The Best Western Shows: If You Love 'Tombstone,' You'll Love These TV Series

Some folks might think that the Western genre is old news. After all, who doesn't have an image of those epic cowboy and outlaw movies, like "Tombstone," in mind, but a lot of these stories are not stuck in the past! Westerns, which are some of the most timeless of films, live on today in all their amazing form and style and even more so as epic television series.

A Genre With Staying Power:

What's most important is these television series are way different from classic Hollywood Westerns, These big productions and exciting, serialized television Westerns create incredible storylines and, with characters that truly come to life!

You will find plenty of memorable series, and their complexity allows writers and showrunners a chance to explore the stories in ways that were only possible for these amazing productions! In essence, this style is perfect! Because the western itself gives so much depth to stories of revenge, wild frontiers and those characters! It's just a lot more complex to manage, which also gives them a chance to tell better stories.

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Longmire:

Get ready to go on a wild ride. "Longmire" became incredibly popular, one that would bring back this genre. The Sheriff is ready! The heart of this series, he gets the job back and is able to deal with major crimes in his small town as a highly respected lawman. One that gets a lot of work but ultimately brings justice and a chance for Longmire to have his moment.

A good part of the show’s appeal!
There’s the fact that the show was made with so much effort, meaning it was well-shot and had sharp writing to create a compelling atmosphere

Fans loved seeing all those big supporting cast members and how "Longmire," managed to make all of them memorable.

You won't believe, but this show only ended in 2017! But those six seasons are truly a gift and for fans it’s worth the watch to enjoy!

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Godless:

Some may think that "Godless" was short and had only one season. But for this powerful story, it's not all that's matters!

"Godless" is known as one of those shows that gives you something special, a truly gripping series and filled with elements that are the core of what made the Western so iconic! In the American West we see a classic showdown of outlaws. This show has this memorable, dynamic cast with Jeff Daniels playing this truly menacing character that's looking for revenge!

In "Godless" a special location comes into play with this remote small town. They are in the middle of this awesome, classic Western. And yet they will clash with this gang of outlaws who have a very sinister presence, forcing these town folk to become true protectors of their community!

There were only eight episodes of this series, making it an amazing watch for anyone! It has some super powerful moments that bring an engaging storytelling, which helps make this an immersive experience, as audiences can connect deeply and appreciate how incredible these limited-series have been.

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Hell on Wheels:

For all those who love a story full of revenge! Then this is one for your list. Hell on Wheels, a great way to explore this western, tells an incredibly powerful tale as the protagonist, "Cullen Bohannon," tries to find out what went down, with his wife's violent murder in mind! What really brings it all home is just how unpredictable the characters are and it's hard to get into their minds. It keeps you wanting more as you go deeper into this series!

This show brings back an incredible character as it follows Cullen Bohannon. In his world of vengeance, his life will forever be impacted as he makes this amazing, thrilling, and dramatic journey.
As you learn about these amazing characters! The story truly goes deeper and deeper. In this instance the show becomes about complex and compelling storylines.

Even those who know their Westerns well, won't see the next twists coming and that's exactly why this show is such a big win!

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Wynonna Earp:

It's hard to take these great stories of outlaws and revenge but there are always fresh approaches in "Wynonna Earp!" It mixes classic Western themes in an incredible twist with some awesome, modern supernatural horror to add to Wynonna Earp!

The show puts us right in the middle of all the action in Purgatory!

That's where this interesting protagonist makes a stand. It seems the spirits from outlaws come back from the grave looking for revenge and only the courageous Wynonna Earp can defeat these souls who will do whatever it takes to bring chaos to town!

There's not much else like "Wynonna Earp."

It mixes together such diverse aspects.
It brings the story in ways that blend genres!
A blend that audiences have never really seen in the Western series!

This amazing show has such incredible success that it made an epic impact. And even was brought back as a special "Wynonna Earp" movie, giving fans of the series more and giving them something special that has left fans happy.

Yellowstone:

Timothy Olyphant as Raylan Givens in Justified Image

One of those shows that no one can stop talking about! What has a special sense of magic that has created such a fan base that it has now spun out to multiple TV spinoff series.

A new era of Westerns comes to life in Yellowstone with its unique style, adding so much to what audiences have already loved.

The world that is being brought to the fore? It features one large ranch and a big, powerful family in Yellowstone that aims to do one thing. To protect their property. There is something powerful that they need to do. To stop outsiders, including developers that might try to get rid of this incredible space!

If you think "Yellowstone" will only give you great characters, then this one may surprise you. There are some of the best performances and what really pulls viewers in is this sense of reality and it is well written to create a story that is not only moving and complex but also gives those who are into stories of the West a whole new perspective on a story full of compelling characters!

This show will give you some wild action moments.

With great family drama, it has something that the "Western" was often missing! What has really captivated fans is the show itself is such an interesting take on family drama that brings the core values of the west to light.

Justified:

A girl smiling in Little House on the Prairie Image

For any fans out there! What makes a good show is not just a story, but having amazing characters!

Justified brings "Raylan Givens", to life in this series! If you love a good crime drama this is a show to enjoy, and with the unique mix that is the West. The Marshal does what he knows, and he goes out to get the outlaws and take justice into his own hands.

A hero we get to watch as he battles some of these forces that bring danger into this area.

What also gives this show that amazing feel is all those great one-off episodes. And there is something special. They all come together for this main story. Those who know how much they love "Justified" have an awesome experience! The ability for the creators to use classic Western elements, but giving it a really interesting modern approach to show what has truly worked with this genre over time, keeping audiences enthralled from start to finish.

Little House on the Prairie:

Milburn Stone as Doc in Western series Gunsmoke Image

For any fans, it was one of those special series, back in its era! You won't forget "Little House on the Prairie,", and this amazing family drama takes you through a whole different aspect of Westerns!

It brought something fresh and heartwarming to viewers.

Set in "Walnut Grove, Minnesota,", there's this farm family! And these folks have adventures like everyone else, which made the show memorable, for nine amazing seasons! It's not just those epic stories of revenge.

You can't get more traditional with this story than to showcase this family as a loving force!
One of the first show of its kind on TV. That may have led to such an amazing collection of amazing western series, making this a great show for families. The fact that it was one that did so much to inspire the "Western" series has not been forgotten!

Even though it was canceled in 1975, and was a long time ago! Fans remember it for a lot of reasons! These TV Western classics give the ability to appreciate its influence on a show like "Yellowstone" or any other shows.

Gunsmoke:

Timothy Olyphant as Seth Bullock in Deadwood Image

One of those series from long ago, "Gunsmoke"! What you might appreciate is that while "Gunsmoke," wasn't the first western it certainly put things together in the right way for fans of the genre! A special kind of excitement and some great stories as a lawman or a US Marshal makes it through those dangerous towns that only those who know, what the wild west is truly like.

One of those iconic roles.

Marshal Dillon! Not only a hero but also a guy trying to get that girl, it was a nice change to some of those dark, gritty stories about violence and those lawmen in "Gunsmoke!"

This brought some serious romantic charm! That, of course, contributed to making it even better and made fans of all ages fall in love. It was an incredibly popular show and was known as a great show. That’s why many still remember and watch it now on cable.
A great western for so many and it really helped create something that was more popular in those early TV series!

Even with an early end in 1975, "Gunsmoke was able to make an epic, impressive mark, setting the standard for future Western TV series, making an impact, in all its epic styles and formats!

Deadwood:

Jared Padalecki with a cut on his head in Walker Image

It appears HBO, a channel that makes some of the greatest series of our time and that also goes into a unique and remarkable "Western"!

In this specific era of TV Westerns. It didn't make such an impressive impression when it came out because it was so wild. You're thrown back in time and with all the characters as well!

It took on a darker, edgier style for the show! "Deadwood," as many of its fans know, took viewers to a rough world.
Where those rules we often see, aren't really the focus!

There was even an awesome ensemble cast in this special show. Fans were completely enthralled, enjoying this crime drama that captured the attention of millions.

What stood out, Deadwood did so much to add so many interesting figures into this western and the complexity! The world itself is fascinating, full of history as some of the characters are taken straight from those moments in the West!

Walker:

You may see this show around or may have already watched a few seasons! "Walker". Is one of those more current series! And what is unique about it, is that it breaks from some classic western conventions. It still uses those exciting moments that viewers love!

In a series that will leave viewers wanting more!

It really brings the emotional weight! Those of us that may be into "Supernatural," know that this series will provide some emotional, touching moments with Jared Padalecki who's one of those stars, making every episode something to enjoy!

The characters who are there! These folks will give the audience a real understanding as "Walker" finds his footing and this series gives us a really special and incredible Western.

The whole journey for "Walker will help audiences re-discover, rediscover or make their way into the world of Westerns! The Western is a classic and even more so, now that there are some of these amazing modern TV adaptations. Fans of the genre will truly adore what these showrunners have created!

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