When we talk about Westerns on TV today, it's usually Yellowstone or Deadwood that steal the spotlight. The classics like Gunsmoke and Bonanza still have their fans, but a whole herd of near-perfect Western series have been left to gather dust. Whether they aired decades ago or just a few years back, these shows captured the spirit of the Old West—and the modern West—with style and grit. Here are eight forgotten gems that come awfully close to perfection.
'How the West Was Won' (1976–1979)
After playing Marshal Matt Dillon for 20 years, James Arness returned to TV with an epic reimagining of How the West Was Won. This series, which began as a TV movie, follows the Macahan family as they head west during the Civil War and into the lawless postwar period. With over two dozen 90-minute episodes, each installment feels like a made-for-TV movie. Serialized threads—like Luke Macahan's (Bruce Boxleitner) run-ins with the law—keep the story moving without losing focus. It's a sprawling, ambitious Western that deserves far more love.
'Cheyenne' (1955–1962)
The first hour-long Western on TV, Cheyenne ran for seven seasons and set the template for the genre. Clint Walker stars as Cheyenne Bodie, a drifting gunslinger who takes odd jobs and inevitably lands in trouble. It's as traditional as TV Westerns get—think Shane in episodic form. The show also launched the short-lived The Dakotas, another overlooked series. And that theme song? Still catchy as ever.
'Paradise' (1988–1991)
Originally just Paradise (later retitled Guns of Paradise), this CBS show aired during a brief Western revival that included The Young Riders and the Lonesome Dove miniseries. Lee Horsley plays Ethan Allen Cord, a gunfighter who tries to leave violence behind to care for his orphaned niece and nephews in the town of Paradise. He falls for landowner Amelia Lawson (Sigrid Thornton), and complications ensue. It's a three-season adventure that deserves a spot in the Western canon.
'Joe Pickett' (2021–2023)
The only modern entry on this list, Joe Pickett is set in present-day Wyoming but feels as old-school as they come. Based on C.J. Box's novels, the show follows game warden Joe (Michael Dorman) as he investigates mysteries in the wild landscape. Canceled after two seasons, it's a tight, binge-worthy crime drama that blends Western tropes with a contemporary edge. For fans of crime thrillers that outshine David Fincher's 'Seven', this is a must-watch.
'The Rebel' (1959–1961)
If you know the Johnny Cash song "Johnny Yuma," you know The Rebel. Nick Adams stars as Johnny Yuma, an ex-Confederate soldier roaming the West and getting into trouble—but always doing the right thing. The show ran for 76 episodes over two seasons, and its moral core and catchy theme make it a standout. It's a classic horse opera that's ripe for rediscovery.
More Forgotten Favorites
Other near-perfect Westerns that have faded from memory include The Dakotas, a spin-off from Cheyenne that lasted just one season but packed a punch; The Young Riders, which reimagined the Pony Express with a young cast; and Lonesome Dove, the epic miniseries that, while not forgotten, deserves mention as a benchmark. These shows, like the ones above, prove that the Western genre has always been richer than the few titles we remember.
So whether you're a die-hard fan of perfect video games or just looking for your next binge, these Westerns offer a ride through a frontier that's still worth exploring. Saddle up—you won't regret it.
