The Best Books, Movies, Video Games, and Podcasts to Listen to After Watching Yellowstone.
In many ways, Yellowstone is the platonic ideal of Taylor Sheridan’s films, combining a neo-Western atmosphere with incredibly detailed locale, a non-political exploration of the tension between individual rights and the collective forces of society, and some genuinely cool lines from Kevin Costner as the tough-guy patriarch, John Dutton. It’s no wonder the series became a huge hit and continues to spawn prequels and spin-offs.
If Yellowstone isn’t enough for you, we’ve already suggested other series you might like to watch. If you’re looking for more Big Sky-esque drama, the good news is that there are plenty of books, films, games, and podcasts that can borrow the show’s themes, settings, and plot.
The best books similar to Yellowstone.
A good book is always the best way to immerse yourself in a series, and Yellowstone takes precisely that approach to storytelling. Here are some wonderful books that any fan of the show will love.
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
There’s a direct connection between this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and the Yellowstone series, openly acknowledged by Taylor Sheridan, making it an obvious literary choice. The story—about two retired Texas Rangers who embark on a dangerous, brutal cattle drive in (where else) Montana—has everything fans of the series want: complex, morally ambiguous characters, a plot informed and shaped by its setting, and a sense of what it means to be a true cowboy in a world increasingly hostile to such a life.
“Barks Skins” by Annie Proulx.
Want a sweeping American drama spanning multiple generations and telling the story of building a family legacy? Then dive into “Barskins” —the story of the Sel family, from René Sel’s arrival in 17th- century America (then known as New France) to the present day. The ruthless, often brutal, determination to build something and protect it from forces seeking to seize the fruits of your labor is the series’ central theme, perfectly suited to the atmosphere of “Yellowstone.”
“The Son ” by Philipp Meyer
The novel “The Son” follows three generations of the McCulloch family as they build an oil and cattle empire in Texas. It has all the drama, violence, and grit you’ll find in Sheridan’s series—and more. As their power and wealth grow, the McCullochs must decide what’s truly important and what can be sacrificed for the greater good of the family. If you’ve been missing the Dutton family soap operas, you’ll love this book.
“Single Women ” by Victor LaVallee
It’s an unexpected choice, but LaValle’s unusual Western horror perfectly complements Yellowstone . Adelaide arrives in Montana in 1915 with something hidden in a chest and the determination to start her own business in a remote area of Montana. She’s unafraid of hard work, which is an advantage, as surviving and building a working farm on this beautiful but harsh land is no easy feat. If you’re looking for a story about a wayward individual striving to create a legacy, this novel is just what you need.
Texas , James Michener
Want to explore the vastness of western Texas? Michener’s 1985 novel is inspired by the entire history of Texas. Focusing on several generations of several families, the story combines fictional characters with real historical figures to dramatize the story. If you’re looking for a story that connects family history to the land on which they live and work, you won’t find anything more epic than this.
The best movies like Yellowstone.
One of the main strengths of the Yellowstone series is its visuals: the Montana landscapes and Yellowstone itself. To help you fully enjoy them, we offer a selection of the best films for fans of the series.
“Hell or Flood” (2016)
Yellowstone became Yellowstone thanks to one man: Taylor Sheridan. He wrote the screenplay for this 2016 West Texas heist film, and its themes hit home. Brothers Toby (Chris Pine) and Tanner (Ben Foster) Howard, at risk of losing their family ranch to a reverse mortgage their mother took out, stage a series of heists against a bank that’s trying to foreclose on the ranch to get the cash they need. Family, ranch, and fighting for what’s yours—what could be more Yellowstone-esque ? Watch Hell or High Water on Prime Video .
Open Space (2003)
Directed by John Dutton (Kevin Costner), Open Range is set in Montana in 1882, where cattle rancher Boss Spearman (Robert Duvall), who owns the “open range,” attempts to drive his herd across land controlled by ruthless cattle baron Denton Baxter (Michael Gambon), sparking a range war that soon erupts into violence. If you enjoyed the Yellowstone prequels as much as the series itself, this is the movie for you. Watch Open Range on AMC or rent it on Prime Video .
Giant (1956)
James Dean’s final role before his tragic death was in a sprawling film set in Texas in the early 1920s. When wealthy rancher and oilman Jordan Benedict Jr. (Rock Hudson) brings his new wife, Leslie (Elizabeth Taylor), from the East Coast, her culture shock at the patriarchal, hierarchical, and somewhat racist world sets off a chain of dramatic events spanning the next several decades. It’s an epic story in the same vein as the series, about legacy, land, and soap operas. Watch Giant on Prime Video .
The Power of a Dog (2021)
Set in Montana in 1925, the film follows two brothers: the gentle and good-natured George (Jesse Plemons) and the aggressive and abusive Phil (Benedict Cumberbatch). When wealthy ranchers meet the widowed Rose (Kirsten Dunst), George marries her, much to Phil’s dismay. Phil is mercilessly cruel to everyone, including Rose’s teenage son, Peter. Filled with family drama, breathtaking Montana scenery, and ranch life, the film is the perfect complement to Sheridan’s series. Watch “The Power of a Dog” on Netflix .
Montana Story (2022)
Montana Story is a more touching and tender Big Sky drama, but it still has plenty of dramatic moments. Stepbrother and sister Cal (Owen Teague) and Erin (Haley Lu Richardson) are estranged. When their father falls into a coma, they both return to the ranch where they grew up. The family’s tragic history gradually unfolds as Erin and Cal cope with their father’s violent past and his impending death. It’s a slower, more restrained series than Yellowstone , but it fulfills the same need. Watch Montana Story on Netflix .
The best video games like Yellowstone.
If you’re looking for a more active role in Yellowstone- related entertainment, you might want to dive into a video game where you can directly influence the story. Here are a few video games with similar themes.
Red Dead Redemption 2
An obvious choice : this Western sandbox begins in 1899 and explores the open-world Wild West from the perspective of outlaw Arthur Morgan, who is very similar to Rip in his role as a man overly loyal and accustomed to using violence to achieve his goals. With stunning graphics (and some locations based on Yellowstone National Park) and moral complexity, this game’s atmosphere perfectly matches the series.
Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox One, Steam
Legacy of the Wild West
If you enjoyed Yellowstone’s focus on building and protecting this legacy from all enemies, you’ll love this Wild West-set survival/builder . In the game, you wake up left for dead after a brutal attack and must rebuild your life from scratch in the ruthless, lawless world you find yourself in. You explore, gather and mine resources, and convince people to join you to create a settlement that will (hopefully) grow into a rich and successful nation. John Dutton would approve.
Platforms: Steam
Western Paradise
The upcoming Western Rye is another open-world survival game where you scavenge for resources and try to build something from scratch in the Wild West. One aspect that Yellowstone fans will especially appreciate is the ability to build your own ranch—yes, you can build your own log mansion to fulfill your dream of becoming a real-life John Dutton.
Platforms: Steam
Lords of the Manors
Although the game is set in the Middle Ages rather than the American Wild West of the 19th , 20th , or 21st centuries, the themes it explores are exactly what fans of the series are looking for. The game focuses on building a medieval settlement, and you not only need to pave roads, construct structures, and recruit peasants, but also raise a militia to defend against enemies or attack them as needed—and some of these valuable people will never return. If you want to experience what it’s like to build something and then dedicate your life to protecting it from those who would take it from you, then this game is for you.
Platforms: Steam
Victoria 3
When it comes to building something on the land you hold dear, why settle for a simple ranch or town? Go global. In Victoria 3, you manage an entire country from 1836 to 1936—you control the economy, the diplomatic corps, the military, and everything in between. There’s no clear winner or loser, but you’ll see just how powerful your country will be after the game ends—provided you have the Dutton-style tenacity to do everything necessary along the way.
Platforms: Steam
The best podcasts like Yellowstone.
If you’re looking to immerse yourself in the Yellowstone universe in audio format or listen to narration that echoes the show’s themes and storylines, here are a few podcasts worth listening to.
The Official Yellowstone Podcast
Hosted by Jefferson White (who played Jimmy Herdstrom on the show), The Official Yellowstone Podcast is the obvious choice for anyone looking for behind-the-scenes insights into the show or a deeper dive into the research, writing, and production that makes Yellowstone so unique. With access to the people who did the work and a long list of surprise guests, it’s a great resource for anyone wanting to learn all about Yellowstone .
Dutton’s Rules
If you want to experience the show from a fan’s perspective, the podcast “Dutton Rules” is a great choice. Hosts Billy Dukes and Addison Haager approach the show in a casual, conversational manner, mimicking conversations with friends and family who are also fans. They offer intelligent analysis and plenty of unexpected details and backstories about each episode and the series as a whole.
Blood ties
Blood Ties isn’t set in Montana and has nothing to do with ranching, but it shares similar themes of family, legacy, and fighting forces that seek to destroy what you’ve built. When their father, renowned cardiologist Dr. Richland, dies in a plane crash, the son and daughter discover the family business harbors dark secrets. It takes three seasons and a ton of drama to set things right, including step-siblings, family secrets, and, naturally, violence.