Taylor Sheridan’s Landman has made a stunning entrance—so powerful that it has outperformed Yellowstone, 1923, and other entries in his empire. From debut viewership to sustained streaming dominance, the oil drama is rewriting the rulebook on what success looks like.

Record-Breaking Premiere

With 5.2 million viewers tuning in across Paramount+ and a linear preview, Landman delivered the biggest global series premiere for the platform in two years—outshining even famed franchises like 1923 in early interest TheWrapCollider.

Streaming Sensation

Nielsen’s data revealed more: Landman amassed 15.8 million views in its first 35 days, placing it ahead of every other Taylor Sheridan show, including Yellowstone, 1923, Tulsa King, and Special Ops: Lioness Screen Rant.

Chart-Topping Rankings

On Reelgood’s streaming charts for the week of November 21–27, Landman claimed the No. 1 spot in viewer interest—beating Yellowstone Season 5B and prominent series like Arcane and A Man on the Inside Screen Rant.

Sustained Momentum

Streaming data from Luminate shows that Landman continued its dominance into early 2025. It logged 9.9 billion minutes watched in Q4 2024 and remained the top drama by minutes streamed in Q1 2025—surpassing Netflix’s The Night Agent by a wide margin Luminate.

Critical Edge

Critics also gave Landman a warmer welcome compared to the early days of Yellowstone. It premiered with a 74% Rotten Tomatoes score, well above Yellowstone’s modest 58% debut. Even audiences rated it higher (66% vs. Yellowstone’s 40% for its final Costner-less season) ForbesMeawwCollider.

Why Landman Resonates

A Fresh Frontier
Setting its drama amidst the volatile Texas oil industry distinguishes Landman from Sheridan’s Western ranch sagas. Its themes of corruption, ambition, and energy politics feel timely and urgent, capturing a modern American pulse The Times.

Star Power and Authenticity
With Billy Bob Thornton leading a strong ensemble including Demi Moore, Jon Hamm, and Ali Larter, Landman offers both star appeal and grounded storytelling—scored as “Texas crude that’s highly watchable fuel” ColliderWikipedia.

Narrative Refinement
Compared to Yellowstone Season 1, Landman delivers a sharper, more focused story, balanced with action, dark humor, and stylistic grit—elements that struck critics and audiences alike Screen RantMeaww.

Fan Reactions Reflect the Energy

On Reddit, fans were candid:

“Billy Bob Thornton’s humor and badassness are why I like Landman more right now… Yellowstone is just so sad lately.”
— A redditor expressing their preference for Landman’s direct appeal Reddit

Another fan hailed it as:

“Landman is the worthy heir to Yellowstone,”
capturing the sentiment that this new saga may be the one to eclipse its predecessor Reddit.

What This Means for Taylor Sheridan’s Universe

Paramount+ Gains a New Flagship
With Landman arguably performing better than even Yellowstone, it’s becoming a central pillar for Paramount+’s streaming ambitions Houston ChronicleScreen RantLuminate.

Shifts in Storytelling Strategy
Sheridan’s decision to explore oil industry drama—rather than frontier ranching—signals a broader thematic expansion, catering to viewers seeking contemporary relevance.

Room for a Legacy Reboot
While Yellowstone helped build his reputation, Landman shows Sheridan’s storytelling remains compelling—able to invent new worlds while retaining his signature moral complexity.

Summary Table

Looking Ahead

With Season 2 already confirmed Houston Chronicle, Landman isn’t just a hit—it’s a cultural juggernaut defining a new era of Taylor Sheridan storytelling. Whether tackling oil politics, shifting social dynamics, or brutal family ties, Sheridan’s creative trajectory is expanding—and Landman is leading the charge.