There are tons of TV shows we have watched over the years but only a few have managed to make their way into our lives. Even though we have plenty of TV shows, Western TV shows hit differently and we can’t stop watching. Western TV shows have revolutionized over the years and we have loved almost every Western TV show but here are the best 13 Western TV shows of all time so that you don’t have to look for them anywhere else.
Bonanza
We cannot forget a classic, right? Bonanza was one of the most beloved Western TV shows, and we have to agree that it deserves all the hype. We saw the Cartwright family, who have a large ranch called the Ponderosa, and the storyline revolved around this family, giving us insights into how families actually work with conflicts and love. Also, we cannot forget to mention that Bonanza was the first Western TV show to air in color!
The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin
The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin was lighthearted and watched by people of every age. This show had a charm that not every show can have. In this Western TV show, we see a boy, Rusty, and his beloved dog, Rin Tin Tin, doing many adventurous things and having fun. We loved this dynamic duo and we never thought that a fictional dog would be our favorite but here we are loving Rin Tin Tin.
Rawhide
Rawhide was a black-and-white hit. The show revolved around cattle drivers who had tremendous adventures across the country while cattle driving. The show was no doubt amazing and fun to watch and the cowboys were thrilling and fiery. Also, this show gave us Clint Eastwood as a cowboy for the first time.
Little House on the Prairie
You must have heard of Little House on the Prairie, not only because of the show but also because of the popular fictional novel by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Well, as much as the novel was loved, the show was also loved. We saw the show capture beautiful scenes and moments of the Ingalls family as they moved near Walnut Grove, Minnesota, and tried to build their life there with love and peace.
Lonesome Dove
Lonesome Dove wasn’t exactly a long TV show but rather it was like a miniseries where we saw two retired Texas Rangers decide to go on a cattle drive. This cattle drive made us interested in the show because we saw the best of their lives and the adventures and joyous rides they had while driving from Texas to Montana.
Cheyenne
When you see Clint Walker in a show, you should know that the TV show has already been a hit just like Cheyenne was. Clint Walker played Cheyenne Bodie, who was a drifter and adventurer who loved roaming the West and was kind enough to help those in need. Cheyenne won different awards back in the day, and he won our hearts too.
Wanted: Dead or Alive
Steve McQueen’s hit TV show is what you need to fall in love with his acting skills. In Wanted: Dead or Alive, we saw Steve McQueen as a traveling bounty hunter who would roam around and go to towns to talk to criminals and he was so good at it that he always survived those dangerous talks with criminals.
Hell on Wheels
Hell on Wheels gives us a glimpse of the post-Civil War era, where the story revolves around Confederate soldier Cullen Bohannon. The show basically gave us insight into the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad and how the American society of that time was very different from now.
Deadwood
Deadwood in South Dakota is where the story is situated, and we see how the entire town does not follow any laws properly. The people who went there in hopes of a better life are just confused and frustrated in this lawless town. The show has gritty scenes and raw dialogue, which makes it the best Western TV show.
Gunsmoke
Gunsmoke was the longest-running Western TV show in history for 20 years so you know how much audiences loved watching that show. We saw Marshal Matt Dillon maintaining law and order in Dodge City, Kansas. Well, the show was all about actions and social issues, which it tackled beautifully over the years.
The Rifleman
In this TV show, we saw Lucas McCain, who was a widower rancher and skilled marksman, raising his son Mark by himself. The show gives the right idea of raising our sons and the difference between right and wrong. Well, we see the struggles and learn the lessons in this Western TV show, perhaps that’s why it became one of the best Western TV shows.
The Lone Ranger
The Lone Ranger is an iconic Western TV show that we will never forget. The show was about The Lone Ranger, who was masked behind the Texas Ranger and fought for all the injustice and took a stand for all wrongs with the help of his Native American companion, Tonto.
The Big Valley
Sometimes we need shows that focus solely on women and the female power that people often neglect. Well, The Big Valley is one of those Western TV shows that has given us the strong and powerful Victoria Barkley, who, along with her family, faces the struggles of living on their California ranch.
