10 Movies & Shows To Watch If You Like American Primeval (2025)

American Primeval

10 Movies & Shows To Watch If You Like American Primeval (1)

By Greg MacArthur

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American Primeval

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Epic New Series That's Now On Netflix Gives The Streamer A Huge Western Rival For Taylor Sheridan's Shows
American Primeval’s Recreation Of Real Historical Massacre Explained By Director: “We Don’t Present It In A Vacuum”

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10 Movies & Shows To Watch If You Like American Primeval (5)

There are several other movies and shows similar to Netflix's epic period Western series American Primeval. American Primeval was written by Mark L. Smith, who co-wrote the screenplay for The Revenant with Alejandro G. Iñárritu. Peter Berg (Friday Night Lights, Lone Survivor) directs all six episodes of American Primeval. Taylor Kitsch leads an ensemble cast as Isaac Reed, which features Betty Gilpin, Dane DeHaan, Saura Lightfoot-Leon, Shea Whigham, Lucas Neff, and Kim Coates as Brigham Young. In addition to Young, American Primeval alters several real-life historical details and figures.

American Primeval uniquely blends brutal and violent elements of the horror genre with the classic Western. Despite its 59% Rotten Tomatoes score, it earned an 86% audience score and has been in Netflix's Top 10 TV Shows in the United States since it was released on January 9, 2025. Kitsch previously starred in the Peter Berg film Lone Survivor alongside Mark Wahlberg and Berg's classic television series Friday Night Lights. Kitsch has recently starred in Netflix's Painkiller, Prime's The Terminal List, and Showtime's Waco.

At the heart of American Primeval is the lawless nature of the Old West in the mid-1800s. Blending fact and fiction, American Primeval's horror elements are the result of the brutality of human violence rather than the supernatural or serialized killings. There is arguably no clear antagonist in American Primeval since several groups and people all fight for a common goal: survival. The Western genre often employs violence as a mode of justice or revenge. While both of these themes are at play in American Primeval, there is something more primitive in the Netflix series' core, as the title suggests.

10 Wind River

2017

10 Movies & Shows To Watch If You Like American Primeval (6)

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10 Movies & Shows To Watch If You Like American Primeval (7)

6/10

7.7/10

Wind River (2017)

R

Crime

Thriller

Drama

Set on a remote Native American reservation, Wind River follows Cory Lambert, a wildlife tracker, as he teams up with FBI agent Jane Banner to solve the murder of a young woman. With the community's cooperation elusive, they confront the harsh environment and buried secrets.

Release Date
August 4, 2017

Runtime
107 Minutes
Main Genre
Thriller
Cast
Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen, Gil Birmingham, Graham Greene, Jon Bernthal, Kelsey Asbille, Teo Briones, Tantoo Cardinal, Matthew Del Negro, Hugh Dillon, Julia Jones, James Jordan, Eric Lange, Martin Sensmeier, Apesanahkwat, Althea Sam, Tokala Black Elk, Tyler Laracca, Shayne J. Cullen, Dallin Tusieseina, Austin R. Grant, Ian Bohen, Gabriel Casdorph, Mason D. Davis, Chris Romrell, Blake Robbins, Norman Lehnert, Ian Roylance, Gus Sheridan, Dana Anquoe, Duy Beck, David Cardona, Teresa Duran-Norvick, Devin Hansen, Tara Karsian

Character(s)
Cory Lambert, Jane Banner, Martin Hanson, Ben, Matt Rayburn, Natalie Hanson, Casey Lambert, Alice Crowheart, Dillon, Curtis, Wilma Lambert, Pete Mickens, Dr. Whitehurst, Chip Hanson, Dan Crowheart, Annie Hanson, Sam Littlefeather, Frank Walker, BIA Officer #1, BIA Officer #2, Carl, Evan, Contractor #1, Contractor #2, Contractor #3, Tim Winter, Dale, Coroner, Classmate, Coroner's Assistant #2, Native American Police Officer, BIA Officer, Teacher, Pedestrian, Ingrid

Director
Taylor Sheridan

Writers
Taylor Sheridan

Fans of American Primeval would likely enjoy Taylor Sheridan's Wind River​​​​​. Starring Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen, Wind River has been heralded as one of the most gripping neo-Western films in recent years, yet somehow, the film also feels underappreciated. Wind River is considered "contemporary" mainly because of the way it seamlessly combines genres, with Western, crime, and mystery elements, creating a refreshing and fascinating tale.

Sheridan wrote and directed Wind River, adding to his impressive empire of film and television series that also include screenplays for Sicario and Hell or High Water. The film centers on an FBI investigation of a murdered young woman on an Indigenous reservation in Wyoming, offering a modern look at the landscape of American Primeval.

9 Bone Tomahawk

2015

10 Movies & Shows To Watch If You Like American Primeval (8)

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29

8.6/10

Bone Tomahawk

Not Rated

Western

Adventure

Documentary

Horror

Thriller

Bone Tomahawk is a Western film that follows Sheriff Franklin Hunt, who gathers together a group of fighters to save three kidnapped victims from a clan of cannibals. After the town's doctor is kidnapped along with two others, forcing the sheriff to partner with the town's Native American professor and find the tribe before it's too late.

Release Date
October 23, 2015

Runtime
132 minutes
Cast
Patrick Wilson, Kurt Russell, Sean Young, Lili Simmons, Matthew Fox, Zahn McClarnon

Director
S. Craig Zahler

Writers
S. Craig Zahler

Budget
$1.8 million

Few movies blend horror and Western genres like Bone Tomahawk. Featuring a strong ensemble of Kurt Russell, Patrick Wilson, Matthew Fox, Richard Jenkins, and David Arquette, Bone Tomahawk leans heavily into the horror genre while taking place in the American Old West. Russell plays Hunt, a sheriff who leads a posse against cave-dwelling cannibals in the peaceful western town of Bright Hope during the late 1800s.

Like American Primeval, Bone Tomahawk is unafraid to get gory, setting up some thrilling combat action sequences. Even though the film was released in 2015, Bone Tomahawk is original enough to feel fresh and original. Prepare for some borderline disturbing displays of violence in a variety of ways, which if you enjoyed American Primeval, shouldn't be much of an issue. Bone Tomahawk is available to stream now on Netflix.

8 1883

2021

10 Movies & Shows To Watch If You Like American Primeval (9)

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1883 - Season 1

TV-MA

Drama

Western

Adventure

Release Date
December 19, 2021

Episodes
10

Season Number
1
Series
1883

Episode List
1883, Behind Us, A Cliff, River, The Crossing, The Fangs of Freedom, Boring The Devil, Lightning Yellow Hair, The Weep of Surrender, Racing Clouds, This Is Not Your Heaven

Network
Paramount+

Speaking of Taylor Sheridan, his popular Yellowstone prequel spinoff 1883 is another great series to sink your teeth into after watching American Primeval. While fans of Yellowstone will benefit from watching Sheridan's groundbreaking modern Western series before 1883, it's still possible to understand the origin story of the Dutton family without doing so. The series takes place in its titular year and follows an early American family traveling from Texas to Oregon before settling in Montana.

1883 is not as brutally violent as American Primeval but still offers a great deal of exciting gunfights and tense scenes. With an outstanding cast led by Tim McGraw, Sam Elliot, Faith Hill, and Isabel May, 1883 is nearly required viewing for fans of the Western genre, especially stories of the Old West.

7 Deadwood

2004

10 Movies & Shows To Watch If You Like American Primeval (10)

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9/10

Deadwood

TV-MA

Drama

Western

Deadwood is a western drama series created for HBO by David Milch. The series takes place in Deadwood, South Dakota, where corruption runs rampant in the gold-mining era as the settlement existed outside the U.S. territory expansion following the Civil War. As the town was the site of a major gold find, it continues to attract people from all walks of life - especially opportunistic criminals.

Release Date
March 21, 2004

Finale Year
November 30, 2005

Network
HBO Max
Cast
Timothy Olyphant, Ian McShane, Molly Parker, Jim Beaver, Brad Dourif, John Hawkes, Paula Malcomson, Leon Rippy, William Sanderson, Robin Weigert

Seasons
3

Writers
David Milch
Streaming Service(s)
MAX

Showrunner
David Milch

As far as classic Western series go, Deadwood remains right at the top even though it was released in 2004. Set in the late 1800s, Deadwood takes place in a fictional town in South Dakota that is plagued by deep corruption and crime. Timothy Olyphant, who also stars in the outstanding Western series Justified, stars alongside Ian McShane and Molly Parker. Deadwood is exemplary in just about every category, from its strong performances, compelling story, and immersive epic Western feel. Viewers who felt American Primeval was light on plot will have more than enough story to get into with Deadwood. All 36 episodes across three seasons, as well as the 2019 movie, are available to stream on HBO and MAX.

6 Godless

2017

10 Movies & Shows To Watch If You Like American Primeval (11)

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Godless

TV-MA

Western

Drama

Godless, released in 2017, is a western drama series that follows a notorious outlaw seeking revenge on a former gang member. The series is set in a unique town inhabited solely by women, where the past catches up with the peaceful community amidst the harsh backdrop of the American West.

Release Date
November 22, 2017

Finale Year
November 30, 2016

Network
Netflix
Cast
Sam Waterston, Jack O'Connell, Michelle Dockery, Jeremy Bobb, Scoot McNairy, Merritt Wever, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Tantoo Cardinal, Kim Coates, Jeff Daniels, Samantha Soule, Kayli Carter, Audrey Moore, Jessica Sula, Samuel Marty, Tess Frazer, Christiane Seidel, Adam David Thompson, Keith Jardine, Rio Alexander, Justin Welborn, Luke Robertson, Joe Pingue, Russell Dennis Lewis, Matthew Dennis Lewis

Character(s)
Marshall John Cook, Roy Goode, Alice Fletcher, A.T. Grigg, Bill McNue, Mary Agnes, Whitey Winn, Iyovi, Ed Logan, Frank Griffin, Charlotte Temple, Sadie Rose, Sarah Doyle, Louise Hobbs, Truckee, Callie Dunne, Martha, Gatz Brown, Dyer Howe, Bud Ledbetter, Floyd Wilson, Bill Chick, Alonzo Bunker, Daryl Devlin, Donnie Devlin

Creator(s)
Scott Frank
Producers
Casey Silver, Steven Soderbergh, Michael J. Malone

Seasons
1

Directors
Scott Frank

Whenever strong contemporary Western series are mentioned, it's impossible not to include Netflix's 2017 miniseries Godless. Set in the 1880s American West, Godless was nominated for 12 Emmy Awards and won three, two of which were Supporting Actor (Jeff Daniels) and Supporting Actress (Merritt Wever). Like American Primeval, Godless features severe violence and gore which can be categorized as disturbing yet realistic. The graphic violence can make it difficult to watch in moments, but the same can be said for some of the most ruthless scenes in American Primeval. Scott Frank, the Oscar-nominated writer who wrote the screenplays for Logan and Minority Report, developed the celebrated series.

5 Billy the Kid

2022

10 Movies & Shows To Watch If You Like American Primeval (12)

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Billy the Kid

TV-MA

Western

Biography

Drama

Adventure

Based on the life of a legendary gunslinger, Billy the Kid is a Western television series created initially for Epix and later for MGM+. The series follows the exploits of the Western icon as he navigates the Old West, from his humble origins as an Irish Immigrant to the various small-town wars in the American Frontier.

Release Date
April 24, 2022
Main Genre
Western

Cast
Tom Blyth, Eileen O'Higgins, Daniel Webber, Alex Roe

Character(s)
Tunstall, William Bonney, Gov. Lew Wallace, Dolan, Charlie, Pat Garrett, Tom, Celsa, Billy Henchman, Preacher (uncredited)

Creator(s)
Michael Hirst

Producers
Frank von Zerneck

Seasons
2

Writers
Michael Hirst

Streaming Service(s)
MGM+

Directors
William A. Graham

Showrunner
Michael Hirst

Tom Blyth (The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes) stars in the MGM+ Western series Billy the Kid. Blyth offers one of the best renditions of the Old West outlaw, who became one of the most infamous gunslingers in American history. The series chronicles the rise of Billy the Kid, also known by the name William H. Bonney, as he struggles to live life on a straight and narrow path after becoming an orphan as a young teenager.

Billy the Kid also chronicles the events leading up to the Lincoln County War and the involvement of Billy's gang, known as The Regulators. The series isn't nearly as violent or gruesome as American Primeval but does highlight another key historical battle that shaped the modern landscape of the American West. All 24 episodes across two seasons of Billy the Kid can be streamed on MGM+.

4 Ravenous

1999

10 Movies & Shows To Watch If You Like American Primeval (13)

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Ravenous

R

Drama

Horror

Western

Ravenous is a 1999 horror film directed by Antonia Bird. Set during the Mexican-American War, it follows Captain John Boyd, played by Guy Pearce, as he is transferred to a remote military outpost where he encounters a man with a disturbing tale of cannibalism. The film blends dark humor with gruesome suspense, featuring performances by Robert Carlyle and David Arquette.

Release Date
March 19, 1999

Runtime
100 Minutes
Cast
Guy Pearce, Robert Carlyle, Jeremy Davies, Jeffrey Jones, John Spencer, Stephen Spinella Neal McDonough, David Arquette

Director
Antonia Bird

Writers
Ted Griffin

Budget
$12 Million

Another classic Western horror is the 1999 film Ravenous starring Guy Pearce, Robert Carlyle, David Arquette, and Jeremy Davies. Also partly a dark comedy, Ravenous takes place in a remote military outpost in the 19th century where Captain John Boyd (Pearce) and his regiment are ambushed by a sinister cannibal. The screenplay was written by Ted Griffin of Ocean's Eleven acclaim. While the film divided critics, Ravenous earned a 78% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, splitting critics and viewer consensus similarly to American Primeval. Viewers who don't expect too much realism from Ravenous will likely enjoy it for its unique, genre-blending fun.

2022

10 Movies & Shows To Watch If You Like American Primeval (14)

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10 Movies & Shows To Watch If You Like American Primeval (15)

8/10

Under the Banner of Heaven

TV-MA

Crime

Drama

Mystery

Under the Banner of Heaven is a true crime series based on Jon Krakauer's book and stars Andrew Garfield as Detective Jeb Pyre. Jeb, a religious man, works alongside another detective, Bill Taba. The two attempt to discover the truth behind a murder traced to Mormonism, igniting contentious religious discourse during the case.

Release Date
April 28, 2022
Main Genre
Crime

Finale Year
November 30, 2021
Cast
Andrew Garfield, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Sam Worthington, Denise Gough, Wyatt Russell, Billy Howle, Chloe Pirrie, Seth Numrich

Seasons
1

Story By
Dustin Lance Black

Writers
Dustin Lance Black
Streaming Service(s)
Hulu, AppleTV+, Dis

Directors
Dustin Lance Black

Showrunner
Dustin Lance Black

Under the Banner of Heaven is an overlooked Western crime series starring Andrew Garfield, based on the John Krakauer novel of the same name. Released in 2022, the story follows Garfield's Detective Jeb Pyre, whose faith is tested when he investigates a brutal murder connected to a well-known Utah family who is deeply associated with the Church of the Latter-day Saints. American Primeval fans who were intrigued by Brigham Young and his role in the LDS church would likely take an interest in these similar themes in a more modern setting. Created by Dustin Lance Black (Milk, J. Edgar), Under the Banner of Heaven also stars Sam Worthington, Daisy Edgar-Jones, and Wyatt Russell.

2 Killers of the Flower Moon

2023

10 Movies & Shows To Watch If You Like American Primeval (16)

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10 Movies & Shows To Watch If You Like American Primeval (17)

10/10

Killers of the Flower Moon

History

Drama

Crime

Killers of the Flower Moon is the next film from director Martin Scorsese, based on the non-fiction book Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI, initially captured by David Grann. When members of the Osage tribe are murdered in the 1920s via mysterious circumstances shortly after the discovery of oil on Native-American soil, the FBI is established to uncover the true reason behind them.

Runtime
200minutes
Cast
Leonardo DiCaprio, Louis Cancelmi, Jillian Dion, Scott Shepherd, Jesse Plemons, JaNae Collins, Robert De Niro, Jason Isbell, Cara Jade Myers, Lily Gladstone
Director
Martin Scorsese
Writers
Eric Roth, Martin Scorsese

Budget
$200 million

Studio(s)
Paramount Pictures

Distributor(s)
Apple, Paramount Pictures

While Killers of the Flower Moon takes place in the 1920s, the Martin Scorsese Oscar contender still thematically belongs in the same category as American Primeval. In fact, Killers of the Flower Moon is an interesting look at the evolution of violence in the "Wild West" as more primitive conflicts and displays of violence began to be replaced by systemic forms of oppression, particularly against Indigenous Peoples.

At the core of both stories is a tale of greed for resources and power, touching on basic instincts of survival and self-preservation. In contrast to American Primeval, Killers of the Flower Moon demonstrates the enhanced reach of the United States government and federal agencies such as the FBI, which effectively ended the greater sense of lawlessness that birthed outlaws and lawmen alike. It's also fascinating to compare the cultural differences and effects of the Osage and Shoshone tribes. Killers of the Flower Moon is available to stream exclusively on Apple TV+.

1 The Revenant

2015

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10 Movies & Shows To Watch If You Like American Primeval (19)

7/10

8.6/10

The Revenant

R

Adventure

Drama

Inspired by the true events in the life of Hugh Glass, The Revenant is an action-drama movie that sees Leonardo DiCaprio in the starring role. Betrayed and left for dead by one of the members of his hunting group, Glass finds himself contending with some of the harshest elements imaginable while tending to his deadly wounds, as his will to carry on and need for revenge push him to carry on in this gripping tale of survival.

Release Date
December 25, 2015

Runtime
156 minutes
Cast
Will Poulter, Leonardo DiCaprio, Paul Anderson, Tom Hardy, Domhnall Gleeson

Director
Alejandro González Iñárritu

Writers
Alejandro González Iñárritu, Mark L. Smith

Budget
$135 million

Studio(s)
20th Century

Distributor(s)
20th Century

It's no surprise that American Primeval feels like the 3-time Oscar winner The Revenant because they share the same screenwriter. At times, Dane DeHaan's character nearly looks like a younger version of Leonardo DiCaprio's Hugh Glass, made even more apparent by the wide-angled jolty camerawork and the frozen wooded setting filled with threats of violence. The Revenant takes place several decades before American Primeval but both the film and the series feel cut from the same cloth.

More than any of the aforementioned films or TV series, The Revenant and American Primeval share the common theme of the brutality of the frontier landscape and the incredible human drive for survival. The Revenant is available to stream on HBO and MAX.

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