In the age of neo-Westerns we presently find ourselves, perhaps no streaming giant has a finer collection of modern television horse operas than Paramount+. Not only does this streaming platform feature the near-full catalog of Taylor Sheridan dramas (sorry, Yellowstone), but it also offers some of the best non-Sheridan works out there. While perhaps not as popular as Netflix or HBO Max, Paramount+ remains the streaming home of some of the best Western TV shows out there.
But just because a Western show is on Paramount+ does not mean it’s perfect. After all, Landman has been considered a neo-Western by some, and it features its own share of disappointments. Likewise, Hell on Wheels falls more in line with traditional Western definitions and yet still has a few holes of its own. So, with that in mind, here are the Paramount+ Westerns that we’re proud to give 10/10 status, believing that these are the cream of the streaming platform’s abundant Western crop.
1
‘Joe Pickett’ (2021–2023)
Although it only ran for two seasons in the early 2020s, Joe Pickett is a neo-Western mystery drama that is just about everything you could hope for. Originally a Spectrum series, it moved to Paramount+ for its second season, which pushed the show’s titular Wyoming game warden (played by Michael Dorman) further into the wilderness than ever; the series cast includes Julianna Guill, Sharon Lawrence, and David Alan Grier. The way the show expertly blends the Pickett family’s life with the thrilling mysteries of the great outdoors makes this a must-watch on the streamer.
Based on the book series by C. J. Box, Joe Pickett tackles a new case per season that forces Joe to confront his troubled past in order to ensure his family’s future. Unlike some of the more nihilistic takes on the modern West, this series speaks to the traditional Western hero, with Joe exuding all the qualities of the type of lawman seen in the Westerns of the ’50s and ’60s. It’s certainly a trek into the wild worth taking.
2
‘1923’ (2022–2025)
The second prequel in Taylor Sheridan’s larger Yellowstone universe, 1923 is a two-season prequel drama that admittedly leaps outside the typical period constraints that most Westerns follow, though it does so in a way that still feels both historical and thrilling. As the Duttons of this age — led by Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren — face those who would steal their land from beneath their fallen corpses, Sheridan uses this prequel seris to speak to a lesser-known period of Montana history. Saddle up, this one’s intense.
During America’s Prohibition, Big Sky Country was already in a Great Depression of its own, and we can see the desperation throughout. Everything from the violent outbursts by rival sheepherds, the poor treatment of Native American women, the globetrotting adventures of a World War I vet (played by Brandon Sklenar), and the depravity of a villain who wishes to gobble up all of Paradise Valley for himself, is on full display here. 1923 tells as fantastic and heart-wrenching story of love, loss, redemption, and sacrificethat’s far better than Yellowstone.
3
‘Lawmen: Bass Reeves’ (2023)
Although executive produced by Taylor Sheridan, Lawmen: Bass Reeves is the brainchild of Chad Feehan, who brought the titular lawman to life through the performance of the exceptional David Oyelowo. Told in eight parts, this Bass Reeves miniseries follows the slave-turned-U.S. Marshal as he patrols the Indian Territory in the latter half of the 19th century, all while dealing with the social and societal pressures around him. Oyelowo is incredible as Reeves, giving a true face to the historical figure who remains largely unknown.
Filled to the brim with fantastic performers, which also include Lauren E. Banks, Forrest Goodluck, Dennis Quaid, and Donald Sutherland, Lawmen: Bass Reeves is a standalone story that paints an often overlooked picture of the American West. Although Feehan has teased that Lawmen could become an anthology series (indeed, we hope it does),the Bass Reeves story is just as good as any other drama here. Plus, unlike the aforementioned shows, this one actually does take place in the wild Old West.
4
‘Longmire’ (2012–2017)
Based on the popular neo-Western mystery novels by Craig Johnson, Longmire follows the titular Wyoming Sheriff Walt Longmire (Robert Taylor) as he patrols the fictional Absaroka County. The series also features Katee Sackhoff, Bailey Chase, Lou Diamond Phillips, and Cassidy Freeman. If you’ve heard of Longmire before, you’ve likely heard of it as “your dad’s favorite show,” and while there’s some truth that the audience for this A&E-turned-Netflix series skewed to older demographics, it’s about as thrilling neo-Western content as you’ll ever get on television. Nowadays, the show is streaming in its entirety on Paramount+.
For six seasons, Longmire was a delight for those who loved the books as well as those who had never picked up a single copy. The idea that a modern-day Wyoming lawman could exist in the same traditional style as the mystic sheriff portrayals in classic Westerns is an intriguing one, so it’s no wonder the show was so beloved. Now that Longmire has moved to Paramount+, many (including this author) are hoping that we’ll get a Longmire revival sooner rather than later. Until then, the series is perfect as is.
5
‘1883’ (2021–2022)
If you’re still infatuated with the Yellowstone universe, then Taylor Sheridan’s groundbreaking original prequel, 1883, remains a masterpiece to enjoy on Paramount+. Set in the titular year, it follows the original band of Duttons that traveled from Texas all the way up the Oregon Trail to Paradise Valley, Montana. With a cast that includes Sam Elliott, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Isabel May, and LaMonica Garrett, 1883 has become a quick classic due to its powerhouse performances and attention to historical detail.
With an episode count of 10, 1883 painstakingly presents an uncompromising, bloody, and robust picture of the American West. As the Duttons deal with everything from bandits and vandals to violent Indians and disease, we get a full-scope look at the hardships that those westward homesteaders faced. As an origin story to the Yellowstone brand, 1883 is consistently hailed as the franchise’s best.
6
‘Gunsmoke’ (1955–1975)
When it comes to Western television, there is no show more popular, more well-known, or longer running than Gunsmoke. Plenty of genre tropes hailed from this 20-season program, and although it may not have originated them all, it certainly popularized them. Following Marshal Matt Dillon (James Arness) as he patrols Dodge City, Gunsmoke was originally a black-and-white half-hour series when it began, but by the time it ended it had graduated to hour-long color episodes. Prior to the TV series, Gunsmoke originated as a radio program that enchanted the airwaves from 1952 to 1961, starring William Conrad as the famous U.S. Marshal. It was certainly a trailblazer.
Even on streaming, Gunsmoke continues to make powerful waves on every service it’s featured on, including Paramount+. Though only Seasons 7 and 8 are currently on the aforementioned streaming platform (which includes the show’s very best hour, “The Gallows”), Paramount+ was previously home to the vast library of Gunsmoke adventures. It’s highly likely that the rest of Gunsmoke‘s explosive seasons will find their way back to Paramount+, but until then, there are still plenty of Marshal Dillon tales to revisit on the platform.
Gunsmoke
- Release Date
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1955 – 1975-00-00
- Directors
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Andrew V. McLaglen, Harry Harris, Ted Post, Bernard McEveety, Vincent McEveety
- Writers
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John Meston, Charles Marquis Warren, Paul Savage
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James Arness
Marshal Matt Dillon
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