The 20 Best Western TV Shows of All Time
Load your six-shooters—from 'Gunsmoke' to 'Outer Range,' these are the greatest Western series to ever hit the small screen.
If you love watching old episodes of Gunsmoke and Bonanza, you're probably overjoyed to be living in the age of television's Western renaissance. With the Taylor Sheridan Cinematic Universe bringing in tons of new fans and pleasing old ones (with tales from various eras of the Dutton family), we thought it would be a great time to look back on the once-ubiquitous Western. Some of the longest-running television shows of all time are old-school Westerns—and there were reportedly over 100 Westerns running on network TV in the 1960s.
Read on if you want to see a catalog of both refreshing and new takes on the genre, as well as long-established classics that have hundreds of episodes that—if you have the time!—you can watch at your leisure. In no particular order, these are the 20 greatest Western series to ever hit the small screen.
Gunsmoke
Beginning as a hit radio drama before transitioning to network television, Gunsmoke is still as watchable as it was almost 70 years ago. Its 20-season run held a television drama record for longevity until 2019, when it was surpassed by Law & Order: SVU. Starring James Arness as Matt Dillon, Marshal of a 19th-century Kansas town, the show has solid action scenes and well-written characters that will keep you interested.
Deadwood
Even though it didn't run for as many seasons as other classic HBO dramas, Deadwood belongs in the network's hall of fame, right next to The Sopranos and The Wire. The series tells the story of Deadwood, South Dakota in the 1870s, which grows from a gold-mining camp to a booming frontier town. There's a lot to love about this gritty and absorbing drama, including the fact that Deadwood includes real historical residents of the town as characters.
Yellowstone
Premiering to mixed critical reception in 2018, Yellowstone quickly built up momentum and the drama over the ensuing years. Now, the Dutton family's antics make for some of the best drama on television right now. Yellowstone will end in 2024 with the premiere of the second part of its fifth season—so now is a great time to start catching up.
Bonanza
Producing 14 seasons from 1959 to 1973. Bonanza enjoyed a long run that almost rivaled Gunsmoke's reign. The main cast comprises the Cartwright rancher family, with patriarch Ben Cartwright and his three sons—who are from different wives. Bonanza was more character-driven than its Western contemporaries, letting its stars—Lorne Green, Michael Landon, and Dan Blocker—take the spotlight.
Justified
Justified is a slick neo-western that buoyed by a stellar lead performance from Timothy Olyphant. He plays the gunslinging U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, who is reassigned to the Marshal's Office by his hometown of Harlan County, Kentucky. This Elmore Leonard adaptation's direction, writing, and performances only improved through its six-season run.
Little House on the Prairie
A classic drama adapted from by Laura Ingalls Wilder's beloved book series, Little House on the Prairie explores adult themes without the excessive gunslinging you see in most Westerns. Little House on the Prairie follows the Ingalls family, who moves near Walnut Grove, Minnesota to build a house and a new life.
Godless
OK, there are a lot of lengthy shows on this list. The Netflix miniseries Godless packs a ton of quality into just seven episodes. The story follows outlaw Roy Goode on the run from his menacing boss Frank Griffin (played brilliantly by Jeff Daniels), who ends up in a predominantly female New Mexico town.
The Rifleman
Following a father and son who begin a life of ranching in 1880s New Mexico, The Rifleman is another great 20th-century Western. The series features writing from The Wild Bunch director Sam Peckinpah and some intense shootouts featuring Lucas McCain's eponymous Winchester rifle.
1923
If you haven't already checked it out.The star power of Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford alone should propel 1923 to the top of your watchlist. This prequel is set on (save for an interesting subplot in Africa) Yellowstone Ranch, where the Dutton family faces the Great Depression and Western expansion—which brings along adversaries like Timothy Dalton's business tycoon, Donald Whitfield.
Dark Winds
In Dark Winds, Zahn McClarnon gets a well-deserved starring role as Navajo police Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn. Kiowa Gordon plays his newest deputy, Jim Chee—who is an undercover FBI agent. This crime thriller, adapted from Tony Hillerman's Leaphorn & Chee series of novels, features solid mysteries. Dark Winds is created by an all-Native American writer's room, to boot.
Death Valley Days
Another long-running classic Western, Death Valley Days is one of the earliest anthology-style shows. The series featured adaptations of passed-down legends from the American West, particularly around Death Valley. Stanley Andrews played the show's iconic first presenter: The Old Ranger.
1883
The earliest generation of Duttons explored by Taylor Sheridan so far, 1883 follows several Duttons and other members of a wagon expedition from Tennessee to Montana—and the eventual founding of the Yellowstone Ranch. Sam Elliott's performance as the Pinkerton-employed expedition leader Shea Brennan makes this miniseries worth watching alone.
Preacher
If you need some supernatural flavor with your Westerns, Preacher is completely bonkers—and a great time from start to finish. An adaptation of Garth Ennis's comic book series, Preacher stars Dominic Cooper as Texan preacher Jesse Custer, who is granted strange powers and embarks on a quest to find God.
Longmire
In Longmire, Aussie actor Robert Taylor brings a ton of confidence to the lead role of Absaroka County Sheriff Walt Longmire. The show begins with Longmire still mourning his wife's death, solving crimes within Abrasoka County, as well as aiding tribal police in the local Native American reservation.
The Lone Ranger
The Lone Ranger has been a long-enduring famous Western character from his inception in 1933 on the radio—and this television adaptation was one of ABC's early big hits. Not all elements of this show have aged well—like the writing of the Ranger's Native American companion, Tonto—but it's still an important piece of history for the genre.
Westworld
It's a tragedy that Westworld was pulled from HBO, and its first season stands out as one of the best combinations of the Western and science fiction genres. Over the course of its four seasons, Westworld expands to include other areas of the mysterious Delos, Inc. and beyond—and it's a twisting and intriguing romp all the way through.
Lawmen: Bass Reeves
Lawmen: Bass Reeves—which is another must-watch miniseries—is a great vehicle for David Oyelowo's talents. The story is based on the real figure Bass Reeves, who escaped slavery and eventually became a decorated U.S. Marshal after working as a tracker and farmer in Native American territory.
Firefly
Unfortunately, Firefly wasn't given the time by Fox to grow to its full potential. But the series is still a fun space Western with a charming ensemble cast, which includes Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, and Alan Tudyk.
Outer Range
Josh Brolin is mesmerizing in this sci-fi Western as rancher Royal Abbott. His family copes with the disappearance of Royal's daughter-in-law Rebecca, faces a rival family entrenching on their land, and discovers a mysterious void on their property.
Walker, Texas Ranger
Don't worry, you're safe from Chuck Norris jokes here. Walker, Texas Ranger won't blow your mind with its revolutionary storytelling, but if you're in the mood for some cooky action and neo-Western shenanigans alongside tons of martial arts, this series is a fun watch.
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