Every self-respecting movie lover hasa favorite Western (or 40), but for a time, the immensely popular film genre was one of the dominant genres on television too. Starting in the late 1940s and going well into the 1970s, small-screen Westerns were incredibly popular, and many of them wound up being some of the longest-running shows in television history.
While the TV Western has seen a recent revival with shows likeYellowstoneandLongmireproving to be immensely popular with modern audiences, no recent series has yet been able to outrun classics likeGunsmoke. In the list below, we’ve collected the 10 longest-running Western shows in television history into one definitive list!
10The Rifleman (1958-1963)
5 Seasons (168 Episodes)
The Riflemanis a terrific TV Western about rancher Lucas McCain, portrayed by Chuck Connors, who must fend off bandits and shady businessmen while raising a son in New Mexico. It’s particularly noteworthy for being among the first shows on prime-time TV to depict the struggles of a single parent.
A Heartwarming Change of Pace
The Riflemanis remembered as one of the best TV Westerns due to its uniqueness and touching storytelling. Connors’ character had a gentleness about him that many other Western heroes of the time lacked, and would go on to influence numerous later characters and TV shows. The show was co-created by Sam Peckinpah, who would later become one of the greatest directors of Western movies.
Stream on Tubi
Related:Different Types of Westerns, Explained with Examples
9Wagon Train (1957-1965)
5 Seasons (284 Episodes)
Wagon Trainis a classic Western TV show that premiered in September 1957, and quickly exploded into one of the most-watched shows of the late ‘50s and early ‘60s. Famed for its roster of surprising guest stars, the show’s unserialized episodic format lends itself to being one of the most accessible shows on TV.
By the timeWagon Trainended in May 1965, the series had amassed a whopping 284 episodes. Most of these were broadcast in black-and-white, although the fifth season of the show was aired in color. After the series ended, it subsequently entered syndication and continued to be popular well into the 1970s.
8Have Gun, Will Travel (1957-1963)
6 Seasons (225 Episodes)
Have Gun, Will Travelis an archetypal TV Western that stars the great Richard Boone as the knight-errant gunslinger Paladin, who roams from town to town in search of clients in need of his services. It ran from 1957 to 1963 simultaneously with a radio show of the same name, and continually made it into the Nielsen ratings’ top five.
Richard Boone Shines as Paladin in Six Seasons
Have Gun, Will Travelhad a great six-season run, and lived on for years after through syndication. The long-running series made a superstar out of Boone, and would go on to influence countless other Westerns and dramas, such as the popular British showBoon.
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7The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp (1955-1961)
6 Seasons (229 Episodes)
The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earpmay not be as immediately recognizable asThe Lone Rangertoday, but the Hugh O’Brian-starring classic was once one of the most-watched programs on television. It’s about real-life marshal Wyatt Earp and his attempts to uphold justice in the wild towns of Dodge City, Kansas and Tombstone, Arizona.
A Legendary Prime-Time Run
The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earpaired for six seasons and encompassed 229 episodes. It is noteworthy for being the first TV Western specifically targeted at an adult audience. Episodes tackled heavier, more mature themes than other Westerns of the time, and the often-emotional storytelling influenced later entries in the genre.
Stream on Prime Video
6Rawhide (1959-1966)
7 Seasons (217 Episodes)
Starring one ofthe greatest actors to ever grace the Western genre, Clint Eastwood,Rawhideis an undisputed classic of a TV Western. The show is notable for its legendarily stacked cast and for featuring the work of famous film directors, like Ted Post. It follows a band of cattle drivers and the trials and tribulations they face daily on the Western frontier of the 1860s.
Over Seven Years of Cattle Drives
Rawhideis well-known as one of the longest-running Western TV shows; it ran for seven and a half years, and amassed 217 episodes. Nearly every episode is introduced by the great Eric Fleming in his most iconic role — trail boss Gil Favor — and most feature iconic guest stars, such as Charles Bronson and James Coburn.
5The Lone Ranger (1949-1957) - 221 Episodes
9 Seasons (221 Episodes)
The Lone Rangerchronicles the adventures of the titular masked crusader and his trusty Native American partner Tonto. The show is considered to be ABC’s first true hit show, and topped the Nielsen ratings for much of its runtime.
An Immensely Popular Western
The Lone Rangerwas an instant success with audiences everywhere, and ran for 9 straight years, amassing 221 30-minute episodes. The two lead characters have become pop culture icons over the years, and continue to be referenced, homaged, and parodied to this day. A big-budget feature film based on the show was released in 2013, with Armie Hammer and Johnny Depp in the lead roles.
4The Virginian (1962-1971)
9 Seasons, (249 Episodes)
The Virginian(also known asThe Men From Shiloh) is a fantastic Western TV show starring James Drury, Doug McClure, and Lee J. Cobb. It follows Drury as a lone gunslinger bent on maintaining peace and order in the Wyoming territory.
A Long-time Favorite
The Virginianis famous for being one of the first big TV Westerns to be filmed entirely in color, as well as the first to be released in 90-minute episodes. The result is a sweeping and gorgeous-looking Western that has more of the grandiose feel of silver-screen Westerns. The show ran for nine seasons, from ‘62 to ‘71, and encompasses a total of 249 episodes.
Stream on Starz
Related:The 10 Best Movie Quotes in Westerns
3Bonanza (1959-1973)
14 Seasons (431 Episodes)
Often cited asthe greatest TV Western ever made,Bonanzafollows the daily life and adventures of the Cartwright family on the Nevada frontier. With a star-studded cast that includes the likes of Lorne Greene and Michael Landon, plus an iconic earworm of a theme tune, there’s no doubt thatBonanzais one of the most revered shows in television history.
One of the Biggest Westerns Ever Made
Bonanzais an enormous show, comprising 14 seasons and 431 episodes. It is frequently listed as one of the greatest and most important TV shows ever made, and has received nothing but rave reviews since its debut in 1959. Critics and fans alike particularly delight in the show’s pioneering storytelling, which tackles deeper and more mature themes than many of its contemporaries.
2Death Valley Days (1952-1970)
18 Seasons (452 Episodes)
Originating as a radio show in the 1930s,Death Valley Daysexploded onto the small screen in 1952 and blossomed into one of the longest-running shows of all time. The show is unserialized and anthology-like, and tells stories about cowboys, crooks, and lawmen in Death Valley, California.
The Show That Wouldn’t Die
Death Valley Dayshad an incredible run from 1952 to 1970, amassing 452 episodes over 18 seasons. It continued to play well into the ‘70s with updated narration from country star Merle Haggard. The radio and TV versions combined makeDeath Valley Daysone of the most prolific shows in broadcast history.
Stream on Roku
1Gunsmoke (1955-1975)
20 Seasons - 635 Episodes
Gunsmokefollows marshal Matt Dillon in his unending efforts to quell crime and violence in Dodge City. The legendary show originated as a radio program, and soon became the ultimate must-watch TV show on primetime.
The Longest-Running Western of All Time
Gunsmokeis not justthelongest-running Western, but it is also one ofthe longest-running TV series of all time. The show ran for an amazing total of 20 seasons, amassing 635 thrilling episodes in its 20-year run. It was very well received from the time of its debut, winning 15 Primetime Emmy Awards and countless other accolades. After the show ended in 1975, five made-for-TV movies followed and continued to build upon the show’s legacy.Gunsmokewas, in fact, the longest-running drama series in broadcast history up until very recently, whenLaw & Order: Special Victims Unitsurpassed it in 2019.
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