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While recent months have been slow for the Western genre, the end of 2023 and 2024 have some exciting titles coming out for Western fans. From Taylor Sheridan’s upcoming series on Bass Reeves to Kevin Costner’s saga on the expansion of the American West, there is plenty in store for Western movies and TV series.
With action-packed gunfights and rowdy cowboys, the Western genre is filled with excitement and drama. Once the most popular genre in Hollywood, Westerns have made a big return in recent years.
So saddle up and take a look at the upcoming Western movies and TV shows in 2023, 2024, and beyond.
Killers of the Flower Moon (October 20, 2023)
The American epic Western crime drama is set to premiere on October 20, 2023. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Martin Scorsese, the movie features a star-studded cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Brendan Fraser, Tantoo Cardinal, and Jesse Plemons.
Based on the 2017 book of the same name by David Grann, Killers of the Flower Moon follows true events that happened in Oklahoma in the 1920s. After discovering oil on their land, members of the Osage tribe became wealthy overnight. However, after mysterious murders of tribe members occur, the FBI decides to investigate.
After getting delayed due to COVID-19, the film is set to be one of the biggest movie releases of the year. The film has already received positive critic feedback, making it a must-watch for Western enthusiasts.
Lawmen: Bass Reeves (November 5, 2023)
Taylor Sheridan has already proved to be a success in the Western genre with hit series like Yellowstone, 1883, and 1923. His next big project is the mini-series Lawmen: Bass Reeves.
Lawmen: Bass Reeves is set to follow the real-life story of Bass Reeves, the first black U.S. Deputy Marshal West of the Mississippi River. After escaping from slavery, Reeves went on to become a federal peace officer in Indian Territory, arresting over 3,000 criminals without ever getting injured.
Lawmen: Bass Reeves will premiere on November 5, 2023, on the streaming service Paramount+. Starring David Oyelowo, Dennis Quaid, Forrest Goodluck, and Donald Sutherland, the series will feature a total of eight episodes.
Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 (June 28, 2024 and August 16, 2024)
Horizon: An American Saga is the passion project of Yellowstone star Kevin Costner that has been years in the making. The Western saga is set to feature four films, with Costner starring, producing, and directing the films.
According to IMDb, Horizon “chronicles a multi-faceted, 15-year span of pre-and post-Civil War expansion and settlement of the American West.” In addition to Costner, the Western drama features a star-studded cast including Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Jena Malone, Abbey Lee, Michael Rooker, Danny Huston, Luke Wilson, and Isabelle Fuhrman.
Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1 hits theaters on June 28, 2024, with Chapter 2 premiering shortly after on August 16, 2024.
Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2 (TBC)
The hit neo-Western drama Yellowstone is set to end after five seasons. First intended to return in the summer of 2023, Yellowstone season 5 part 2 got pushed back until November 2023. However, due to scheduling conflicts and the writers’ and actors’ strikes, the release has been pushed back once again.
While no official release date has been revealed, it is likely that part 2 of season 5 won’t return until sometime in 2024. Not much is known yet what the final episodes will have in store, however, we will likely see the feud between John and Jamie come to a conclusion.
Season 5 part 2 will likely see the return of the main cast, including Kevin Costner, Kelly Reilly, Cole Hauser, Luke Grimes, Wes Bentley, and Kesley Asbille.
1923 Season 2 (TBC)
The Yellowstone prequel 1923 is set to return for a second season. While no release date has been confirmed, it is likely the series will return sometime in 2024.
Though no official premise has been revealed, we can expect to see Jacob and Cara Dutton go to war with Donald Whitfield to save their ranch. In addition, we will likely see the arrival of Spencer to the ranch as well as his reunion with his wife Alexandra. We can also expect to see Teonna Rainwater arrive to safety after fleeing from her abusive boarding school.
Though not confirmed, season 2 will likely see the return of Helen Mirren, Harrison Ford, Brandon Sklenar, Julia Schlaepfer, Aminah Nieves, Timothy Dalton, Michelle Randolph, and Darren Mann.
6666 (TBC)
Though Yellowstone may be coming to an end, the Yellowstone universe has plenty yet to come. The spinoff series 6666 got put on hold due to the writers’ strike, so it likely won’t come out until 2024 or even potentially 2025.
According to a press release, the series will explore the historic 6666 Ranch. “Founded when Comanches still ruled West Texas, no ranch in America is more steeped in the history of the West than the 6666. Still operating as it did two centuries before, and encompassing an entire county, the 6666 is where the rule of law and the laws of nature merge in a place where the most dangerous thing one does is the next thing. The 6666 is synonymous with the merciless endeavor to raise the finest horses and livestock in the world, and ultimately, where world-class cowboys are born and made.”
As of now, there has been no cast list released for the series. However, many expect that Yellowstone’s own Jimmy (Jefferson White), Emily (Kathryn Kelly), and Walker (Ryan Bingham) will make an appearance in the series.
Wind River: The Next Chapter (TBC)
Born from another Taylor Sheridan creation, Wind River: The Next Chapter serves as a prequel to the award-winning film Wind River. While no release date has been revealed, sources speculate the film could be released in early 2024.
The film is set to follow Chip Hanson as he aids the FBI in solving a series of ritualistic killings on the Wind River reservation. While the film will not see the return of Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen, it will star Martin Senseier, Gil Birmingham, Kali Reis, Scott Eastwood, and Jason Clarke.
The Thicket (TBC)
Based on the 2013 novel of the same name by Joe R. Lansdale, The Thicket has been a passion project for Peter Dinklage for many years. While the film is in production, there has been no indication as to when it might be released.
Set in West Texas during the 1800s, a young man enlists the help of bounty hunter Reginald Jones after his sister is kidnapped by the notorious Cut Throat Bill. Reginald grudgingly becomes the leader of a group of outcasts who search for the missing girl.
The Thicket stars Peter Dinklage, Juliette Lewis, Esmé Creed-Miles, and Levon Hawke.
The Last Train To Fortune (TBC)
Years in the making, The Last Train To Fortune was written 37 years ago by director Adam Rifkin’s mother Michele Rifkin. As of now, the film does not have a release date.
The Last Train To Fortune follows schoolteacher Cecil Peachtree who misses the train to his next job in the town of Fortune. Cecil strikes a deal and develops an unlikely friendship with an outlaw named Dooley as they head to Fortune dealing with gunfights, jailbreaks, and saloon gals on their journey.
The Last Train To Fortune stars Mary Steenburgen, Malcolm McDowell, Bernadette Peters, Laura Marano, and James Paxton.
1944 (TBC)
In February 2023, Tom Prince, an executive at 101 Studios (which is a production studio for Yellowstone), announced the series 1944 as a follow-up to 1923. The series is still only in the development stage so it will likely be quite some time until it premieres.
While no official synopsis has been released, the series will likely follow the Duttons as they deal with the challenges America faced during WWII. So far, there has been no cast list for the series.
Blood Meridian (TBC)
Blood Meridian is based on the novel of the same name by Cormac McCarthy, which is regarded to be one of the greatest works of American literature. The film currently does not have a release date.
The epic Western tale is based on historical events of the violent expansion of the American West. A protagonist simply known as Kid stumbles upon the nightmarish world along the Texas-Mexico where Native Americans are being murdered as the market for their scalps flourishes.
As of now, the cast for the upcoming film has not been revealed.
Eddington (TBC)
Filmmaker Ari Aster is taking a unique spin on his neo-Western drama. Aster’s film Eddington is set to take place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The film is described as a “Western-noir dark ensemble comedy” that takes place in a fictional mining town in Arizona. Reportedly, the film will star Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone, and Christopher Abbott.