Paramount+’s Landman Is Even Better Than Yellowstone

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For almost eight years, Yellowstone has been the dominant force in the Neo-Western genre, but Taylor Sheridan’s Landman is quickly surpassing it. Sheridan launched Yellowstone in 2018, fundamentally changing what Westerns could be on modern television. While Yellowstone was incredibly popular and hard to beat, it seems Sheridan himself has created its successor. His new series, Landman, is achieving a level of success that even Yellowstone couldn’t reach.

With the finale of Yellowstone in 2024, the story is continuing through new shows and spin-offs, all still guided by creator Taylor Sheridan. The original series earned a strong reputation—an impressive 83% rating on Rotten Tomatoes—which is rare for a show that ran for five seasons. Now, the new series Landman is showing even more promise.

What Is Landman About?

Image via Paramount+

Sheridan’s Landman is a new Neo-Western series set against the backdrop of the modern oil boom in West Texas. It centers on Tommy Norris (Billy Bob Thornton), a seasoned landman navigating the risky world where oil workers and wealthy investors collide. While it feels like a crime drama, Landman explores the harsh realities of big corporations operating within the law, contrasting this with the traditional idea of achieving the American Dream through hard work.

How Landman Compares To Yellowstone

As a big fan of both shows, it’s pretty clear why Yellowstone and Landman feel so connected. Taylor Sheridan really knows his stuff when it comes to modern Westerns, and both series definitely fit the mold. They’re both deeply rooted in American landscapes and tackle big themes like ambition, family ties, what people leave behind, and the constant struggle over land and what’s on it. What’s really interesting is how similar the main characters are – Tommy Norris from Landman and John Dutton from Yellowstone feel like they could be connected somehow. You can definitely see the parallels!

While both are Sheridan Westerns, Landman stands out by exploring the complex relationship between big business and its workers. Unlike the family-focused conflicts in Yellowstone, Landman introduces the influence of immense wealth and power, making the story even more intense and realistic. What’s surprising, though, is the warmth and humor found within Tommy Norris’ family, offering a refreshing contrast to the show’s darker themes. This blend of grit and heart is what sets Landman apart.

Landman Is Exceeding Yellowstone

Emerson Miller / Paramount+

The series Landman is relatively new, having launched its first season in 2024 with the second season currently airing. Despite this, its early success and potential are particularly noteworthy when compared to Yellowstone. Though Landman currently has a slightly lower average critic score on Rotten Tomatoes (78%) than Yellowstone, it’s quickly become a hit, and is currently Paramount+’s most popular show globally.

The popularity of Yellowstone definitely helped launch Landman to success. Since Taylor Sheridan was already known for Yellowstone, people were eager to see if he could create another hit. He delivered a show that captures what made Yellowstone so good, but also brings something new to the table. Landman skillfully blends suspense, realism, crime, and genuine emotion, which is proving to be a winning combination. It’s actually performing even better than Yellowstone did at the start, and all signs point to continued success.

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2026-01-05 20:50