7 Best Western TV Shows Of 2026 (So Far)

The year isn't over yet, but 2026 has provided us with enough great Western TV series to warrant a celebration. There's still time for more shows to come along and make us scream "yee-haw," but let's take a minute to pay tribute to what we already have.

This year's small-screen Westerns have offered plenty of variety. Some shows have treated us to the shootouts and dark drama we expect from the genre, while others have swooned us with their wholesomeness. On this list, you will find everything from cozy comfort viewing to shows that will challenge and disturb you, but life is all about balance, right?

Some of these shows debuted in 2026, while others returned for brand new seasons. A few of them became major hits, and others flew under the radar, waiting to be discovered by a wider audience. Regardless of their stature, they are all worth adding to every Western aficionado's watchlist.

Not enough people are talking about "Blue Ridge: The Series," an entertaining spin-off of a movie released in 2020. Despite boasting a cast that includes Johnathon Schaech and Sarah Lancaster, the show has bubbled under the radar since premiering in 2024. That said, fans of neo-Westerns and great crime dramas will have a blast with it.

"Blue Ridge: The Series" is an unpretentious action-drama that delivers no-frills entertainment. The plot centers around Justin Wise (Schaech), a sheriff tasked with cleaning up crime in a small Appalachian town. There are murderers, bounty hunters, moonshiners, and other rapscallions who make his life difficult, but his job certainly isn't boring.

Gary Wheeler's series is packed with suspense and action, so it ticks all of the right boxes for a Western procedural. "Blue Ridge" is perfect viewing for those evenings where you just want to switch off your brain and enjoy watching heroes do what they do best.

Any contemporary neo-Western about people fighting to protect their land is going to draw comparisons to "Yellowstone." Netflix's "Ransom Canyon" is no different, even though it's adapted from a book series whose first novel predates "Yellowstone" by three years. However, viewers who go into this expecting a violent, gritty action-drama will be disappointed, as "Ransom Canyon" offers different kinds of thrills.

Created by April Blair, "Ransom Canyon" tells the story of Texas ranching families whose way of life is threatened by corporate nuisances (admittedly, it's very "Yellowstone" in that regard). At the center of it all is Staten Kirkland (Josh Duhamel), a gruff cowboy entangled in a will-they, won't-they romance with Quinn O'Grady (Minka Kelly). 

"Ransom Canyon" is a romantic soap opera that lacks any real bite — and that's okay. The show provides breezy viewing that is elevated by picturesque scenery and likable performances from the cast. Sadly, Netflix canceled "Ransom Canyon" after two seasons, robbing us of a solid Western designed to appeal to our inner romantics.

Lucky Luke has been around since the 1940s, appearing in numerous comics, films, shows, and cartoons during that time. The gunslinger — known for shooting faster than his shadow — has always been one of the more tongue-in-cheek cowboys out there. However, his latest on-screen adventure, available on Disney+, imbues the character with a weariness befitting of an Old West wanderer.

Disney's "Lucky Luke" follows the titular cowboy (Alban Lenoir) as he helps a young woman track down her missing mother in the wild frontier. Unfortunately, this version of Luke is no longer faster than his shadow, as injuries and a lack of confidence have taken their toll on the legendary gunman.

"Lucky Luke" is a funny deconstruction of a decades-old property, but it's serious enough to entertain fans of old-school horse operas. The costumes and sets look authentic, and the shootouts feel ripped from a Sergio Leone movie. The character's long-term fans might be put off by the show's cynical sensibilities, but that's arguably what makes it interesting.

We can hear the boos ringing already, but "Marshals" is a fun change of pace for the "Yellowstone" franchise. The other shows in Taylor Sheridan's saga are Western crime dramas about the struggles of ranch life. Meanwhile, "Marshals" is a prestige procedural that sees Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) give up taking the law into his own hands to fight crime with a badge.

The Spencer Hudnut-created series adopts the case-of-the-week formula that informs hit procedural dramas like "NCIS." However, the Montana backdrop gives "Marshals" its own identity, and Kayce's problematic past ensures that he isn't a complete goody-two-shoes hero. He also takes down a wide array of dangerous villains, providing viewers with plenty of action and thrills.

"Marshals" is also pretty bonkers at times, but that's a good thing. One episode features a bus crash, escaped convicts, and a barn explosion within a few minutes, so viewers who love violent soap operas are catered for. And the best part? You don't need to be familiar with "Yellowstone" to enjoy the spin-off, as the story is barely concerned with the events of the mothership show.

Some of the shows on this list are pretty grim, but Netflix's "Little House on the Prairie" reboot is delightfully heartwarming. Based on Laura Ingalls Wilder's semi-autobiographical novels, it follows a family as they try to build a life in a frontier town. Our protagonists encounter some challenges along the way — wolves, disease outbreaks, etc. — but perseverance, faith, and community spirit keep them afloat.

Rebecca Sonnenshine's series had big shoes to fill from the outset — the original "Little House on the Prairie" ranks among the best Western TV shows of all time. However, Netflix's show understands what makes the original work while exploring the myth of the American West through a more nuanced lens. For example, the reboot acknowledges the Native American perspective, which is largely missing from the '70s series.

"Little House on the Prairie" offers enough perilous drama and exploration of complex issues to be interesting. For the most part, though, it's a pleasant, sun-drenched treat for viewers seeking comfort TV.

"The Madison" was originally envisioned as a "Yellowstone" spin-off, but plans changed. While both shows share similarities — a Montana setting, family themes, etc. — "The Madison" is a powerful examination of grief and loss that doesn't involve any Duttons or gun violence. This is Taylor Sheridan's most sentimental project to date, making it somewhat of a departure from his other work.

The story follows Stacy Clyburn (Michelle Pfeiffer), a New York City socialite who visits Montana to identify her husband's corpse after he dies in a plane crash. She is joined by her family, who don't exactly love their new surroundings. However, that all changes when welcoming neighbors and hunky sheriffs enter the scene.

"The Madison" works thanks to the cast, with Pfeiffer giving an emotional performance as the grieving widow. The flashback scenes featuring Stacy and her husband (played by Kurt Russell) also bring a sweetness to the proceedings, ensuring that the experience isn't always miserable. Throw in some lush Montana scenery, and you have all of the ingredients for a great Western drama.

While "Marshals" came before it, "Dutton Ranch" feels like the true successor to "Yellowstone." The story sees Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) and Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) move their family to Texas with the aim of living a peaceful life on their ranch. That doesn't exactly happen, as the couple struggles to keep their ranch afloat while butting heads with some questionable folks.

"Yellowstone" is all about a family protecting its legacy, while "Dutton Ranch" is about starting a new one. The odds are firmly stacked against Rip and Beth here, making them feel like real underdogs for a change. Seeing them in a new setting where they don't rule the roost is refreshing, and it often leads to some uncomfortable moments with the area's big wigs and criminals.

In some ways, "Dutton Ranch" is even better than "Yellowstone." The story is more focused, as the original series has a tendency to introduce ideas that go absolutely nowhere. "Dutton Ranch" also features more three-dimensional female characters, with Annette Bening's Beulah Jackson being a particular highlight.