10 Best Western TV Shows Based On Books, Ranked

"Is it better than the book?" It's a question readers frequently ask whenever their favorite stories are adapted for the screen, and opinions tend to be split. Western novels have inspired many great TV series that deserve your time, whether they live up to their source material or not. But which ones rank among the best of the best, and how do they stack up against each other? Let's find out.

On this list, you will find a diverse selection of Western shows adapted from literature. Looking for an old-school horse opera that chronicles dangerous treks across the wild frontier? We have you covered. Or maybe you prefer modern-day Westerns that also function as crime dramas? No problem — we have those, too.

Some of our selections are shows you'll be familiar with, while others are blasts from the past that rarely get discussed nowadays. Regardless, our picks are awesome adaptations of novels that everyone should read if they like their television counterparts. With that in mind, here are the best Western TV shows based on books, ranked.

"Centennial" isn't discussed very often nowadays, but it should be, as it's one of the most ambitious TV series of the 1970s. At the time of its release, the drama was among the most expensive TV projects ever made, but the miniseries is also epic from a narrative standpoint.

Based on James A. Michener's novel of the same name, "Centennial" chronicles the history of a town in Colorado. The story begins during frontier times and concludes in the 1970s, offering a multigenerational saga. One of the storylines also concerns a rancher in the '70s who fights to protect the land from a businessman who wants to spoil it, making "Centennial" perfect viewing for fans of shows like "Yellowstone."

"Centennial" packs a lot of story into its 12 episodes, and it deserves praise for condensing Michener's grandiose vision into a cohesive series. The miniseries also tackles some weighty themes — such as the displacement of Native Americans throughout history — in a brutally honest way. So many Westerns are heroic tales about settlers chasing the American Dream, but this one is more nuanced. If you like your Westerns sprawling, dense, and thought-provoking, look no further than this all-but-forgotten gem.

"The Son" is based on a Pulitzer Prize-nominated novel by Philipp Meyer, who co-created its AMC adaptation alongside Lee Shipman and Brian McGreevy. Pierce Brosnan plays Eli McCullough, a cattle rancher who aspires to become an oil tycoon. The story also explores his childhood after being kidnapped by Comanches, with Jacob Lofland playing the younger version of the character. Eli's turbulent upbringing hardened him, putting him at odds with others in his later life.

Brosnan is the highlight of "The Son," and viewers who associate him with James Bond might be shocked to see him play such a morally ambiguous character here. Eli is ruthless and driven by toxic ambition, making him a detestable fella on paper. However, Brosnan crafts a complex character who is fueled by desperation to survive in a cutthroat world, so you understand his motivations.

"The Son" doesn't romanticize frontier life like other great Western TV shows sometimes do. The series explores themes like greed and displacement through an honest lens — and it's all the better for it. History is ugly, after all, and "The Son" doesn't shy away from reminding us of that fact. With only two seasons, the series tells a relatively compact story while keeping the essence of the book intact. "The Son" will probably leave you wanting more, even though it ends on a satisfying note.

Any Western starring former TVLine Performer of the Week Sam Elliott tends to be worth its salt. Throw in Tom Selleck, and you can rest assured that the project is going to deliver macho entertainment. This brings us to "The Sacketts," a miniseries adapted from "The Daybreakers" and "Sackett" novels by Louis L'Amour.

The story centers around three brothers who leave Tennessee for the West to chase their slice of the American Dream. However, they find trouble along the way, being dragged into feuds and encountering gangs who want them dead. Fans of Elliott's "Tombstone" will enjoy this one, as both Westerns follow brothers who encounter danger and violence on the frontier.

"The Sacketts" is a sweeping Western that boasts plenty of action and adventure — everything one could want from a horse opera. By bringing together stories from two of L'Amour's novels, it also delivers an engaging family saga amid all the gunfights and feuds. The cast is terrific, but that's to be expected from any show involving Selleck and Elliott. 

It's just a shame that we didn't get to see more installments, as L'Amour featured the Sackett family in lots of novels that are ripe for adaptation. There is a wealth of material to mine from should anyone decide to make more shows about these characters.

If you are looking for a show set around Yellowstone National Park that doesn't involve Taylor Sheridan, look no further than "Joe Pickett." This short-lived neo-Western series never got the chance to realize its full potential, but it's still worth your time if you like watching unlikely heroes take on dangerous criminals.

Based on C.J. Box's novels, "Joe Pickett" stars Michael Dorman as the titular game warden who solves crimes in Saddlestring, Wyoming. He might specialize in protecting wildlife, but he soon finds himself investigating a murder after a body shows up in his backyard. As he digs deeper into the case, Joe unravels a web of corruption that puts his family in danger.

"Joe Pickett" is a compelling murder mystery series with a Western sheen, making it perfect viewing for fans of crime dramas and horse operas alike. Dorman portrays a relatable everyman protagonist who feels more grounded than your average Western hero. Sadly, the series was forced to ride into the sunset after two seasons. Fortunately, Box's "Joe Pickett" novels are still going strong, with more than two dozen books for fans to explore.

Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote the books that inspired this beloved NBC series, which is one of the more family-friendly Westerns to ever hit the small screen. That's not to say that "Little House on the Prairie" doesn't tackle some weighty themes and subjects (it does). But its hopeful outlook offers a welcome change of pace.

Created for television by Blanche Hanalis, "Little House on the Prairie" follows the Ingalls family as they deal with the trials and tribulations of 1800s Minnesota. The series is an ode to family values and community, with most of the episodes containing a moral lesson. So many Westerns are violent and cynical, so "Little House on the Prairie" stands out for more positive reasons.

Netflix's "Little House on the Prairie" reboot is also worth your time. The 2026 series is heartwarming and gives greater attention to aspects of American history that received less focus in the books and original TV series. It's more inclusive, providing a more nuanced examination of colonization that gives Osage characters their own stories. However, you can't go wrong with either show in terms of pure entertainment.

Tony Hillerman's "Leaphorn and Chee" novels debuted in the 1970s. His daughter, Anne Hillerman, has continued the series following his death. The books follow the titular Navajo Tribal Police officers as they solve crimes in the American Southwest — just like the storylines in the acclaimed television adaptation "Dark Winds."

That said, there's more to "Dark Winds" than murder and mystery. While fans of crime dramas and procedurals will find it satisfying, the series also addresses sociopolitical themes that are relevant to the Navajo Nation. It's drenched in atmosphere and boasts a tremendous performance from Zahn McClarnon, who plays detective Joe Leaphorn.

"Dark Winds" has earned widespread critical acclaim, as evidenced by its 100% average Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes. It's great to see a series that's primarily told from the perspective of Indigenous people, especially one that's this entertaining and gripping. That praise is very well deserved, as "Dark Winds" is one of the best Western TV shows of the 21st century. Add this one to your list if you enjoy crime dramas that opt for restraint over action.

If there's one word to describe author Craig Johnson, it's prolific. He's been churning out the "Walt Longmire Mysteries" regularly since 2004, with over 20 stories published. What's more, the books inspired an excellent television adaptation courtesy of creators John Coveny and Hunt Baldwin, which ran for six seasons, first on A&E and later on Netflix.

"Longmire" is set in the fictional Absaroka County, Wyoming. The story follows the titular sheriff (Robert Taylor) as he takes down criminals while dealing with grief following the loss of his wife. Longmire is a no-nonsense lawman who wouldn't be out of place in the Old West, but he has a dry sense of humor that makes him pleasant to be around.

"Longmire" will satisfy viewers looking for more shows like "Justified," but it isn't as pulpy as the FX hit. The series embraces the tough, stoic sensibilities of Westerns while still allowing the characters to be emotionally vulnerable. What's more, "Longmire" is a visually striking show, and Western fans won't be able to get enough of the sweeping landscapes, which bring a sense of beauty and grandeur to the proceedings.

"The Virginian" is one of the Western TV shows that define the genre, but did you know it's based on a book by Owen Wister? The 1902 novel is often credited with establishing the hallmarks we associate with Westerns, like mysterious lone-wolf gunslingers who fight for justice. "The Virginian" has been adapted for film and television several times, but the 1962 series starring James Drury is the best.

The NBC series follows Drury's nameless character as he navigates life on a ranch in Medicine Bow, Wyoming. Some episodes see him fight outlaws, while others involve him leading cattle drives. "The Virginian" is the ultimate comfort watch for viewers who enjoy traditional horse operas — you know, the kind with plenty of shootouts, saloon brawls, and lush scenery.

"The Virginian" is also a groundbreaking show. It was shot in color when black-and-white television was the norm, and it was the first Western to air in 90-minute installments. The risks paid off, as "The Virginian" enjoyed nine successful seasons on the air, making it one of the longest-running Western shows of all time. The impact of "The Virginian" cannot be overstated — both as a novel and TV series.

"Lonesome Dove" might be one of the few Western TV series that's as acclaimed as its literary source material. Larry McMurtry's novel won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1986, and Barack Obama praised it for helping readers better understand themselves. Stephen King has even named it as a possible favorite book of all time, and his opinion carries some weight.

The TV adaptation, meanwhile, revitalized Westerns at a time when the genre was no longer hip and cool in Hollywood's eyes. The story follows two aging Texas Rangers-turned-ranchers — played by Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones — as they embark on a cattle drive to Montana. Their adventure is full of peril, some of which has heartbreaking consequences. The plot is reminiscent of countless other Westerns, but "Lonesome Dove" is far from derivative. It strips the Old West of its glamor to tell a brutal story centered around complex characters.

"Lonesome Dove" was nominated for 18 Emmys and won six, but its legacy transcends awards. The great Duvall — an actor who starred in many classics — regarded the miniseries as a career highlight, despite falling off his horse during production. 

"Justified" is one of the best neo-Western TV shows ever made — full stop. Based on Elmore Leonard's "Fire in the Hole," the story follows the trigger-happy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant) as he delivers justice in Kentucky. He also has a complicated bond with the criminal Boyd Crowder (Walton Goggins), echoing the dynamic between Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid.

With this being a Leonard adaptation, viewers can expect razor-sharp dialogue, pitch-black humor, and a host of colorful characters. "Justified" is unabashedly pulpy and unpretentious, which is the show's greatest strength. The early 2010s treated us to so many prestige dramas with a serious edge, but "Justified" took a more irreverent approach to crime and punishment. At the same time, the A-list cast and top-notch production values still add some prestige to the proceedings.

"Justified" is elevated by Olyphant and Goggins, whose chemistry is off the charts. Goggins is so good that he actually makes Boyd lovable... even though the character starts out leading a white supremacist group (albeit one whose ideology he doesn't sincerely believe in). "Justified" is interested in exploring the shades of gray rather than settling for clear-cut heroes and villains. Heck, some of the villains are objectively despicable, but the series still finds ways to humanize them.