How to watch

Yellowstone Watch Order in the correct order

How to watch the Yellowstone TV series and its spinoffs in order

Last updated: April 30 2026

Written by: ChronoChris

Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone universe has exploded into one of television's biggest franchises, spanning multiple prequel series that stretch from the late 1800s to the present-day Dutton family saga. Here's exactly how to watch it all.

Yellowstone premiered on Paramount Network in 2018 and became a cultural phenomenon, introducing the powerful Dutton family and their brutal fight to protect Montana's largest ranch. Creator Taylor Sheridan expanded the universe with two prequel series — 1883 and 1923 — that trace the Dutton family's origins, and additional spinoffs have followed. Whether you're drawn to the sweeping Western landscapes or the political family drama, there's a correct order to experience this world.

🕐 Release Order

Release order lets you experience the franchise as audiences did — falling in love with John Dutton before the prequel series recontextualize the family's legacy.

  1. Yellowstone — Season 1 (2018)
  2. Yellowstone — Season 2 (2019)
  3. Yellowstone — Season 3 (2020)
  4. Yellowstone — Season 4 (2021)
  5. 1883 — Season 1 (2021–2022)
  6. Yellowstone — Season 5 Part 1 (2022)
  7. 1923 — Season 1 (2022–2023)
  8. 1923 — Season 2 (2024)
  9. Yellowstone — Season 5 Part 2 (2024–2025)

Watching Yellowstone first gives you the emotional stakes you need to fully appreciate what the Dutton family sacrificed to build the ranch over generations — making 1883 and 1923 all the more powerful when you encounter them.

📖 Story Chronology

In strict story chronology, the prequel series come first, tracing the Dutton lineage from the 1880s frontier crossing to the Prohibition era before arriving at the modern-day power struggle.

  1. 1883 — Season 1 (2021–2022) — the Dutton family's perilous wagon journey to Montana
  2. 1923 — Season 1 (2022–2023) — Jacob and Cara Dutton battle drought, outlaws, and enemies
  3. 1923 — Season 2 (2024) — the Dutton family faces its greatest threats yet
  4. Yellowstone — Season 1 (2018)
  5. Yellowstone — Season 2 (2019)
  6. Yellowstone — Season 3 (2020)
  7. Yellowstone — Season 4 (2021)
  8. Yellowstone — Season 5 Part 1 (2022)
  9. Yellowstone — Season 5 Part 2 (2024–2025)

Which Order Should You Choose?

For first-time viewers, release order is strongly recommended. Yellowstone is the anchor of the universe and the best entry point — it hooks you with compelling characters and a propulsive story before the prequels add historical weight. Watching 1883 after you've grown attached to John Dutton makes the sacrifice of his ancestors hit much harder. Chronological order works well for a rewatch once you're already invested in the family's legacy.

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