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Created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson for the Paramount Network,Yellowstoneis an old-fashionedwestern TV seriesthat spawned two released spinoffs and two more upcoming sequels. While star Kevin Costner made headlines for agreeing to depart from the main series after Season 5 concludes,Yellowstonefocuses on the Dutton family and the conflicts they experience while living and working at the Broken Rock Indian Reservation in Yellowstone National Park.
In addition to the mainYellowstoneseries launching in 2018, there’s been some confusion about the timeline of events depicted on the show relative to the release dates of the respective prequels, sequels, and spinoffs. To clarify things, a guide on how to watch the entire franchise in the chronological order of story events will help casual and avid fans understand how the variousYellowstoneseries fit together.
‘Yellowstone’ and Its Spinoffs in Chronological Order
1883 (2021-2022)
AlthoughYellowstoneofficially kicked off in 2018, those looking to watch the entire series in the proper narrative chronology should start with1883.Also created andwritten by Taylor Sheridan,1883is a prequel toYellowstonethat traces the Dutton family’s travels from Tennessee to Texas to Oregon to Montana following the American Civil War, where the Dutton family patriarch, James Dutton (Tim McGraw), establishes the family’s ranch and homestead in Montana.
Beyond the Duttons' arduous quest across the land, the series depicts how James established Yellowstone Ranch along with his wife, Margaret (Faith Hill).Sam Elliott also stars as Shea Brennanin1883,a grief-stricken Civil War vet who leads the westward expansion. Elliot won a SAG award for Outstanding Actor in a Miniseries.1883: A Yellowstone Origin Storylasted one season and 10 episodes from 2021 to 2022, painting a vivid picture of the Dutton family’s proud lineage as they flee the South and attempt to forge a better life in the West. To fully grasp the order of events in the overarchingYellowstoneseries, it’s best to begin with1883.Stream on Paramount+
1923 (2022-Present)
Functioning as a sequel to1883and a prequel to the mainYellowstoneseries,1923is the next destination. The series introduces a whole new generation of Dutton family members as they deal with the turn of the century, industrialization, prohibition, the stock market crash, the early stages of the great depression, and other massive national changes. Harrison Ford stars as Jacob Dutton, the brother of James Dutton (McGraw) and great-great uncle ofJohn Dutton (Costner). Helen Mirren also stars asJacob’s wife, Cara Dutton.
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Unlike1883, 1923is a multi-season prequel toYellowstonemeant to show how far the extended Dutton family has come since fleeing Tennessee in the 19th century. Part of the series expansion includes Spencer Dutton (Brandon Sklenar) venturing to Kenya following his time in World War I, which serves as a refreshing break from the dusty Montana mountains. Although drastic changes have been made to the Duttons' way of life on the frontier since the days of1883, 1923is meant to be viewed after1883and before the five seasons ofYellowstone. Season 2 of1923concluded in April 2025.Stream on Paramount+
1944 (TBD)
In November 2023, yet anotherYellowstonespinoff entitled1944was announced by Paramount. Whileno release date has yet been given, the upcoming series,written and created by Taylor Sheridan, will function as a direct sequel to1923and take place in the titular timeframe of 1944. As such, the drama will involve the Dutton family dealing with the consequential horrors of WWII as they continue to expand their ranch in Yellowstone Park.According to The Ravelli Republic,1944will be filmed in the Bitterroot Valley, Montana.
Although there has yet to be a confirmed cast or release date for1944, the current status points to a 2026 release date for the series. The events depicted in the series will take place after those seen in1923. Regardless,1944is currently in the early stages of development, and no cast members have yet been announced; though there have been some rumors that Isabelle May and Matthew McConaughey may appear in the series. When the series is eventually released, it should be watched after1923and before the mainYellowstoneseries.
Yellowstone (2018-2024)
Yellowstone
Chronologically,Yellowstoneis the first series created by Taylor Sheridan and released by Paramount TV. Narratively,Yellowstoneis meant to be viewed after1883,1923, and1944. Set in the present day, Yellowstone revolves around the sociopolitical exploits of the Duttons, a powerful family of cattle ranchers living on an Indian reservation in Montana. John Dutton (Costner) does his best to continue the legacy left behind by his father, James, and great-great uncle Jacob. Beyond his professional responsibilities, John tries to keep his family together following the death of his wife Evelyn in 1997.
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Currently rated #205 on IMDb’s Top 250 TV Shows,Yellowstonehas been nominated for a Primetime Emmy, and Costner won a 2023 Golden Globe. The best way to watchYellowstonewould be from the beginning, since each season progresses in chronological order, beginning in 2018 and eventuallyconcluding with its fifth and final seasonin 2024.
The Madison & 6666 (TBA)
Two moreYellowstonespinoffs have been announced:TheMadison(initially titled 2024)and6666.According to Variety,The Madisonwill be set in modern times and track the contemporary lives of the Dutton family in 2024. No plot details or characters have been divulged beyond the story set in the modern era and featuring a new cast of actors. When 2024 eventually premieres, viewers must watch it immediately after the events portrayed at the end ofYellowstoneSeason 5.
Last but not least, anotherYellowstonespinoff entitled6666has long been in the works by Taylor Sheridan. Unlike the yearly titles featured in theYellowstonefranchise,6666refers to the Four Sixes Ranch in West Texas, where the story will take place.According to Entertainment Weekly,6666will be set in present-day Texas, “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.” No date is confirmed, but there is a tentative 2025 release window. When it finally airs on Paramount TV,6666should be watched afterYellowstone, alongwithThe Madison. Other rumored spin-offs have been mentioned, but insufficient substance exists beyond speculation.
‘Yellowstone’ and Its Spinoffs in Order of Release Date
If you’re interested in watching theYellowstonefranchise in the order it was released in, you can refer to the table below.
Series Title
Initial Release Year
Expected 2025
Expected 2026
The Madison
Is ‘Landman’ Included in the Timeline of ‘Yellowstone?’
Taylor Sheridan co-createdLandmanalongside Christian Wallace, which was inspired by the latter’s podcastBoomtown, which explored the oil boom’s impact in West Texas. Sheridan also acted as a writer for the series, leading many to notice many similarities between the two. However,Landmanis unrelated to Yellowstone or its spin-offs and is a unique series.Landmanhas seen similar success, though, andthe series is already slated for a second seasonafter an explosive debut. Fans ofYellowstonewill want to check outLandmaneven if it is not part of the same continuity.
If you’re interested in learning about the tumultuous relationship between Kevin Costner and theYellowstonefranchise, be sure to watch our breakdown of the Costner-versy below:
