For many years, Westerns have been incredibly popular with audiences around the globe, offering memorable heroes, tough stories, and exciting adventures. While actors like Clint Eastwood and John Wayne are famous Western stars in films like The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and True Grit, television has also given us some truly iconic Western shows.
Classic Westerns like Bonanza, The Lone Ranger, and Gunsmoke were hugely popular and remain influential today. Hit shows like Deadwood, Outer Range, and Yellowstone prove the genre is still thriving in Hollywood. Here are 10 of the best Western series available to watch on Prime.
10
‘Outer Range’ (2022 – 2024)
Prime Video
The 2022 sci-fi series Outer Range stars Josh Brolin as Royal Abbott, a Wyoming rancher determined to protect his family’s land. He faces conflict with the Tillerson family, who are trying to take over the property. Things get even stranger when Royal finds a mysterious black void on his land, around the same time a mysterious stranger arrives and his daughter-in-law goes missing, leading him to uncover a puzzling mystery. The show also features Imogen Poots, Lili Taylor, and Tom Pelphrey.
Combining science fiction with the classic Western style, the first season of Outer Range received high praise, with Inverse magazine calling it one of the most original and impactful sci-fi shows of recent years. Critics particularly highlighted the performances of Josh Brolin and Imogen Poots, as well as the show’s uniquely strange story. The second season was even more popular, earning a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Throughout both seasons, the series captivated viewers with its intricate mysteries and unexplained events as the character Royal delved deeper into the unknown.
9
Hell on Wheels (2011 – 2016)
AMC
The popular AMC series Hell on Wheels follows Cullen Bohannon, a former Confederate soldier played by Anson Mount, as he seeks revenge for the murder of his wife and son. The killings, committed by Union soldiers during the Civil War, lead him to the Transcontinental Railroad, where he unexpectedly finds purpose as a foreman. He overcomes numerous challenges while working on the railroad and pursuing those responsible for his family’s death.
The series Hell on Wheels follows Bohannon’s quest for revenge against those who harmed his family. He’s willing to do whatever it takes to get justice. Haunted by his experiences in war and trying to rebuild his life, Bohannon finds a strange sense of belonging while working on the chaotic and lawless Hell on Wheels railroad construction site. The show ran for five seasons, but currently, only the first season is available on Prime Video.
8
The Rifleman (1958 – 1963)
ABC
Premiering in 1958, The Rifleman was a groundbreaking Western series. It starred Chuck Connors as Lucas McCain, a Civil War veteran and rancher who settles in North Fork, New Mexico Territory with his son, Mark. A determined and diligent man, Lucas faces exciting challenges as he builds a life on his ranch and works to maintain peace and justice in the town, often relying on his quick-firing Winchester rifle.
The Rifleman was a groundbreaking television show, being the first primetime series to feature a single parent raising a child. Throughout the show’s five seasons and 168 episodes, creator Sam Peckinpah aimed for a realistic and gritty style, developing complex characters and teaching tough life lessons. The Western was a ratings success, consistently drawing viewers eager to watch the adventures of Lucas Connors as he faced new challenges, showcasing his impressive shooting skills and unwavering determination.
7
‘The English’ (2022)
Amazon Studios
Emily Blunt, a Golden Globe winner, gave a powerful performance in the 2022 Western miniseries, The English. She played Lady Cornelia Locke, an Englishwoman who travels to the American frontier in 1890 determined to find the man who killed her son. Along the way, she joins forces with Eli Whipp (Chaske Spencer), a former cavalry scout and member of the Pawnee Nation, who helps her on her dangerous journey.
Praised for its captivating story, intense action, suspenseful moments, and beautiful imagery, The English showcases brilliant performances from Emily Blunt and Chaske Spencer. The two actors create a surprising and touching connection as their characters each go on a personal journey of self-discovery. Blunt’s outstanding work earned her a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination, and the series won a British Academy Television Craft Award for its exceptional costume design.
6
‘Wild West Chronicles’ (2020 – Present)
INSP
Released in 2020, Wild West Chronicles tells the story of Bat Masterson, a famous figure from the Old West who was a lawman, journalist, and gambler. The film, starring Jack Elliot, focuses on a time when Masterson traded in his sheriff’s badge for a pen and began working as a reporter, traveling throughout the American West. As he reports on exciting events, he encounters legendary outlaws like Bass Reeves, Butch Cassidy, and Stagecoach Mary.
The exciting series Wild West Chronicles follows Masterson as he travels and meets legendary figures from the Old West. Acting as an inquisitive journalist, he covers everything from the Dalton Gang’s bank robberies to the famous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. With four thrilling seasons already completed, the show provides a detailed and engaging look at well-known characters from America’s frontier days.
5
‘The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp’ (1955 – 1961)
ABC
Premiering in 1955,
The black-and-white show, which lasted six seasons, was nominated for two Emmy Awards, including one for O’Brian’s portrayal of the famous lawman. The series was a huge success, producing 229 episodes and consistently ranking among the ten most-watched shows in the U.S. Decades later, O’Brian revisited the role in the TV movies The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw and Wyatt Earp: Return to Tombstone.
4
‘Little House on the Prairie’ (1974 – 1983)
NBC
Considered one of the best Western TV series ever made, Little House on the Prairie originally aired in 1974 and tells the story of the Ingalls family living in Plum Creek, Minnesota, during the 1870s. Based on the popular books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, the show stars Michael Landon as Charles Ingalls, a determined father who works hard to protect and provide for his family as they face the challenges of farm life.
During its popular nine-season run of 204 episodes, Little House on the Prairie dealt with difficult issues like alcoholism, racism, poverty, and abuse, but always in a heartwarming and positive way. Star Michael Landon was key to exploring these topics, as he also directed many episodes and helped write and produce the show. The series won several Emmy Awards and led to spin-offs, sequels, and three television movies.
3
‘Elkhorn’ (2024 – Present)
INSP
Elkhorn tells the story of Theodore Roosevelt’s young life, beginning after the tragic loss of his mother and wife at age 25. Devastated, he gives up his political goals in New York and heads to the rugged Dakota Badlands to start a ranch called Elkhorn. The series features a large cast of characters who either support or oppose Roosevelt as he pursues this new life.
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The TV Western Elkhorn offers a glimpse into a little-known period of Theodore Roosevelt’s life, showing how his experiences in the Badlands helped form the man who would become president. Though not perfectly historically accurate and made with a limited budget, the series has gained a loyal following thanks to its beautiful scenery and engaging depiction of the era.
2
‘The Man from Snowy River’ (1994 – 1996)
Nine Network
Though The Man From Snowy River is especially beloved in Australia, this heartwarming adventure series has gained a following around the globe. The show centers on Matt McGregor, a widowed rancher, and his efforts to raise his three children while navigating life on the rugged frontier. Throughout its four seasons and 65 episodes, the McGregor family experienced both hardships and successes in a series of self-contained stories.
If you loved the emotional storytelling of Little House on the Prairie but wished it had more adventure, The Man from Snowy River is a great fit. It offers the same focus on family and characters, but set against the beautiful scenery of the Australian mountains. Plus, it features early performances from stars Guy Pearce and Hugh Jackman.
1
‘The Pinkertons’ (2014)
Rosetta Media / Buffalo Gal Pictures
Based on the true story of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency, which began in the 1860s, The Pinkertons centers around Allan Pinkerton (Angus Macfadyen) and his team. Along with his son William (Jacob Blair) and Kate Warne (Martha MacIsaac), one of the first female detectives in America, Allan investigates crimes like train robberies, kidnappings, and murders in the years following the Civil War.
Though it didn’t have a large budget, the Canadian TV series The Pinkertons offers a unique take on the Western genre. The show’s 22 episodes each feature a new mystery, blending classic detective storylines with a Western setting. It’s similar in style to Murdoch Mysteries and is easy for a wide range of viewers to enjoy.
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2026-01-09 04:26