What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedConan the Destroyer
Richard Fleischer · Film · 1984
If you loved Conan the Destroyer, start with Conan the Barbarian (John Milius, 1982) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Conan the Destroyer across media.
What hooked you in Conan the Destroyer was the way high-stakes quests and treacherous political schemes force unlikely heroes into action.
Start with the source
The source
Conan the Barbarian
John Milius · Film · 1982
Inspired by
The Northman
Film · 2022
Books on the same thread
The Black Cauldron
Lloyd Alexander · Book · 1980
Shares 2 threads with Conan the Destroyer: Good vs Evil, Heroic Fantasy.
Like Conan the Destroyer, this tale centers on a perilous quest where the protagonist must navigate deep-seated evil and the weight of sacrifice to protect a kingdom from ruin.
Shannara
Terry Brooks · Book · 1977
Shares 2 threads with Conan the Destroyer: Good vs Evil, Quest.
If the epic journey to retrieve a powerful artifact in Conan the Destroyer resonated with you, this quest for a legendary sword offers that same sense of grand destiny.
Conan and the People of the Black Circle
Fred Van Lente, Robert Ervin Howard · Book · 2014
Shares 2 threads with Conan the Destroyer: Betrayal, Sword and Sorcery.
This narrative delivers the same gritty sword and sorcery atmosphere found in Conan the Destroyer, blending dangerous kidnappings with the political intrigue of a queen seeking her bloody revenge.
The Eyes of the Dragon
Stephen King · Book · 1987
Shares 2 threads with Conan the Destroyer: Good vs Evil, Sword and Sorcery.
You will find the same royal betrayal and manipulation present in Conan the Destroyer mirrored here, as an evil magician weaves a complex web of power within the kingdom.
Series on the same thread
Future Boy Conan
Series · 1978
Explores: Environmentalism, Loss of Innocence, Technological Dystopia.
While the setting shifts to a post-apocalyptic world, the core spirit of the lone warrior surviving a harsh landscape remains as prominent as it was in Conan the Destroyer.
Dragon Ball Z
Series · 1989
Shares a thread with Conan the Destroyer: Good vs Evil.
The relentless battles against overwhelming threats in Conan the Destroyer find a modern equivalent here, as the protagonist must constantly grow stronger to defend the world from total destruction.
Detective Conan
Series · 1996
Explores: Child Detective, Intellectual Protagonist, Criminal Conspiracy.
Though the genre differs, the intellectual cunning and problem-solving used to outwit criminal conspiracies echo the resourcefulness Conan displayed while surviving the deadly schemes in Conan the Destroyer.
Hunter x Hunter
Series · 2011
Explores: self-discovery, overcoming adversity, friendship.
The rigorous trials and personal growth required to survive a dangerous world mirror the sense of adventure and adversity that defines the journey depicted in Conan the Destroyer.
Podcasts on the same thread
Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend
Team Coco & Earwolf · Podcast · 2026
Explores: parasocial relationships, professional intimacy, self-deprecating humor.
If the iconic persona of the lead in Conan the Destroyer drew you in, this podcast offers an intimate look at the man behind the famous name through candid conversation.
Raiders Of The Lost Podcast
Podcast
Explores: film criticism, television criticism, blockbuster movies.
For those who enjoyed dissecting the high fantasy action of Conan the Destroyer, this podcast provides the deep analysis and breakdown needed to appreciate the craft behind such cinema.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Should I watch Conan the Barbarian before Conan the Destroyer?
Watching the 1982 film Conan the Barbarian first provides context for the character's origins. While Conan the Destroyer functions as a standalone adventure involving a quest for the Horn of Dagoth, viewing them in release order helps establish the continuity of Conan's journey across both films.
Is Conan the Destroyer the only film featuring this version of the character?
No, the character appears in both Conan the Barbarian and Conan the Destroyer. Both films depict Conan navigating dangerous quests, though Conan the Destroyer focuses specifically on his mission to escort a princess and retrieve a magical artifact while avoiding the queen's betrayal.
What is the plot of Conan the Destroyer?
In Conan the Destroyer, Conan is hired by Queen Taramis to protect a princess on a journey to retrieve the Horn of Dagoth. The queen secretly intends to sacrifice the princess and have Conan killed, but she underestimates his strength and ability to overcome her schemes.
Is The Northman similar to Conan the Destroyer?
The Northman shares the sword and sorcery tone found in Conan the Destroyer. Both films feature protagonists engaged in high-stakes quests and combat, making The Northman a suitable follow-up for viewers who enjoyed the gritty atmosphere and legendary heroics presented in the 1984 film.