Best Western TV Shows of the 21st Century (Ranked)

The Western genre is officially back. After spending many years away from the spotlight, Western TV shows are once again dominating pop culture. This modern revival has been led by Yellowstone and its growing universe of spin-offs and prequels, but the resurgence began much earlier.

Classic Westerns like Gunsmoke, Bonanza, and Wagon Train ruled television in the 1950s and 1960s. However, by the mid-1970s, audiences began moving away from the genre, favoring crime dramas, sitcoms, and science fiction instead. Westerns were seen as outdated and too morally simple.

That perception changed in the 21st century. Modern Western shows introduced deeper characters, moral complexity, and darker storytelling. Series like Deadwood and Justified proved that Westerns could deliver prestige television. Since then, the genre has grown stronger than ever.

Here are the 12 greatest Western TV shows of the 21st century, ranked from good to legendary.

12. Walker (2021–2024)

Walker is a modern reboot of Walker, Texas Ranger, updated for today’s audience. The show follows Cordell Walker, a Texas Ranger dealing with personal loss while trying to keep his family together and protect his community.

While it leans more toward a police procedural than a traditional Western, it still carries frontier themes of justice and responsibility. Strong performances make it enjoyable, though it lacks the depth and ambition of higher-ranked neo-Westerns.

11. Hell on Wheels (2011–2016)

Set during the construction of America’s first transcontinental railroad, Hell on Wheels explores ambition, revenge, and survival in a divided post–Civil War nation.

The series features a diverse cast of characters and delivers steady drama and tension. While it sometimes feels exaggerated and historically loose, its strong storytelling and sense of danger kept audiences invested throughout its run.

10. 1923 (2022–2025)

A prequel to Yellowstone, 1923 focuses on the Dutton family during the Prohibition era and the Great Depression. Led by powerful performances from Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren, the show delivers gritty drama and emotional weight.

Though well-made and engaging, it often revisits familiar storylines already explored in Yellowstone, preventing it from reaching the same cultural impact.

9. Outer Range (2022–2024)

Outer Range blends Western storytelling with science fiction. The series follows a rancher fighting to protect his land after a mysterious black void appears on his property.

The show is atmospheric and suspenseful, successfully mixing mystery with Western themes. While pacing issues and underdeveloped side characters hold it back, it remains one of the more creative modern Western experiments.

8. Dark Winds (2022–Present)

Set in the 1970s, Dark Winds follows Navajo Tribal Police officers investigating crimes in the American Southwest. The show stands out for its authenticity, slow-burn tension, and respect for Native American culture.

Instead of flashy action, it focuses on atmosphere, psychology, and emotional realism, making it a refreshing and grounded Western crime drama.

7. Longmire (2012–2017)

Longmire centers on Sheriff Walt Longmire, a widower balancing personal grief with his duty to uphold the law near a Native American reservation.

The series is praised for its respectful portrayal of Native communities and its emotionally complex characters. Its thoughtful storytelling and strong lead performance make it one of the most relatable Western shows of the modern era.

6. Westworld (2016–2022)

Westworld begins in a futuristic Wild West theme park where android hosts serve human guests. The show quickly evolves into a philosophical exploration of free will, identity, and artificial intelligence.

Its first two seasons were critically acclaimed for their ambition and storytelling. While later seasons divided audiences, Westworld remains one of the boldest Western-inspired series ever made.

5. Godless (2017)

Godless is a limited series that tells the story of a wounded outlaw seeking refuge in a town run almost entirely by women. The show builds tension toward an explosive final showdown.

With a tight narrative, memorable characters, and stunning cinematography, Godless proves how powerful a focused, single-season Western can be.

4. Yellowstone (2020–2024)

Created by Taylor Sheridan, Yellowstone follows the Dutton family as they fight to protect their land from developers, politicians, and rival ranchers.

The show’s breathtaking landscapes, intense family drama, and bold storytelling made it a global phenomenon. While its melodrama isn’t for everyone, its influence on the modern Western revival is undeniable.

3. Justified (2010–2015)

Justified stars Timothy Olyphant as U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, a lawman enforcing justice in Kentucky’s rural communities.

Known for its sharp dialogue, dark humor, and unforgettable characters, the series earned multiple Emmy Awards. Many fans consider it superior to Yellowstone due to its tighter storytelling and emotional authenticity.

2. 1883 (2021–2022)

Another Yellowstone prequel, 1883 follows the Dutton family’s dangerous journey westward to Montana.

With a standout performance from Sam Elliott, the show delivers emotional storytelling rooted in hardship, loss, and survival. Its raw realism and limited-series format make it one of the most powerful Westerns ever made.

1. Deadwood (2004–2006)

Deadwood is widely considered the greatest Western TV series of the 21st century. Set in the lawless town of Deadwood during the 1870s, the show explores power, greed, and morality in brutal detail.

Its legendary dialogue, complex characters, and unflinching realism redefined what a Western could be. Deadwood laid the foundation for every modern Western that followed and remains unmatched in quality and influence.