With so many shows in Taylor Sheridan’s neo-Western universe, it can be confusing to figure out where to start and to know in what order to watch Yellowstone. Taylor Sheridan’s drama is one of the best TV Westerns of all time, quickly branching into a multi-series universe that follows the Dutton family tree at various points in history. Each series in the Yellowstone universe follows the trials and tribulations of the Duttons, a family of ranchers who settled in Montana in the late 19th century. The first Yellowstone spinoff shows, 1883 and 1923, are prequels, making the order relatively straightforward.

However, with more Yellowstone spinoffs on the way, this won’t be the case for long. Marshals and Dutton Ranch are the two newest shows in the franchise, with Marshals season 1 arriving in March 2026, and Dutton Ranch arriving mid-May. Suddenly, watching the entire Yellowstone franchise has turned into an even bigger commitment, and that’s without us considering shows in very early pre-production like 1944 and 6666​​​​​​. While it can be tough to work through all of the Yellowstone franchise content, the stories make it well worth the effort, especially as the universe continues to grow and expand outward.

How To Watch Yellowstone In Chronological Order

For those who want to discover (or rewatch) the entire Yellowstone story, the chronological order provides an epic sweep of the Duttons’ legacy. Seeing what the family endured to settle on their land, the enemies they had to fight against, and the people they lost along the way, makes John Dutton III’s (Kevin Costner) modern struggles a single chapter in a multigenerational saga.

Watching Yellowstone in chronological order is the simplest way to enjoy the show. Whereas viewing in release order means navigating overlapping dates, Yellowstone and its spinoffs have a straightforward timeline. 1883 and 1923 are prequels, each set during their titular year, and Yellowstone itself is set across the last decade. Kayce Dutton’s (Luke Grimes) sequel series, Marshals, is set in the present day, and Dutton Ranch takes place simultaneously, though it follows Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) and Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser).

However, simplicity isn’t the only reason watching the Yellowstone franchise in chronological order has its perks. There are also aspects of seeing the story play out this way that are perhaps more impactful than seeing them in release order. This includes the flashbacks in season 4 of Yellowstone, showing James Dutton and his family.

This was a nice teaser for 1883 when it happened initially, in Yellowstone itself. However, when viewing the franchise in chronological order, with the audience having already seen James’ journey and knowing his fate, it makes for an emotional return for the character. Yellowstone is peppered with moments like this — moments that earn more emotional impact if viewed in chronological order.

How To Watch Yellowstone In Release Date Order

Watching Yellowstone and its spinoffs in release date order is a little more complex than the chronological order, and there’s a key reason why. Unlike many shows whose spinoffs arrive after the main story is concluded, Taylor Sheridan released both Yellowstone prequels before the main show had concluded its run. Additionally, the Yellowstone sequels are releasing nearly simultaneously.

1883 and 1923 came out in the midst of Yellowstone‘s run on the air. This means that, in order to stay true to the release dates, watching Yellowstone in release order means dipping out of the main show to view 1883 and 1923 in between Yellowstone seasons.

There are even areas of overlap where Yellowstone was on the air at the same time as a spinoff, leaving which to view first in release date order open for debate. The technical release date viewing order is Yellowstone seasons 1–4, 1883, Yellowstone season 5, pt 1, 1923 season 1, Yellowstone season 5, pt 2, 1923 season 2, Marshals season 1, Dutton Ranch season 1, and finally, Marshals season 2.

While this can be confusing, some fans recommend an alternative approach to the release dates of the Yellowstone franchise. The soft release-date viewing order would be to watch the shows in the order they arrived, rather than dipping between seasons of each. This means watching all of Yellowstone first, followed by the entirety of 1883, and then 1923. You could then wait to watch Dutton Ranch until you finish Marshals, but considering both shows could have long runs, you may be waiting for a long time.

Do You Need To Watch All The Yellowstone Series?

All the series in the Yellowstone franchise are loosely connected, but none are required viewing to enjoy the narratives of the others. 1883, 1923, and Yellowstone can all be viewed independently without confusion. Dutton Ranch and Marshals are more closely connected to Yellowstone, though, and viewers might get more out of their experience if they’re at least familiar with Yellowstone. However, it’s when watching all his shows that the true genius of Taylor Sheridan’s extended universe can be appreciated.

Each Yellowstone show contributes to the viewing experience of the others, providing nuance and background information that can increase the viewing experience. However, since each chapter in the wider Yellowstone story focuses on a different segment of the Dutton family tree, it’s possible to enjoy each separately.

The Best Order To Watch The Yellowstone Shows In

Credit: Paramount via MovieStillsDB

There’s no real best way to watch Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone, as it depends on viewer preference. For those who genuinely wish to experience the Yellowstone timeline in chronological order, the viewing order would start with 1883, move to 1923, round off with all five seasons of Yellowstone, then watch Dutton Ranch and Marshals in whatever order they wish.

The chronological viewing order of Yellowstone creates a multigenerational tapestry that chronicles the rise of the powerful Dutton family. It’s a different experience than the release order, which introduces audiences to the modern Duttons, then uses 1883 and 1923 to add impact to their struggles in the present day.

However, to catch the nuances of the prequels and understand what they’re referencing, it would be best to start with Yellowstone before moving on to the prequel spinoffs and sequels. With this in mind, the soft release-date order is perhaps the closest to Taylor Sheridan’s intentions with the wider Yellowstone story. Watching all of Yellowstone sets the stage for 1923 and 1883, and makes Marshals and Dutton Ranch more comprehensible.

On the other hand, watching the prequels first means that when John Dutton waxes lyrical about the importance of the Dutton legacy, viewers know the struggles of characters like Elsa Dutton from 1883 and 1923‘s Jacob Dutton. John’s words and why he cares take on new weight if watching Yellowstone after 1883 and 1923.

He doesn’t want the Dutton name to continue simply because he wants to live up to some financial legacy — he holds on to power because he (and the audience) know that his ancestors died brutal deaths to obtain it. This impact doesn’t come across when watching Yellowstone and the spin-offs in release date order.

Every Upcoming & Rumored Yellowstone Spinoff

There are two prospective Yellowstone spinoff shows at various stages of production and development: 1944 and 6666. The Madison, another Taylor Sheridan series previously billed as a spinoff of Yellowstone, has now been separated entirely from the franchise’s TV universe and will be released as a standalone show.

1944 is currently in active development and will serve as a sequel to 1923, also taking place during the year 1944. But things start to get complicated when we come to another franchise spinoff in the pipeline, which has provisionally been referred to as 6666.

6666 is the name of a ranch in Yellowstone, where Jefferson White’s character Jimmy Hurdstrom goes to work in season 4. The show was announced by Paramount in February 2021, but it’s since stalled in development. In fact, White recently suggested that 6666 might not happen at all.

When Future Yellowstone Spinoffs Are Set (And How It Changes The Watch Order)

When each Yellowstone spinoff arrives, there’s a good chance that it changes the chronological viewing order within the franchise. 6666 will be set in the aftermath of Yellowstone season 5, if it happens.

Little is known about 1944 at this stage, although the show’s title suggests that it will be another prequel starring older versions of Spencer and Alexandra Dutton, as well as Teonna Rainwater, from 1923. This show would change the chronological watch order in the franchise significantly, as there will be another show to watch between 1923 and Yellowstone.

With as many as four new shows on the way, Taylor Sheridan’s flagship TV franchise continues to go from strength to strength. On the other hand, the Yellowstone viewing order is about to become much more complex when viewing both chronologically and in order of release date.

Created by

Taylor Sheridan

First Episode Air Date

June 20, 2018

Cast

Kevin Costner, Luke Grimes, Kelly Reilly, Wes Bentley, Cole Hauser, Kelsey Asbille, Gil Birmingham, Brecken Merrill, Jefferson White, Danny Huston