8 Great Westerns To Watch if You Love Netflix's 'The Abandons'

Netflix

The Abandons rode onto Netflix on Dec. 4, 2025, and brought a fresh, gritty take on Western storytelling. Created by Kurt Sutter (Sons of Anarchy, The Shield), the series is set in the 1850s Oregon Territory and centers on two very different families whose lives collide in violent, unexpected ways. At the heart of the drama are Lena Headey as Fiona Nolan, the fierce protector of a “found family” of orphans and outcasts, and Gillian Anderson as Constance Van Ness, the matriarch of a wealthy dynasty.

Their clash unfolds against the backdrop of land disputes, secrets, and survival, with themes of vengeance and justice echoing through every storyline. Featuring…

Netflix

Their clash unfolds against the backdrop of land disputes, secrets, and survival, with themes of vengeance and justice echoing through every storyline. Featuring a cast that also includes Lucas Till, Aisling Franciosi, Nick Robinson, and Diana Silvers, it boasts a cinematic scope and raw emotions. While The Abandons is still brand new, its premise already feels like a classic Western in the making. And if you’re the kind of viewer who loves survival tales, morally complex characters, and the tension of life lived on the edge of law and order, you’ll want more of that once you’ve finished binging The Abandons.

8 ‘Longmire’ (2012 – 2017)

A&E / Netflix

Set against the rugged backdrop of Wyoming, ***Longmire ***follows Sheriff Walt Longmire, a lawman grappling with personal loss while keeping order in Absaroka County. The show combines crime drama with frontier grit, weaving in Native American culture through the Cheyenne reservation and Walt’s complex relationship with Henry Standing Bear.

*Longmire *spans six seasons, across which viewers are pulled into murder investigations, political rivalries, and stories of grief, loyalty, and justice. It’s a rewarding watch, though, complete with a steady rhythm of storytelling where each season builds on the last, and Craig Johnson’s novels serve as a strong foundation. Robert Taylor’s performance as Walt anchors the show with incredible power, and its popularity even saved it from cancellation.

7 ‘The English’ (2022)

Emily Blunt and Chaske Spencer in The EnglishAmazon Studios

The English is a sweeping six-part miniseries that feels like a modern epic. Emily Blunt stars as Cornelia Locke, an Englishwoman who journeys to the American frontier in the 1890s seeking revenge for her son’s death. Along the way, she crosses paths with Eli Whipp, a Pawnee ex-cavalry scout played by Chaske Spencer. Their unlikely partnership drives the narrative, and together, they navigate brutal landscapes, violent encounters, and the legacy of colonization.

The show is visually stunning, with painterly cinematography that makes every frame feel like a canvas. The storytelling is bold, and while it’s only one season long, it packs in operatic scope and emotional weight. The chemistry between Blunt and Spencer is magnetic, too, making it a must-watch for fans of The Abandons and for anyone who appreciates ambitious and artistic Westerns that push boundaries.

6 ‘The Son’ (2017 – 2019)

The SonAMC

Based on Philipp Meyer’s novel, The Son is a generational saga that spans two timelines. In one, we see young Eli McCullough abducted by Comanches in 1849, where he learns to survive and eventually thrives within their world. In the other, set in 1915, Eli is played by Pierce Brosnan, and he’s now a ruthless Texas oil baron trying to secure his family’s future.

The dual narrative allows the story to explore identity, ambition, and the violent birth of empire, showing how Eli’s formative years shaped the man he became. The show’s two-season run feels like a complete arc where the present and past are interwoven. Brosnan’s performance is commanding and brutal at the same time, and the direction captures both the rawness of frontier life as well as the opulence of early 20th-century Texas, making the Western emotionally compelling.

5 ‘Yellowstone’ (2018 – 2024)

Beth and Rip share a moment in YellowstoneParamount Network

Few modern Westerns have portrayed the intensity of frontier life like Yellowstone. Created by Taylor Sheridan, the show follows the Dutton family, led by patriarch John Dutton, as they fight to protect their enormous Montana ranch from developers, politicians, and rival factions. Across multiple seasons, the series dives into themes of loyalty and betrayal, all while exploring the realities of land ownership.

Perhaps the most widely known drama thanks to Sheridan’s pedigree, sweeping storytelling, and sharp direction, *Yellowstone *balances intimate family drama with explosive confrontations. Each season builds tension like a storm rolling across the plains, hooking you with every clash and heartbreak. For fans of The Abandons, the mix of grit, moral conflict, and frontier resilience feels right at home. Now, Yellowstone has spawned multiple spin-offs, proving its impact on television.

4 ‘1923’ (2022 – 2023)

Jacob and Cara on 1923Paramount+

Speaking of which, ***1923 ***serves as a prequel to Yellowstone. It expands the Dutton family saga into the early 20th century, starring Harrison Ford as Jacob Dutton and Helen Mirren as Cara, as it explores the family’s struggle to maintain their ranch during a time of immense change. While covering economic depression, Prohibition, and the rise of industrialization, it also follows Spencer Dutton’s adventures abroad and the harrowing experiences of Native American characters in boarding schools.

The beauty of *1923 *lies in the powerhouse performances. Ford and Mirren bring a lot to the table, grounding the series in emotional weight while the direction lands its focus on the grandeur of Montana landscapes. With just one season, it delivers the right narrative that also feels epic. For anyone drawn to Netflix’s The Abandons, *1923 *offers a similarly rich exploration of hardship, legacy, and the fight to preserve identity in a world that’s rapidly shifting.

3 ‘Hell on Wheels’ (2011 – 2016)

Anson Mount in Hell on WheelsAMC

Hell on Wheels takes viewers straight into the chaos of post-Civil War America. It centers on Cullen Bohannon, a former Confederate soldier seeking vengeance for his family’s murder. His journey leads him to the construction of a transcontinental railroad, where greed, ambition, and violence collide. From freedmen and immigrants to Native Americans caught in the relentless march of progress, the series follows all and paints a portrait of a nation being built on sweat, blood, and compromise.

Over five seasons, Hell on Wheels evolves from a revenge tale into an ensemble drama. The complex character arcs and unapologetic exploration of the harsh realities of the American West, the sweeping visuals of railroads cutting through untamed landscapes, as well as Colm Meaney and Anson Mount’s breathtaking performances, all build momentum, intrigue, and authenticity.

2 ‘Godless’ (2017)

GodlessNetflix

Written and directed by Scott Frank, ***Godless ***is a limited series that wastes no time pulling viewers into its dusty, dangerous world. Set in 1884, the story follows outlaw Frank Griffin, a ruthless leader hunting down his former protégé, Roy Goode. Roy finds refuge in La Belle, a town almost entirely run by women after a mining accident killed most of the men.

The show balances the looming threat of Griffin’s gang with the strength of La Belle’s residents, particularly Alice Fletcher, a widowed rancher who reluctantly shelters Roy. It is only seven episodes long, but there’s no filler, just pure grit and emotion. The performances are magnetic. Jeff Daniels delivers just the right amount of menace, while Dockery and O’Connell bring heart and complexity. It’s a perfect binge that lingers long after the final gunshot.

1 ‘Deadwood’ (2004 – 2006)

Robin Weigert as Calamity Jane in DeadwoodHBO

Love The Abandons or not, ***Deadwood ***is a must-watch for everyone. It’s the kind of series that redefines what a Western can be. Set in the lawless mining camp of Deadwood, South Dakota, during the 1870s, it chronicles the rise of a community built on ambition and survival. At its center is Ian McShane’s Al Swearengen, the cunning saloon owner whose foul-mouthed charm dominates the town. There’s also Timothy Olyphant’s Sheriff Seth Bullock, who struggles to bring order to chaos.

Raw, layered, and brilliantly human, *Deadwood *boasts incredible writing. David Milch’s dialogue is famously rich, blending profanity with Shakespearean beats and making every exchange feel electric. The direction focuses on both the grime and grandeur of the West, while the ensemble delivers performances that remain iconic even two decades later. Though it ran for only three seasons, *Deadwood’s *impact was immense, later resulting in a 2019 movie that gave fans much-needed closure. This series is essential viewing for Western fans.

Release Date December 4, 2025

Network Netflix

Directors Otto Bathurst, Stephen Surjik

Writers Kurt Sutter