Cattle Drivers: How to Watch the Yellowstone Spinoffs (and the Original Series)
The epic vistas of Montana and abiding myths of the American West loom large over “Yellowstone”, the beloved TV franchise created by Taylor Sheridan. The original series premiered on Paramount Network in 2018, and since then the drama of the Dutton family and the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch has been explored across the generations through multiple Yellowstone spinoffs. The latest of these, “Marshals” and “The Madison,” debut in March.
That makes for a whole lot of cowhide to cover in the Yellowstone universe, so we put together an introduction on where to watch all Yellowstone spinoffs (and the original series, of course) and how to begin wrapping your head around this neo-Western sensation. See the full roundup below.
What is “Yellowstone” all about—and why do people love it?
In all of its soap opera-y glory, “Yellowstone” follows multiple generations of the Dutton family as they settle in Montana in the late 19th century and spend the subsequent decades building the biggest cattle ranch in the state. “Yellowstone” and its two spinoffs, “1883” and “1923”, are so popular because they offer the most cinematic, exciting, and sexy narrative of the American West to come out since “Deadwood.”
The Yellowstone franchise has a similar novelistic sweep as American West narratives from authors Mark Twain and Wallace Stegner, and it aims for cinematic prestige with the help of marquee stars from the worlds of country music and Hollywood. And while there are plenty of explosions, sex scenes, salty bits of dialogue, and trips to the “train station” to keep audiences entertained, the series also ventures towards complexity by showing the perspective of Indigenous folks from the fictional Broken Rock Indian Reservation—although critics rightly point out that “Yellowstone” ultimately centers a white settler-colonial narrative.
This cattle ranching saga will expand even further with “Marshals” and “The Madison”. And fans are on their toes as rumors swirl around additional Yellowstone spinoffs, including “The Dutton Ranch” and “1944”, both reportedly planned to drop later in 2026.
Here is the best way to watch Yellowstone spinoffs and original series
The best way to watch “Yellowstone” spinoffs is to begin with the titular series that started it all. Then, work through the rest of the “Yellowstone” spinoffs in historical order following the timeline of the Dutton family tree.
“Yellowstone” sets the stage for the rest of the franchise, and it provides key context to enjoy the period settings of prequels “1883” and “1923”. From there you will be sufficiently prepared to binge “Marshals” and “The Madison”, which are premiering two weeks apart in wham-bam succession.
Pro tip: Combined together, the Yellowstone universe currently totals out to 79 episodes spanning eight seasons of TV neo-Western drama.
Yellowstone series in release order (including Yellowstone spinoffs in development)
- “Yellowstone” (2018–2024)
- “1883” (2021–2022)
- “1923” (2022–2025)
- “Marshals” (premieres Mar. 1, 2026)
- “The Madison” (premieres Mar. 14, 2026)
- “The Dutton Ranch” (TBD 2026)
- “1944” (In development)
- “6666” (On hold)
Yellowstone spinoffs in chronological order (including original series)
- “1883” (set in 1883)
- “1923” (set in 1923–24)
- “Yellowstone” (set in 2018–2024)
- “Marshals” (set in present)
- “The Madison” (set in present)
- “The Dutton Ranch” (set in present)
- “6666” (set in present)
How to watch “Yellowstone”
Coming out West again nearly 30 years after “Dances With Wolves,” Kevin Costner stars as the cowboy-hatted, gravel-voiced patriarch of a family of cattle ranchers who go toe-to-toe with land developers, outlaw bikers, shady politicians, and more. The drama can be a little heavy-handed, but it’s all for the best as you get a view of how folks with deep roots and big trucks get things done. Originally pitched as “‘The Godfather’ in Montana,” “Yellowstone” is all about the resolve it takes and blood that gets spilled to preserve a way of life.
Where to watch “Yellowstone”
You can watch all five seasons of “Yellowstone” on Peacock.
How to watch “1883”
Thieves, rattlesnakes, and dysentery are just a few of the threats that the Dutton clan and their cohorts on a wagon train face as they make their way westwards in the wake of the Civil War. Country singers Tim McGraw and Faith Hill stand out as James and Margaret Dutton while Sam Elliott makes for a natural hard-assed leader of this motley bunch. The series’ poignant narration from the teenage daughter Elsa Dutton provides a nice counterpoint to all the cowboy and Pinkerton testosterone.
Where to watch “1883”
All seasons of “1883” are on Paramount+.
How to watch “1923”
War, conflict, and rebellion figure strongly in the Yellowstone universe and these themes come into stark relief in “1923”. On the one hand, there’s the arduous journey home of Spencer Dutton, a hunky yet shellshocked World War I veteran-turned-big game hunter played by Brandon Sklenar. On the other, you have Teonna Rainwater (Aminah Nieves), an Apsáalooke woman who risks it all to defy the state-sanctioned oppression of a Catholic-run boarding school. Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford hold it down on the Dutton ranch, further burnishing the Yellowstone universe’s cinematic bona fides.
Where to watch “1923”
Both seasons of “1923” are on Paramount+.
How to watch “Marshals”
Judging from a trailer from January 2026, “Marshals” departs from the usual Yellowstone mold to embrace the format of a police procedural, following Kayce Dutton as he joins the U.S. “Marshals” and fights crime with a diverse band of similarly good-looking, Montana-based law enforcement officers. Created by Spencer Hudnut, the series sees Luke Grimes (“American Sniper”) return as Kayce, with key roles also played by “Yellowstone” cast members Gil Birmingham and Mo Brings Plenty and “Gilmore Girls” vet Arielle Kebbel.
Where to watch “Marshals”
“Marshals” premieres on Paramount+ on March 1, 2026.
How to watch “The Madison”
Sheridan’s latest spinoff doesn’t appear to feature any Dutton drama, but it does take viewers back to Montana. The series centers around the Clyburn family, with Michelle Pfeiffer, Kurt Russell, and Will Arnett appearing in what sounds like it could be a downright heartwarming exploration of loss and healing. You’ll have to watch the premiere on March 14 to learn more, but reportedly the series takes place in both New York City and in Montana’s Madison River valley.
Where to watch “The Madison”
“The Madison” premieres on Paramount+ on March 14, 2026.
Yellowstone spinoffs FAQ
Will there be a "1944" Yellowstone spinoff?
Yes, "1944" will be a spinoff of "Yellowstone" that focuses on the Dutton family during the Second World War. The final cast hasn’t officially been announced yet but the project is currently in development with Paramount+ and filming is reportedly planned to begin sometime in 2026. There is excitement about the possibility of Brandon Sklenar returning as Spencer Dutton and Matthew McConaughey was also rumored to be involved.
Is "6666" a Yellowstone spinoff?
Yes, "6666" is a "Yellowstone" spinoff, but the project is currently on hold. The planned series would be set on the Four Sixes Ranch, a historic 270,000-acre ranch in North Texas that "Yellowstone" creator Taylor Sheridan purchased in 2022. He has said that his immense respect for the Four Sixes Ranch and the fact that it is a real place means that he would need to take his time in creating "6666".
