Yellowstone

The Best Order to Watch Yellowstone & Its Many Spinoffs

Posted on by Harry

Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone has grown into one of television’s biggest neo-Western universes, spanning generations of the Dutton family across multiple shows. But with prequels, sequels, and upcoming spinoffs all connected to the saga, the big question remains: what’s the best way to watch them?

Let’s break down the options — chronological order, release order, and how upcoming spinoffs will reshape the timeline.

How to Watch Every Yellowstone Series in Chronological Order

Watching Yellowstone in Chronological Order

For those who want to experience the Dutton story as history unfolds, the chronological order is straightforward (for now):

  1. 1883 – The origins of the Duttons as James and Margaret stake their claim in Montana.

  2. 1923 – The next generation, with Jacob and Cara Dutton battling prohibition, the Great Depression, and deadly enemies.

  3. Yellowstone (Seasons 1–5) – John Dutton in the modern day, fighting to keep the ranch alive.

Why this works: Watching in order of time gives deeper weight to John’s obsession with legacy. When he speaks of the sacrifices made by his ancestors, the audience knows exactly what Elsa, Jacob, and others endured to secure the land.

Watching Yellowstone in Release Date Order

For many fans, release order was the natural way to follow the universe:

  1. Yellowstone Seasons 1–4

  2. 1883

  3. Yellowstone Season 5, Part 1

  4. 1923 Season 1

  5. Yellowstone Season 5, Part 2

  6. 1923 Season 2

This order reflects how Taylor Sheridan originally released the shows. However, it does require jumping between timelines and overlapping premieres, which can feel disjointed.

An alternative “soft release order” is to finish all of Yellowstone first, then watch 1883 and 1923 back-to-back.

Do You Need to Watch Them All?

The short answer: no — but it helps.

Each show stands on its own, with 1883, 1923, and Yellowstone telling self-contained stories. However, watching all three enriches the experience. Family flashbacks in Yellowstone hit harder if you’ve already followed James and Jacob Dutton’s struggles.

The Best Order (For Now)

  • For newcomers: Start with Yellowstone to understand the modern saga, then dive into 1883 and 1923 for context.

  • For timeline purists: Begin with 1883, move to 1923, and finish with Yellowstone.

Both approaches work — it depends on whether you want history first or present-day drama first.

Future Spinoffs That Will Change the Order

The Yellowstone universe is far from finished. Several new projects are in development:

  • Y: Marshals (2026) – Following Kayce Dutton’s life as a U.S. Marshal.

  • The Madison – A new Montana-set story about the McCintosh family, starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell.

  • 6666 – Set after Yellowstone season 5, focusing on Jimmy and life at the legendary Texas ranch.

  • 1944 – Another prequel, likely bridging the gap between 1923 and Yellowstone.

  • The Dutton Ranch – A sequel focusing on Beth and Rip, with Ed Harris joining the cast.

These shows will complicate both the chronological and release orders, but they’ll also expand the saga into something even more ambitious.

Final Thoughts

There’s no single “right” way to watch Yellowstone. Chronological order offers an epic family saga, while release order keeps you in step with how the universe unfolded for fans in real time.

What’s clear is that Taylor Sheridan’s world is only getting bigger. And whether you start in 1883 or 2025, the Duttons’ legacy is one worth experiencing from beginning to end.