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The Top Western TV Shows to Watch Right Now

The Top Western TV Shows to Watch Right Now

TV Westerns have been a fan-favorite for as long as TV’s have been in our living rooms. Whether you’re drawn to timeless classics like Gunsmoke and Bonanza or hooked on modern hits like Yellowstone, a great Western blends intense action with the breathtaking serenity of the untamed Wild West. So, saddle up, load your six-shooter and hit the trail, partner. Here are the top 10 best western shows to watch on TV right now.

Keep an eye on this list as it is updated with the latest and greatest western shows, so you can be sure you’re in the loop. From Yellowstone to Elkhorn, this list will help fans stay up to date on the most popular westerns available.

Watch Western TV shows and movies with DIRECTV.

Watch Guide Methodology: Using proprietary viewership data, DIRECTV Insider curates lists of the most popular TV shows and movies being watched by real people, in real time, to help you pick the best trending content to watch across networks. Our rolling data collection also allows readers to see how a trending show’s ranking has changed week over week.


TOP 10 WESTERN SHOWS TO WATCH

Let’s get started. Here are the trending western TV shows that TV-lovers just like you are enjoying right now, with all the information you need to check them out for yourself.

1. ‘Yellowstone’

↑ 1 vs. Prior Week

Yellowstone

Yellowstone takes us to the breathtaking and sprawling Montana landscape and the trials and tribulations of the family that owns the largest ranch in America. Starring Kevin Costner, this engaging modern-western family drama follows the raw, unfiltered life on America’s largest ranch, the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch.

As the patriarch, Costner’s John Dutton III fights to preserve his land and family from those who aim to seize control, including aggressive land developers. Beneath the picturesque landscape lies a fierce battle for power and land ownership, dark secrets, political maneuvering and intense family dynamics.


2. ‘Wild West Chronicles’

↓ 1 vs. Prior Week

Wild West Chronicles.jpg

The legendary sheriff Bat Masterson hangs up his badge and gun and takes up a pen and notepad to become a news reporter in order to document the truth behind the most famous stories of the American West in Wild West Chronicles. Watch as Masterson investigates stories related to the biggest personalities in the west, including Billie the Kid, Annie Oakley, Wild Bill Hickock and Butch Cassidy.


3. ‘1923’

↑ 6 vs. Prior Week

1923

In 1923, journey into the early days of the Dutton family. As the Wild West embarks on a rapid transformation following the turn of the century, the Dutton’s brace themselves to face the burgeoning challenges of Western expansion, Prohibition and the impending Great Depression. Buckle up for an intense period drama that catapults you to a historical era teeming with untold hardships and uphill battles.

The Dutton’s legacy unfolds like never before in this heart-rending portrayal of resilience, ambition and survival in the face of inexorable change. Discover the roots of their hard-earned dynasty as they pave their way through seismic socio-economic shifts.


4. ‘The Tall Tales of Jim Bridger’

↑ 3 vs. Prior Week

Tall Tails of Jim Bridger.jpg

The Tall Tales of Jim Bridger captures the life and exploits — whether true or exaggerated — of 19th-century frontiersman Jim Bridger, an iconic figure who shaped the history of the American West. As both a skilled trapper and a gifted storyteller, Jim Bridger’s narratives encompass encounters with wild beasts, previously settled communities and the unending challenges of the open frontier. See if you can tell which of these tales holds some of the truth and which couldn’t be farther from it on The Tall Tales of Jim Bridger.


5. ‘Gunslingers’

↑ 6 vs. Prior Week

Gunslingers

Step back in time with Gunslingers, an enthralling series that reveals the brutal yet intriguing life of the iconic gunslingers, outlaws and heroes of the Wild West. The show explores the lives of and little-known facts about fearless figures such as Billy the Kid, Wyatt Earp and Jesse James.

Each episode explores their daring deeds, violent encounters and tumultuous personal lives, providing a riveting blend of biographical drama and action. With Gunslingers, experience the lawless frontier era like never before.


6. ‘Billy the Kid’

↓ 3 vs. Prior Week

Billy the Kid

Take a journey into the wild west with the thrilling series Billy the Kid. Experience the lawless era through the eyes of renegade outlaw Billy the Kid, one of the world’s most notorious and enigmatic figures in folk history. The show brilliantly explores his closely guarded origin story, detailing his transformation from a young misfit into the famed outlaw. Each episode of Billy the Kid delivers riveting suspense, high-stakes shootouts and vivid frontier landscapes, captivating the audiences. Watch the tumultuous tale of the youngest gunfighter in the American West as it comes to life in this titillating series.


7. ‘1883’

↓ 1 vs. Prior Week

1883

Dive into the harsh realities of the late 19th century with 1883. This 2021 release is a prequel to the hit series Yellowstone, charting the arduous journey of the Dutton family as they escape poverty in Texas. Witness the struggle, grit and determination as they travel through the challenging terrain of Great Plains, setting their sights on a promising future in Montana. With breathtaking cinematography capturing the unyielding nature of the old west, 1883 presents a poignant portrayal of survival in the pursuit of the American dream.


8. ‘Dark Winds’

↓ 4 vs. Prior Week

Dark Winds

Venture into the murky world of Dark Winds, a gritty crime drama set in the 1970s southwest United States’ Navajo County. The series follows Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee, a pair of Navajo police officers as they investigate a mysterious crime spree.It soon becomes apparent that otherworldly forces are involved, and the two officers battle evil both of this world and of another in their search for the truth. Dark Winds masterfully intertwines Navajo culture, mystic tribal legends and gruesome murder mysteries for an adrenaline-packed adventure.


9. ‘Walker’

↓ 4 vs. Prior Week

Walker

Walker is a fresh spin on the long-running series Walker: Texas Ranger starring the legendary Chuck Norris. This reboot modernizes the classic drama while holding true to the show’s roots. It centers on Cordell Walker, portrayed by Jared Padalecki, a widowed father with a serious moral code who has returned home to Austin after being undercover for two years. Each episode skillfully combines high-octane action sequences and thrilling cases with emotional storylines around family, friends and the power of hope.


10. ‘Elkhorn’

↓ 2 vs. Prior Week

Elkhorn

Elkhorn follows the transformative years of Theodore Roosevelt in the rugged Dakota Territory during the late 19th century. Following the devastating losses of his wife and mother on the same day, a young Roosevelt leaves his burgeoning political career and affluent New York life behind and makes for the American Frontier to establish the Elkhorn Ranch. There, he must face and overcome the myriad challenges of a lawless region populated by thieves and wild animals.

This period dramatically shapes his character, earning him the moniker The Cowboy President. Elkhorn promises a mix of historical drama and adventurous Western storytelling, chronicling a rarely seen chapter of Roosevelt’s life that defines his resilience and leadership.


And there you have it: the top 10 western TV shows to stream at home. Stay tuned for updates to come, so you can keep up with the best content available right now.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a western tv show?

Western shows are ones that encompass the life and times of the American West, and often revolve around cowboys, gunfights, outlaws and the open frontier. Typically, they take place in the late 1800s to the early 1900s.

What are some of the most popular westerns of all time?

Gunsmoke (1955–1975), Bonanza (1959-1973), The Lone Ranger (1949-1957), Deadwood (2004-2006) and Yellowstone (2018-Present).

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