A Chronological Guide to the Highlander Timelines
The Highlander franchise is built on a magnificent premise: for centuries, a race of Immortals has lived secretly among us. They cannot die unless beheaded, and they are driven by an ancient rule: "There can be only one." They are compelled to fight one another in a secret conflict known as The Game, for when only a few remain, they will be drawn to a final Gathering to fight for The Prize—the collected power and knowledge of all Immortals who have ever lived.
This core concept, introduced in the classic 1986 film, has spawned a universe so vast and complex that it includes multiple, conflicting timelines. Theatrical sequels, a long-running television series, and animated features have all offered different answers to what happens after the Gathering.
Because of this, the saga cannot be watched in a single straight line. This guide organizes the films and shows into their distinct continuities to provide the clearest possible viewing experience of Connor MacLeod's story and the larger world of The Game.
The Original Film Timeline
This is the purest and simplest timeline, consisting of the original film as a complete, standalone story as it was first intended.
HighlanderFilm (1986)
The foundational story. In 1536, Connor MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod is killed in battle but miraculously revives, leading his clan to banish him for witchcraft. He is found by an ancient Egyptian Immortal named Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez, who teaches him the rules of The Game. The story flashes between Connor's past and the present day of 1985, where the final Gathering is taking place in New York City. Connor, now an antique dealer, must face his oldest and most powerful enemy, the brutal Kurgan, in a final duel to determine who will win The Prize and control the fate of humanity.
The TV Series Timeline (The Duncan MacLeod Saga)
This is the largest and most popular continuity. It establishes that Connor MacLeod did *not* win The Prize in 1985, and that many Immortals still existed, including his clansman Duncan MacLeod.
Highlander: The SeriesTV Series (1992-1998)
This series follows Duncan MacLeod, an Immortal born decades after Connor, living in the modern day. Having "retired" from The Game, he is drawn back in when a new threat emerges. The series vastly expands the lore, introducing the concept of "The Watchers," a secret mortal society that has observed and chronicled the lives of Immortals for thousands of years. It introduces iconic characters like the ancient and enigmatic Immortal Methos and explores the moral and emotional toll of eternal life. Connor MacLeod appears in the first episode to pass the torch to Duncan.
Highlander: EndgameFilm (2000)
This film unites the movie and TV timelines. A powerful and ancient Immortal named Jacob Kell, who holds a centuries-old grudge against Connor MacLeod, escapes from a hidden sanctuary where he was imprisoned by Watchers. Kell ignores the rules of The Game, and his power is so immense that neither Connor nor Duncan can defeat him alone. Believing there truly "can be only one" to possess the strength needed, Connor convinces Duncan to take his head, absorbing his power and experience for the final battle against Kell.
Highlander: The SourceFilm (2007)
A direct sequel to *Endgame* that concludes the Duncan MacLeod saga. In a near-future, dystopian world, the remaining Immortals are drawn to a mysterious energy source, believing it to be the legendary Source of their immortality and the true Prize. Duncan and a group of allies, including Methos, embark on a quest to find it, hunted by a new, super-powered Guardian. This film was poorly received by fans and offers a controversial and definitive end to the TV series continuity.
The Alternate Film Timelines
These sequels to the original film ignore each other and the TV series, creating their own separate, conflicting continuities.
Timeline A: The Zeist Saga (Highlander II)Film (1991)
Highlander II: The Quickening. This infamous sequel completely retcons the origin of the Immortals. It reveals that they are not human, but aliens from the planet Zeist who were exiled to Earth. In the year 2024, Connor MacLeod is now a mortal old man, having won The Prize. He helped create an artificial shield to protect the Earth after the depletion of the ozone layer. The tyrannical ruler of Zeist, General Katana, sends assassins to Earth to kill Connor. By defeating them, Connor regains his immortality and youth, and must team up with a resurrected Ramírez to defeat Katana and free both Earth and Zeist. (Note: The "Renegade Version" director's cut removes the Zeist plot, explaining the Immortals are from Earth's distant past, but is still considered a separate timeline).
Timeline B: The Sorcerer Saga (Highlander III)Film (1994)
Highlander III: The Sorcerer. This film explicitly ignores the events of *Highlander II*. It acts as a direct sequel to the first film, revealing that when The Gathering took place, not all Immortals were drawn to it. The powerful sorcerer Kane and his two henchmen were magically trapped in a cave in Japan centuries earlier by Connor's second mentor, Nakano. When an archaeological dig frees them in the modern day, The Game is restarted. Connor, who has been living a quiet life with his adopted son, must face Kane to truly win The Prize once and for all.
The Animated Timeline
This animated series from 1994 is a standalone story set in its own continuity, completely separate from the films and live-action series.
Highlander: The Animated SeriesAnimated Series (1994-1996)
Set in a post-apocalyptic 27th-century Earth, this series follows a new protagonist, Quentin MacLeod, the last of the MacLeod clan. After a great catastrophe, the Immortals forswore The Game and vowed to help humanity rebuild. However, the evil Immortal Kortan refused and conquered the world. After being killed for the first time, Quentin is revealed as the prophesied Immortal who is not bound by the oath and is destined to defeat Kortan. Mentored by a familiar face, Don Vincente Marino Ramírez, Quentin quests to unite the remaining good Immortals and free the world.
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