Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Breakneck
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- bombastic
- moody
- visceral
- cult movie night
- 1980s action marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly recognize striking camerawork, energetic sword fights, and memorable bravado while finding the plotting muddled, noisy, and excessively cheesy.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Connor's 1980s New York conflict is repeatedly interwoven with his sixteenth-century life in Scotland.
The immortals hunt and decapitate one another in pursuit of the ultimate prize.
The film contrasts rain-soaked New York streets with the open grandeur of medieval Scotland.
Critics specifically highlighted the breathless pace, rapid transitions, fiery bravado, and bombastic presentation.
Films like Highlander, and why
The Terminator
stylized urban fantasy, immortal or superhuman adversaries, propulsive action, and heightened 1980s spectacle
Blade Runner
rain-soaked urban atmosphere, genre hybridity, memorable antagonists, and visually ambitious action filmmaking
The Princess Bride
swordplay, heroic adventure, mythic combat, and flamboyant fantasy world-building
The Crow
dark fantasy action, supernatural rules, and a charismatic immortal-centered conflict
Movie Details
- Director
- Russell Mulcahy
- Release Date
- 1986-03-07
- Runtime
- 116 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (3044)
Cast
- Christopher Lambert
- Roxanne Hart
- Clancy Brown
- Sean Connery
- Beatie Edney
- Alan North
- Jon Polito
- Sheila Gish
- Hugh Quarshie
- Peter Diamond
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Peacock Premium, Philo, Screambox Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Peacock Premium Plus
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Highlander about?
- An immortal Scottish swordsman confronts his most dangerous rival across centuries of exile, romance, and thunderous decapitation duels.
- What is Highlander like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Highlander as breakneck, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Highlander violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Highlander as graphic.
- What did critics think of Highlander?
- Critics broadly recognize striking camerawork, energetic sword fights, and memorable bravado while finding the plotting muddled, noisy, and excessively cheesy.
- Which films are like Highlander?
- Films with a similar feel include The Terminator, Blade Runner, The Princess Bride, and The Crow.
- How long is Highlander?
- Highlander runs 116 minutes.
- Where can I watch Highlander?
- In United States, Highlander streams on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Peacock Premium, Philo, Screambox Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Peacock Premium Plus.
