12 Greatest Western TV Shows of the 21st Century, Ranked

Being a Western fan is great right now! After years of being less popular, the genre is making a big comeback, largely thanks to the success of Yellowstone and its related shows. Classic Westerns like Rawhide, Wagon Train, Gunsmoke, and Bonanza were huge hits in the 1950s and 60s, consistently ranking among the most popular and critically acclaimed programs. At its most popular, Westerns often made up more than half of the top ten most-watched shows each night.

The golden age of westerns didn’t last. By the mid-1970s, the genre became oversaturated and audiences’ tastes changed, rejecting its simple view of right and wrong. This led to the rise of crime dramas, realistic comedies, and ambitious science fiction shows, which took the place of westerns as the most popular type of TV. It took several decades for westerns to regain popularity. At the start of the 21st century, shows like Deadwood and Justified showed that westerns could be intelligent, nuanced, and explore complex characters and moral issues. They proved westerns could be high-quality television, not just a trip down memory lane, and paved the way for the recent revival of the neo-Western genre.

‘Walker’ (2021 – 2024)

The CW

Unlike traditional westerns, Walker feels more like a contemporary police drama – it’s easy, comforting viewing. This series is a fresh take on the 1990s show Walker, Texas Ranger, updated for today. It centers on Cordell Walker, a Texas Ranger and widower, as he tries to heal his family, solve crimes, and deal with his own past. While the acting is excellent and the mysteries are often interesting, the show occasionally has trouble finding the right tone and doesn’t quite reach the same level as some other, more ambitious and thought-provoking modern westerns.

‘Hell on Wheels’ (2011 – 2016)

AMC

While Hell on Wheels didn’t get the same praise from critics as shows like Justified and Godless, it was very popular with viewers. AMC reported it was their second most-watched original series after The Walking Dead. The show, set during the Civil War, centers on the building of America’s first transcontinental railroad and the lives of the people involved – each with their own reasons for being there, whether seeking forgiveness or getting revenge. Although it occasionally felt unrealistic, the show consistently delivered enough excitement, mystery, and drama to keep audiences hooked and make each episode feel new and interesting.

‘1923’ (2022 – 2025)

Paramount+

Starring veteran actors Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford, 1923 is the second series expanding the story of the Dutton family in the Yellowstone universe. It’s set during the turbulent times of Prohibition and the Great Depression. While the show is a strong, well-made western with compelling characters and dramatic storylines, it doesn’t quite capture the same magic as other shows created by Taylor Sheridan in the Yellowstone franchise.

While the new series echoes familiar storylines from Yellowstone – the Dutton family facing challenges to their ranch – it can feel repetitive. However, it’s still an exciting watch, even if Taylor Sheridan has delivered similar stories with a bit more impact in other projects.

‘Outer Range’ (2022 – 2024)

Amazon MGM

The show Outer Range centers on a rancher struggling to safeguard his land, but he faces a threat beyond typical disputes – a strange, dark void appears, seemingly linked to unsettling events, including the vanishing of his daughter-in-law. It’s a captivating, atmospheric mystery that builds slowly, and comes close to being truly excellent. However, the show’s pacing isn’t always consistent, and it relies too much on minor characters to simply explain the plot.

Blending science fiction and westerns has occasionally worked well, as seen in shows like Cowboy Bebop and Nope, and the Westworld franchise. However, many attempts fall short of expectations – think of critically disliked films like Wild Wild West and The Dark Tower, or the box office disappointment Cowboys & Aliens. Luckily, Outer Range sidesteps these common problems, offering a tense, captivating series with a subtly strange atmosphere that builds suspense throughout.

‘Dark Winds’ (2022 – Present)

AMC

Set in the 1970s, Dark Winds centers on three Navajo police officers investigating crimes and unraveling mysteries within their community. The show successfully combines the gritty feel of crime noir with the visual style of a classic western, and its strength lies in its commitment to realism. The landscape, quiet moments, and beautiful scenery are just as important as the plot and characters. The tension feels natural, and the series focuses on the psychological impact of the crimes. Dark Winds prioritizes atmosphere and nuance over flashy action, making it a good choice for viewers who appreciate subtlety. However, it doesn’t quite reach the cinematic scope of Yellowstone or the complex emotional storytelling of Deadwood.

‘Longmire’ (2012 – 2017)

A&E / Netflix

The show Longmire centers around the intricate connection between a county sheriff and the nearby Native American reservation, particularly its tribal police. Sheriff Walt Longmire, recently grieving the loss of his wife, works to balance his personal pain with his job. With the assistance of his friend Henry Standing Bear, who understands the reservation police, Longmire investigates crimes that cross jurisdictional lines, forcing him to navigate sensitive cultural and political issues.

The show’s central idea is ambitious and has been applauded for respectfully including Native American viewpoints. The main character, Walt Longmire, is realistically complex – a good man with imperfections, which makes him both relatable and someone you naturally want to support.

‘Westworld’ (2016 – 2022)

HBO

The show Westworld, inspired by the 1973 film, takes place in a futuristic amusement park designed like the Wild West. The park is filled with incredibly realistic androids called ‘hosts,’ and wealthy guests can visit to experience life as anything from a peaceful settler to a gunslinging outlaw. While the hosts are initially programmed to keep guests safe, they unexpectedly begin to become self-aware, which puts everyone in the park in serious danger.

HBO’s Westworld is a smart and captivating series that explores the risks of artificial intelligence. It brilliantly combines science fiction with the classic western genre, resulting in a show that is both thrilling and deeply thought-provoking. While the first two seasons were widely praised, some viewers felt the show lost some of its initial suspense when the story moved outside the theme park and into the wider world.

‘Godless’ (2017)

Netflix

Godless follows Jack O’Connell, known for his role in Skins, as he rises to fame in Hollywood. He plays a wounded outlaw fleeing a dangerous former boss and finds refuge in Le Belle, a New Mexico town almost entirely populated by women. There, he joins forces with the townspeople and a retired lawman to face a violent confrontation. The show’s concise, limited-run format keeps the story moving quickly. Featuring memorable characters, constant tension, and a feeling of something terrible about to happen, Godless stands out with its unique focus on female characters. It’s a gripping western that’s more focused and compelling than many longer series, though it doesn’t quite reach the level of expansive storytelling and character development seen in shows like Yellowstone and Justified.

‘Yellowstone’ (2020 – 2024)

Paramount Pictures

If you’ve watched any TV in the last five years, you’ve probably heard of Yellowstone. Created by Taylor Sheridan, who decided to try his hand at writing after acting, this dramatic series follows the Dutton family as they struggle to hold onto their ranch in the face of constant challenges from those who want to take it from them – including land developers, competing families, and political opponents.

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The show’s beautiful scenery, complex family relationships, and detailed plot have really grabbed viewers and impressed critics. Though some who prefer more understated stories might find it overly dramatic, its popularity is clear. It’s brought the western genre back to a level of success it hasn’t enjoyed in over sixty years.

‘Justified’ (2021 – 2022)

FX Network

Running for six seasons and 78 episodes between 2010 and 2015, Justified centers on the lives of people in the Appalachian Mountains of eastern Kentucky. The show stars Timothy Olyphant as Raylan Givens, a tough Deputy U.S. Marshal who often takes the law into his own hands. Justified received a lot of praise from critics and helped pave the way for the recent surge in neo-Western shows like Yellowstone, which focus on realistic characters and stories set in the American frontier.

This show masterfully combines crime drama with the dark, atmospheric style of Southern gothic, all while maintaining a surprisingly wry sense of humor. Despite winning 8 Primetime Emmy Awards for its excellent storytelling, strong acting, and well-developed characters, it hasn’t gotten the recognition it deserves. Like Yellowstone, it features beautiful scenery, gripping drama, and complex plots, but many consider it even better due to its realistic feel and tightly focused story.

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2026-02-03 04:24