: A Pop-Up Guide to Hogwarts ($67.50)

Bedtime will never be the same now that you can investigate the hidden rooms, moving staircases, and other details of Hogwarts castle in the comfort of your own home. Pop-up books are always fun to flip through and this one may put all others to shame with an attention to detail unlike any other book I have seen. Potter fans and book buffs will both love this volume.

Star Wars: Smuggler's Guide ($67.61)

Whether you enjoyed SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY or not, you probably still love the character of Han Solo. This book is designed to look like something directly from Corellia or Coruscant and is full of very cool reproductions of items from Solo's personal belongings. A very cool keepsake that you will have as much fun opening as you will reading.

Batman/Catwoman: The Wedding Album – Deluxe Version $8.24

Did you know Batman and Catwoman were engaged to be married earlier this year? It's true! Find out how the whole affair went down in the collected edition of Batman issues 22, 44 and 50, as well as more than 30 variant covers and behind-the-scenes sketches and more!

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse -The Art of the Movie ($25.44)

Sony's first animated Spider-man movie has a visual style unlike any other movie I have ever seen. Bringing together a bunch of versions of Spider-man in a single film may never happen in a live action movie, but if this film ends up being as good as the trailers, we are in luck. This book follows the same structure as all of the other Marvel art books which means it is informative and full of very cool alternate designs that may make their way into future movies some day.

Marvel Studios Visual Dictionary ($17.54)

I love visual dictionaries and this could be one of my favorites. Full of breakdowns of everything from the Infinity Stones to the components of the Iron Man armor, this is a book that kids will love to look at and grown ups will pore over as they watch the feature films. Updated to include the most recent films in the MCU, this is an awesome resource to differentiate Quantum Realms from Mirror Dimensions.

The Night's Eye by J. A. Hamilton ($14.99)

We here at JoBlo.com are not just movie fanboys. Many of us have aspirations to be writers and filmmakers. A select few of us have actually lived the dream and when those achievements happen, we want to celebrate our friends. JoBlo alum John Hamilton published his first novel this year and it is a doozy. Following a serial killer with a unique modus operandi, this novel is full of pop culture references that makes it read like it was written with the JoBlo.com reader in mind. You won't be disappointed with this book!

Home Alone: The Classic Illustrated Storybook ($13.69)

Last year, DIE HARD got the children's book treatment and this year HOME ALONE earns the honors. Told in the format of the Little Golden Books many of us grew up with, this is a fun take on the violent 1990 family film. It doesn't shy away from the main story of the movie but does present it in a unique way that will make you smile as you turn each page.

The Art of RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET ($25.47)

Whether you are a Disney fanatic or not, you know the House of Mouse always puts an absolute top notch effort into making the best quality animation they can. WRECK-IT RALPH was great and the sequel may be even better. This book, like all Disney art books, is full of the evolving drawings and paintings that led to the film you saw in theaters. A great way to explore how characters and movies change through the development process.

HALLOWEEN: The Changing Shape of an Iconic Series ($33.61)

David Gordon Green and Danny McBride did the unthinkable and made a HALLOWEEN sequel worthy of John Carpenter's original movie. This book serves as a history of everything that has taken place in the last four decades in the HALLOWEEN franchise and how we got to this year's horror hit.

Alien Covenant: David's Drawings ($31.42)

While ALIEN COVENANT disappointed many, Ridley Scott's PROMETHEUS sequel/ALIEN prequel had some brilliant attention to detail. This book compiles all of the drawings littered around David's rooms as seen in the film. The art is really something special and this book lets you get up close and really see aspects that even a 4K freeze frame cannot reveal. The book itself is bound to look like a prop right out of the movie.

Fire & Blood: 300 Years Before A Game of Thrones ($16.04)

With his fans impatiently waiting for the next novel in the ongoing saga of Westeros as well as the upcoming final season of the HBO series, George R.R. Martin is delivering this prequel to tide everyone over. Set three centuries before A Song of Ice and Fire, this book is a nice entry into the fantasy saga for those who have not read any of the other novels.

Stanley Kubrick Photographs: Through a Different Lens ($28.90)

Stanley Kubrick was a master of the film medium, but he also was brilliant in many other forms of artistic expression. This book compiles the photographs taken by Kubrick over the years to give us a look at one of the most astounding filmmaking talents in movie history. A great volume that looks as good on the shelf as it does on your coffee table.

Robin by David Itzkoff ($17.69)

When Robin Williams died, the world lost a legend. There have been documentaries and articles written about the life of the funnyman, but this book is a touching compendium of the actor's life. While not shying away from the darker chapters in his life, this book is a comprehensive look at everything that made him one of the most beloved performers of all time.

STAR WARS: Women of the Galaxy ($19.46)

The future is quite literally female. The expanding STAR WARS franchise has added countless female characters on both sides of the Force with the last decade especially focused on strong role models for young women. But, you don't have to be a woman to appreciate these characters or their backstories. This illustrated volume delves into a bunch of these characters from the big screen to television, animated and live action, giving us a closer look at the layered inhabitants of our favorite galaxy far, far away.

WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER: The Annotated Screenplay ($16.50)

After a sequel and prequel hit Netflix, the exposure that the original film has gained is massive. While I enjoyed a lot about the series follow ups, the feature film is still one of the best comedies of the last twenty years. This annotated screenplay includes notes and excised scenes from the film that will have you laughing your ass off imagining how they would have sounded as performed by the huge ensemble cast.

Blowing the Bloody Doors Off And Other Lessons in Life by Michael Caine ($18.30)

Michael Caine is a legend. He is so damn awesome in comedies, dramas, and comic book movies that you almost forget that his career spans seven decades! In that time, he has accumulated a ton of life lessons, many of which are included in his latest memoir. While I would recommend the audiobook so you can hear these stories in Caine's trademark accent, the hardcover is an equally perfect addition to your library.

Jonesy: Nine Lives on the Nostromo ($10.50)

I am a sucker for books that take adult movies and make them look like family entertainment. Fans of ALIEN know about Jonesy the cat and this graphic novel chronicles his adventures aboard the soon to be doomed spacecraft. In space, no one can hear you scream…but maybe they can hear you purr.

ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL – The Art and Making of the Movie ($36.86)

Though not hitting theaters until early 2019, the trailers for James Cameron and Robert Rodriguez's science fiction collaboration have shown that ALITA is going to be one of the most beautiful movies to hit theaters in a long time. While it may contain spoilers for those not familiar with the manga, this book surely will whet any appetite for the anime-styled action coming our way in February.

BLACK PANTHER: The Ultimate Guide ($19.99)

Marvel's top grossing movie of all time came out almost a year ago but is still raking in the dough thanks to toys and tie-ins like this book. Even if you have watched the movie dozens of times, there are surely things you missed that this book will help point out for you. From back stories to comic book histories, this is an essential for every Marvel Studios fan.

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY: The Official Book of the Movie ($29.16)

Whether you agree with the critics or not, you cannot deny that the story of Queen and lead singer Freddie Mercury is one of the most rousing musical biopics to hit the big screen in a long time. This book is crammed with glossy images that are so vibrant that you can almost feel the music coming from the pages themselves. Definitely a great addition to any library for music or film fans alike.

CADDYSHACK: The Making of a Hollywood Cinderella Story ($14.83)

Of all the sports comedies ever made, CADDYSHACK is by far one of the most beloved. Featuring a cast of some of the talented comedic actors of all time, CADDYSHACK had to have been a blast to make as much as it is to watch. This book chronicles the storied production of the golf movie and features tons of never before heard stories about what it was like working with Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, and Rodney Dangerfield on a movie that would grow to become a classic.