10 Best Westerns Like Justified

Many consider the TV drama Justified to be one of the greatest modern Westerns ever created. It boasts a 97% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and features a stellar cast. The show really established Timothy Olyphant as a leading Western actor, building on his impressive work in Deadwood.

Over six seasons, Justified centers on Raylan Givens (played by Timothy Olyphant), a lawman who delivers justice in his own way. He frequently clashes with an old friend, Boyd Crowder, in a standout performance by Walton Goggins. The show draws on classic Western themes like self-reliance and complex characters, and there are many similar shows available on streaming services.

10. Banshee

Before starring as the terrifying Homelander in The Boys, Antony Starr played a sheriff with a hidden side. While the character Raylan Givens in Justified uses clever tactics to get answers, the sheriff in Banshee goes to much greater lengths. Banshee centers around an ex-convict who assumes a new identity as Lucas Hood and becomes the sheriff of the made-up town of Banshee.

Viewers loved Banshee, giving it a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and specifically highlighting the strong performance by Starr, who plays a man haunted by his past. While it features more intense violence than Justified, the show still delivers classic Western elements and a good sense of humor. Fans of True Blood should especially enjoy it, as it comes from the same creators.

9. Yellowstone

Taylor Sheridan’s hit show, Yellowstone, is now considered one of the best Westerns on television, and it’s grown into a whole universe of related shows. The series, which has five seasons and several spin-offs, centers on the Dutton family and their relentless fight to defend their ranch.

Many viewers compare the show Yellowstone to Justified because both feature tough, determined cowboys. If you like seeing strong performances from Western TV actors, you’ll appreciate Kevin Costner as the head of the Dutton family. However, the two shows are set in very different places, and Yellowstone is particularly known for its beautiful scenery.

8. Godless

As a huge Western fan, I was completely blown away by Netflix’s Godless. It’s got such a unique setup – the town of La Belle is almost entirely run by women! A mining accident wiped out most of the male population, and the women stepped up to build a really successful life for themselves. It’s a total twist on the usual Western tropes, which are usually so focused on men, and honestly, it’s incredibly refreshing and compelling to see this different perspective.

Like many classic Westerns, Godless starts with an outlaw arriving in town. However, the show quickly stands out thanks to its strong, independent female characters. While it explores similar themes of justice and revenge as Justified, Godless is a concise, single-season series, making it ideal for watching all at once.

7. Dark Winds

Many traditional Westerns have poorly portrayed Native Americans, either ignoring them or relying on harmful stereotypes. The TV show Dark Winds is different – it puts Native American characters at the center of the story, based on the popular Leaphorn & Chee detective novels by Tony Hillerman. Critically acclaimed with a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the show stands out for its talented, mostly Native American cast and compelling four-season run.

The show Dark Winds is consistently improving, and it’s getting even stronger with George R.R. Martin as an executive producer and the addition of Titus Welliver in season four. Similar to Justified, Dark Winds is a modern take on the Western genre, but it’s set in the 1970s, bringing classic Western ideas into a contemporary setting.

6. True Grit

The Coen Brothers are known for their excellent Western films, and their remake of True Grit is a standout. The film features the famous character Rooster Cogburn, who was originally played by John Wayne and brilliantly portrayed by Jeff Bridges in the Coen Brothers’ 2010 version. Similar to the character Raylan Givens, Rooster Cogburn is a flawed lawman, and both films delve into the theme of revenge.

Both Justified and True Grit are excellent Westerns that everyone should see. While Justified is known for its witty dialogue, True Grit offers a similar blend of serious themes, action, and humor, making it a great choice for viewers who enjoy both sides of that coin.

5. Django Unchained

Western films have traditionally focused on white characters and narratives. Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained is notable for centering the story of a Black man seeking rightful revenge. Though the movie uses classic Western elements like gun battles, flawed heroes, and a victorious ending, it’s set against a much more complex and historically charged backdrop.

Django is determined to free his wife from slavery, and his violent journey leads him through the brutal world of Southern plantations, filled with truly despicable characters. While some question the tactics of characters like Raylan Givens from Justified, most viewers will find it hard to fault Django for fighting back.

4. Longmire

If you enjoy shows like Justified, you’ll probably like Longmire. Both feature strong, traditional lawmen reminiscent of classic Westerns. However, Longmire is generally more somber in tone, and its main character, Sheriff Walt Longmire, is more quiet and introspective than Raylan Givens. It’s a deliberately paced crime drama with a distinct Western feel.

Westerns often rely on fast-paced action, but Longmire takes a different approach. It builds tension more slowly, prioritizing detailed characters and nuanced storytelling over quick thrills like gunfights. The show also thoughtfully integrates Native American culture and politics, making characters like Henry Standing Bear (played by Lou Diamond Phillips) central and compelling.

3. Gunsmoke

Gunsmoke is an exceptionally well-made Western TV series – it’s remarkable that the show never had a single weak episode. As the longest-running Western in television history, Gunsmoke’s 20-season run is a testament to its consistently high quality. Despite premiering in 1955 and running until 1975, the show still holds up surprisingly well when compared to other classic Westerns.

Gunsmoke centered around Sheriff Matt Dillon and his efforts to maintain law and order in the Wild West town of Dodge City. The show became well-known for the phrase “get out of Dodge,” which Dillon frequently used to warn outlaws. When it first aired, Gunsmoke was groundbreaking and essentially created the formula for Western TV shows, influencing almost every successful Western series that followed, including Justified.

2. No Country For Old Men

As a huge film fan, I was thrilled to see No Country for Old Men named the best Western of the 21st century – and it absolutely deserves the title. It’s a remarkably faithful adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s novel. The story grabbed me from the start, following a Vietnam vet who stumbles upon some money in the desert, the ruthless hitman sent after it, and the sheriff trying to make sense of the whole thing. And Javier Bardem? He’s unforgettable as Anton Chigurh, truly one of the most terrifying villains I’ve ever seen.

The Coen Brothers’ film is significantly more grim than Justified, and its ending is truly unsettling. However, both stories share characters who operate in a moral grey area, where self-preservation is paramount. No Country for Old Men amplifies the ideas presented in Justified, pushing them to their limits by challenging conventional ideas about law and order and depicting a world that feels increasingly chaotic and without rules.

1. Deadwood

Timothy Olyphant became a Western TV star thanks to two shows, and Deadwood was the first. He played Seth Bullock, a shopkeeper who unexpectedly became a law enforcer, and his style of delivering justice sometimes resembled that of Raylan Givens. However, many consider Deadwood the stronger series due to its well-managed pace, focus on compelling characters, and sharp writing.

The show Deadwood brings the American Old West to life, telling the story of how the town of Deadwood was founded. It’s based on true events and features characters inspired by real people who lived there, like Seth Bullock. With a 95% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and strong acting from the entire cast, it’s a fantastic Western, especially if you enjoyed Justified.

2026-02-09 02:11