Dutton Ranch just reached a major milestone that puts the Yellowstone franchise in unexpected territory. Early critic reactions to the new spinoff reveal a Rotten Tomatoes score that currently surpasses the original series.
Initial Reviews for Dutton Ranch Are In
Critics praised the series’ franchise expansion and ensemble cast performances. Richard Roeper of RogerEbert.com wrote the show “sets up a half-dozen storylines with long-term potential.” Angie Han of The Hollywood Reporter added that the series delivers “a tangle of storylines that land ever slightly more often than not.” The Paramount+ western follows Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler after relocating to South Texas.
Furthermore, critics focused on the show’s similarities to Yellowstone and its dramatic tone. J. Kelly Nestruck of The Globe and Mail said the series contains “some swell performances.” Michel Ghanem of TheWrap described Dutton Ranch as “more polished” while praising the “promising cast.” Rebecca Nicholson of Financial Times called the series “full-bodied, soapy TV fun.” However, John Anderson of The Wall Street Journal wrote, “there’s no one to like on Dutton Ranch.”
Dutton Ranch Achieves a Higher Rotten Tomatoes Score Than Yellowstone
According to Rotten Tomatoes, Dutton Ranch debuted with an 86% Tomatometer score from 21 critic reviews. The new series currently holds a higher score than Yellowstone, which has an 83% average Tomatometer score across five seasons.
Yellowstone premiered in 2018 and stars Kevin Costner as ranch owner John Dutton. Season 1 of Yellowstone received 58%, while Season 2 reached 89%.
Additionally, Dutton Ranch reunites Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser as Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler. The cast also includes Ed Harris and Annette Bening alongside several newly introduced supporting characters.
Paramount+ released the first season on May 15, 2026. The opening episodes focus on rival ranches, small-town tensions, and the family’s new life in Rio Paloma, Texas.
