While some may think of Westerns as a singular genre, it’s actually quite diverse. The genre can meld into several other genres, from science fiction that brings a touch of the future to revisionism that aims to reinvent what the West was all about. However, one of the most popular forms of Westerns, especially for modern times, is the contemporary Western, better known as neo-Westerns.
A neo-Western is a type of movie or show that focuses on Old West themes such as rugged landscapes and gunfights, but puts them in a more modern setting. While neo-Westerns have had their moments on the big screen, it’s on television where this subgenre has truly shined, which is what we’re focusing on here. So, with that in mind, we’re going to give you the most rewatchable neo-Westerns that you’ll never get tired of watching. Some are well-known, and others not-so well-known, but all of these shows are a great representation of what neo-Westerns are all about. Without further ado, let’s dive in.
10
‘Dark Winds’ (2022–)
As aforementioned in the intro, the Western genre can go in so many areas, and even in the neo-Western format, show creators can let their creative juices flow to create something truly unique. That’s what Graham Roland did when he created Dark Winds, which premiered on AMC in 2022 and is one of the perfect examples of a neo-Western that can wrap itself around other genres.
Dark Winds is a psychological thriller wrapped in a crime drama with a distinctly disturbing Western setting. It follows three Navajo Tribal Police officers who patrol the Four Corners area of the Southwest in the 1970s, and the things they investigate are truly harrowing. You’ll find some traditional Western tropes here, but the main hook of Dark Winds is the psychological mind-bending trip it takes its viewers on, which will have you replaying each of its four seasons on repeat to get the full gist of what’s actually happening here.
9
‘Longmire’ (2012–2017)
Crime dramas and neo-Westerns go together as well as peanut butter and jelly does. While the setting is modern, you’ll find many of the same elements that made old Western movies and shows so beloved. Nowhere does this work better than Longmire, a series that, for a time, rivaled only The Walking Dead in being one of A&E’s most highly rated dramas, only for the network to cancel this riveting Western far too soon.
Based on Craig Johnson‘sWalt Longmire Mysteries novel series, Longmire follows the titular character (Robert Taylor), who is the sheriff of Absaroka County, Wyoming, and teams up with longtime friend Henry Standing Bear (Lou Diamond Phillips) in investigating crimes on the Cheyenne reservation within the county. Longmire had it all: a thrilling crime drama, some pretty good humor, and some truly heart-wrenching emotional moments that made this a great and unique neo-Western that you won’t get tired of watching over-and-over again.
8
‘Outer Range’ (2022–2024)
So, here’s a scenario for you: You own a ranch in the West that you’re fighting tooth-and-nail to keep from land-grabbers and family members who may not have the land’s best interest at heart. In the middle of this turmoil, you discover a mysterious black hole in the pasture on your land. You’re confused, wondering how this hole came to be on your land. Then, you think about the drifter that arrived on your land, and you begin to put two and two together. What do you do?
Well, you now know what Royal Abbott (Josh Brolin) was thinking in Outer Range, a neo-Western with a premise that you may dismiss as odd at first, but the deeper you get into the series, the more you become enthralled in this sci-fi mystery and what the meaning is behind it. With a stellar cast that included Lili Taylor and Imogen Poots (the aforementioned drifter), Outer Range was well-acted and well-written, and it holds your attention while also satisfying Western fans.
7
‘Wyonna Earp’ (2016–2021)
For years, women leads in Westerns were few and far between (and, in some respects, they still are), which is why Wynonna Earp is such a refreshing change from the typically male-dominated genre. As the title implies, this series, developed by Emily Andras for SyFy, follows the great-great-granddaughter (Melanie Scrofano) of the legendary Wyatt Earp, and she comes back to her hometown of Purgatory (yes, this is the town’s name, don’t laugh) to battle the Revenants, outlaws that her great-great-grandfather killed, but has risen from the dead to torment the town, and only Wynonna Earp can send them back to where they belong.
Think about what we just wrote for a second and tell us that you would not be interested in Wynonna Earp? The premise is so odd, but it’s also very original, and it works like a charm if you don’t think too much about it. Wynonna Earp is part neo-Western, part zombie supernatural, and you will find yourself hooked from the first episode. Wynonna Earp feels like it should have been a movie, but we’re so glad it was made as a TV show.
6
‘Walker, Texas Ranger’ (1993–2001)
We honestly can’t talk about neo-Westerns without talking about the face of this subgenre, Chuck Norris. Rising to stardom in the ’80s with his mix of Taekwondo and Western bravado, it was only fitting that Norris would get his own television show that showcased the best of his talents. That show came in 1993 in the form of Walker, Texas Ranger, one of the best neo-Westerns ever made.
Norris stars as the titular character, a Texas Ranger who works to solve crimes in the Dallas-Fort Worth sector of the historical law enforcement agency. Walker, Texas Ranger is the perfect example of what a classic neo-Western is all about. The series has all the trappings of a traditional Western: outlaws, gunfights, and romance, all set within the modern skylines of the DFW Metroplex. Instead of horses, we have police cars. Instead of singular gunfights, we have a butt-kicking Texas Ranger that also knows karate. It’s a beautiful mix of Western and crime drama, and to this day, it’s the perfect binge for folks who love neo-Westerns.
5
‘Sons of Anarchy’ (2008–2014)
For a time in the late 2000s and early 2010s, Sons of Anarchy was a show that no Western fan missed out on. Created by Kurt Sutter and premiering on FX in 2008, Sons of Anarchy put the outlaw motorcycle gang in the spotlight, bringing a different take that humanized it, and exploring some tough topics through its rough-and-tough premise.
Sons of Anarchy follows Jax Teller (Charlie Hunnam), who is part of the titular motorcycle gang that operates out of California’s Central Valley. As the series moves along, we see government corruption, racism, and loyalty all explored to a fascinating degree. While Sons of Anarchy isn’t a typical Western, per se, that’s actually the point here. It’s an action-packed crime drama with a Western mood that is hard to miss, from the redemption arc to the outlaw vibes that the gang gives off. It’s not traditional in the slightest, but the vibes are there, and that’s the beauty of the neo-Western. If you haven’t seen Sons of Anarchy, you’re missing out on a true neo-Western gem.
4
‘Tulsa King’ (2022–)
Taylor Sheridan is special, and what makes his shows so special is how he brings traditional Western vibes into modern times. We’ve seen this to a great extent in series such as Yellowstone (more on this later) and Landman, but the show that may be the most underrated of the bunch, but no less great, is Tulsa King, which brings the Mafia to the modern West.
Starring Sylvester Stallone, Tulsa King follows a Mafia capo who, after being released from prison in New York state, is sent to Tulsa by his crime organization to set up shop there and establish territory. While Dwight “The General” Mandredi (Stallone) is initially loyal to the organization he works for, he soon begins to form his own independent crime family, which leads to conflict with his former organization. The Western vibes are all here, from the gunfights at Western-style dive bars, to the tone; but, it’s all expertly mixed in with traditional mafia bravado that makes Tulsa King a true gem to watch over-and-over again, and Sheridan the genius that he is.
3
‘Breaking Bad’ (2008–2013)
Sometimes, the profession that you once enjoyed simply doesn’t cut it anymore. You may even find out that you have a disease that will shorten your lifespan. So, you decide to change things dramatically, and go do some “questionable” things to support your family before you bite the big one. This was the fate that befell on Walter White (Bryan Cranston) in the iconic AMC neo-Western Breaking Bad.
Created by Vince Gilligan, Breaking Bad follows White as he descends into the criminal underworld to better his family’s financial future. Along the way, we see him interact and navigate with dangerous criminals through his five-year run. With Albuquerque providing the perfect backdrop, plenty of gun standoffs, and an enthralling plot, Breaking Bad can easily be considered as the quintessential neo-Western of the modern era, and we would not disagree with that. It is that good, especially on multiple watches.
2
‘Justified’ (2010–2015)
This neo-Western has become forgotten over the years, mainly thanks to the rise of other shows that have overshadowed it. But just because FX’s Justified isn’t as well-known as, say, Breaking Bad, doesn’t mean that it deserves to be forgotten. On the contrary, this enchanting series should be on the same level as the AMC classic.
Developed by Graham Yost, Justified stars Timothy Olyphant as Raylan Givens, a rough-and-tumble U.S. Marshal who is the perfect embodiment of an Old West lawman. The difference? He works to apprehend criminals in Kentucky’s Appalachian area in modern times, where his methods don’t always come across as above board by his superiors. With gripping action and Western vibes throughout, Justified is one of the more underappreciated neo-Westerns of the modern era. If you haven’t seen it, make a New Year’s resolution to stream it. You will certainly not be disappointed.
1
‘Yellowstone’ (2018–2024)
While Taylor Sheridan is known as one of the best TV creators and in recent memory, in 2018 he didn’t have that distinction when his first TV project, Yellowstone, premiered on the Paramount Network. When the storied series came to an end at the tail-end of 2024, however, everyone in Hollywood and beyond knew of Sheridan’s name, and his tremendous body of work, and we can thank Yellowstone for this.
Starring Kevin Costner, Yellowstone is the textbook definition of a great neo-Western. The show revolves around the Dutton family, who struggle to hold on to their huge ranch in Montana that sits adjacent to Yellowstone National Park. Over its five seasons, we see the Duttons battle everything, from Indian tribes looking to reclaim the land, to ruthless venture capitalists looking to snatch it from them and transform it into a resort for wealthy tourists to the park. Along the way, the series tells the story in a typical Western fashion, complete with a music score that would be at home in most Westerns, dynastic family drama, and characters that are colorful and brash. In short, Yellowstone is the face of today’s neo-Western landscape, and that is a tremendous compliment.
Yellowstone
- Release Date
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2018 – 2024
- Network
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Paramount Network
- Directors
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Stephen Kay, Taylor Sheridan, Christina Alexandra Voros, Guy Ferland, John Dahl
