For decades, theWesterngenre has captivated audiences all across the world by introducing unforgettable courageous heroes, gritty storylines, and plenty of action and adventure, becoming a must-see for viewers. While famous faceslike Clint Eastwoodand John Wayne have become synonymous with Westerns on the silver screen and appeared in acclaimed hits likeThe Good, the Bad and the Ugly and True Grit, the world of television is also no stranger to iconic shows that took the industry by storm.
Groundbreaking classics likeBonanza, The Lone Ranger,andGunsmokeare just a few of the lauded programs that left an everlasting mark on the exciting genre, which continues to be popular to this day with hit shows likeDeadwood, Outer Range,andYellowstone,proving that Westerns aren’t going anywhere and still have a prominent place in Hollywood. Let’s take a look at 10 of the best Western series fans can check out on Prime.
10Joe Picket (2021)
Joe Pickett
Based on the popular C.J. Box novels of the same name, the 2021neo-Western crimedramaJoe Pickettstars Michael Dorman as the eponymous game warden, who relocates his family to the small town of Saddlestring, Wyoming where he shockingly discovers the body of a murder victim lying in a woodpile in his backyard. Pickett and his loved ones become embroiled in a dangerous conspiracy and are targeted by an ominous threat, leading the outdoorsman to investigate the locals and unearth shocking secrets about the community.
A Knockout Literary Adaptation
Joe Pickettran for two critically-acclaimed seasons, garnering praise for Dorman’s impressive portrayal of the courageous literary character as well as its riveting mystery and thrills, intriguing storyline, and juicy twists and turns. Audiences thoroughly enjoyed watching as Pickett became swept up in an ongoing power struggle between traditional and modern ideologies within the remote town on the brink of ruin, and both electrifying seasons ofJoe Pickettcurrently hold perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes scores.
9Outer Range (2022)
Outer Range
Featuring a decorated ensemble castled by Josh Brolin, Imogen Poots, Lili Taylor, and Tom Pelphrey, the 2022 sci-fi neo-WesternOuter Rangecenters on Wyoming rancher and family man Royal Abbott (Brolin) as he fights to keep his beloved land out of the hands of enemies including the rival clan the Tillersons, who are wanting to take over the property. When Royal discovers a strange black void lurking in his pasture, he unravels a perplexing mystery that coincides with the arrival of an enigmatic drifter and the disappearance of his daughter-in-law.
A brilliant blend of sci-fi and the Western genre, the first season ofOuter Rangewas declared “one of the boldest, weirdest, and most affecting sci-fi shows of the 21st century"by Inverse magazine,with the performances of Brolin and Poots being singled out by critics as well as its wonderfully bizarre premise. The second (and sadly final) installment of the edgy series fared even better with the masses than its predecessor, garnering a 92% Rotten Tomatoes score and keeping audiences on the edge of their seats as Royal continued exploring the complex mystery and unexplainable occurrences.
8Billy the Kid (2022)
Billy the Kid
An epic romantic adventure based on the life of Billy the Kid, from his humble Irish roots and his early days as a cowboy and gunslinger in the American frontier, to his pivotal role in the Lincoln County War and beyond.
Tom Blyth stars as the famous outlaw and iconic gunfighter in the riveting 2022 WesternBilly the Kid, which follows the exploits and adventures of thelegendary historical figure, with the series chronicling his childhood and upbringing in the 19th-century American frontier. The rebellious gunslinger’s humble beginnings and thrilling transformation into the unforgettable outlaw are explored, as the show begins with 12-year-old Billy McCarty traveling with his Irish immigrant parents in search of a better life and opportunities.
A Legendary Outlaw’s Life Is Explored
Though it wasn’t exactly a knockout with critics upon its initial debut,Billy the Kiddid make quite the splash with audiences and the Western dazzled them with Blyth’s charismatic performance as the notorious outlaw as well as its stirring retelling of his wondrous life and legacy. Viewers awarded the series an excellent 87% Rotten Tomatoes Popcornmenter and there are currently two seasons available for streaming, with a third and final installment currently in the works as of October 2024.
7Hell on Wheels (2011)
Hell on Wheels
In the 2011 smash hit AMC original seriesHell on Wheels,former Confederate soldier Cullen Bohannon (Anson Mount) sets out on a mission for revenge after his beloved wife and son are viciously murdered by Union soldiers during the American Civil War, prompting the devastated man to infiltrate the railroad in order to identify those responsible for the brutal crimes. Bohannon discovers that he actually enjoys life as a “railroad man” and begins serving as the foreman for the Transcontinental Railroad, facing countless hurdles and obstacles.
A Soldier Fueled by Revenge & Grief
Hell on Wheelsfocuses on Bohannon as he closes in on the men responsible for the tragic deaths of his loved ones, getting his hands dirty in his pursuit for retribution and vengeance. Plagued by the horrors he witnessed on the battlefield and struggling to create a new identity for himself, Bohannon finds a sense of purpose working in the ungoverned and wild melting pot known as “Hell on Wheels.” The popular series ran for five seasons, becoming AMC’s second-highest-rated original series (behindThe Walking Dead),averaging three million viewers an episode.
10 Action-Packed Westerns That Are Thrill Rides From Start to Finish
From dusty trails to blazing shootouts to breathtaking chases, these action-packed Western movies keep the adrenaline pumping from beginning to end.
6The Rifleman (1958)
The Rifleman
Atrailblazing Western seriesof the twentieth century, 1958’sThe Riflemanstars Chuck Connors as Union Army veteran, rancher, and widower Lucas McCain, who returns to his life as a homesteader and purchases a ranch with his young son Mark near the fictional town of North Fork, New Mexico Territory. Headstrong and hardworking, Connors finds himself swept up in an array of thrilling misadventures while acclimating to life on the ranch, toting his trustee rapid-fire Winchester rifle and helping keep law and order in the small community.
A Groundbreaking Western TV Sensation
The Riflemanmade history when it became the first primetime show to depict a single parent raising a child, and series creator Sam Peckinpah set out to create violent and edgy realism and intricate characters throughout its run as Connors' son was taught tough lessons while on the ranch. The Western dominated the ratings throughout its five season run and 168 episodes, with audiences all across the country tuning in week-after-week to see what new threat Connors would face off against while demonstrating his thrilling marksman skills and fighting spirit.
5The English (2022)
The English
Golden Globe winner Emily Bluntdelivered a spirited performancewhen she headlined the 2022 revisionist Western miniseriesThe English, in which the illustrious actress portrayed Englishwoman Lady Cornelia Locke, who bravely ventures into the American frontier in 1890 with revenge on her mind as she sets out to track down the man responsible for the death of her son. While on her noble quest, Locke teams up with Pawnee nation member and ex-cavalry scout Eli Whipp (Chaske Spencer), who assists the grieving mother on her bold mission.
Blunt Dazzles as a Mother on a Mission
Lauded for its compelling storyline, brutal action and suspense, and stunning visuals,The Englishfeatures knockout portrayals by Blunt and Spencer, who develop an unlikely and meaningful bond as both characters embark upon their own respective journeys to self-discovery. For her exceptional work in the miniseries, Blunt received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination and the Western won a British Academy Television Craft Award for Best Costume Design, with viewers being excitedly transported to the rough and rugged Wild West terrain.
4Wild West Chronicles (2021)
Wild West Chronicles
Chronicling the life and legacy of lawman, journalist, and professional gambler Bat Masterson, 2020’sWild West Chroniclesstars Jack Elliot as the legendary American Old West figure, who decides to leave his life as a sheriff behind in favor of becoming a newspaperman and traveling throughout the American West where he investigates and reports on thrilling stories and events. While on his exciting adventure, Masterson meets and interacts with a slew of iconicoutlaws like Bass Reeves, Butch Cassidy, and Stagecoach Mary.
The Lives of Legendary Outlaws Are Explored
Each episode in the riveting series follows Masterson on his travels as he crosses paths with these famous historical figures, with the savvy journalist investigating everything from a bank robbery by the notorious Dalton Gang to also documenting the unforgettable Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.Wild West Chroniclescurrently has four electrifying seasons under its belt and provides audiences with an in-depth and entertaining look at some of the most prominent familiar faces in American frontier history.
3The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp (1955)
Deemed as the first Western television series written specifically for adults, 1955’sThe Life and Legend of Wyatt Earpfeatures Hugh O’Brian as the iconic lawman, with the groundbreaking program depicting Earp’s many adventures and experiences as a frontier marshal in both Ellsworth and Wichita, Kansas, and later in Arizona. Earp was famous for his involvement in the gunfight at the O.K. Corral, and the famous lawman made it his mission to instill law and order everywhere he went.
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With regard to film, Wyatt Earp is among the most famous characters to ever fall within the western genre.
O’Brian’s Western Makes TV History
The black-and-white, half-hour program received two Emmy nominations throughout its 6 season run, with O’Brian earning a nomination for his impressive performance asthe legendary lawman. The trailblazing series spawned a whopping 229 episodes and delivered solid ratings throughout its television tenure, consistently landing in the Top Ten shows in the United States and amassing a devoted fan base as a result. O’Brian would go on to reprise the role decades later in the ’90s, appearing in the TV moviesThe Gambler Returns: The Luck of the DrawandWyatt Earp: Return to Tombstone.
2Little House on the Prairie (1975)
Little House on the Prairie
Undeniably one of the small screen’s most enduring and distinguished Westerns of all time, the 1974’s classic seriesLittle House on the Prairiefamously follows the Ingalls family as they live, thrive, and survive in Plum Creek, Minnesota during the 1870s. Based on the best-selling Laura Ingalls Wilder books, the unforgettable show featured Michael Landon as family patriarch Charles Ingalls, who courageously fought to keep his loved ones safe and happy as they navigate life on a farm while dealing with unexpected hurdles.
An Undisputed Western Classic
Throughout its sensational nine-season run, the wholesome and endearing program tackled an array of heavy themes and topics including alcoholism, racism, poverty, and abuse, with lead star Landon also directing numerous episodes and serving as both a writer and executive producer.Little House on the Prairiewon multiple Emmys and spawned spin-offs and sequels like three made-for-TV movies that were each released in 1984, one year after the Western concluded following a stellar 204 episode run.
1Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (1993)
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
Seasoned film and television superstar Jane Seymour served up a powerhouse performance as the titular physician in the 1993 Western dramaDr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, centering on the kind and compassionate doctor as she leaves her home of Boston behind in search of career fulfillment and adventure, heading out to the small wild west town of Colorado Springs to set up her very own practice. The wealthy and affluent Quinn struggles to acclimate to the rugged terrain and community, setting out to prove a female can be a brilliant doctor.
Seymour’s Award-Winning Performance
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Womanwas lauded by critics and fans alike throughout its engrossing six seasons, with Seymour winning the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Television Series Drama in 1996 while also earning an Emmy nomination. The series was a major hit with audiences and served up stellar ratings, and its overwhelming success led to two television movies being released in 1999 and 2001, with Seymour reprising her brilliant role as the headstrong and fearless heroine.
