Highlander Movies And TV Shows Ranked Worst To Best

It's tempting to give sequels to innovative movies credit for not simply rehashing old ideas. But there is such a thing as turning too drastically in a different direction, in the name of expanding on the initial premise and trying to up the ante. So it goes with Highlander II: The Quickening. This movie contradicts everything established by its predecessor that it can, in an audacious attempt to push the story into the future. According to Highlander II, immortals are actually aliens from the planet Zeist. That whole Gathering and decapitating each other thing was just punishment for a failed rebellion on a far-off planet. Somehow, despite all of this craziness, the film still manages to be boring.

Highlander II was majorly impacted by a variety of external catastrophes. Most dramatically, the film was almost entirely shot in Argentina, which was then being rocked by economic collapse. The film's investors stepped in and took control from director Russell Mulcahy, resulting in the mess the movie became. Several alternate versions of the film exist, which can be hard to find. But that's okay, as everyone other than completionists should skip this depressing film entirely. Highlander II was universally panned and performed wretchedly at the box office. It left a legacy of despair — but thankfully, the franchise knew to cut its losses. No other Highlander property acknowledges this egregious story.

Highlander: The Animated Series takes place within a post-apocalyptic world, devastated by a meteorite that hit the Earth and set off a majority of the world's nuclear arsenal. The remaining immortals have decided to lay down their swords and try to help the planet — except an evil tyrant named Kortan. Now, a new immortal who has not taken the oath, Quentin MacLeod, will have to try and stop him from destroying what is left of humanity. Though it takes place in the 27th century, Connor MacLeod is there temporarily, and Ramirez is somehow back to act as a mentor again. They are joined by an annoying little girl and a strange ape-dog mascot creature.

The Highlander property simply doesn't work as a kiddie show. Violence and even death are present, but awkwardly toned-down: The main character, for example, fights with a boomerang. The show's stories aren't all just standard good versus evil, to its credit — many of the characters do have a small bit of depth to them, and there are genuinely intriguing moments. Even the lesson-specific tales — there's a gun safety episode — aren't terrible. But ultimately, Highlander: The Animated Series isn't a good cartoon, it just isn't too painful to watch. Its worst crime is the awful video game it spawned. Now that deserves a slow death. 

Endgame attempts to be a passionate passing of the torch, bringing Duncan, star of Highlander: The Series, and Connor MacLeod, star of the original 1986 film, together to fight an enemy neither can face alone. Endgame looks good in spots, and has several scenes that showcase the chemistry between the two leads. Familiar side characters are a welcome sight, and there's even some decent action. It's difficult for anyone who hasn't scrupulously kept up with the franchise to follow, which is a problem it was criticized for at the time of its debut. But for those who are up on their Highlander knowledge, there's quite a lot to like here.

This movie tries to do something different, even if it falls apart a bit in the third act. That deserves respect — but it's also part of the problem. The plot is convoluted, and the movie plays fast and loose with many of the series' established rules for immortals, without making attempts to explain why these things do not matter anymore. Finally, the original trailer was incredibly misleading, showing the villain, Jacob Kell (yes, most Highlander movie baddies have K names for some reason) using some serious magical powers that he never uses in the finished product. Adding insult to injury, the trailer also has a fun Rob Zombie remix in it that doesn't make its way into the movie either.

The third installment of the Highlander series works overtime to distance itself from Highlander II. The movie is known by many subtitles, but the most accurate would likely be Highlander III: The Less Offensive One. It's the middle child of the franchise, the project that could never hope to be as good as the first film, while also having to make up for its predecessor's sins. Whereas Highlander II stands out to a fault, Highlander III plays it too safe, leaving it a forgettable film.

This doesn't mean it isn't entertaining at points. For one thing, it possesses some wonderfully cheesy '90s effects and action scenes. It also has an important flashback at the beginning that sets up the story in an intriguing way. MacLeod thinks his troubles are over, and has even adopted a son named John, but he's forgotten about an immortal who tried to kill him years ago, trapped in a cave with two of his lackeys. That man is Kane, excellently played by Mario Van Peebles, and his illusionary powers make him a suitable challenge for MacLeod. But all this is happening while audiences are saddled with a new love interest and a few new plot points that never come back around. This isn't a must-see movie, but it also isn't boring, and won't scar anyone who wants to experience more Highlander.

Highlander is an original idea (which began as a senior thesis) that blends action, emotion, excellent music from Queen, and the right amount of mystery to spectacular effect. Unfortunately, it didn't get much attention in theaters. The film that was originally titled The Dark Knight showcases a mainstay like Sean Connery, an excellent villain in Clancy Brown, and also introduced American audiences to Christopher Lambert, who had to learn English for the role. With these elements, it was destined to become a cult classic.

It's now easily regarded by most fans as the best installment in the series, and an important influence on later work. Using a modern setting for a story involving sword fights, supernatural abilities, and secret societies living amongst us can now be pointed to as early manifestations of the urban fantasy genre, setting an example for others to follow. This first movie is a classic hero's journey, telling the tale of Connor MacLeod, his past, and the Kurgan who pursues him through time, killing Connor's loved ones. It all ends in the Gathering, a clash of metal and muscle, with the Prize and the girl awaiting the last man standing. It is the story that other Highlander installments either try to tell again or reimagine. But this film still sits atop the mountain, the one it has always claimed there can only be.