Yellowstone has become one of the best Western dramas televisions shows available. It’s a gripping story that focuses on the Dutton family, the owners of the largest ranch in Montana, commonly known as “Yellowstone”.
From its premier in 2018, the Dutton family has drawn in fans from everywhere. The ranch borders land developers, an Indian reservation and American’s first National Park which causes intense situations as it’s in constant attack from media.
As IMDb describes it, “it is the best and worst of America seen through the eyes of a family that represents both”, perfectly encapsulating why it’s so loved, and why fans everywhere want to know what are some great shows like Yellowstone.
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20. Breaking Bad
When looking through the list, you’ll see a lot of Westerns as it matches Yellowstone perfectly. But sometimes there are other genre series that could make a huge impact while still holding onto some similar themes from Yellowstone, and Breaking Bad is one of them.
Premiering in 2008 and going until 2013, Breaking Bad has 5 seasons and follows a chemistry teacher, Walter White, who is diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer set in Albuquerque, New Mexico. During his fear of making sure that his family is secure financially, he begins manufacturing and selling methamphetamines with a former student, Jesse Pinkman.
What starts as just small doses of manufacturing meth turns into a larger operation as they create a special blue meth that is incredibly pure, creating for high demand. And of course, Walter must navigate the criminal underworld while also dealing with his relationship with his family, which becomes strained. Breaking Bad is one of the most beloved and enjoyable series that you can watch, and is a great option if you need something while waiting for Yellowstone.
19. Dallas
Yellowstone shows how far someone will go to make sure that what they love is safe and protected, and Dallas is another example of a family doing this.
The American prime time soap opera airs on CBS April 1978 until May 1991, and revolves around Texas family, Ewings. The show ran for 14 years, with 14 seasons, and is a great option for those that want to dive into a deeper Western political drama like Yellowstone.
Dallas follows J.R. Ewing, a Texas oil baron who uses manipulation and blackmail to achieve his ambitions, both in business and with his personal life. Although, he often receives conflict from his brother Bobby, Ewing’s arch-enemy Cliff Barnes, and his long-suffering wife, Sue Ellen.
18. Joe Pickett
This 2021 neo-Western crime drama is based on characters created by C.J. Box and is featured on Paramount Plus. The series stars Michael Dorman, Julianna Guill, Sharon Lawrence, and several more. The second season premiered in June 2023.
With about 23 books in the Joe Pickett series, hopefully there is a lot more to see in the series. Joe Pickett follows a Wyoming-based game warden and his family in the small town of Saddlestring and the surrounding wilderness of Yellowstone National Park.
With the changing political and socioeconomic climate in the small rural town, Joe Pickett has to make sure to be on his guard, and when a dead body appears in the town, Joe must uncover questions and secrets to figure out who did it and keep the town safe.
17. The Ranch
Some might not believe this entry, as it doesn’t have the same dramatic feel as Yellowstone, however, there is a lot about The Ranch that you might enjoy if you’re a fan of Yellowstone. The main similarity is the relationship between the father and son.
The family dynamic in Yellowstone is often strenuous, with relationships being quite dysfunctional. The Ranch is a comedy that revolves around a former pro football player coming back home to Colorado to help his family run their ranch business. Between trying to get along with his father, as well as his brother, there are definitely some things that you can tie in with Yellowstone if you’re open-minded.
It’s not as dramatic and bit more lighthearted, but all in all, a great show to watch while waiting for more of Yellowstone. The show ran for four seasons and can be found on Netflix if you have a membership. With amazing stars like Sam Elliot, Ashton Kutcher and Grady Lee Richmond, you’re in for a treat when you pick up this amazing show.
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16. Walker
This 2021 TV series is a reimagined version of the long-running series Walker, Texas Ranger which follows the adventures of Cordell Walker, a widowed father of two with his own moral code as he returns home to Austin after beign undercover for two years.
However, once he reaches home, he discovers that there is a lot of hard work that has to be done at home. While trying to reconnect with his creative and thoughtful son, as well as his headstrong and rebellious daughter, he has to navigate the clashes with his family and uncover strange secrets about the death of his wife.
With the series going on for a few years, there are currently four seasons that can be found on Max. For fans that enjoy the dysfunctional family Western drama, this is a great option to help you get through being away from Yellowstone.
15. Mayor of Kingstown
Another great series on Paramount Plus, Mayor of Kingstown follows the McLusky family who are power brokers tackling themes of systemic racism, corruption and inequality in Kingstown, Michigan, where the business of incarceration is the only thriving industry.
The family has been keeping the peace for decades, acting as moderators between street gangs, prisoners, guards and the cops. This series provides a harsh look at their attempt to bring order and justice to a town that has neither.
14. Ozark
Following the Byrdes, which is a mostly ordinary family, as they travel from Chicago to the Missouri Ozarks.
Marty, the husband/father, is a financial advisor, and also serves as the top money-launderer for Mexico’s second largest drug cartel, but things go awry, making the family move for safety.
13. Outer Range
Sometimes bringing two genres together can make it much more interesting, and that’s exactly what Outer Range did. It’s a Western drama that also combines sci-fi mysteries. A rancher fighting for his land and family discovers a mystery at the edge of Wyoming’s wilderness.
A big comparison of this show and Yellowstone is that they both have casted Will Patton as an antagonist, which is super interesting. It’s a great show like Yellowstone for those that want a bit more variety.
12. Ride
This new series features Nancy Travis as Isabel McMurray. It follows the McMurray family as they struggle to keep their ranch afloat in Colorado. It’s another Western drama that explores family relationships and hardships.
After the death of her husband, Isabel McMurray is the matriarch of the family and is working to protect not only her family but their livelihood.
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11. Sons of Anarchy
While not a Western, Sons of Anarchy is still a great series to watch for those that enjoy watching political control. This motorcycle club operates both illegal and legal businesses in the small town of Charming. While Clay, the current president, enjoys sticking to the old ways of things and being violent, Jax, the current VP is looking to change things.
The conflict of power and relationships brings an interesting tension with the group, making it one of the best shows like Yellowstone for those that want to see more crime dramas.
10. Succession
The main thing Succession has in common with Yellowstone is that they both have power. While the Dutton family controls the largest ranches in Montana, the Roy family in Succession controls the biggest media and entertainment companies in the world.
But once their father steps down from the company, fans will witness just how far they will go to take over. Exposing just how much they lack morals, the family will stop at nothing to gain power for themselves, creating an interesting fight for the front seat of the company.
9. The Son
For those that are fascinated on the family dynamic aspect of Yellowstone and want a bit more of that, this is a great show to try. The Son follows Peter, a man who left his previous ex-wife and son, who is enjoying life with his new partner Beth and their baby.
But once his eldest son from the previous marriage, 17-year-old Nicholas, turns up due to suffering from psychological trauma, Peter works hard to counsel him and help him through professional therapy, but things aren’t going as well as he’d hoped. It’s a drama series that focuses on dysfunctional families and hard topics like depression and suicide.
8. Godless
Set in the 1880s, Godless is a great show like Yellowstone. Following criminal Frank Griffin and his gang as they go after ex-protege, Roy Goode, who betrayed the brotherhood.
Roy seeks refuge in an isolated mining town known as La Belle, New Mexico, inhabited almost entirely by women, where he lives with Alice Fletcher, a hardened widow and outcast. When word spreads that Griffin is heading to La Belle, the town bands together to defend against the murderous gang.
7. Deadwood
Set in the 1800s, Deadwood follows the characters of Deadwood, South Dakota, a town of deep corruption and crime.
Ex-lawman, Bill Hickok, and Seth Bullock, a man hoping to start a new life for himself, find themselves at opposite sides of the legal and moral fence from Al Swearengen, the incipient boss of Deadwood. These three characters are intertwined with one another, causing friction and tension throughout the series.
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6. Billy the Kid
This 2022 series follows titular character Billy the Kid through his life, from humble roots to the days as a gunslinger in the American frontier, all the way to his pivotal role in the Lincoln County War where he allegedly committed three murders.
It’s a Western drama and action series that has two series so far and is still going. Billy the Kid depicts the historical figure who was an outlaw in the Old West, alleged to kill 21 men. He was shot and killed at the age of 21.
5. Justified
Another amazing show like Yellowstone is Justified. This series is based on Elmore Leonard’s novella “Fire in the Hole”, which follows a Deputy US Marshal Raylan Givens. After spending time away from home, he’s finally back in Kentucky with the task of bringing down the notorious criminal, Boyd Crowder.
Raylan deals with being at odds with his bosses in the Marshal services, all while dealing with his past life and family. He has a target on his back and is constantly at risk, creating intense and dramatic moments, all while having an amazing banter with Kentucky natives.
4. Hatfields & McCoys
This 2012 series follows two families on the West Virginia/Kentucky border years after the Civil War as they deal with their bitter and dramatized feud. The head of each family were close friends until the near end of the War, and when they returned home there was an increase of tension and misunderstanding, creating a war between them that went on for generations.
What makes it even more tense is that there is a spark of love between a McCoy and Hatfield, making the feud grow even more. Even though it’s a short series with only one season and a few episodes, it’s still a great watch for those that want something to get them through the absence of Yellowstone.
3. Longmire
This Netflix series is a great option for those that enjoy the Western dramas. It follows titular character, Walt Longmire, a charismatic and dedicated sheriff of Absaroka County in Wyoming. His daughter, Cady, struggles to help him turn his life around after his wife’s passing. However, when Vic comes in as a new female deputy, Longmire starts to feel a bit more invigorated about his job and running for re-election.
There are obstacles in his way though, as Branch, a young and ambitious deputy, wants to run for sheriff against him. With themes of betrayal, self-worth, finding dedication in the community, Longmire is an amazing show for those that are missing Yellowstone.
2. 1883
This Yellowstone prequel follows another generation of the Dutton family is traveling to Texas post-Civil war in this prequel show, 1883. The family joins a wagon train undertaking the arduous journey west to Oregon before settling in Montana to establish what would eventually become the Yellowstone ranch.
The miniseries only consists of one season with ten episodes, a perfect watch for those that want a bit more backstory to the Dutton family. Starring big names in the Western genre, Tim McGraw, Sam Elliott and Faith Hill, 1883 is an inspiring and intense story that portrays seeking a better future for your family.
1. 1923
Another prequel of Yellowstone, this series is set in the early 20th century and follows another generation of the Dutton family. Facing challenges including the rise of Western expansion, Prohibition and the Great Depression, Fans will witness big stars like Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren and Brandon Sklenar face challenges including the rise of Western expansion, Prohibition and the Great depression in 1923.
This is another miniseries that only has two seasons, a perfect watch for those that want a bit more out of Yellowstone. There are several amazing shows like Yellowstone, and thankfully there are some within the same universe.
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What’s to Come of Yellowstone?
As of right now, Season 5 is supposedly the end of the Western drama, Yellowstone, however, it is not the end of the franchise. Like 1923 and 1883, there are more stories that will follow Yellowstone, with a sequel coming on its way after Season 5 is over.
Unfortunately, there is not much detail on when the sequel release, but there is some hope and speculation that it will release December of 2023 on Paramount Network and Paramount Plus.
More from Kevin Costner
Kevin Costner has been in several different films and shows over his long-acting career. Yellowstone is just a drop in the bucket when it comes to his filmography, so if you’re interested in watching more from this icon, read on to learn about some of his best roles.
The Highwayman (2019) is one of his more recent films that can be found on Netflix that follows the untold true story of the legendary detectives who brought down Bonnie and Clyde.
While not the lead, his role in Hidden Figures (2016) is incredibly inspiring. Following three female African American mathematicians who served a vital role in NASA during the early years of the U.S. Space Program. This film can be found on Amazon Prime.
The Postman (1997) can be found on Prime Video and follows a nameless drifter who dons a postman’s uniform and bag of mail as he begins a quest to inspire hope to the survivors living in post-apocalyptic America.
Dances with Wolves (1990) is probably one of his most well-known movies, following Lieutenant John Dunbar (Costner) who is assigned to a remote western Civil War outpost and finds himself engaging with neighboring Sioux settlements, causing him to question his own purpose. This is another film that can be found on Amazon Prime Video.
What are Good Movies like Yellowstone?
Sometimes all you need on the weekend is a great Western and some popcorn. And for Yellowstone fans wanting to hold on to that feeling before the season comes to a close, you might want to check out these great movies that give off the same Yellowstone vibe.
Let Him Go (2020) is a Kevin Costner movie as well that follows retired sheriff and his wife, grieving over the death of their son, who set out to find their only grandson. Find Let Him Go on Amazon Prime.
The Searchers (1956) starring John Wayne follows an American Civil War veteran who embarks on a years-long journey to rescue his niece from the Comanches after the rest of his brother’s family is massacred. The Searchers can be found on Amazon Prime.
Unforgiven (1992) is a Clint Eastwood film that follows a retired Old West gunslinger who reluctantly takes on one last job with the help of his old partner, Ned Logan. Unforgiven can be found on Amazon Prime as well.
What are Good Books like Yellowstone?
If you just can’t get enough of Yellowstone and want to explore more of the Western, reading is another great source to ignite the cowboy fire inside of you. Here are some great suggestions for those that want to read some books that can be related to the TV series.
A Sharp Solitude by Christine Carbo features dark, pulse-pounding twists and turns and is set in Glacier National Park that follows Montana FBI Agent Ali Paige who’s on the hunt for a killer. While she’s not officially on the case of the murder, she gets pulled in when her husband and father of her children, Reeve Landon, is the prime suspect.
Highway of Tears by Jessica McDiarmid is a must for those that want to see more of representation of Indigenous people in Yellowstone. This true-crime book reports on the story about the Indigenous women and girls who have gone missing and/or been found murdered off Highway 16 in northwestern British Columbia, Canada.
Montana Sky by Nora Roberts is a great book for those that enjoy Kevin Costner’s character, John Dutton, who is a controlling and manipulative man. Roberts novel is a contemporary romance and family saga that follows the aftermath of a father’s death, and how his will stipulates that in order to inherit the ranch, three daughters must live together on his Montana ranch for a year.
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