What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedConan the Barbarian
John Milius · Film · 1982
If you loved Conan the Barbarian, start with Conan the Destroyer (Richard Fleischer, 1984) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Conan the Barbarian across media.
If you loved Conan the Barbarian, you crave stories where solitary, hardened warriors carve their own destiny through unforgiving, brutal landscapes.
Start with the source
Adaptation
Conan the Destroyer
Richard Fleischer · Film · 1984
Inspired by
The Northman
Film · 2022
Books on the same thread
Shannara
Terry Brooks · Book · 1977
Shares a thread with Conan the Barbarian: Epic Fantasy.
Just as Conan the Barbarian features a hero defined by his journey, this classic epic mirrors that sense of destiny through a desperate quest against an ancient, encroaching evil.
Conan: Lord of the Mount
Stephen Graham Jones · Book · 2023
Shares 2 threads with Conan the Barbarian: Sword and Sorcery, Heroic Fantasy.
This collection captures the same raw, visceral spirit found in Conan the Barbarian, focusing on the survival of a legendary warrior operating within the gritty, uncompromising traditions of sword-and-sorcery.
Tarzan
Edgar Rice Burroughs · Book · 1914
Shares a thread with Conan the Barbarian: Survival.
Like the protagonist of Conan the Barbarian, the ape-man Tarzan embodies the struggle between civilization and savagery, navigating a dangerous, primal world where only the strongest and most cunning survive.
Conan and the People of the Black Circle
Fred Van Lente, Robert Ervin Howard · Book · 2014
Shares 3 threads with Conan the Barbarian: Revenge, Good vs. Evil, Sword and Sorcery.
Fans of Conan the Barbarian will recognize the Cimmerian's signature blend of brutal combat and political maneuvering as he navigates a landscape filled with ruthless mercenaries and high-stakes revenge plots.
Series on the same thread
Future Boy Conan
Series · 1978
Shares a thread with Conan the Barbarian: Loss of Innocence.
Sharing the themes of loss of innocence present in Conan the Barbarian, this story follows a youth thrust from isolation into a harsh, ruined world requiring immense resilience and spirit.
Berserk
Series · 1997
Shares a thread with Conan the Barbarian: Sword and Sorcery.
This dark fantasy echoes the intense, mercenary-driven world of Conan the Barbarian, exploring the heavy cost of ambition and the brutal realities of life for a skilled, wandering warrior.
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
Roger Sweet · Series · 1983
Shares a thread with Conan the Barbarian: Sword and Sorcery.
Much like the archetypal hero found in Conan the Barbarian, this story centers on a powerful figure who wields a magic sword to defend the weak against supernatural tyranny.
Thundarr the Barbarian
Steve Gerber · Series · 1980
Shares a thread with Conan the Barbarian: Good vs. Evil.
Echoing the post-apocalyptic survivalist tone of Conan the Barbarian, this series follows a wanderer who fights for justice in a shattered world where hope is a rare and precious resource.
Podcasts on the same thread
Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend
Team Coco & Earwolf · Podcast · 2026
Explores: parasocial relationships, professional intimacy, self-deprecating humor.
While tonally distinct from Conan the Barbarian, this podcast provides an intimate look at the man behind the persona, exploring the complexities of fame and the search for authentic connection.
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History
Dan Carlin · Podcast · 2026
Explores: civilizational collapse, human nature, moral ambiguity.
Those drawn to the world-building and moral gravity of Conan the Barbarian will appreciate this deep dive into historical power, civilizational collapse, and the dark realities of human nature.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Conan the Barbarian a standalone story or part of a series?
Conan the Barbarian is the first film in the series. It establishes the origin of the character as he seeks vengeance against Thulsa Doom. The story continues in the 1984 sequel titled Conan the Destroyer, which follows the protagonist after his initial journey of retribution.
What order should I watch the Conan movies in?
You should watch the 1982 film Conan the Barbarian first to understand the character's background as a slave and his quest for vengeance. After finishing that film, you can proceed to the 1984 sequel, Conan the Destroyer, to see the next chapter in his journey.
Are there other movies like Conan the Barbarian that feature similar themes of vengeance?
If you enjoyed the themes of vengeance and brutal combat found in Conan the Barbarian, you should watch The Northman. Released in 2022, this film mirrors the narrative arc of a warrior seeking retribution for the slaughter of his family, much like the path taken by Conan.
How long was Conan enslaved before he sought vengeance in Conan the Barbarian?
In Conan the Barbarian, the protagonist is enslaved as a young child following the massacre of his family. He spends years of his life tethered to The Wheel of Pain before he is finally released and begins his training to become a killing machine.