H.G. Wells and Jules Verne are the godfathers of steampunk.
But, most people say the term 'steampunk' itself really took off in the 1980s, when American authors (such as K.W. Jeter, Tim Powers, James Blaylock) began writing deliberately in that retro-futurist, Victorian-sci-fi style.
British authors have been central in shaping the flavour of the genre, especially Pullman, Miéville, Mann, and Hodder.
Here are some modern books to discover.
These steampunk themed books are where 'true' steampunk begins.
K.W. Jeter – Morlock Night (1979) and Infernal Devices (1987) - Jeter actually coined the word steampunk'.
Tim Powers – The Anubis Gates (1983) - Time-travel, sorcery, and 19th-century London atmosphere.
James P. Blaylock – Homunculus (1986) - Airships, mad scientists, and eccentric Victorian settings.
Modern-day English authors of steampunk themed books.
Philip Pullman – His Dark Materials trilogy (1995–2000) - Often described as steampunk-inspired: airships, alternate Oxford, clockwork technology.
China Miéville – Perdido Street Station (2000) - Dark, gritty “New Weird” fiction with strong steampunk machinery and cityscapes.
George Mann - Newbury & Hobbes detective/adventure series (2008 onwards) - Proper steampunk London with occult and detective elements.
James Lovegrove –The Age of… series (like The Age of Ra, The Age of Odin) and Sherlock Holmes - stories which blend myth, history, and steampunk themes.
Stephen Hunt – The Court of the Air (2007) and sequels - A sprawling steampunk fantasy world.
Toby Frost – Space Captain Smith series (2008 onwards) - More diesel/retro-pulp than pure steampunk, but with Victorian humour and gadgetry.
Mark Hodder – Burton & Swinburne series (like The Strange Affair of Spring-Heeled Jack) (2010) - Alt-history with explorers, inventors, and wild steampunk London.
Paul Eccentric - The Periwinkle Perspective series (2020 onwards) — Paul gave a performance at the inaugural IoW Steampunk Festival in 2024.
If Victorian literature feels daunting, check out steampunk in film. Here's a taster, old and new, which showcase steampunk's imaginative spirit.
These films are recognisable, even outside steampunk.
Metropolis (1927) – Not Victorian, but hugely influential with its industrial, futuristic machinery. A landmark in cinema history; its industrial look influenced everything from Blade Runner to steampunk art.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954) – Disney’s adaptation of Jules Verne, with the iconic Nautilus submarine. The Nautilus design is one of the most iconic retro-futuristic machines ever put on screen.
The Time Machine (1960) – H.G. Wells’ invention brought to life, with retro-futurist machinery. The time machine prop itself is legendary, often referenced or imitated.
Howl’s Moving Castle (2004) – Not strictly steampunk, but its moving fortress and airships are iconic. A beloved Studio Ghibli animated film for kids and adults; the moving castle is visually unforgettable.
Sherlock Holmes (2009 & 2011) – Guy Ritchie’s films with gritty industrial London and gadgetry. Robert Downey Jr. brought Victorian gadgetry into a global blockbuster.
The Golden Compass (2007) – A big-budget, family-friendly fantasy with airships, clockwork, daemons, and alternate-Victorian fashion. It borrows steampunk aesthetics, giving wider audiences a taste of the look. Recognisable because of Philip Pullman’s novels and the later His Dark Materials TV adaptation.
Hugo (2011) – Although steampunk isn't the main theme, this is Martin Scorsese’s love letter to early cinema, with gorgeous steampunk imagery with its Parisian clockwork automata. Critically acclaimed and Oscar-winning.
These films weren't mainstream hits, but they are beloved within the genre.
Wild Wild West (1999) – Critically panned, but iconic in the sense that its giant spider is infamous and often referenced in steampunk circles. It is full of overblown gadgetry.
The City of Lost Children (1995) – A cult classic, loved for its atmosphere and design. It's a dark French fantasy with strong steampunk aesthetics.
Steamboy (2004) – A Japanese anime, often cited by fans as one of the most "pure" steampunk films ever made.
Mortal Engines (2018) – Didn’t succeed at the box office, but visually bold with its giant traction cities, and widely discussed in steampunk circles.
Not that many kids films are specifically steampunk, but a few family films weave in steampunk aesthetics with airships, clockwork gadgets, eccentric inventors, and whimsical machinery.
Steamboy (2004 / Cert PG) – A Japanese anime adventure about a boy inventor and his steam-powered discoveries (though a bit dark and complex, so better for older kids/teens).
Howl’s Moving Castle (2004 / Cert U) – Not strictly steampunk, but its moving fortress and airships are iconic. A beloved Studio Ghibli animated film; the moving castle is visually unforgettable.
Laputa: Castle in the Sky (1986 / Cert PG) – Another Ghibli animated gem with flying cities, airships, and Victorian-inspired tech..
Treasure Planet (2002 / Cert U) – Disney’s space adventure reimagines Treasure Island in this animated film with solar-sailing ships and steampunk gadgets.
Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001 / Cert U) – Another Disney animated film with a diesel/steam aesthetic, submarines, and retro-futuristic vehicles.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968 / Cert PG) – There are many versions, but try the original 1968 live action film as it's a delight. Full of whimsical Victorian invention vibes, eccentric machines.
The Golden Compass (2007 / Cert PG) – A big-budget fantasy film featuring airships, clockwork gadgets, daemons, and alternate-Victorian fashion. Based on Philip Pullman’s novels and the later His Dark Materials TV adaptation.
Hugo (2011 / Cert U) – Automata, clockwork wonders, and a magical Paris train station, this is Martin Scorsese’s love letter to early cinema. Critically acclaimed and Oscar-winning.
A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004 / Cert PG) – Dark whimsy, gadgetry, and a steampunk-ish visual style. It later became a Netflix series.
The Great Race (1965 / Cert U) – Whimsical family-friendly, slapstick comedy about a giant car race across the world, filled with bizarre vehicles and gadgets. Very cartoonish, almost like a live-action Wacky Races. The absurd inventions and costumes fit right into the spirit of steampunk.
