Listen to ‘The Odyssey’ Audiobook Narrated By Claire Danes, Dan Stevens, Ian McKellen, Before Watching New Film
Before watching Homer’s legendary, 500-page Greek epic come to life, hear the full scope of “The Odyssey” through audiobooks voiced by A-List talent.
By Sophie Dunne
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July 7, 2026 3:03pm
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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.
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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.
$0.99 $8.99 89% off
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.
READ BY CLAIRE DANES
The Odyssey: Audible Edition
$0.99
Emily Wilson’s translation of The Odyssey arrived in 2017 as the first English translation of Homer’s epic by a woman. Narrated by Claire Danes, this unabridged Audible Studios edition was released the following year, with a runtime of 13 hours and 32 minutes.
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.
READ BY DAN STEVENS
The Odyssey: The Fitzgerald Translation
$0.99
Robert Fitzgerald’s celebrated translation of The Odyssey, first published in 1961, became one of the most influential English versions of Homer’s poem.
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.
Read by Ian McKellen
The Odyssey
$0.99
Robert Fagles’ 1996 translation of The Odyssey is among the most celebrated modern interpretations of Homer’s epic. Narrated by Ian McKellen, the unabridged Penguin Audio edition was released in 1999, with a length of 13 hours and three minutes.
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.
Read by Benedict Cumberbatch
The Ultimate Iliad & Odyssey: Full-Cast Dramatisations
BBC Radio 4 brought The Odyssey to life with a star-studded cast in 2005, with Benedict Cumberbatch playing Telemachus, the titular protagonist’s son.
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.
READ BY STEPHEN FRY
Odyssey: The Greek Myths Reimagined
$0.99
Stephen Fry’s, Odyssey: The Greek Myths Reimagined, offers a retelling rather than a direct translation of Homer’s original poem.
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.
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