Our age of streaming is accustomed to the serialized, bingeable format that nearly every show offers these days, but that wasn’t always the norm. For most of its lifespan, television has been a long-term commitment where audiences had to wait a week (and then months) between installments, extending the drama and giving the story time to breathe. Western TV shows typically fall into that old-school method of storytelling, though some feel almost as if they were made for the more modern streaming-style world.

We’ve put together a group of Western dramas based on either their serialized or anthology-like nature or their high bingeability that make them perfect for this modern age. While most of these are modern shows made within the last 30-something years, they all harken back (in one way or another) to the old American West, to a time long passed. So if you’re ready for a historical venture into the unknown or a Western-flavored triumph of 21st-century proportions, look no further than these shows that feel as if they were made for streaming.

1

‘Hell on Wheels’ (2011–2016)

It wasn’t until the 2010s that the streaming craze really took off, with platforms producing their own original content to rival what audiences were used to on cable. So, Hell on Wheels predated House of Cards by a few years, reminding audiences that AMC still had what it takes to tell a riveting, serialized historical drama in record time. Set on the Great Plains, this show is one of the most notable Western programs in the last decade — perfect for fans of streaming shows like 1923.

Telling the story of ex-Confederate Cullen Bohannon (Anson Mount) alongside the growing Transcontinental Railroad, the five-season drama mixes genuine history with fictional accounts to craft something quite impressive. A highly bingeable series, Hell on Wheels could easily have been a streaming show if made today. Now that it’s over, it’s certainly one worth diving back into.

2

‘The Son’ (2017–2019)

After Hell on Wheels wrapped up, AMC wasn’t done with the Western quite yet. Premiering a whole year before Yellowstone, the network’s adaptation of The Son by Philipp Meyer is a powerful two-season horse opera that grips the viewer with each new installment. Hitting many of the same beats that fans loved when binging Yellowstone (but arguably done better), this is one not to miss.

The series follows Texan cattle baron and family patriarch Eli McCullough in both the “present day” of 1915 and the past of the 1850s. Played as an old man by Pierce Brosnan in a career-defining role and Landman star Jacob Lofland in the past, The Son details both the wild frontier of the 19th century and the industrial age of the 20th — even flashing forward into the 1980s in the second season. Brosnan is at his best (and most frightening) here, offering a performance certainly worthy of feature-level programs offered on streaming.

3

‘Deadwood’ (2004–2006)

When it comes to prestige Western television, Deadwood really pioneered the concept. Streaming outlets may offer plenty of great horse operas worthy of that high-quality label, but it was HBO that first made that happen. Set in the titular South Dakota mining town, Deadwood expertly blends historical characters and events with a fictionalized narrative that almost requires a binge to fully appreciate.

Like many streaming programs today, Deadwood is full of cursing and violence, but that’s what the Old West could be like at times. With expert performances from Timothy Olyphant, Ian McShane, Molly Parker, Jim Beaver, and the rest of the impressive ensemble, this three-season drama has been hailed as one of television’s greatest for a reason. It even produceda feature-length movie finale for those who wished it went on longer.

4

‘The Magnificent Seven’ (1998–2000)

A resurgence of interest in the Western spiraled throughout the 1990s after several successful films led the charge, leading to more Western TV shows than audiences had seen since the ’60s. One such program wasThe Magnificent Seven, a television remake of the original 1960 film, which<strong took its time to explore each member of the title Seven in an episodic format that highlighted each gunslinger.

The series featured<strong Michael Biehn leading as Chris Larabee**, proving he could headline this genre just as well as anyone.

This highly bingeable two-season series built upon its original film foundation (remade in an extended two-part pilot) and breathed new life into its title heroes. With classic Western television vibes but with a modern network aesthetic,The Magnificent Seven would have thrived in today’s streaming landscape.

8
‘Longmire’ (2012–2017)

This one is somewhat unconventional for two reasons. Firstly,'Longmire'‘ is not your traditional Western but rather a neo-Western that feels like a spiritual successor to many classic lawman-based horse operas from yesteryear. Secondly,‘Longmire’‘ originally aired on A&E but was canceled by them before being revived by Netflix for its final three seasons. In some ways,‘Longmire’‘ can be considered a streaming show even though it didn’t start out as one — perhaps if it had been from inception it might have lasted longer.

The series follows rural Wyoming Sheriff Walt Longmire (‘Robert Taylor’) and serves as an excellent addition to modern Western canon by taking initial material from Craig Johnson novels and elevating it for screen adaptation. The brilliant mix of episodic mysteries and long-term serialized plots made its transition from A&E to Netflix feel seamless. It’s no surprise that Netflix was eager to pick up A&E’s top-rated program which continues to attract fans even today.

9
‘Have Gun — Will Travel’ (1957–1963)

Acknowledging that while‘Gunsmoke’‘ has proven itself as a streaming hit,<b most classic Western programs don't seem designed for streaming due to their slower episodic pace compared to many stories told on streaming platforms. However,<b after 'The Mandalorian’‘ demonstrated how one-and-done Western-inspired plots can thrive within this format,<b there’s no doubt '‘Have Gun — Will Travel’‘ would also succeed under these conditions.

This six-season series features episodes running approximately twenty-five minutes each making it ideal for quick binges. As Paladin (‘Richard Boone’) travels across western United States he often employs his wit rather than gunfire to resolve conflicts throughout frontier lands while still being no stranger to gunfights himself making him one of television’s most iconic gunslingers.

10
‘Lonesome Dove’ (1989)

In light of Robert Duvall’s passing , there’s no better (nor more bingeable) Western miniseries thanLonesome Dove . Based on Larry McMurtry’s exceptional novel , this four-part television epic follows ex-Texas Rangers Gus McCrae (Duvall) and Woodrow F. Call (Tommy Lee Jones ) as they drive cattle from Texas to Montana . It’s an impactful tale filled with love , loss , friendship , violence , and everything else embodying American dreams . Lonesome Dove performed impressively during its CBS airing back in ’89 , even spawning continuation series featuring some returning cast members . However , it would have soared even higher within streaming platforms . As an ideal tribute for Western fans , this six-hour epic serves as masterclass genre filmmaking touching upon all aspects making both novel (and West itself ) fascinating , showcasing performances from Duvall and Jones delivering distinct flavors .