# The best western TV series of all time

From Gunsmoke to Deadwood: the western series critics and fans rank highest, from the golden age of TV westerns to the prestige era (TVLine, SlashFilm, Collider, TV Insider).

- 356 votes · 14 items
- Jan 16, 2026 · Euan M.
- https://even.best/en/l/2181/the-best-western-tv-series-of-all-time

## Top 14

1. **Deadwood (2004-2006)** (41 · ▲42 ▼1) — Al Swearengen and a lawless mining camp in 1870s Dakota.
2. **Gunsmoke (1955-1975)** (28 · ▲30 ▼2) — Marshal Matt Dillon in Dodge City for twenty seasons.
3. **Justified (2010-2015)** (26 · ▲28 ▼2) — US Marshal Raylan Givens back in Harlan County, from Elmore Leonard.
4. **Lonesome Dove (1989)** (24 · ▲28 ▼4) — The cattle drive from Texas to Montana.
5. **Bonanza (1959-1973)** (19 · ▲22 ▼3) — The Cartwrights and the Ponderosa ranch.
6. **The Rifleman (1958-1963)** (19 · ▲22 ▼3) — A widowed rancher and his son in New Mexico.
7. **Hell on Wheels (2011-2016)** (18 · ▲18 ▼0) — Building the transcontinental railroad.
8. **Godless (2017)** (16 · ▲23 ▼7) — A New Mexico town of women and an outlaw gang.
9. **Longmire (2012-2017)** (14 · ▲18 ▼4) — A modern sheriff in Wyoming.
10. **Yellowstone (2018-2024)** (14 · ▲17 ▼3) — Kevin Costner defends the Dutton ranch in Montana.
11. **1883 (2021-2022)** (12 · ▲18 ▼6) — The Duttons' journey west.
12. **The Virginian (1962-1971)** (10 · ▲14 ▼4) — A ranch foreman in Wyoming, in 90-minute episodes.
13. **Have Gun – Will Travel (1957-1963)** (8 · ▲12 ▼4) — Paladin, a gentleman gunfighter for hire.
14. **Rawhide (1959-1965)** (3 · ▲12 ▼9) — Cattle drives with a young Clint Eastwood.

How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.