Sam Elliott's Shea looking over a fence in 1883.Image via Paramount+
By
Michael John Petty
Published 25 minutes ago
Michael John Petty is a Senior Author for Collider who spends his days writing, in fellowship with his local church, and enjoying each new day with his wife and daughters. At Collider, he writes features and reviews, and has interviewed the cast and crew of Dark Winds. In addition to writing about stories, Michael has told a few of his own. His first work of self-published fiction – The Beast of Bear-tooth Mountain – became a #1 Best Seller in "Religious Fiction Short Stories" on Amazon in 2023. His Western short story, The Devil's Left Hand, received the Spur Award for "Best Western Short Fiction" from the Western Writers of America in 2025. Michael currently resides in North Idaho with his growing family.
Sign in to your Collider account
follow
Follow
followed
Followed
Like
Like
Thread
Log in
Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents:
Try something different:
Show me the facts
Explain it like I’m 5
Give me a lighthearted recap
In the age of neo-Westerns we presently find ourselves, perhaps no streaming giant has a finer collection of modern television horse operas than Paramount+. Not only does this streaming platform feature the near-full catalog of Taylor Sheridan dramas (sorry, Yellowstone), but it also offers some of the best non-Sheridan works out there. While perhaps not as popular as Netflix or HBO Max, Paramount+ remains the streaming home of some of the best Western TV shows out there.
But just because a Western show is on Paramount+ does not mean it's perfect. After all, Landman has been considered a neo-Western by some, and it features its own share of disappointments. Likewise, Hell on Wheels falls more in line with traditional Western definitions and yet still has a few holes of its own. So, with that in mind, here are the Paramount+ Westerns that we're proud to give 10/10 status, believing that these are the cream of the streaming platform's abundant Western crop.
1 'Joe Pickett' (2021–2023)
Game Warden Joe Pickett (Michael Dorman) stands ready for a fight in 'Joe Pickett.'Image via Paramount+
Although it only ran for two seasons in the early 2020s, Joe Pickett is a neo-Western mystery drama that is just about everything you could hope for. Originally a Spectrum series, it moved to Paramount+ for its second season, which pushed the show's titular Wyoming game warden (played by Michael Dorman) further into the wilderness than ever; the series cast includes Julianna Guill, Sharon Lawrence, and David Alan Grier. The way the show expertly blends the Pickett family's life with the thrilling mysteries of the great outdoors makes this a must-watch on the streamer.
Based on the book series by C. J. Box, Joe Pickett tackles a new case per season that forces Joe to confront his troubled past in order to ensure his family's future. Unlike some of the more nihilistic takes on the modern West, this series speaks to the traditional Western hero, with Joe exuding all the qualities of the type of lawman seen in the Westerns of the '50s and '60s. It's certainly a trek into the wild worth taking.
2 '1923' (2022–2025)
Harrison Ford as Jacob Dutton in a coat and hat outside a building in winter in 1923 Season 2, Episode 6.Image via Paramount+
The second prequel in Taylor Sheridan's larger Yellowstone universe, 1923 is a two-season prequel drama that admittedly leaps outside the typical period constraints that most Westerns follow, though it does so in a way that still feels both historical and thrilling. As the Duttons of this age — led by Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren — face those who would steal their land from beneath their fallen corpses, Sheridan uses this prequel seris to speak to a lesser-known period of Montana history. Saddle up, this one's intense.
During America's Prohibition, Big Sky Country was already in a Great Depression of its own, and we can see the desperation throughout. Everything from the violent outbursts by rival sheepherds, the poor treatment of Native American women, the globetrotting adventures of a World War I vet (played by Brandon Sklenar), and the depravity of a villain who wishes to gobble up all of Paradise Valley for himself, is on full display here. 1923 tells as fantastic and heart-wrenching story of love, loss, redemption, and sacrifice that's far better than Yellowstone.
3 'Lawmen: Bass Reeves' (2023)
David Oyelowo as Bass Reeves pointing a rifle in the Lawmen: Bass Reeves finale.Image via Paramount+
Although executive produced by Taylor Sheridan, Lawmen: Bass Reeves is the brainchild of Chad Feehan, who brought the titular lawman to life through the performance of the exceptional David Oyelowo. Told in eight parts, this Bass Reeves miniseries follows the slave-turned-U.S. Marshal as he patrols the Indian Territory in the latter half of the 19th century, all while dealing with the social and societal pressures around him. Oyelowo is incredible as Reeves, giving a true face to the historical figure who remains largely unknown.
Filled to the brim with fantastic performers, which also include Lauren E. Banks, Forrest Goodluck, Dennis Quaid, and Donald Sutherland, Lawmen: Bass Reeves is a standalone story that paints an often overlooked picture of the American West. Although Feehan has teased that Lawmen could become an anthology series (indeed, we hope it does), the Bass Reeves story is just as good as any other drama here. Plus, unlike the aforementioned shows, this one actually does take place in the wild Old West.
4 'Longmire' (2012–2017)
Walt Longmire (Robert Taylor) and Henry Standing Bear (Lou Diamond Phillips) walking in Longmire.Image via Netflix
Based on the popular neo-Western mystery novels by Craig Johnson, Longmire follows the titular Wyoming Sheriff Walt Longmire (Robert Taylor) as he patrols the fictional Absaroka County. The series also features Katee Sackhoff, Bailey Chase, Lou Diamond Phillips, and Cassidy Freeman. If you've heard of Longmire before, you've likely heard of it as "your dad's favorite show," and while there's some truth that the audience for this A&E-turned-Netflix series skewed to older demographics, it's about as thrilling neo-Western content as you'll ever get on television. Nowadays, the show is streaming in its entirety on Paramount+.
For six seasons, Longmire was a delight for those who loved the books as well as those who had never picked up a single copy. The idea that a modern-day Wyoming lawman could exist in the same traditional style as the mystic sheriff portrayals in classic Westerns is an intriguing one, so it's no wonder the show was so beloved. Now that Longmire has moved to Paramount+, many (including this author) are hoping that we'll get a Longmire revival sooner rather than later. Until then, the series is perfect as is.
5 '1883' (2021–2022)
The 1883 cast lined up side by side in the middle of town.Image via Paramount+
If you're still infatuated with the Yellowstone universe, then Taylor Sheridan's groundbreaking original prequel, 1883, remains a masterpiece to enjoy on Paramount+. Set in the titular year, it follows the original band of Duttons that traveled from Texas all the way up the Oregon Trail to Paradise Valley, Montana. With a cast that includes Sam Elliott, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Isabel May, and LaMonica Garrett, 1883 has become a quick classic due to its powerhouse performances and attention to historical detail.
With an episode count of 10, 1883 painstakingly presents an uncompromising, bloody, and robust picture of the American West. As the Duttons deal with everything from bandits and vandals to violent Indians and disease, we get a full-scope look at the hardships that those westward homesteaders faced. As an origin story to the Yellowstone brand, 1883 is consistently hailed as the franchise's best.
6 'Gunsmoke' (1955–1975)
James Arness, Amanda Blake, Ken Curtis, and Milburn Stone in Gunsmoke.Image via CBS
When it comes to Western television, there is no show more popular, more well-known, or longer running than Gunsmoke. Plenty of genre tropes hailed from this 20-season program, and although it may not have originated them all, it certainly popularized them. Following Marshal Matt Dillon (James Arness) as he patrols Dodge City, Gunsmoke was originally a black-and-white half-hour series when it began, but by the time it ended it had graduated to hour-long color episodes. Prior to the TV series, Gunsmoke originated as a radio program that enchanted the airwaves from 1952 to 1961, starring William Conrad as the famous U.S. Marshal. It was certainly a trailblazer.
Even on streaming, Gunsmoke continues to make powerful waves on every service it's featured on, including Paramount+. Though only Seasons 7 and 8 are currently on the aforementioned streaming platform (which includes the show's very best hour, "The Gallows"), Paramount+ was previously home to the vast library of Gunsmoke adventures. It's highly likely that the rest of Gunsmoke's explosive seasons will find their way back to Paramount+, but until then, there are still plenty of Marshal Dillon tales to revisit on the platform.
Like
Follow
Followed
Gunsmoke
TV-PG
Western
Action
Adventure
Drama
Release Date
1955 - 1975-00-00
Directors
Andrew V. McLaglen, Harry Harris, Ted Post, Bernard McEveety, Vincent McEveety
Writers
John Meston, Charles Marquis Warren, Paul Savage
Cast
See All-
James Arness
Marshal Matt Dillon
-
Amanda Blake
Kitty
Expand
Collapse
-
1923
-
Gunsmoke
We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.
Be the first to post Images Attachment(s) Please respect our community guidelines. No links, inappropriate language, or spam.Your comment has not been saved
Send confirmation emailThis thread is open for discussion.
Be the first to post your thoughts.
- Terms
- Privacy
- Feedback
6 days ago
From 'Gunsmoke' to 'Lonesome Dove,' the 10 Best Western Shows That Are Free To Stream Right Now
7 hours ago
1 Year Later, 'Megalopolis’ Box Office Disaster Is Still Reshaping Francis Ford Coppola’s Life
8 hours ago
Cancelled 72% RT Sci-Fi Series That Stephen King Loved Makes Streaming Comeback on Apple TV
7 hours ago
New Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Live-Action Remake Already Has a Release Date
More from our brands
Best New Movies To Watch On Streaming Right Now
It's the Beginning of the End for Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone Empire
Everything We Know About Landman Season 2
15 Best Westerns on Hulu to Watch Right Now
37 Shows on Netflix That Couples Can Binge-Watch Together
Why 1883 Season 2 Was Canceled
All 7 TV Shows and Movies Taylor Sheridan Is Currently Working On
What To Watch
July 20, 2025
The 72 Best Movies on Netflix Right Now
Trending Now
Julia Garner’s Highly Disturbing 93% RT Drama Has a New Streaming Home
'Demon Slayer: Mugen Train' Returns in New 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Release
As a James Bond Fan, I'm Certain These Are the 10 Best Bond Girls in the Franchise
