Yellowstoneis one of the best examples of a modern Western TV show, but there’s another series that ran for six seasons that’s even better.Yellowstoneis the most popular Western show since at leastDeadwoodand possibly evenGunsmoke, and deservedly so. It’s one of thebest Western shows of the last decade, and it deserves all its flowers.
As good asYellowstoneand its spinoff showsare, however, there’s another show that beats it.Yellowstonehas a few noticeable flaws, from its uneven pacing to its tendency to lean further into soap opera elements than Western mainstays. It’s still a tremendous show and franchise, but those flaws left room for a different Western series to beatYellowstone.
Longmire Is A 6-Season Neo-Western That Aired On A&E
Longmireis one of the few Western shows that’s actually better thanYellowstone.Longmireran for six seasonsand follows Walt Longmire (Robert Taylor), the sheriff of a sparsely-populated county in Wyoming. Walt solves mysteries with little more than his common sense and knowledge of the land he’s sworn to protect.
Longmireis a neo-Western set in the modern day, but Walt is a “shoot first ask questions later” type of sheriff pulled straight from the golden age of Westerns. He’s constantly trying to find true justice and defend the little guy from the business interests, casinos, and land developers encroaching on his county.The bottom line is thatLongmireis a tremendous Western show.
How Longmire Compares To Yellowstone
To be fair,LongmireandYellowstoneare very different shows.Longmireis a police procedural - not unlikeJustified- that takes place in a Western setting, whileYellowstoneis more of a family drama in a Western setting.Yellowstonealso has a much bigger scope with a larger cast of characters, as it follows theDutton family treetrying to maintain control of Montana.
YellowstoneandLongmirealso have their similarities, though. Walt and John Dutton III (Kevin Costner) are essentially the same character, complete with stubborn traditionalism and gruff demeanors. They also both have to juggle their complex family history with the trials of their jobs. They also feature all the trappings of great Westerns, from soaring plains and mountains to horseback rides and shootouts.
Longmire Has An Even Higher Rotten Tomatoes Score Than Yellowstone
I’m not the only one who thinksLongmireis better thanYellowstone, either: critics on Rotten Tomatoes also agree. On average,Longmirescored 88% onRotten Tomatoes, whileYellowstonehas just 83%.Longmirewas also much more consistent thanYellowstone, with not a single season dipping below 80% (Yellowstone’s lowest is a rotten 58%). Audiences also agree:Longmirehas 92% on the Popcornmeter, whileYellowstonehas 76%.
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86%
58%
2
80%
89%
3
100%
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91%
5
79%
6
88%
83%
LongmireandYellowstoneare, once again, very different shows. The fact remains, however, thatLongmirewas better received, more consistent, and more engaging overall. It may not have the same scope ofYellowstone, butLongmireknows what it is and how to craft a great mystery. If you’re looking for something to replaceYellowstone, you can’t go wrong withLongmire.
Yellowstone
Cast
Yellowstone follows the Dutton family, led by patriarch John Dutton, as they defend their expansive ranch against external threats from land developers, an Indian reservation, and America’s first national park. Released on August 01, 2025, this series examines the complex dynamics and violent conflicts surrounding the largest contiguous ranch in the United States.
Longmire
Based on the novels by Craig Johnson, Longmire is a Western drama series that follows Walt Longmire, the sheriff of a rural Wyoming town who deals with several mysteries around the city and the Indian Reservation within. Longmire partners with his friend, Henry Standing Bear, to navigate the strained relationships and challenges associated with jurisdictional lines between the differing law enforcement teams and the troubles Native Americans deal with regularly.
