How to watch the Yellowstone universe in order - including 1883 and 1923

Taylor Sheridan flipped the script with Yellowstone.

Who would’ve guessed a modern Western drama would turn into a sprawling empire, complete with shootouts, family drama, and Montana landscapes? You got Kevin Costner doing his grumpy dad thing in the original runaway hit Yellowstone, then all these prequels like 1883 and 1923 rolling in with even more grit and old-timey mustaches.

Meanwhile, the franchise is still growing, as there is a buzz about 1944 and 6666. So, naturally, it’s getting harder to figure out where to even start. Do you go old school and watch them as they came out, like the OG fans? Or do you start from the Duttons’ ancestors, marching forward in time? And just to make things interesting, the streaming rights are split between Peacock and Paramount+, so you’ve to juggle platforms.

As Yellowstone wrapped up its main story in late 2024, the hype is still off the charts. By now, everyone who is chronically online has jumped on the bandwagon. Whether you’re obsessed with Westerns, nosy about how these mega TV franchises work, or just trying to figure out why everyone is talking about the Duttons, you’re in the right place.

Here’s the lowdown on how to watch the whole Yellowstone universe, both by release date and in chronological order, so you won’t get lost in the chaos.

We’ll lay out the pros and cons of each viewing order, spotlight the biggest Dutton dramas, and drop some hot takes on which series nails the whole gritty American myth thing. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to dive in, whether you want to sip the Dutton drama slow or shoot it straight, no chaser.

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Yellowstone watch order: Release vs. chronological

Watching the shows in release order is the way most people got hooked on the Dutton saga in the first place. You get to stumble into all the twists and turns exactly when the original fans did. The prequels, like 1883 and 1923, are made to fill in the blanks after you’ve already been hit with a bunch of mysterious references in Yellowstone.

Here’s how it goes:

• Yellowstone (2018–2024)
• 1883 (2021–2022)
• 1923 (2022–2025)
• And then there’s the whole crop of upcoming spin-offs: 1944, 6666, The Madison.

So, why bother with release order? For starters, that’s how the writers built the thing. The big “aha!” moments land just right, flashbacks make sense, and you don’t have to play detective to figure out what’s going on.

Plus, you dodge those nasty spoilers; nobody likes finding out who bit the dust before you even meet them on screen. It just keeps the mystery alive, especially if you’re new to the whole Yellowstone universe.

How to watch in release order:

First up, Yellowstone seasons 1 through 5. This is the OG show. You’re riding shotgun with John Dutton (that’s Kevin Costner) as he fends off everyone from land developers to his kids. It has got family drama, shootouts, and political messes. The show kicked off in 2018 and just kept swinging till 2024.

Then you jump to 1883. Don’t get mixed up, as this one dropped after season 4, but it’s a prequel. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill play the original Dutton pioneers. They’re dragging their family west, facing all kinds of hell. It’s gritty. It’s dusty.

The next stop is 1923. Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren step in as the next-gen Duttons. Now we’re talking roaring twenties, but Montana style, which mostly means drought, depression, and a whole lot of people with guns.

As for what’s next? Keep an eye out for 1944 and 6666. These spinoffs might show up anytime. Just add them to your queue when they drop and watch the Dutton universe get even more tumultuous.

TL;DR: Start with Yellowstone, then hit the prequels in release order when you’re ready to dive deeper into the Dutton family tree.

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Chronological order: The Dutton legacy from origin to present

If you're a diehard who wants to soak up every gritty detail of the Duttons, watching the shows in chronological order just hits different. Critics and seasoned fans swear by it. You get to watch the family’s mess unfold the way it “really” happened, no whiplash from time jumps.

Here’s the play-by-play:

• 1883
• 1923
• Yellowstone
• Probably coming soon: 1944, 6666

So, why bother with chronological order? It just makes the whole saga feel richer. You see what the old-timers went through before John and the crew started throwing punches and plotting revenge. Makes every modern storyline ten times heavier, revealing exactly why the characters are so messed up.

Plus, no going back and forth around in time. You watch one generation, then the next, and the next. There is a straight shot through decades of drama, betrayal, and questionable life choices. If you’re into dissecting character growth or family baggage, this is the way.

How to watch in chronological order:

1883 (2021): The Duttons aren’t just moving west; they’re getting chewed up and spit out by history itself. Gorgeous shots, killer cast, and it wraps up in one season, so you don’t get that dragged-out TV fatigue.

1923 (2022): Fast-forward four decades. Now you’ve got Harrison Ford looking grizzled and Helen Mirren being an absolute legend. The Duttons are still dodging disaster: economic collapse, gun-toting rivals, and more. It feels heavier because everyone is carrying generational trauma in their boots. It’s all about grit, heartbreak, and just trying to keep the ranch (and themselves) standing.

Yellowstone (2018): Flash to present day, and things get wild. Yellowstone is the OG in this universe, and it’s interesting now that you’ve seen all the family baggage. Every shady deal or fistfight is loaded with backstory. It’s modern, messy, and kind of addictive.

Spinoffs: When 1944, 6666, or The Madison finally show up, just plug them into the timeline where they belong. Keeps the story flowing, without whiplash.

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Exploring each series: Plot and characters

Yellowstone (2018–2024) is a ride through modern Montana, with Kevin Costner bossing it up as John Dutton. The guy is doing everything short of wrestling bears to keep his ranch away from greedy developers, slimy politicians, and anyone else with a grudge. When it comes to family drama, you bet there are secrets, turf wars, and enough backstabbing. There’s also this whole thing with indigenous land rights, which is way messier than anything the Duttons can brand.

So who is who in this soap opera with cowboy hats?

John Dutton: he is your classic, taciturn ranch king, just trying to keep the family name from turning to dust.

Beth (Kelly Reilly) is his daughter, sharp as a tack and twice as dangerous. She’s the type to burn down a house and then light a cigarette off the flames.

Kayce (Luke Grimes), ex-Navy SEAL, is torn between his family duties and figuring out his moral compass.

And Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) is all mystery and muscle, basically the Duttons’ attack dog with a heart… somewhere in there.

What’s the show about? It’s legacy, land, loyalty, and generational trauma. Across five seasons, you get everything from shootouts to political scheming, and some breathtaking scenery too.

Now, about 1883 (2021–2022): it is the Yellowstone prequel. James and Margaret Dutton (Tim McGraw and Faith Hill) are dragging their family through hell and high water to carve out a life in Montana. This journey is fraught with peril, tragic losses, and moments of heroism, setting up both the myth and reality of the family’s roots.

Their daughter Elsa (Isabel May) is the wild spirit of the bunch, and her story pretty much rips your heart out. And then there’s Shea Brennan (Sam Elliott), who is leading the group west with equal parts wisdom and world-weariness.

The show has themes of survival, sacrifice, and the American idea of legacy.

Fast forward to 1923 (2022–), and now you’ve got Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren wrangling the Dutton mess into the Roaring Twenties. Prohibition, the Great Depression looming, and a whole new set of enemies.

Jacob Dutton (Ford) is holding down the fort, while Cara (Mirren) is the brains and backbone. Spencer Dutton (Brandon Sklenar) brings some adventure flair as the next-gen soldier.

The vibe is all about modernization crashing into tradition, family unity getting tested on all sides, and the Duttons scrambling to keep their heads above water as the world changes.

If you’re hunting for Yellowstone, head over to Peacock; that’s where you’ll find it every season. Now, if you’re itching for the prequels, 1883 and 1923, you have to swing by Paramount+.