Television series

Relic Hunter

Name: Relic Hunter
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Released: 1999
Cast: Christien Anholt, Tia Carrere, Lindy Booth, Tanja Reichert

Treasure hunt
Dip in and out

Tia Carrere is a globe-trotting archaeology professor and martial artist hunting lost artifacts across continents. It's pulpy adventure TV with a winning charm: exotic locations, practical stunts, and genuine warmth between characters. Built for syndication audiences who wanted Saturday morning thrills with a dose of actual wit. If you love adventure without pretension, this delivers.

TVMaze rating

3.7

Should you watch it?

Watch it if you like a breezy, tongue-in-cheek adventure where the puzzle of an artifact matters more than the mythology, and a heroine who can kick a door in and then footnote it.

Skip it if you want serialized plotting that builds toward one big reveal, since each hour is largely self-contained and the tone stays playful even when the stakes rise.

What it asks of you: Little beyond an hour of undemanding attention per episode; it is light and quick, with a rhythm of hunt, chase, and wisecrack rather than slow dread.

Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.

If you liked this

The Librarians2014

Similar premise of protecting magical artifacts and ancient mysteries, but with a ensemble cast and sharper humor. Plays the adventure-fantasy balance with real joy and never winks too hard at the absurdity.

But Leans heavier into serialized plotting and mythology across seasons, which can feel convoluted if you're just after episodic fun and globe-trotting.

Warehouse 132009

Agents protecting supernatural artifacts with genuine character chemistry and adventure-of-the-week pacing. Same DNA as Relic Hunter but with stronger production values and a real mythology beneath the fun.

But Shifted toward serialized drama in later seasons; if you want pure standalone adventure, early seasons are stronger.

Bonanza1959

Long-running adventure series with real locations, practical action, and a team dynamic. Proves the syndication model could sustain quality; influences everything that came after including Relic Hunter's ethos.

But It's a 1960s Western, not globetrotting adventure. Slower pacing and very much of its era—not everyone's entry point today.

Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Relic Hunter

The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

Tomb Raider2018

Direct genre and premise ancestor. Relic Hunter is what happens when an archaeology-adventure story prioritizes character and humor over spectacle; Tomb Raider is the inverse.

Alicia Vikander as a capable archaeologist on a real mission for real artifacts, with genuine action craft and location work. Same premise as Relic Hunter but grounded in grit rather than charm—shows how the formula ages when played straight.

But Humorless and workmanlike where Relic Hunter glides on warmth. If you loved the show for its personality, this will feel like the adventure stripped of joy.

Xena: Warrior Princess1995

Syndicated action-adventure with a charismatic lead, winking tone, and genuine craft in the stunt work. Lucy Lawless brings the same charm Carrere does; same era, same spirit of swashbuckling fun.

But Mythology gets increasingly baroque and the campiness isn't always intentional. Some episodes feel thin; quality varies more than Relic Hunter.

Tales of the Gold Monkey1982

Pulpy 1980s adventure in exotic locations with a charismatic lead and a tone that balances action with humor. Direct ancestor of the Relic Hunter formula: globe-trotting, artifacts, and practical charm.

But Production values are authentically cheap; some action sequences strain credibility even for adventure TV, and pacing can drag.

The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.1993

Bruce Campbell leads a pulpy Western-steampunk adventure series with humor, heart, and wild plotting. Same syndication energy; knows exactly what it is and commits fully to the fun.

But Only lasted one season. Tone is broader than Relic Hunter; if you want adventure to stay grounded, this veers toward cartoon logic.

The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. poster

MacGyver1985

Episodic globe-trotting adventure with practical problem-solving and character warmth. Richard Dean Anderson's charm is closest to Carrere's; same formula of intelligence over pure action.

But Very 1980s in execution and plotting. Action sequences lack the physicality and stunt work that made Relic Hunter feel fresher for its era.

Kolchak: The Night Stalker1972

A 1970s reporter investigating the supernatural. Episodic structure, genuine mystery, and a lead character who's resourceful but not invincible. Different genre, same syndication DNA and sense of fun discovery.

But Black and white, slow-burn investigations rather than action. If you want pace and physicality, this is contemplative by comparison.

The Outer Limits1963

Sci-fi anthology where each episode is a contained story with high stakes and genuine imagination. Proves episodic syndication TV could have real craft and ambition beneath the adventure-serial format.

But Anthology means no continuing characters or relationships to root for. 1960s pacing is glacial by modern standards.

The Mummy1999

Spiritual sibling. Both arrived in 1999 to prove audiences wanted adventure-fantasy played with a smile. One is cinema, one is TV—same DNA expressed at different scales.

Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz in a globe-trotting adventure for ancient artifacts with genuine romance, humor, and commitment to practical action. Released the same year as Relic Hunter's premiere; same spirit of adventure-adventure, higher budget.

But It's a film, not a series—different pacing and scope. Broader comedy; if you prefer Relic Hunter's measured charm, this might feel broader than your taste.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny2023

Lineage. Relic Hunter is what happens when you take the Indiana Jones template, remove the male hero, add a martial artist, and make it for weekly TV. This new film circles back to basics; seeing both shows how far the adventure-formula has traveled.

An older, wearier archaeologist hunting artifacts across continents with practical stunt work and genuine location shooting. Latest in a lineage Relic Hunter descended from; proves the formula endures when done with heart.

But Legacy sequel baggage and mixed reception. If you want pure adventure without meta-textual weight, the earlier Jones films or the original formula might serve better.