10 Best Shows and Movies To Watch if You Love ‘American Primeval’

Set during the infamous Utah War in the late 1850s, Netflix’s latest bingeworthy series, American Primeval, is a frontier Western that chronicles one of the harshest times in United States history. Created by screenwriter Mark L. Smith, known for his contributions to modern classics like Logan and Twisters, and directed by Peter Berg, the 2025 series is an incredibly violent portrayal of the ever-expanding American West. Here, Taylor Kitsch’s Isaac Reed guides Sara Rowell (Betty Gilpin) and her son through a territory filled with dangerous Mormons, Indians, and bounty hunters who risk taking them back east.

Well, if you’ve already made it through the six-episode series, and you’re itching for further exploration of the American frontier, then there are a few other movies and television shows that you’ve just got to check out. Some of these connect directly to the historical characters and events chronicled in American Primeval (yes, it is based on true history), while others follow similar themes and ideas, albeit in a different setting. From classical horse operas to stories of vengeful mountain men, here are some of the productions that you ought to check out if you loved American Primeval.

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10

‘The Revenant’ (2015)

Directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu

Arguably the very best flick to put on after this Netflix binge is the 2015 frontier thriller The Revenant, which earned director Alejandro G. Iñárritu and leading man Leonardo DiCaprio both Oscars. What’s more is that American Primeval creator Mark L. Smith co-wrote the film’s screenplay, based on the novel by Michael Punke, with Iñárritu. Set a few decades before the Utah War, Jim Bridger (Will Poulter) is a youngster here, traveling across the land as a fur trapper alongside DiCaprio’s Hugh Glass. Only, after Glass is mauled by a bear, John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy) convinces Bridger to leave their companion to die (after first killing his son), prompting Glass to fight for revenge.

Like American Primeval, The Revenant is also based on a true story, an incredibly violent tale that spares no expense when it comes to portraying the brutality of the uncivilized frontier. If you enjoy Shea Whigham’s performance as Jim Bridger in the Netflix series, this 2015 film may provide some additional backstory to the character’s earlier years. More than that, it’s chock-full of exceptional performances and profound visuals that are unmatched. It’s a wonder this one didn’t win Best Picture.

9

‘1883’ (2021-2022)

Created by Taylor Sheridan

Perhaps one of the most obvious additions to this list, it seems that no matter what Western television is released these days, it will always be compared to 1883. A solid 10-part Western miniseries, this Taylor Sheridan prequel to the hit neo-Western Yellowstone expertly combines historical events with the story of the first Dutton family to settle in the frontierlands of Montana. Beginning in Texas, Sam Elliott leads the wagon train, as Shea Brennan, northwest with the intent on getting to Oregon. Only, the dangers of the wilderness (and those who inhabit it) get firmly in the way.

With an incredible cast that includes Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, LaMonica Garrett, and Isabel May, this is one Yellowstone Universe installment that doesn’t warrant any need to watch beyond this origin story — that is, unless you want to. Derived as an entirely self-contained plot, 1883 may be set a few decades after American Primeval, but it’s a profound horse opera that you won’t want to miss.

8

‘Into the Wild Frontier’ (2022-present)

Directed by Paul Epstein, Jason Sklaver, and Christopher Cassel

In 2010, the INSP network — the brand behind Wild West Chronicles — rebranded itself from featuring strictly family-friendly entertainment to playing reruns of classic Western television programs. Over the years, the network took its love for the Western a step further by crafting original programs that explore the vast history of the American West. Into the Wild Frontier is one of these. This series is a docudrama that is half history lesson, half explosive narrative that highlights a new pioneer or set of frontiersmen each episode.

Episodes of Into the Wild Frontier explore real-life characters like Jedediah Smith, Lewis & Clark, Daniel Boone, Jim Baker, and John Colter, all fur trappers, explorers, adventurers, or heroes who braved the untamed western landscapes long before the land was settled. Of course, Jim Bridger is also among the historical icons further explored here as well, further connecting this series to some of the events that Netflix’s latest Western explores in fine detail.

7

‘Under the Banner of Heaven’ (2022)

Created by Dustin Lance Black

If the idea of murdering Mormons is one of the most fascinating aspects of American Primeval, then Under the Banner of Heaven is the right miniseries for you. While this program isn’t quite a Western, the true crime drama is based on the book of the same name by Jon Krakauer, which itself was an exploration of the real-life murders committed in the 1980s by Latter-day Saint fundamentalists Ron and Dan Lafferty. The miniseries itself follows LDS Detective Jeb Pyre (Andrew Garfield) and his partner Bill Taba (Gil Birmingham) as they investigate these events and explore the violent history of the Mormon church.

Additionally, the series features flashbacks to the rise of the LDS church throughout Utah during the days of Brigham Young, played here by Scott Michael Campbell. Because of this, the show overlaps with the period explored in American Primeval, though it remains a far more critical look at the Mormon religion and its history. If you find that portion of the Netflix series is particularly compelling, then Under the Banner of Heaven should be your next binge.

6

‘Jeremiah Johnson’ (1972)

Directed by Sydney Pollack

Another compelling (and very dramatic) part of American Primeval is the exploration of the mountain men who settled in forts across the West and journeyed through territory traditionally held by Native Americans. If you’re interested in learning about one of the most notable of these sorts, the 1972 film Jeremiah Johnson is one you’ve just got to see. Not only does this picture chronicle the events of the titular mountain man’s life (and was filmed almost exclusively in Utah), but it stars a Western icon who is unmatched as far as leading men are concerned: Robert Redford.

Directed by Sidney Pollack, Jeremiah Johnson is considered not just one of the most beautiful Westerns of its day, but among the most tragic. We won’t spoil it all here, but let’s just say that history wasn’t always kind to those who sought to make a name for themselves on the wild frontier…

5

‘The Tall Tales of Jim Bridger’ (2024-present)

Directed by Paul Epstein

Returning to INSP for some more docudrama content, the 2024 series The Tall Tales of Jim Bridger is perfect for those hoping to explore the history (and legends) associated with the titular Bridger further than what American Primeval can convey. Starring Rib Hillis as the infamous frontiersman, Tall Tales tells some of Bridger’s most famous stories from the pioneer days, where he encountered dangerous wildlife, vengeful Indians, and rival trappers who aim for revenge of their own. Not unlike Into the Wild Frontier in style, this series differs in that it centers entirely on one man.

The Tall Tales of Jim Bridger is a relatively new show, with only 10 episodes currently available, but the INSP network has greenlit a second season of the program, with Hillis returning in the lead role. According to INSP VP of Original Programming Craig Miller, “The first season was a tremendous ratings success for INSP, and we are confident that Season 2 will continue to captivate viewers with larger-than-life adventures as we explore more of Bridger’s legendary tales.” We can’t wait.

Watch on Prime Video

4

‘Hell on Wheels’ (2011-2016)

Created by Joe Gayton and Tony Gayton

As far as violent, bloody, and historically-detailed television Westerns are concerned, few come close to the sheer power of AMC’s Hell on Wheels. This period drama takes place immediately after the American Civil War (so less than a decade after American Primeval) and follows the construction and expansion of the American railroad system. Like the Netflix series, Hell on Wheels is incredibly brutal, but it’s a series that masterfully weaves real-life history with the fictional accounts of figures like former Confederate Cullen Bohannon (Anson Mount), who leads the series with vengeful prowess.

The longest-running of the television programs on this list, Hell on Wheels spanned five seasons on cable and was perhaps most notable for highlighting the experiences of lesser-known groups who helped expand the West. Viewers should note that Hell on Wheels isn’t a series for the faint of heart, though, if you have no problem with American Primeval, you probably won’t take any issue with this AMC drama.

3

‘Hostiles’ (2017)

Directed by Scott Cooper

Set in the early 1890s, Hostiles is a modern Western production that, if you haven’t seen it already, should be at the top of your list. After Capt. Joseph J. Blocker (Christian Bale) is ordered to escort Chief Yellow Hawk (Wes Studi) and his people to their ancestral land in Montana, the long-standing tensions between the Union Army and the Cheyenne people begin to break down as the two learn to understand each other. Bale and Studi bring their A-game here with phenomenal performances that elevate the Western to masterful heights.

Much of American Primeval centers on the warfare between white settlers and the Native peoples around them, and Hostiles is perhaps one of the best, and most honest, explorations of this conflict — as well as its aftermath. The notion that there are both good and bad whites and Indians is the crux of what makes Hostiles such a profound picture, making us wish that Scott Cooper would tackle another horse opera down the line.

2

‘Damnation’ (2017-2018)

Created by Tony Tost

While not quite a traditional Western, fans of American Primeval will likely enjoy the short-lived period drama Damnation, a co-production between both the USA Network and Netflix. Created by Longmire scribe Tony Tost, the series followed two brothers during the Midwestern labor wars that raged the nation during the Great Depression, one a Marxist preacher (Killian Scott) and the other a strike-breaker (Logan Marshall-Green). While there are plenty of iconic Western archetypes peppered throughout, this purely American story follows working-class farmers as they take on the greedy elites who would see them lose everything.

American Primeval is rife with politics and religion, and the same is true of Damnation. Unfortunately, this series was one of the many Westerns canceled after only a single season, leaving us with a cliffhanger. To make matters worse, the streamer has since removed Damnation from its platform (a shame, really), though the show can still be purchased digitally online.

Buy on Prime Video

1

‘Into the West’ (2005)

Directed by Robert Dornhelm, Sergio Mimica-Gezzan, Et al.

While American Primeval covers only a small portion of the 1800s history of the American West, if you’re hoping to explore that era further, check out the Steven Spielberg-produced Into the West. This six-part miniseries is the pinnacle of what a television event should be, with an enormous (and stellar) cast, well-written characters, and a narrative that follows both white and Native bloodlines, the bold scale of this drama is enough to captivate the historical imagination. As the Wheeler family ventures westward, we follow their story from 1825 until 1890, covering the vast majority of the century when the West was won.

Beyond the Western nature of it all, Into the West also highlights certain historical mountain men, such as James Fletcher (Will Patton) and Jedediah Smith (Josh Brolin) early on. Though the story moves beyond these wild frontiersman, their part in the journey cannot be understated, and this TNT miniseries is better for it. American Primeval fans will love this one.

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Keep Reading: Is American Primeval Based on a True Story?