15 Best Western TV Series on Netflix Right Now (2022) – The American Old West is frequently romanticised as this anarchic and chaotic frontier, with the image of the gun-slinging, horse-riding, and tobacco-chewing cowboy serving as its ultimate embodiment. The modern media was especially helpful in popularising the Western United States. This period of large English colonisation in the 18th and 19th centuries (encouraged by President Jefferson), along with the media’s strong sensationalization, helped to popularise the genre. The tales of the West established a firm hold on the imaginations of people all over the world as the American frontier passed into history, with its countless and repeated renderings in comic books, films, and children’s toys.

Westerns are still a popular film genre, with streaming behemoths like Amazon, HBO, and Netflix pouring money into them. With the revitalization of the television genre, various series are constantly exploring Western elements. This genre’s recurring characters and plot structures trace out the ‘Otherness’ in the vast plains and deserts by upholding the lawless, harsh, and wild signs of the time. Bandits, bounty hunters, Native Americans, outlaws, and gamblers are among the characters. The background music is typically composed of American and Mexican folk music, such as country and ranchers. Both television and movie content from the ever-evolving Western genre have found a home in Netflix’s digital library. Today, we are going to investigate the list of really good Western shows on Netflix that are available to stream right now.

Thieves of the Wood (2018-)

The storyline is inspired by a book called ‘De Bende van Jan de Lichte’ by Louis Paul Boon, and it doesn’t fall under the description of a standard Western as far as the cinematography is concerned. However, the tale incorporates a number of genre characteristics, particularly in the action. So, what exactly is the plot of the show? ‘Thieves of the Woods,’ on the other hand, tells the narrative of Jan de Lichte, a battle hero who finally becomes a robber and outlaw leader. However, he is more than meets the eye at first glance. Consider the protagonist to be a helping hand to people in need. It’s almost as if he’s Robin Hood himself. The play is set in the 18th Century, and there is something to be said for its apt and realistic portrayals of the Belgian society at that time.

If you’re looking for something historical and gritty, this show is for you. Furthermore, the cast, which includes Matteo Simoni, Stef Aerts, Jeroen Perceval, and Dirk Roofthooft, has delivered outstanding performances. The character development also adds to the intrigue of the series.

Hap and Leonard (2016-2018)

The eponymous protagonists are actually based on the characters created by Joe R. Lansdale. The author recorded the tales of Hap and Leonard, two amateur investigators who operate out of the imaginary hamlet of LaBorde in East Texas, in a series of novels. The best friends put everything they have into solving the horrible and harrowing murders they come across. James Purefoy and Michael Kenneth Williams play the parts in the TV series. ‘Hap and Leonard’ is set in the 1980s and contains a wide range of stories that cover a variety of topics. The protagonists must juggle a buried treasure, a femme fatale, and a gang of insane killers. The very interesting stories have drama, comedy, action, and violence, and fans of the programme were quite heartbroken when it was not renewed for a fourth season. You should keep it in mind for when you want something that travels the same road as the Old West tales but in a less conventional manner.

Luke Cage (2016 – 2018)

‘Luke Cage,’ created by Cheo Hodari Coker, is a superhero neo-western series starring Mike Colter, Alfre Woodard, and Rosario Dawson. The series centres around the titular protagonist, whose life takes an unexpected turn after a failed experiment results in his gaining superhuman abilities. Despite his efforts to keep a low profile when he relocates to Harlem, Luke is eventually dragged into a struggle for the city. The series depicts his personal life as well as his misadventures as a hero.

Heartland (2007-)

Since its debut more than a decade ago, ‘Heartland’ has developed a devoted following. The script was inspired by Lauren Brooke’s novel of the same name. We meet the Fleming sisters and their grandfather, Jack Bartlett, as they face numerous challenges while living on the ranch. So, what about the series lends itself to a Western sensibility? After all, one could argue that it heavily relies on drama to advance the plot.

However, we believe that the heart of the genre is in the themes it addresses rather than a specific type of figure on screen. Sure, the booted up cowboy will make you think of the Old West, and we’re not denying this either. But it is also vital to find the deeper significance behind the narrative. In traditional Westerns, the protagonist frequently seeks vengeance to make things right, although with the aid of guns. While this specific element is absent from ‘Heartland,’ the show still focuses on themes such as right vs wrong, family, love, compassion, and defending what is essential to you. After all, there’s a reason it’s entering its 14th season.

Supernatural (2005-2020)

‘Supernatural’ will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the decade’s most important and popular shows. For those who are unfamiliar, the plot follows the Winchester brothers as they battle evil and supernatural beings such as demons and ghosts. At its heart, the show tells a well-crafted storey that explains how the characters grow as they battle diabolical creatures.

While movie is classified as horror, one could argue that the plot is reminiscent of a Western. Instead of battling the bad guy in the Old West, they just face their opponents everywhere around America. Furthermore, the ’67 Chevy Impala in which the brothers cruise while listening to their favourite rock tunes could be regarded as the modern-day version of the brave horse. The plot is extremely suspenseful, and with outstanding performances from Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles, this programme is a must-see.

Cowboy Bebop (2021 -)

‘Cowboy Bebop,’ a science fiction western show created by Christopher Yost, is based on the anime series of the same name. The series is not truly western because it is a mash-up of various other genres, but it is nonetheless an entertaining watch for fans of shows set in the West. ‘Cowboy Bebop’ is about bounty hunters who go after the galaxy’s most deadly criminals. Spike Spiegel leads the ragged crew, and they take on various life-threatening jobs, frequently saving the world in the process, but only if they are paid the correct price.

The Walking Dead (2010 -)

‘The Walking Dead,’ created by Frank Darabont, is a zombie apocalypse neo-western drama based on Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore’s comic book of the same name. The storey depicts a handful of fortunate survivors amid a zombie apocalypse who must fight for their life in the face of a relentless existential danger. With their lives on the line, these survivors are forced to make difficult decisions and battle with other factions eager to go to any length to protect their own.

Breaking Bad (2008 – 2013)

‘Breaking Bad’ is a neo-western crime drama television series that has been hailed as one of the best shows ever filmed in television history since its debut in 2008. It was originally broadcast on AMC for five seasons and was created by the maverick genius Vince Gilligan. It’s on this list because the notion is a unique, modern spin on the American ‘Wild West.’

When you combine Bryan Cranston’s career-best performance as high school chemistry teacher turned drug king Walter White with the background of New Mexico, you create a compelling neo-western scenario. Instead of outlaws donning cowboy hats and riding horses, ‘Breaking Bad’ depicts them as ordinarily domesticated people. The wilderness of the desert terrain is as important to the characters’ innate wilderness as it is to traditional Western pictures of yesteryear. In 2013, ‘Breaking Bad’ was named the most critically acclaimed show of all time by the Guinness Book of World Records. A spin-off prequel series dubbed ‘Better Call Saul’ (created later by Gilligan) is also highly recommended.

Wynonna Earp (2016-)

This drama series masterfully blends mystical elements with a hearty dosage of horror to create a one-of-a-kind Western product. Surprisingly, it is based on a Beau Smith comic book series. Wyatt Earp’s great-great-granddaughter is included in the storey. (For those who are unfamiliar with him, he is a historical character noted for being a gambler, lawman, and deputy marshal in the Old West during the nineteenth century.)

Wynonna discovers on her 27th birthday that she possesses extraordinary abilities that allow her to return revenants to Hell. These animated corpses are usually those who were slaughtered by her famous ancestor. Aside from that, she must contend with a slew of mystical occurrences in order to break her family’s curse. We understand if you’re still hesitant to watch the show despite its interesting plot. We would be negligent if we did not include Melanie Scrofano, Shamier Anderson, Tim Rozon, Dominique Provost-Chalkley, and Katherine Barrell’s outstanding performances in ‘Wynonna Earp.’ Furthermore, this Canadian co-production adds a fresh perspective to a typically male-dominated genre.

From Dawn till Dusk: The Series (2014-2016)

This series was created by Robert Rodriguez. Did you know, though, that he also helmed the cult classic eponymous film that inspired this TV show? ‘From Dawn till Dusk: The Series’ is a sequel to the horror series, but with a Western twist. Seth and Richie Gecko have returned. However, the FBI and Texas Ranger Freddie Gonzalez are seeking for the brothers after a robbery kills several people. In an attempt to gain their release, the siblings travel to Mexico and kidnap Jacob Fuller, a former clergyman, and his family.

They all wind up in a bar that, unbeknownst to them, is run by vampires. What follows is a survival storey. D. J. Cotrona and Zane Holtz play the Gecko brothers, while Jesse Garcia plays the Texas Ranger on their tail. The plot, which champions the essence of the film, combines aspects from both the Western and horror genres. So, if you’re looking for something a little different, keep this show in mind.

The Ranch (2016-2020)

Westerns are known for being passionate, violent, and confrontational. ‘The Ranch,’ on the other hand, is a comedy series. However, we believe that this is what distinguishes the show. It delves into the life of the Bennetts, who live on the ranch and strive to make the best of their circumstances. On the surface, it appears to be another comedy show. However, we believe that ‘The Ranch’ significantly modernises the Western genre. After all, the most iconic picture of the genre is that of a cowboy from a time when industrialization brought rural towns to their knees. This programme may not have the same aesthetic as the original, but it combines many elements from the Old West stories. Furthermore, by setting the storey in the present day, we get to see how a cowboy ranch operates in the twenty-first century.

The Bennett brothers are played by Ashton Kutcher and Danny Masterson (who was later fired due to sexual harassment charges). After ‘That 70s Show,’ we’ll get to watch them interact again onscreen. Their father, Beau, is played by Sam Elliot, while their mother, Maggie, is played by Debra Winger. As a result, the series has a star-studded cast. If you want to try something different within the genre, we propose ‘The Ranch.’

Damnation (2017-2018)

Seth Davenport has a violent history. However, in order to facilitate a strike against the wealthy and corrupt local industrialists and agencies, he disguises himself as a preacher. Creeley Turner, on the other hand, is there to derail all of his plans. What the residents are unaware of is that Seth and Creeley are estranged siblings. ‘Damnation,’ set during the Great Depression, dramatises the 1930s American labour struggles. Killian Scott, Logan Marshall-Green, and Sarah Jones star. Despite the fact that the show was terminated after only one season, fans have been clamouring for a continuation of this grim drama.

Longmire (2011-)

‘Longmire’ is a modern Western crime programme created by John Coveny and Hunt Baldwin in the United States. It is based on Craig Johnson’s best-selling novel series, the ‘Walt Longmire Mysteries.’ Walt Longmire, the title character, is the sheriff of the fictional Absaroka County, Wyoming, and the plot revolves around his investigating big crimes within his authority. The first three seasons of the show aired on ‘A&E,’ where it eventually became the network’s highest-rated television series. When the network opted not to renew it, Netflix stepped in to save season four. On the aforementioned platform, you may watch episodes from all six seasons online.

Frontier (2016-)

Frontier is a historical period drama co-produced by Discovery Canada and Netflix that extensively pulls from the Western genre. It stars none other than our very own Khal Drogo, Jason Momoa, and chronicles the North American fur trade in the late 1700s in Canada. He plays an outlaw who is both Irish and part Cree who is working to break the Hudson Bay Company’s monopoly on the corrupt fur trade. The show ranks incredibly high on our list due to an enticing plot and excellent performers.

Godless (2017)

The Emmy-winning ‘Godless,’ a Netflix original production developed by Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Scott Frank, has been named one of the ten finest TV series of the year by major magazines. In September 2016, production on this seven-episode series began in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The miniseries, which starred Jack O’ Connell, Michelle Dockery, Scoot McNairy, Merrit Wever, Thomas Brodie Sangster, and Sam Waterston, garnered excellent reviews. The plot revolves around Roy Coode, an injured outlaw on the run from his former boss, the legendary criminal Frank Griffin, who seeks safety in an isolated mining village ruled mostly by women. This series is jam-packed with action and provides for an engrossing viewing experience.