Ever feel like you were born in the wrong century? Do you secretly long for a simpler time, when the most significant decision of your day was choosing between a sarsaparilla and a whiskey, and your fashion choices were limited to varying shades of dirt brown? Well, saddle up, buttercup, because you’re about to embark on a journey through the small screen’s finest westerns. We’ve rounded up the cream of the crop, the top guns, the real mavericks of the genre, and ranked ’em just for you. So grab your trusty steed (by which we mean your remote control), and let’s ride. Here’s our ranking of the best western shows of all time.
Scroll to see a definitive ranking of the best western TV shows of all time…
Kim Dickens in Deadwood | HBO
1. Deadwood — Stream on HBO Max
This HBO masterpiece is a gritty, unvarnished look at a lawless South Dakota town during the 1870s gold rush. With Shakespearean dialogue delivered by a cast of unforgettable characters (led by the iconic Al Swearengen), Deadwood is less about traditional Western heroics and more about the brutal, often corrupt, forging of a community. It’s a beautifully written, profane, and utterly captivating experience. I watch it once a year.
Tommy Lee Jones in Lonesome Dove | HBO
2. Lonesome Dove — Stream on Tubi
Based on Larry McMurtry’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, this miniseries is an epic tale of two retired Texas Rangers driving a cattle herd from Lonesome Dove, Texas, to Montana. It’s a sprawling, emotional journey that captures the essence of the American frontier, with incredible performances from Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones.
Lorne Greene and Michael Landon in Bonanza | HBO
3. Bonanza — Stream on Tubi
Can’t have a Western list without this one. Focusing on the wealthy Cartwright family and their Ponderosa Ranch, Bonanza offered a more family-friendly take on the Western genre. It tackled social issues of the time, often with an emphasis on ethics and personal responsibility. The vibrant characters and picturesque settings made it a Sunday night staple for millions.
jamie and kayce dutton in ‘yellowstone’ | HBO
4. Yellowstone — Stream on Peacock
Bringing the Western into the modern era, Yellowstone follows the Dutton family, the owners of the largest contiguous ranch in the United States. They constantly face threats from land developers, an Indian reservation, and America’s first national park. It’s a high-stakes drama with plenty of conflict, beautiful cinematography, and a compelling ensemble cast.
Chuck Connors and Dennis Hopper in The Rifleman | HBO
5. The Rifleman — Stream on Sling
Chuck Connors stars as Lucas McCain, a widowed rancher and expert marksman raising his son in the New Mexico Territory. The Rifleman stood out for its focus on family values and moral lessons, often resolving conflicts through intellect and fairness rather than just a quick trigger finger, always a plus in a Western, and not something you always see.
Richard Boone in Have Gun — Will Travel | HBO
6. Have Gun – Will Travel — Stream on Pluto TV
Paladin, a sophisticated, well-educated, and well-dressed gun-for-hire, operates out of San Francisco. He charges a bunch for his services but often works pro bono for those truly in need. This show was unique for its intellectual approach to the Western, blending adventure with philosophical musings. A must-see.
Jack Kelly in Maverick | HBO
7. Maverick — Stream on Pluto TV
Unlike the typical stoic Western hero, Bret Maverick (James Garner) was a charming card shark and con artist who preferred to use his wits over his fists (or guns). Maverick brought a refreshing dose of humor and irony to the genre, often satirizing Western tropes while still delivering exciting adventures. It’s retro and timeless Western goodness all at once.
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