Taylor Sheridan’s popular Western drama, Yellowstone, has expanded into a whole universe of shows, which can make it tricky to know where to begin. The series, now considered one of the greatest TV Westerns ever made, tells the story of the Dutton family across different eras.
The Yellowstone franchise centers on the Dutton family, ranchers who originally settled in Montana in the 1800s. The first two spin-off shows, 1883 and 1923, tell stories that happen before the main Yellowstone series, making it easy to follow the timeline. But with more spin-offs planned, keeping track of the order will become more complicated.
How To Watch Yellowstone In Chronological Order
If you’re interested in experiencing the complete Yellowstone story, watching the episodes in chronological order reveals the full scope of the Dutton family’s history. You’ll see how they originally claimed their land, the conflicts they faced, and the sacrifices they made – all of which helps you understand John Dutton’s current challenges as just one part of a much larger, decades-spanning family story.
The easiest way to watch the Yellowstone universe is in chronological order. While episodes were originally released out of order, the shows follow a clear timeline. 1883 and 1923 are prequels set in the years they’re named after, Yellowstone covers events from the last ten years, and the upcoming Marshals, focusing on Kayce Dutton, takes place in the present day.
| Yellowstone Show | Seasons | When It’s Set |
|---|---|---|
| 1883 | 1 | 1883 |
| 1923 | 2 | 1923 & 1969 |
| Yellowstone | 5 | 2018–2023 |
| Marshals | 3+ | 2025–Present |
Watching the Yellowstone series from beginning to end, rather than as episodes were originally released, isn’t just easier to follow – it can also make the story more powerful. For example, season 4 features flashbacks to James Dutton and his family, and seeing those scenes in the correct timeline adds extra depth and meaning.
Seeing the initial scenes of 1883 felt like a treat when they first aired within Yellowstone. But watching the series in timeline order—after knowing James’s story and how it ends—makes his return especially moving. Yellowstone has several moments like this that don’t have the same impact if you watch the show as it originally aired.
Following the Yellowstone universe – including the original series and its spinoffs – by release date can be a bit tricky, and there’s a specific reason for that. Unlike most shows where spinoffs come out after the main series ends, Taylor Sheridan released both Yellowstone spinoffs while the original show was still airing.
Both 1883 and 1923 were released while Yellowstone was still airing. To watch the series in the order they were originally released, you’ll need to pause Yellowstone to watch 1883 and 1923 between seasons.
| Yellowstone Show | Season | First Episode Release Date | Final Episode Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellowstone | 1 | 06/20/2018 | 08/22/2018 |
| Yellowstone | 2 | 06/19/2019 | 08/28/2019 |
| Yellowstone | 3 | 06/21/2020 | 08/23/2020 |
| Yellowstone | 4 | 11/7/2021 | 01/02/2022 |
| 1883 | 1 | 12/19/2021 | 02/27/2022 |
| Yellowstone | 5, Pt 1 | 11/12/2022 | 01/01/2023 |
| 1923 | 1 | 12/18/2022 | 02/26/2023 |
| Yellowstone | 5, Pt 2 | 11/10/2023 | 12/15/2024 |
| 1923 | 2 | 02/23/2025 | 04/06/2025 |
| Marshals | 1 | 01/03/2026 | TBC |
Sometimes, episodes of Yellowstone and its spinoffs aired at the same time, making it unclear which show should be watched first. If you want to watch everything in order of release, here’s the sequence: Yellowstone seasons 1 through 4, then 1883, followed by the first part of Yellowstone season 5, then season 1 of 1923, the second part of Yellowstone season 5, and finally season 2 of 1923.
Okay, so the Yellowstone universe can get a little tricky with when everything came out, but a lot of us fans suggest a different way to watch it. Instead of jumping around between seasons of each show, try watching each series completely, one after the other. Basically, binge all of Yellowstone first, then move on to 1883 and finish with 1923. It makes the story flow a lot better, in my opinion.
Do You Need To Watch All The Yellowstone Series?
The shows in the Yellowstone universe are all related, but you don’t need to watch them all to understand any single story. 1883, 1923, and Yellowstone each stand on their own, and you won’t be lost if you only watch one or two. But to truly appreciate the grand vision of creator Taylor Sheridan, watching all three shows together is the best experience.
The different shows within the Yellowstone universe enhance each other, adding depth and context to the overall story. But because each show focuses on a different branch of the Dutton family, you can still enjoy them individually.
The Best Order To Watch The Yellowstone Shows In
Credit: Paramount via MovieStillsDB
As a huge fan, I’ve been figuring out the best way to dive into Taylor Sheridan’s world, and honestly, it’s up to you! But if you really want to follow the story as it happened, I’d recommend starting with 1883, then moving on to 1923, and finally watching all five seasons of Yellowstone. That’s how I’m planning to do it to get the full, chronological experience!
Watching the Yellowstone series in chronological order tells the complete story of the Dutton family across generations. This is different from how the shows were originally released, which first focused on the modern-day Duttons and then used 1883 and 1923 to provide backstory and make their current challenges more meaningful.
As a fan, I’ve found that to really get the most out of the prequel shows, it’s best to watch the original Yellowstone first. It gives you all the background and context you need to understand what the other shows are hinting at. Honestly, watching them in the order they were originally released feels the most natural and like that’s how Taylor Sheridan envisioned the whole story unfolding. Seeing everything that happens in Yellowstone really sets the scene for 1923 and 1883, making those shows even better.
However, if you watch the earlier series, 1883 and 1923, before Yellowstone, John Dutton’s speeches about the Dutton family history will have a much deeper meaning. Knowing the hardships faced by characters like Elsa Dutton and Jacob Dutton adds significant weight to his words and explains why he’s so determined to preserve the legacy.
He’s not just clinging to the Dutton name for money or prestige; he’s holding onto power because he understands his ancestors suffered greatly to acquire it. This weight of history isn’t fully felt when watching Yellowstone and its spin-offs as they are released.
Every Upcoming & Rumored Yellowstone Spinoff
CBS
Four shows are in the works that could expand the world of Yellowstone: Y: Marshals, Dutton Ranch, 1944, and 6666. Originally planned as a Yellowstone spinoff, The Madison will now be released as its own independent series, separate from the main Yellowstone storyline.
A new spin-off of Yellowstone, titled Marshals, is coming to CBS on March 1, 2026. The show follows Kayce Dutton as he begins a career with the U.S. Marshal Service, leaving his life on the Dutton ranch behind. Luke Grimes and Gil Birmingham will reprise their roles from the original Yellowstone series.
| Yellowstone Spinoff | Link To Yellowstone | Yellowstone Cast Members | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marshals | Kayce Dutton becomes a U.S. marshal in his home state, Montana. | Luke Grimes, Gil Birmingham, Mo Brings Plenty, Brecken Merrill | Scheduled |
| The Dutton Ranch | Beth Dutton, Rip Wheeler and Carter Dutton move to the Big O Ranch in Montana after Yellowstone is sold. | Kelly Reilly, Cole Hauser, Finn Little | In Production |
| 1944 | Set 21 years after the events of Yellowstone prequel series 1923, this show will depict Spencer and Alexandra Dutton’s later life in Montana. | Brandon Sklenar, Julia Schlaepfer, Aminah Nieves (all from 1923) | In Development |
| 6666 | Jimmy Hurdstrom has moved from Yellowstone to the Four Sixes ranch in Texas. | Jefferson White, Kathryn Kelly, Taylor Sheridan | On Hold |
Another Yellowstone spinoff is planned for 2026, bringing back Kelly Reilly, Cole Hauser, and Finn Little as their beloved characters. This new series, tentatively titled The Dutton Ranch, will follow Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler as they build a life on their own ranch after leaving the main Dutton family property.
Beyond the already announced spinoffs, a new series called 1944 is also being developed. However, things become a bit unclear with the fourth planned spinoff, currently known as 6666.
The ranch 6666 is featured in the TV show Yellowstone, and in season 4, it’s where Jefferson White’s character, Jimmy Hurdstrom, finds work. Although Paramount announced a spin-off series based on the ranch in February 2021, the project has faced delays and may not be produced, according to Jefferson White.
When Future Yellowstone Spinoffs Are Set (And How It Changes The Watch Order)
With each new Yellowstone spin-off released, the best way to watch the shows in order often changes. The four spin-offs currently planned aren’t arranged in a simple timeline—some take place before the original series, some after, and others will happen at the same time.
As a huge fan of the Yellowstone universe, I’m really excited about how they’re expanding things. Apparently, Marshals will shift focus from the ranch itself to follow Kayce as he works as a lawman in Montana, but it’ll happen concurrently with the events of The Dutton Ranch – think of it as a follow-up to Yellowstone. And if Yellowstone actually gets a season 5 conclusion, 6666 will pick things up right after that, continuing the story.
Details are scarce about the upcoming show, 1944, but the title hints it will be a prequel featuring older versions of Spencer and Alexandra Dutton, and Teonna Rainwater from 1923. If made, this show would add another piece to the Yellowstone universe, fitting chronologically between 1923 and Yellowstone and changing the order in which viewers can watch the series.
Taylor Sheridan’s popular TV universe is expanding with four new shows planned. However, keeping track of the order to watch everything – both by storyline and release date – is about to get a lot more complicated, especially with the existing series Yellowstone.
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2026-01-27 21:06