If you’re still grieving the end (or pause) of Yellowstone, you’re not alone. The ranch, the family drama, the brutal land battles — it all left a cowboy boot-sized imprint on our screens. But here’s the good news: the Western genre is alive and kicking with several shows ready to ride into your watchlist.
In this roundup, we’re diving into 10 Western TV shows that can easily compete with Yellowstone in terms of intensity, family feuds, dusty shootouts, and stunning backdrops.
Let’s saddle up!
🔥 Why Are Viewers Obsessed with Yellowstone?
Before we dive in, let’s break it down — what makes Yellowstone so good?
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Rugged characters you love and love to hate
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Family loyalty mixed with betrayal
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Cinematic Montana landscapes
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Power struggles (both political and personal)
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And oh yes… the occasional cowboy justice
Sound like your kind of vibe? Then keep reading, because the following shows deliver all that — and more.
🤠 1. 1883 (Paramount+)
The Raw Origins of the Dutton Legacy
This Yellowstone prequel isn’t just a spin-off — it’s a masterclass in emotional storytelling.
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Plot: Follows the Dutton family’s treacherous journey West to claim their land
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Why Watch: Gritty, heartbreaking, and beautifully filmed
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Standout: Tim McGraw and Faith Hill as pioneers. Yes, they act — and they’re phenomenal
1883 hits just as hard (if not harder) than Yellowstone when it comes to loss, love, and legacy.
🔥 2. 1923 (Paramount+)
Another Dutton Saga, Set in the Roaring Twenties
This sequel to 1883 brings in the legendary Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren. Need we say more?
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Plot: The Duttons face the Great Depression, Prohibition, and frontier violence
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Vibe: More polished than 1883 but no less ruthless
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Why It Rocks: Ford as a rugged rancher = TV gold
It’s the Game of Thrones of cowboy sagas — without the dragons.
💣 3. Longmire (Netflix)
Modern Cowboy Meets Small-Town Crime Drama
Based on Craig Johnson’s books, this show blends Yellowstone-level grit with Sheriff-with-a-past vibes.
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Location: Small town in Wyoming
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Lead: Robert Taylor as Walt Longmire, a no-nonsense sheriff
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Why It Hooks You: Slow burn with explosive payoffs, complex characters, and Navajo culture elements
Longmire doesn’t need a ten-gallon hat to be iconic.
🎯 4. Justified (FX / Hulu)
A Sharp Shooter with a Shady Past
Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens doesn’t do things by the book, and fans love him for it.
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Lead: Timothy Olyphant brings swagger for days
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Setting: Kentucky hills, moonshine country, outlaw territory
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Vibe: Think Elmore Leonard meets western noir
It’s not your typical cowboy story — it’s smarter, slicker, and highly addictive.
🌵 5. Godless (Netflix)
A Mini-Series with Maximum Impact
If you only have time for one Western, make it this.
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Plot: Outlaw terrorizes the West, but one town (run mostly by women) stands up to him
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Why It Slaps: Visually stunning, emotionally gripping, and brutally raw
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Episode Count: Just 7 episodes. Quick binge, big reward
You’ll be wishing for more — but also glad they didn’t overdo it.
🔥 6. Hell on Wheels (AMC)
The Railroad-Building Epic You Didn’t Know You Needed
This one dives into the post-Civil War American frontier, following ex-Confederate soldier Cullen Bohannon.
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Plot: Revenge, redemption, and railroad building — it’s all there
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Feels Like: A grittier, more historical Yellowstone
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Highlights: Powerful character arcs and a fresh setting
This show proves Westerns aren’t just about cowboys. They’re about change.
💥 7. Walker (CW / Max)
A Reboot with Heart and Horsepower
This reboot of Walker, Texas Ranger brings the iconic cowboy into the 21st century.
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Lead: Jared Padalecki (yes, from Supernatural)
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Plot: A widowed father returns home, balancing law enforcement and family drama
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Good For: Fans who like a little heart with their hay bales
It’s a little more emotional, a little more modern, but still delivers cowboy-style justice.
🔫 8. Deadwood (HBO)
The OG Gritty Western
Before Yellowstone made Westerns cool again, Deadwood was out there breaking rules.
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Why It’s Legendary: Brutal realism, complex politics, and jaw-dropping performances
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Characters: Al Swearengen = one of TV’s greatest antiheroes
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Language: Not for the faint-hearted. Swearing here is an art form
Deadwood walked so Yellowstone could run.
🐍 9. Outer Range (Prime Video)
Cowboy Meets Sci-Fi (And It Works!)
Imagine if Yellowstone met Stranger Things. That’s Outer Range.
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Lead: Josh Brolin as a rancher who discovers a black hole on his land
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Genre-Bending: Western drama + mystery + sci-fi
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Worth Watching: 100%. It’s weird, wild, and wonderful
If you like your Westerns with a little cosmic chaos — this one’s for you
🎭 10. The Son (AMC)
Oil, Blood, and Family Empir
This often-overlooked series stars Pierce Brosnan in a role you’ve never seen before.
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Plot: A ruthless oil tycoon’s rise to power
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Time Periods: Jumps between different eras, from his Comanche-raised youth to his industrial reign
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Why It’s Great: Family legacy meets violent ambition
It’s like a dusty, gun-slinging Succession.
💡 Final Thoughts: The West Is Still Wild
Whether you’re into gunfights, family feuds, historical epics, or even time-warping mysteries, there’s a Western out there waiting for you. Yellowstone may be the king of the frontier right now, but these shows come close — some might even surpass it.
So grab your remote, throw on your Stetson, and ride into one of these addictive dramas. Who knows? You might just find your new favorite ranch.
