Best shows like Yellowstone to watch next
If you're hooked on the Dutton family saga, you're likely craving more tales of complex characters, intense family dynamics, and gritty drama. Find your next binge-worthy series with this list of acclaimed shows that capture Yellowstone's spirit.
Finding a show that captures the unique blend of family drama, sprawling landscapes, and morally ambiguous characters that makes Yellowstone so compelling can be a challenge. Fans of the series often gravitate towards stories where loyalty is tested, power struggles are central, and the lines between right and wrong are constantly blurred. Many of the most acclaimed series of the past couple of decades share these narrative threads, often focusing on anti-heroes leading complex lives.
Think about the appeal of shows centered around powerful, often flawed patriarchs or matriarchs fighting to protect their empire, be it a ranch, a criminal enterprise, or a business. These narratives frequently explore themes of succession, betrayal, and the impact of legacy across generations. The setting itself often plays a crucial role, becoming almost a character in its own right, whether it's the sweeping vistas of Montana, the urban decay of a major city, or the isolated tension of a small town.
Whether it's the intricate plotting of a neo-western crime drama, the deep dive into the mechanics of a criminal underworld, or the raw emotional core of a family pushed to its limits, the series that resonate with Yellowstone viewers often excel at character development and high-stakes conflict. These shows aren't afraid to delve into the darker aspects of human nature and the difficult choices people make when everything they care about is on the line. If you appreciate rich storytelling, compelling performances, and narratives that stay with you long after the credits roll, you'll find something to love in this selection of series.
7. Bloodline (2015)
Secrets and lies run deep in the Rayburn family, the focus of the atmospheric thriller Bloodline. Set against the stunning, humid backdrop of the Florida Keys, this series explores the dark past of a seemingly respectable family who own a local inn.
When the black sheep brother returns home, old wounds are reopened, and a chain of events is set in motion that threatens to expose the family's darkest secrets. Featuring a stellar cast including Kyle Chandler, Ben Mendelsohn, and Linda Cardellini, Bloodline is a slow-burn psychological drama that expertly builds tension. It's a compelling study of family dynamics, resentment, and the consequences of burying the truth.
6. Sons of Anarchy (2008)
Dive into the complex world of a motorcycle club with Sons of Anarchy. While the setting is different from Yellowstone, this series offers a similarly compelling look at a powerful, unconventional family unit bound by loyalty, power, and a willingness to operate outside the law.
Following Jax Teller (Charlie Hunnam), the son of the club's founder, as he navigates the club's criminal enterprises and questions its direction, the show is often compared to a modern-day Hamlet. It's a high-octane mix of action, drama, and deep character study, exploring themes of brotherhood, betrayal, and the corrupting influence of power. The relationships within the club and the Teller-Morrow family are the beating heart of this intense saga.
5. Ozark (2017)
While not a Western, Ozark shares Yellowstone's intensity and focus on a family pushed to extremes in a rural setting. This gripping series follows the Byrde family, led by financial planner Marty Byrde (Jason Bateman), who is forced to relocate his family to the Ozarks region of Missouri to launder money for a Mexican drug cartel.
The show masterfully builds tension as the Byrdes navigate the dangerous criminal underworld of the Ozarks, encountering local crime families and law enforcement. Julia Garner delivers a breakout, Emmy-winning performance as the sharp-witted Ruth Langmore. It's a dark, suspenseful drama about the moral compromises people make to survive and protect their family, set against a surprisingly beautiful but menacing backdrop.
4. Hell on Wheels (2011)
Embark on an epic journey across the American West with Hell on Wheels. Set in the years following the Civil War, the series follows Cullen Bohannon (Anson Mount), a former Confederate soldier seeking revenge on the Union soldiers who murdered his wife. His quest leads him to the mobile, lawless encampment that follows the construction of the first transcontinental railroad.
The railroad itself becomes a central character, a symbol of progress and destruction. The show delves into the harsh realities of this era, exploring themes of revenge, redemption, and the clash of cultures among the workers, settlers, and Native American tribes. Anson Mount delivers a powerful performance as the driven, haunted Bohannon, making this a compelling and often brutal historical Western saga.
3. Deadwood (2004)
Prepare yourself for a truly immersive and raw experience with Deadwood. This series takes you to the lawless South Dakota town in the late 1870s, a melting pot of prospectors, outlaws, and entrepreneurs seeking their fortune.
Known for its incredibly distinctive and rich language (seriously, the dialogue is a character unto itself, often bordering on Shakespearean profanity), Deadwood is a gritty, unflinching look at the birth of civilization and the struggle for power and order. The ensemble cast is phenomenal, featuring iconic performances like Ian McShane's Al Swearengen and Timothy Olyphant's Seth Bullock. It's historical fiction at its finest, exploring complex human nature amidst the chaos of the American frontier.
2. Justified (2010)
Step into Harlan County, Kentucky, where U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens brings his own brand of frontier justice straight from the pages of Elmore Leonard. Justified is pure gold, centered around the effortlessly cool Raylan (Timothy Olyphant), a lawman with a Stetson and a quick draw, who is reassigned to his rural Kentucky hometown.
The real magic here is the sharp, witty dialogue and the incredible dynamic between Raylan and his complex, charismatic adversary, Boyd Crowder (Walton Goggins). Their history and rivalry form the backbone of the series. It's a modern Western filled with colorful characters, intricate plots involving local crime families, and a palpable sense of place. If you appreciate morally grey characters and superb writing in a rural setting, you'll be hooked instantly.
1. Longmire (2012)
If you're looking for something that feels like Yellowstone but with its own distinct soul, Longmire is an absolute must-watch. Set in the vast, beautiful, and often unforgiving landscape of Wyoming, this series follows Sheriff Walt Longmire, a man grappling with personal loss while upholding justice in Absaroka County.
What makes it shine is the depth of its characters, particularly Walt, portrayed brilliantly by Robert Taylor with a quiet stoicism and a sharp mind. The show masterfully weaves together intriguing case-of-the-week mysteries with overarching plotlines exploring Walt's past, his family, and the complex relationship between the local community and the nearby Cheyenne reservation. It captures a sense of place and the challenges of life in the contemporary American West unlike anything else. It's thoughtful, atmospheric, and utterly compelling.
