Ray Harryhausen published 3 non-fiction books, beginning with Film Fantasy Scrapbook (1972). The best-known is Art of Ray Harryhausen (2005).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Ray Harryhausen
Start here
Art of Ray Harryhausen
Ray Harryhausen's most-read book.
Non-fiction in order
Film Fantasy Scrapbook (1972)
An Animated Life (2003)
Art of Ray Harryhausen (2005)
About Ray Harryhausen
Raymond Frederick Harryhausen was an American-British animator and special effects creator who is regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of both fields. In a career spanning more than 40 years, he built upon the techniques of his mentor, Willis H. O'Brien, to develop a form of stop motion model animation known as "Dynamation" and advance the field of cinematic special effects. Though not credited as a writer or director on any of the feature films he worked on, the role he played in shaping those he made during his peak years has led to him being regarded as "cinema's sole visual effects auteur," and the creatures and sequences he animated are considered some of the most iconic in the history of cinema.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Ray Harryhausen FAQ
- How many books has Ray Harryhausen written?
- Ray Harryhausen published 3 non-fiction books that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Ray Harryhausen's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Art of Ray Harryhausen.
- What is Ray Harryhausen's last book?
- Art of Ray Harryhausen (2005).
- What is Ray Harryhausen's most famous book?
- Art of Ray Harryhausen (2005) is Ray Harryhausen's most widely read book.
Authors like Ray Harryhausen
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.