If you loved
Highlander
Russell Mulcahy · Film · 1986
What hooked you in Highlander was the way ancient, immortal burdens collide with the harsh reality of modern life.
Books on the same thread
Outlander
Diana Gabaldon · Book · 1991
Explores: Time Travel, Scottish Highlands, Forbidden Love.
Like Highlander, this story bridges the gap between the rugged history of the Scottish Highlands and a world where time travel forces characters to navigate impossible, displaced lives.
The High King
Lloyd Alexander · Book · 2006
Explores: Good vs Evil, Sacrifice, Leadership.
If the epic struggle for power in Highlander captured your imagination, this conclusion to The Chronicles of Prydain offers a similar weight of sacrifice and the cost of leadership.
Shannara
Terry Brooks · Book · 1977
Explores: Good vs Evil, Quest, Magic.
The focus on a legendary weapon and an inevitable battle against an evil overlord mirrors the mythic, destiny-driven quest that defined the core conflict of Highlander.
Ender's Game
Orson Scott Card · Book · 2013
Explores: Child Soldiers, Alien Invasion, Moral Ambiguity.
Much like the tragic mentorship and burden of duty in Highlander, this narrative explores the intense pressure placed on a young warrior who must fight for humanity's survival.
Series on the same thread
Outlander
Ronald D. Moore · Series · 2014
Explores: Time Travel, Forbidden Love, Culture Clash.
This series mirrors the fish-out-of-water displacement seen in Highlander, thrusting a character from their own time into a dangerous era where they must fight to survive and belong.
Gargoyles
Series · 1994
Shares a thread with Highlander: Redemption.
These characters share the immortal curse and fish-out-of-water struggle found in Highlander, moving from ancient Scottish history to the streets of New York City to settle old scores.
The Witcher
Lauren Schmidt Hissrich · Series · 2019
Shares a thread with Highlander: Sword and Sorcery.
The gritty, monster-hunting journey of Geralt reflects the sword-and-sorcery roots of Highlander, emphasizing the moral ambiguity and heavy destiny that follows an eternal warrior through a turbulent world.
Hunter x Hunter
Series · 2011
Explores: self-discovery, overcoming adversity, friendship.
The rigorous journey and focus on overcoming adversity through combat will resonate with anyone who appreciated the training and tournament-style stakes at the heart of Highlander.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Adventure Zone
The McElroys · Podcast · 2026
Explores: improvised storytelling, group dynamics, high fantasy satire.
If you enjoyed the high-stakes fantasy adventure of Highlander, this campaign captures the spirit of a group dynamic thrust into a world of magic and improvised, epic conflict.
Sword and Scale
Sword and Scale · Podcast · 2026
Explores: human depravity, systemic failure, macabre.
While Highlander explored the romanticized tragedy of ancient conflict, this podcast examines the dark, modern reality of violence and human depravity in the same urban settings.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Highlander set in a single time period?
No, Highlander spans several centuries. The story begins with Connor MacLeod fighting his first battle in the Scottish Highlands in 1536 and follows his journey through time until he reaches his greatest battle on the streets of New York City in 1986.
Who is the main character of Highlander?
The protagonist of Highlander is Connor MacLeod. He is an immortal warrior who has survived since the sixteenth century, eventually finding himself engaged in a climactic conflict within the modern setting of 1986 New York City.
What is the primary conflict in Highlander?
The primary conflict in Highlander centers on the immortal Connor MacLeod. After beginning his life as a warrior in the Scottish Highlands in 1536, he must face his greatest battle against opponents on the streets of New York City in 1986.
How long has Connor MacLeod been alive in Highlander?
Connor MacLeod has been alive since at least 1536, the year he fought his first battle in the Scottish Highlands. By the time he reaches his greatest battle on the streets of New York City in 1986, he has lived for four and a half centuries.