Western-themed television shows have become popular again recently, largely due to the success of Yellowstone. The show was one of the biggest hits of the last decade, and continues to be widely watched on streaming services even two years after its final episode.
According to FlixPatrol, Yellowstone is currently the biggest hit on Paramount+ around the world. The Western drama is number one in many countries, including Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, and Peru. It’s also performing well elsewhere – it’s a top 5 show in the UK, and popular with viewers on streaming services Stan in Australia and SkyShowtime in Albania.
Taylor Sheridan created the hit show Yellowstone, which led to several related series. First came the prequel stories, 1883 and 1923, on Paramount+. Then, Marshals premiered on CBS, followed by Dutton Ranch on Paramount+ in 2026. Both Dutton Ranch and Marshals are now among the most popular shows on Paramount+, alongside the original Yellowstone.
What Is Yellowstone About?
Yellowstone is a modern Western drama centered around the Dutton family and their sprawling ranch. John Dutton, owner of the largest ranch in the US, faces constant challenges from power-hungry politicians, land developers, and disputes with both the neighboring Broken Rock Indian Reservation and Yellowstone National Park.
Kevin Costner plays John Dutton III, the owner of the Yellowstone ranch and patriarch of the Dutton family. Luke Grimes is Kayce Dutton, John’s younger son and a Navy SEAL veteran. Kelly Reilly portrays Beth Dutton, John’s daughter who has a career in finance. Wes Bentley stars as Jamie Dutton, another of John’s sons – he’s a lawyer with political ambitions.
The show Yellowstone ran for five seasons with a total of 53 episodes and launched several successful spinoffs featuring characters from the original series. Created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson, Sheridan also appeared in 12 episodes as Travis Wheatley. Despite all this success,
Yellowstone Won Over Critics Over Time
The first season of Yellowstone received a mixed reaction from critics. It currently has a 58% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. While some found it interesting, critics like Eric Deggans of NPR pointed out that the show lacked truly engaging or sympathetic characters. Troy Patterson of The New Yorker described the series as becoming a rather over-the-top soap opera.
Despite a rocky start, Yellowstone eventually impressed critics. The show’s second season earned an 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and its third season achieved a perfect 100%. Season four continued the positive trend with a 91% score. Even the fifth and final season remained well-regarded, earning a ‘Certified Fresh’ rating of 79%, demonstrating consistent improvement throughout the series.
The show was a hit from day one and remains incredibly popular on streaming services two years after its finale. Created by Taylor Sheridan, it brought new life to the Western genre and launched a successful franchise with several related series – all of which consistently rank among Paramount+’s most-watched programs globally.
2026-07-26 01:40