What initially was an informal thesis jotted by the UCLA student Gregory Widen, later erupted into an extensive franchise consisting of movies, tv and web series, comics, novels, video and collectible card games.
The cult fans that followed soon enough, have sustained for more than three decades now. And their wish for the revival of the saga might just be granted soon. The recent rumors hint that Henry Cavill will star in Lionsgate’s reboot of Highlander. But until then, it’s time to catch up with all the old content out there.
There can be only one
The Highlander continuity is anything but cohesive. I say this because, with every sequel, the franchise invalidated the important points declared in the previous entries.
Watching everything in release order would have been the norm for most people if they hadn’t come across a chronological order like this one. Even though the option is now available, there can only be one path that you must commit to. So choose the suitable one between the two viewing choices laid before you below:
Release Order
The classical film of 1986 explored the core idea that the immortals had existed among humans for millennia. And after The Gathering, all of the immortals had to indulge in a battle royale where the last one standing would claim the title of “The Prize”.
1. Movies
- Highlander (1986)
- Highlander II: The Quickening (1991)
- Highlander: The Final Dimension/ Highlander III: The Sorcerer (1994)
- Highlander: Endgame (2000)
- Highlander: The Search for Vengeance (2007)
- Highlander: The Source (2007)
2. Series
- Highlander: The Series (1992–1998)
- Highlander: The Animated Series (1994–1996)
- Highlander: The Raven (1998–1999)
- The Methos Chronicles (2001)
I have tried to make somewhat sense to an otherwise unwieldy saga. Below is an attempt to place the Highlander movies and series in a meaningful way:
Chronological Watch Order
The second installment, The Quickening made an incomprehensible mess of the story set by the 1986 pilot. It was more of a brainstorming exercise rather than a film.
In fact, the Renegade Version, released in 1995, was a lot better than the theatrical cut of the movie. Many would advise you to skip it for good, but you could watch it in this way instead:
- Highlander (1986)
- Highlander: The Series (1992–1998)
- Highlander: The Raven (1998–1999)
- Highlander: Endgame (2000)
- Highlander: The Source (2007)
- Highlander II: The Quickening (1991)
- Highlander: The Final Dimension/ Highlander III: The Sorcerer (1994)
- Highlander: The Search for Vengeance (2007)
- The Methos Chronicles (2001)
- Highlander: The Animated Series (1994–1996)
A little bit of overarching chronology can be observed if you break the above order into two timelines. One spans from Highlander (1986) to The Source (2007). The Raven was a spin-off of the original series based upon the series’ popular love interest Amanda. Also, with Endgame and The Source, the plot arcs of Connor and Duncan came to an end.
The second timeline includes the movies and shows from The Sorcerer (1994) to The Animated Series (1994-96). The Sorcerer can largely be considered as a standalone film, and The Animated Series was yet another alternate sequel. The only animated movie Highlander: The Search for Vengeance told the story of an immortal Colin MacLeod rather than Connor MacLeod.
Where To Watch
How Much Time Will It Take To Watch
Including the five theatrical releases and one animated movie; two live-action, one animated, and one web tv series, it will take you around 7 days & 6 hours to binge-watch the entire Highlander franchise.
Here’s a quick breakdown each installment wise:
- Movies – 9 hours 27 mins
- Series
- Highlander: The Series (1992–1998) – 5 days 3 hours
- Highlander: The Animated Series (1994–1996) – 20 hours
- Highlander: The Raven (1998–1999) – 22 hours
- The Methos Chronicles (2001) – 16 mins
Note: These are approximate values of the runtimes.
About Highlander
Highlander is an American-British film and television franchise created by Gregory Widen. The series began with a 1986 fantasy film starring Christopher Lambert, who played Connor MacLeod, the titular Highlander.
There have been four theatrical Highlander films, one made-for-TV film, two live-action television series, an animated television series, an anime film, a flash animation series, original novels, comic books, and various licensed merchandise. Most stories feature Connor or Duncan MacLeod. Other protagonists include Quentin MacLeod and Colin MacLeod, each of whom exists in their own timelines.
Born in Glenfinnan in the Scottish Highlands in the 16th century, MacLeod is one of a number of immortals empowered by an energy called the Quickening and only able to die if beheaded.
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