Top 10 Best Western TV Series of the 20th Century

You remember the dusty main streets, the steely-eyed sheriffs, and the unmistakable twang of a showdown theme like it was yesterday.

Western TV shows in the 20th century didn't just fill airtime. They ruled it. Especially from the 50s through the 70s, it felt like every other channel was showing a gunfight, a cattle drive, or a lone drifter trying to outrun his past.

You might've caught these reruns on INSP or Grit, flipping through channels only to get sucked in for the next five episodes. Maybe it was the charm, maybe the grit, or maybe just the thrill of watching someone throw a punch while wearing fringe and spurs.

These shows gave you everything: saloons, stagecoaches, snake oil salesmen, and every moral dilemma that could ride into town. Sure, the pacing might be a bit slower compared to today's ADHD-friendly editing, and the effects weren't exactly Hollywood blockbuster level, but there's a simplicity and weight to these stories that never quite faded away.

They had rules. They had stakes. And most of all, they had character, often the kind wearing a ten-gallon hat.

Now it's your turn to decide which of these series stands tall like a lone lawman facing down a gang of outlaws at high noon.

The Top Ten

  1. Centennial

    One of my favorite TV series. It shows how a town developed. It starts with the time of fur trappers, proceeds to the town's development when farming comes, evolves into a more developed than usual western series, and ends with the modern day of the town for the time.

  2. How the West Was Won

    Awesome miniseries with multiple levels and layers.

  3. Kung Fu

    Kung Fu is an underrated series in my opinion. As Caine goes across the American west, we see a journey of good deeds, combat, and spirituality all encased into one incredibly interesting man.

  4. Gunsmoke

    The Magnum Opus of classical western TV with memorable conflicts, characters, and setting. If you are a TV lover, you should at least watch part of this series when you can.

  5. Yancy Derringer

    I feel that this show is underrated and pretty fun. It is set in New Orleans, so it is in a more developed place than most Westerns. Yancy, the main character, helps protect the city with unique conflicts in each episode and a fun riverboat setting of the city.

  6. The Lone Ranger

  7. Rawhide

    Rawhide is the classic Western TV series with memorable characters (especially Wishbone), unique plots, and an ever-moving setting as the trail continues onward.

  8. The Legend of Calamity Jane

  9. Bonanza

    This show has an awesome cast of characters, good episodes, and it's definitely worth watching.

  10. The Rifleman

    This show has heart and a lot of it. Lucas McCain is the father of Mark McCain and without a mother figure around, he must do his best to raise his son. But quite often, it is not only Mark but the whole town who needs his help to save the day.

    I liked the different plots, emotions, and overall bonds in this beautiful show.

    Best TV show ever, in my opinion.

    11. The Newcomers
  11. ?

    Wanted: Dead or Alive

  12. ?

    Daniel Boone

    13. The Contenders

  13. The Quick Draw McGraw Show

  14. The High Chaparral

    I remember that for a while when I was younger, the three western shows I mainly watched were The Big Valley, The Virginian, and The High Chaparral. While they were all nice in their own right, The High Chaparral is my favorite. I loved the setting out near Tucson, Arizona and decided when watching this show that I wanted to move to that area when I got older and perhaps be a cowboy.

    I may not have that dream anymore, but it was definitely a thing in my life for a while. I also love all the different characters and their unique ways, but Uncle Buck may be the most fun to watch out of everyone. The plots are also usually pretty fun to watch. Definitely a fun show.

  15. Death Valley Days

    Really enjoyable show with unique stories every episode.

  16. Branded

    Iron-jawed Chuck Connors on a never-ending quest for redemption.

  17. The Big Valley

  18. Have Gun - Will Travel

  19. Wagon Train

  20. Maverick

  21. Cheyenne

  22. The Young Riders

  23. The Virginian

  24. Laredo

  25. Alias Smith and Jones

BAdd New Item