Yellowstone has given viewers far more than one generation of Dutton family drama.
Paramount has expanded Taylor Sheridan’s universe across different eras, allowing fans to see how the family’s fight over its land developed long before the events of the original series. That approach has produced multiple spinoffs, but one has spent the last several years building an especially impressive reputation.
Now, nearly four years after it first arrived, that prequel has reached a major milestone.
The latest numbers put it among the strongest entries in the franchise and even ahead of another popular Dutton story.
One Yellowstone Prequel Has Reached an Impressive Mark
The series is 1923, which first premiered on December 18, 2022.
Rather than following Kevin Costner’s John Dutton and his immediate family, the prequel travels several generations back in time. Harrison Ford stars as Jacob Dutton, while Helen Mirren plays Cara Dutton as the family faces another difficult period while fighting to protect its land.
Critics responded positively when the show arrived. Season 1 currently holds an 88% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Season 2 managed to take that success even further.
The second season currently holds a perfect 100% Tomatometer score from critics. When the two seasons are combined, 1923 has a 94% average critics' score.
That puts the series ahead of 1883, the other major historical Yellowstone prequel, which currently sits at 89%.
The achievement has been years in the making. Nearly four years after 1923 released, the series has come remarkably close to maintaining a perfect critical record across its entire run.
Rotten Tomatoes also currently includes 1923 among its Best Western TV Shows alongside Yellowstone, 1883, Dutton Ranch, Deadwood, and Lonesome Dove.
The Duttons Faced Bigger Challenges in Season 2
The strong numbers followed 1923‘s return in 2025.
Season 2 premiered on Paramount+ on February 23, 2025, with new episodes arriving weekly through the finale on April 6.
The story once again focused on an earlier generation of Duttons fighting to protect their family and land. This period places them in opposition to challenges associated with Western expansion, Prohibition, and the Great Depression.
Those conflicts allow 1923 to fill in more of the family history viewers eventually see reflected generations later in Yellowstone.
Season 2 continued to raise the stakes for its characters, and critics responded even more positively than they had during the first season. The jump from an 88% Season 1 score to a perfect 100% for Season 2 gave the prequel an even stronger position within the franchise.
For fans who were originally invested in the Duttons through Yellowstone, the series has offered another look at why protecting the family and its land has become such an important part of their story.
Paramount Has More Plans for the Dutton Family
While 1923 has built its own legacy, Paramount has continued moving the larger franchise forward.
One of its newest additions is Dutton Ranch, which premiered May 15, 2026, on Paramount+ and Paramount Network.
Kelly Reilly returned as Beth Dutton alongside Cole Hauser as Rip Wheeler. Instead of staying in Montana, Beth and Rip begin building a new life together in South Texas.
Viewers quickly showed up for their return.
Dutton Ranch drew 12.9 million viewers globally during its first seven days, making it the biggest original series debut in Paramount+ history. Paramount+ then officially renewed the series for Season 2 in June 2026.
The franchise could also delve back into the Dutton family’s history. 1944 has been reported as being in development and would continue the historical timeline established by 1883 and 1923.
However, another proposed series is officially off the table. Taylor Sheridan has said the long-discussed 6666 spinoff will not happen because he does not want to fictionalize the real Four Sixes Ranch.
1923 Has Become More Than Another Spinoff
Any series carrying the Yellowstone name faces enormous expectations, especially after viewers became so invested in the Dutton family.
1923 has now had nearly four years to establish where it belongs.
With an 88% score for Season 1, a perfect 100% for Season 2, and a 94% average critics' score overall, the prequel has built one of the strongest critical records in the franchise.
Its inclusion among Rotten Tomatoes’ Best Western TV Shows adds another milestone to that run.
Paramount may have more Dutton stories ahead, but 1923 has already accomplished something significant. It has moved beyond simply being another extension of Yellowstone and established itself as one of the franchise’s most critically successful chapters.
