15 TV Shows Like Yellowstone md07

The Unforgiving Earth and the Human Heart: 15 Narrative Cousins to Yellowstone

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There’s a primal hum that vibrates beneath the sprawling landscapes of “Yellowstone,” a raw chord struck between the majesty of the land and the savagery of its human inhabitants. Taylor Sheridan’s sprawling epic isn’t just a TV show; it’s a modern-day myth, a story of an empire built on dirt, sweat, and blood, guarded by a family as broken as it is loyal. It’s a tapestry woven with threads of ruthless ambition, unwavering tradition, political machinations, and the visceral allure of the American West.

For those who have been captivated by the Dutton family’s relentless fight to preserve their legacy, the silence after a season finale can be deafening. But fear not, for the television landscape is rich with narratives that echo Yellowstone’s distinct blend of family drama, untamed frontier spirit, high-stakes power struggles, and moral ambiguity. These shows, in their own unique ways, tap into the same vein of storytelling, offering similar thrills and complex characters.

Let’s ride through the wilderness of television to discover 15 shows that stand as narrative cousins to the Dutton saga, each offering a compelling journey into the heart of ambition, loyalty, and the land that shapes us.

The Land & Legacy: When the Earth is Everything

At its core, Yellowstone is about land—its preservation, its power, and the legacy it represents. These shows capture that unwavering devotion to place and the way it defines generations.

1. 1883 & 1923 (Paramount+): The most obvious and essential companions. These prequels are the very bedrock of the Dutton story, revealing the brutal genesis of their empire. 1883 paints a stunning, harrowing portrait of the perilous journey west, while 1923 delves into the harsh realities of a new century, Prohibition, and the Great Depression impacting the nascent ranch. They are required viewing for understanding the Dutton resolve.
2. The Son (AMC): Starring Pierce Brosnan, this multi-generational saga chronicles the rise of a Texas ranching and oil dynasty. Like John Dutton, Brosnan’s Eli McCullough is a patriarch forged by violence and committed to expanding his family’s influence across a rugged landscape. It’s a compelling look at the making of an American empire, steeped in the dust and conflict of the frontier.
3. Godless (Netflix): This limited series, a true neo-western, is about a desolate New Mexico town populated almost entirely by women, threatened by a notorious outlaw. While not a family dynasty, its stunning cinematography, visceral violence, and exploration of survival on the unforgiving frontier resonate deeply with Yellowstone’s spirit of endurance and righteous anger against external threats.
4. Longmire (Netflix/Peacock): Set in the fictional Absaroka County, Wyoming, this series follows Sheriff Walt Longmire, a man as stoic and principled as John Dutton, navigating modern crimes with an old-school cowboy sensibility. It’s less about a single ranch and more about a community clinging to its traditions against encroaching modernity, featuring strong Native American storylines and breathtaking scenery that feels right at home in the Yellowstone universe.

Dysfunctional Dynasties & Hidden Depths: The Family You Can’t Escape

The Dutton family’s loyalty is as fierce as their infighting is brutal. These shows master the art of the dysfunctional dynasty, where love and betrayal are two sides of the same coin.

5. Succession (HBO Max): While trading cowboy hats for private jets and sweeping ranches for glass towers, the core themes of Succession are remarkably similar to Yellowstone. It’s the ultimate power struggle for control of a media empire, replete with Shakespearean betrayals, cutting dialogue, and a patriarch (Logan Roy) whose children desperately seek his approval while simultaneously plotting his downfall. The emotional manipulation and corporate warfare are pure Dutton-esque.
6. Ozark (Netflix): The Byrde family’s descent into the criminal underworld to launder money in the Ozarks is a masterclass in moral compromise and family solidarity under extreme duress. Like the Duttons, the Byrdes operate outside the law, justifying their brutal actions as necessary for their family’s survival. The constant threat, the internal conflicts, and the chilling anti-heroes make for gripping viewing.
7. Animal Kingdom (TNT/Amazon Prime Video): Centered on the Cody family, a clan of adrenaline-junkie criminals in Southern California, this show mirrors Yellowstone’s exploration of a family bound by blood, crime, and a matriarch (Smurf) whose iron grip holds them together. The intense loyalty, the internal power plays, and the constant threat from outside forces will feel intimately familiar.
8. Bloodline (Netflix): This Florida Keys-set thriller unravels the dark secrets of the seemingly respectable Rayburn family, whose lives begin to unravel with the return of their black sheep brother. It’s a slow-burn of family betrayal, cover-ups, and the suffocating weight of legacy, showing how deeply buried sins can contaminate generations.

Gritty Justice & Modern Frontiers: The “Don’t Tread on Me” Vibe

Yellowstone champions a rugged, often extra-legal, form of justice. These shows feature anti-heroes, dangerous landscapes, and characters willing to bend (or break) the rules to protect their own.

9. Sons of Anarchy (Hulu): This series about a motorcycle club operating in California’s Central Valley is arguably the closest thematic cousin to Yellowstone outside of its prequels. Jax Teller and his “family” (the club) fight to protect their territory, their traditions, and their way of life against rival gangs, law enforcement, and internal threats. The blend of intense loyalty, brutal violence, moral ambiguity, and a deep sense of brotherhood is palpable. Think of them as leather-clad cowboys on choppers.
10. Justified (Hulu): U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, a modern-day lawman with a Stetson and a quick draw, returns to his rural Kentucky hometown to dispense a unique brand of justice. Like John Dutton, Raylan operates in a morally gray area, often crossing lines to get the job done. The show revels in its rich, nuanced characters, witty dialogue, and a strong sense of place that defines its modern wild west.
11. Deadwood (HBO Max): While a historical Western, Deadwood is essential viewing for anyone who appreciates Yellowstone’s grittiness and moral complexity. Set in a lawless 1870s South Dakota gold mining town, it’s a raw, unflinching portrait of ambition, survival, and the brutal birth of civilization. The ensemble cast of outlaws, opportunists, and reluctant heroes mirrors the morally ambiguous world of the Dutton ranch.
12. Warrior (Max): Set in San Francisco’s Chinatown during the 1870s, this martial arts drama is a visceral, action-packed exploration of territorial gangs, immigrant struggles, and the fight for survival in a brutal, unforgiving city. The fierce loyalty to one’s chosen family, the constant battles for supremacy, and the vibrant, dangerous world echo the Duttons’ struggle to maintain control.

Power Plays & High Stakes: The Battle Beyond the Ranch

Yellowstone’s fights extend beyond property lines, into boardrooms and political arenas. These series showcase characters who wield immense power and are prepared to do anything to maintain it.

13. Billions (Showtime/Paramount+): This high-octane drama chronicles the cat-and-mouse game between a brilliant, ruthless hedge fund king (Bobby Axelrod) and a morally ambiguous U.S. Attorney (Chuck Rhoades). Like John Dutton, both protagonists are anti-heroes, driven by ambition and a fierce desire to win, often operating on the fringes of legality. The strategic mind games and immense stakes will appeal to fans of Yellowstone’s political maneuvering.
14. Tulsa King (Paramount+): Another brainchild of Taylor Sheridan, this show stars Sylvester Stallone as an aging New York mafia capo exiled to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he sets about building a new criminal empire. The fish-out-of-water premise, combined with the themes of loyalty, territory, and establishing dominance in a new, unfamiliar landscape, makes it a compelling watch for Yellowstone fans, especially with Sheridan’s signature blend of grit and humor.
15. Mayor of Kingstown (Paramount+): Also co-created by Taylor Sheridan, this series delves into the grim world of the McLusky family, who serve as the unofficial power brokers in Kingstown, Michigan, a town dominated by multiple prisons. Jeremy Renner’s Mike McLusky navigates the brutal dynamics between criminals, law enforcement, and politicians. The themes of family legacy, maintaining order through unconventional means, and a constant struggle for power in a morally bankrupt environment are profoundly resonant with Yellowstone’s DNA.

From the wide-open spaces of Montana to the bustling streets of San Francisco, the desolate beauty of the Ozarks to the cutthroat corridors of corporate America, these 15 shows offer varied yet familiar journeys. They remind us that the allure of “Yellowstone” lies not just in its stunning visuals or its explosive drama, but in its timeless exploration of humanity’s enduring struggle for land, legacy, and the fierce, often violent, love that binds a family together. So, when the Duttons go quiet, pick up the reins and ride into these equally captivating worlds.