Must-Watch Movies for Fans of Taylor Sheridan’s Gritty Storytelling!

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Taylor Sheridan is no stranger to the big screen, so we’ve got together the best movies you need to watch if you like his style.

What is Taylor Sheridan’s style? Well, rapid-fire action, unlikable characters, and implausible stories, of course! (And believe us, that’s all part of the fun.) 

Although Sheridan has established himself as a legend of the small screen and Paramount+’s golden goose, the Yellowstone creator actually had huge success in movies, too. He even earned an Oscar nomination for Hell or High Water – not too shabby.

So, when you’ve watched your way through Sheridan’s admirable big-screen collection, we’ve got a list of all the best movies not written or directed by him that’ll give you that same cowboy-lovin’, jaw-dropping feeling.

No Country for Old Men

  • Release date: November 9, 2007
  • Genre: Western, crime
  • Director: Joel Coen and Ethan Coen
  • Cast: Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin
  • Runtime: 2 hours and 2 minutes

In 1980 Texas, three characters intersect: a war veteran stumbles upon a substantial amount of cash in the desert, a relentless assassin chases after him to reclaim it, and an unyielding sheriff is hot on their trails.

Why we like it: If you’ve seen Hell or High Water, there’s no doubting that this Coen Brothers feature was a major influence. Brutally quiet and tense, it’s a masterclass in patience and unique characters. (Anton Chigurh is most definitely one of the best villains ever put to screen.) Not to say that No Country can’t be funny at times, but you’ll probably end up digging into your seat by the time you’re done with this crime drama.

Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1

  • Release date: June 28, 2024
  • Genre: Western
  • Director: Kevin Costner
  • Cast: Kevin Cosner, Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington 
  • Runtime: 3 hours and 1 minute

The Old West is a setting where tales are spun about the challenges faced by people who sought to live, prosper, and maintain unity in harsh and violent times.

Why we like it: Sorry Taylor, but we had to put Kevin Costner on this list. You just can’t think of Westerns without thinking of the modern legend of the Old West, and since Horizon was the thing that ended up being the final nail in Yellowstone’s coffin, it’s more or less on here for research purposes. Put simply: you need to check out the film that ended Sheridan’s small screen saga and caused an alleged feud between the pair. (Don’t worry, there may be three more movies coming, too.)

Legends of the Fall

  • Release date: December 23, 1994
  • Genre: Western, drama
  • Director: Edward Zwick
  • Cast: Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins, Aiden Quinn 
  • Runtime: 2 hours and 13 minutes

What it’s about: Based on the 1979 novella of the same name, Legends of the Fall is about three brothers and their father on their Montana ranch through the decades. 

Why we like it: Since most people will associate Taylor Sheridan with a fictional family living on a ranch in Montana, this is about as close as you’ll get, plot-wise. The story of this small family trying to make their patch in the wilderness doesn’t involve any helicopters or personal chefs, but it’s a sweeping epic and deeply romantic story of family, love, and legacy.

The Town

  • Release date: September 17, 2010
  • Genre: Crime
  • Director: Ben Affleck 
  • Cast: Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jeremy Renner
  • Runtime: 2 hours and 4 minutes

What it’s about: A young criminal in Boston falls in love with a victim of one of his previous bank robberies, throwing him into a moral dilemma as he and his crew plot to rob Fenway Park.

Why we like it: Stepping away from the Western side of things, Sheridan also made his mark in the crime drama/city-slicking stories, too. This Ben Affleck venture is impressive in its slick action and believable characters, and is definitely the type of thing that would come out if Sheridan tried to make a modern crime feature. 

Hostiles

  • Release date: December 22, 2017
  • Genre: Western
  • Director: Scott Cooper
  • Cast: Christian Bale, Rosamund Pike, Wes Studi 
  • Runtime: 2 hours and 15 minutes

Topic Overview:

In the year of 1892, an American cavalry officer finds himself assigned the duty of accompanying a distinguished Cheyenne tribal leader and his family on a journey to return to their homeland in the state of Montana.

Why we like it: Hostiles may be one that flies under the radar, but it shouldn’t be. Led by impeccable performances and a violent undertone, it’s another one for the 1883/1923 lovers out there. But be warned, this isn’t a light-hearted action – it’s dark, unforgiving, and an emotional whirlwind. Which, by the time you’ve finished with the likes of Yellowstone and Landman, may be exactly what you need.

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2025-03-16 14:52