Highlander - Watch Order: Release Order

1986 - 20004 Films6h 42m2.7 Average

The Highlander franchise follows Connor MacLeod, an immortal Scottish warrior caught in an eternal battle where "there can be only one." The original 1986 film established the mythology of Immortals who absorb each other's power through combat, but the sequels took dramatically different approaches to continuing the story.

This watch order includes all four theatrical releases, though be aware that the franchise suffers from significant continuity issues between films. Highlander II introduced controversial alien origins that many fans reject, while Highlander III completely ignores the second film. Endgame connects to the TV series Highlander: The Series and may require some familiarity with that show's characters and mythology for full appreciation.

1
Highlander poster

Highlander

19861h 56m4
Director: Russell Mulcahy
Cast: Christopher Lambert, Roxanne Hart, Clancy Brown, Sean Connery, Beatie Edney

He fought his first battle on the Scottish Highlands in 1536. He will fight his greatest battle on the streets of New York City in 1986. His name is Connor MacLeod. He is immortal.

AdventureActionFantasy
2
Highlander II: The Quickening poster

Highlander II: The Quickening

19911h 40m2.2
Director: Russell Mulcahy
Cast: Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery, Virginia Madsen, Michael Ironside, John C. McGinley

In the year 2024, the ozone layer is believed to have been destroyed, and it's up to MacLeod and Ramirez to set things right. Opposition comes from both the planet Zeist (MacLeod and Ramirez's homeworld) and a corporation profiting from the supposed lack of ozone. Also, flashbacks show the story behind MacLeod and Ramirez's exile from Zeist.

FantasyActionAdventureScience Fiction
3
Highlander III: The Sorcerer poster

Highlander III: The Sorcerer

19941h 39m2.2
Director: Andrew Morahan
Cast: Christopher Lambert, Mario Van Peebles, Deborah Kara Unger, Mako, Martin Neufeld

Starts off in the 15th century, with Connor McLeod training with another immortal swordsman, the Japanese sorcerer Nakano. When an evil immortal named Kane kills the old wizard, the resulting battle leaves him buried in an underground cave. When Kane resurfaces in the 20th century to create havoc, it's up to McLeod to stop him.

FantasyActionAdventure
4
Highlander: Endgame poster

Highlander: Endgame

20001h 27m2.3
Director: Douglas Aarniokoski
Cast: Christopher Lambert, Adrian Paul, Bruce Payne, Lisa Barbuscia, Donnie Yen

Immortals Connor and Duncan Macleod join forces against a man from Connor's distant past in the highlands of Scotland, Kell, an immensely powerful immortal who leads an army of equally powerful and deadly immortal swordsmen and assassins. No immortal alive has been able to defeat Kell yet, and neither Connor nor Duncan are skilled enough themselves to take him on and live. The two of them eventually come to one inevitable conclusion; one of them must die so that the combined power of both the Highlanders can bring down Kell for good. There can be only one... the question is, who will it be?

ActionAdventureFantasy