List of species in fantasy fiction

Fantasy fiction tends to draw upon a common set of creatures that are easily recognizable to fans of the fantastic genre and have some pre-determined traits. Most are based on mythology, legends, fairy tales, or classical literature. ("For such species, see List of species in folklore and mythology.") Fantasy writers and authors have also created a number of monsters and races unique to their particular tales and worlds. Some of these monsters have become quite popular even among those not familiar with the writer's actual body of work, and in a few cases their popularity has spread to other media and genres.

Many fantasy worlds' humanoid species are referred to as "races". In particular, in role-playing games, "race" often refers to a species that can be played as a player character. In general, such races are humanoids of size, strength and intellect approximate to that of a human. Species available only to non-player characters are often called monsters, regardless of the actual nature of the species in question. The "Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual" is the most prominent RPG monster reference; many other games have similar rulebooks.

This list only includes fictional species from works of fantasy fiction. This list does not include fantasy stories' names for species more properly included in other lists, such as Atani (Humans of Middle-earth) or Melnibonéans (Elves of Michael Moorcock's Elric cycle), nor does it include fictional races of humanity unless they are physiologically different enough to merit separate consideration. For otherworldly species from science fiction and cross-genre fantasy/science fiction works, see list of aliens in fiction. For non-fictional species, see . For purported species such as those found in cryptozoology, see .__TOC__

Anthropomorphic species

Many anthropomorphic species can be found in fantasy fiction, such as:
* Bird people
* Centauroid creatures
* Reptilian humanoids
* Werecreatures (werewolf, werecat)

Cartoons

* Popples
* Smurfs
* Popeye's Jeep

Comics

* Bleach
* Dragon Ball
*
* Moomin
* Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

Dungeons & Dragons

The fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons has created and compiled a large number of monsters and species. Lists of these monsters are available in various Dungeons & Dragons works. Additionally, the various campaign settings feature their own unique monsters, such as:

* Dark Sun
* Dragonlance
*

Other role-playing games and settings

* Runequest
*
* The Fantasy Trip

Gamebooks

Several series of single-player fantasy gamebooks feature extensive bestiaries, such as:
* Fighting Fantasy
* Lone Wolf

Fantasy films

Fantasy films often feature unique species.

Fantasy novels

Fantasy novels are a source of bestiaries, such as:
*
* China Miéville's Bas-Lag
* Beowulf's Grendel
* H. P. Lovecraft's
* Edge Chronicles
* Harry Potter
* Imaro
* Inheritance Cycle
* Lord of the Isles
* Tolkien's
* Mithgar series
* The Riftwar Saga
* "Shannara" series
* The Sword of Truth
* Tamora Pierce's
* The Wheel of Time

Magic: The Gathering

The collectible card game accommodates several hundred "creature types."

Television series

* Buffy the Vampire Slayer
* The Future is Wild

Video games

Video games based in fantasy settings often have extensive lists of monsters, such as:
* AdventureQuest
* "Avernum" series
* Age of Wonders
* "Diablo" series
* Dungeon Keeper
* Dungeon Siege
* The Elder Scrolls
*
* Kingdom Hearts
* Final Fantasy
* The Legend of Zelda
* "Mario" series
* Master of Magic
* "Might and Magic" and "Heroes of Might and Magic" series
* Sonic the Hedgehog series
* "Thief" series
* "Warcraft" series
* Wizardry series
* Xenosaga series

Massively multiplayer online role-playing games

A large number of massively multiplayer online role-playing games are based in fantasy settings. These games typically have their own bestiaries.

pecies list

ee also

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*
*
* Legendary creature
* List of fictional humanoid species
* List of legendary creatures
* List of role-playing games by name