Taylor Sheridan appears to have discovered his place in Hollywood. He started his profession as an actor, showing in tv collection like Sons of Anarchy, Veronica Mars, and Walker, Texas Ranger. Having grown bored with performing, Sheridan transitioned to working behind the digital camera relatively than in entrance of it. He churned out scripts for notable critically acclaimed movies, comparable to Sicario, its sequel, Hell or Excessive Water, and Wind River. He considers the latter to be his directorial debut.
However Sheridan is probably greatest referred to as the creator of the hit tv collection, Yellowstone. The great success and recognition of this neo-Western drama gave delivery to a franchise, which incorporates two prequel spin-off collection, 1883 and 1923, in addition to an upcoming sequel collection, The Madison. Can’t get sufficient of Sheridan and his Western vibe? Listed below are ten motion pictures to take a look at when you’re a fan of Taylor Sheridan and Yellowstone.
10
‘Brokeback Mountain’ (2005)
Brokeback Mountain may appear to be a stretch for this checklist. However like Yellowstone, it’s labeled as a neo-Western, a subgenre that mixes Outdated West themes with modern settings or societal development. And Brokeback Mountain positively matches the invoice. Set from the Nineteen Sixties to the Nineteen Eighties, it depicts the advanced romantic relationship between two American cowboys within the American West.
A landmark movie in LGBTQ+ cinema, Brokeback Mountain garnered essential acclaim and business success, significantly for the performances of its lead actors, the late Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal. It was nominated for a number of Academy Awards, together with Finest Image. To today, its loss stays one of many largest and most controversial upsets in Oscar historical past.
9
‘Horizon: An American Saga’ (2024)

Horizon
- Launch Date
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June 28, 2024
- Runtime
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3h 1m
Kevin Costner serves because the star and face of Yellowstone, which makes Horizon: An American Saga the right match for followers of Taylor Sheridan. This movie is the primary installment in what’s meant to be a collection of Western epics, produced by and starring Kevin Costner. Set throughout the American Civil Warfare, this movie and its forthcoming sequels comply with a number of characters navigating life within the Midwest.
Sound acquainted, Yellowstone followers? A ardour challenge of Costner’s, he conceived the concept for this franchise again in 1988. Horizon: An American Saga lastly noticed the sunshine of day in 2024, and three sequels are at present in manufacturing. Though it is unclear once they’ll be launched, Horizon: An American Saga nonetheless works as a stable standalone movie.
8
‘The Energy of the Canine’ (2021)
The Energy of the Canine is one other Western set on the plains of Montana. This movie is extra of a psychological drama than a Western, exploring the tense relationship between a rancher named Phil (Benedict Cumberbatch) and a younger man named Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee) throughout Twenties America.
Phil is fearsome and charismatic, whereas Peter is meek and incompetent. Or not less than, that is how he appears in Phil’s eyes. The Energy of the Canine garnered essential popularity of its stellar performances and its surprising plot twist, a memorable and chilling finale that, for a lot of critics, makes The Energy of the Canine among the best movies of the twenty first century.
7
‘Dances with Wolves’ (1990)
Dances With Wolves is a Western epic in regards to the fictitious American Civil Warfare lieutenant John Dunbar, who questions his loyalty, id, and objective after growing an in depth bond with a tribe of Native People. One other movie starring Yellowstone’s Kevin Costner, it additionally served because the actor’s directorial debut.
Regardless of its delicate and controversial material, Dances With Wolves acquired essential popularity of its epic scope and for placing a recent spin on the Western style. Sheridan credit Dances with Wolves for exhibiting him new methods to take a look at the Western style. It is one among solely 4 Western movies to win the Oscar for Finest Image.
6
‘The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford’ (2007)
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is precisely prefer it sounds. This Western epic dramatizes the advanced relationship between the notorious American outlaw Jesse James and his companion in crime, Robert Ford, main as much as the occasions surrounding James’ homicide.
The movie is led by an A+ forged, with Brad Pitt starring as Jesse James, Casey Affleck enjoying Robert Ford, and Sam Rockwell as Robert’s brother, Charley. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is a sluggish burn that actually heats up within the final 45 minutes. You will be on the sting of your seat watching Ford’s betrayal, although it is coming. A cinematic masterpiece and an typically neglected gem of the early 2000s.
5
‘3:10 to Yuma’ (2007)

3:10 to Yuma
- Launch Date
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September 6, 2007
- Runtime
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122 minutes
2007’s 3:10 to Yuma is technically a remake, the second adaptation of Elmore Leonard’s 1953 eponymous quick story. And — dare we are saying it? — it is even higher than the unique movie (and Roger Ebert agrees!). 3:10 to Yuma is a sport of cat-and-mouse set within the outdated American West, pitting a infamous outlaw (Russell Crowe) in opposition to an impoverished rancher (Christian Bale) who’s determined to gather cash on a bounty.
This movie has extra motion than a few of the different Westerns on our checklist, crammed with gun-slinging moments and thrilling shootouts. Between its all-star forged and gritty motion, 3:10 to Yuma is ideal for any followers of Taylor Sheridan’s Wind River or Hell or Excessive Water.
4
‘Legends of the Fall’ (1994)
In 1994, Anthony Hopkins and Brad Pitt starred within the Western epic Legends of the Fall. Set within the early twentieth century, it captures almost 50 years within the life of 1 household, exhibiting how historical past, nature, warfare, and love affected these totally different characters.
Legends of the Fall additionally takes place within the wilderness and plains of Montana, a well-known setting for any followers of Yellowstone, which shares comparable themes of rugged masculinity, household loyalty, and the untamed American frontier.

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3
‘The Godfather’ (1972)
Each film up to now has been associated to the Western style, so it’s possible you’ll be questioning, “What the heck is The Godfather doing on right here?” Effectively, imagine it or not, however The Godfather was the principle affect on Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone. When approaching networks together with his concept, he actually pitched the story as “The Godfather in Montana.”
The Godfather is broadly thought to be one of many biggest movies ever made, a cinematic masterpiece. Based mostly on Mario Puzo’s best-selling novel, it follows the Corleone crime household as they grapple with an influence battle in Forties New York. Right here, legendary director Francis Ford Coppola paints a timeless household portrait of affection, respect, honor, and bloodshed with an all-star forged that features Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Diane Keaton, James Caan, and Robert Duvall.
2
‘No Nation for Outdated Males’ (2007)
Thought to be the Coen brothers’ dramatic masterpiece, No Nation for Outdated Males is a grim story. After serendipitously coming throughout two million {dollars} amid the bloodbath of a drug deal gone incorrect, Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) learns that he, and seemingly everybody round him, has change into the goal of a psychotic hitman named Anton Chigurh, performed to perfection by Javier Bardem.
No Nation for Outdated Males is your typical neo-Western. It captures Outdated West characters struggling to adapt to the fashionable world. It is a theme that’s prevalent within the movie’s title, in addition to its abrupt however iconic ending. It is one other one of many 4 Westerns to win the Oscar for Finest Image.
1
‘Unforgiven’ (1992)

Unforgiven
- Launch Date
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August 7, 1992
- Runtime
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130 Minutes
Taylor Sheridan and Clint Eastwood share some similarities. Like Sheridan, Eastwood ultimately gave a shot at directing, although he did proceed to behave on-screen as effectively. It wasn’t till his 1992 western, Unforgiven, that Eastwood earned a fame as a terrific director. This gritty story stars Eastwood himself as an growing old outlaw and killer within the late 1800s, who’s pressured to relive his infamous previous when he’s roped into scoring one final bounty.
Additionally starring Morgan Freeman and Gene Hackman, Unforgiven is the third of 4 Westerns to win the Oscar for Finest Image (1931’s Cimarron is the fourth movie, in case you have been questioning). Taylor Sheridan has credited Unforgiven as one of many largest influences on Yellowstone.