Taylor Sheridan knows how to wrangle a hit show. And with Landman, the TV cowboy might’ve struck black gold again. Set deep in the oil fields of West Texas, this gritty drama brings power suits, pumpjacks, and no shortage of political and personal friction. But how did Season 1 really perform when the cameras stopped rolling and the accountants took over?
Let’s dig through the data, sniff out the money trails, and see if Landman is more than just a critical darling. Spoiler alert: it very well might be Paramount+’s newest cash cow.
Big Bucks on the Bayou: What It Cost to Bring Landman to Life
First off, this isn’t some low-budget indie flick. Sheridan doesn’t play small.
While Paramount+ hasn’t published the exact production costs of Landman, we can size things up based on his previous shows. According to reporting from Taste of Country, 1923, one of Sheridan’s Yellowstone prequels, ran a staggering $22 million per episode. That’s not a typo. And it gives us a ballpark.
Landman, with stars like Billy Bob Thornton and Demi Moore, likely doesn’t fall far from that expensive tree. Add in oil-field set pieces, helicopters, executive offices, and custom cowboy boots, and you’re staring at some serious coin. It’s a safe bet each episode punched in somewhere around that $20+ million mark.
So, we’re potentially looking at a $160-180 million first season, if Landman ran eight or nine episodes. Give or take a few million for those sweeping drone shots.
Turning Heads and Turning Profits: Viewer Numbers That Matter
Now here’s where things get juicy.
Landman didn’t just show up to the party. It walked in wearing shades and took over the playlist.
- The series premiere drew a massive 5.2 million viewers across platforms.
- That makes it the biggest global series debut for Paramount+ in two years.
- Within its first four weeks, it hit 14.9 million global households, according to TheWrap.
In short? This show is hot. And it’s not just buzz. It’s converting eyeballs into streaming time.
Fans have embraced the series with open arms and popcorn. Over on Rotten Tomatoes, critics gave it a solid 76% approval rating. Meanwhile, audiences are even more generous. Landman boasts an 8.1/10 rating on Rating Graph, which suggests fans aren’t just watching. They’re loving it.
And in the streaming wars, love translates to retention. Retention translates to renewals. And renewals? That’s where the money pours in.
So, What Did It Earn? The Money Trail Gets Murky
Here’s the tricky bit. Paramount+ hasn’t released direct revenue figures for Landman. But we’re not flying blind.
We do know this: Taylor Sheridan’s stable of shows—think Yellowstone, 1883, 1923, Mayor of Kingstown, and now Landman—have collectively brought in around $263 million in revenue for the streaming platform, as Screen Rant reported.
Out of those, Mayor of Kingstown leads the pack with over $60 million. That gives us a benchmark.
Given Landman’s explosive debut and its status as the most-watched Paramount+ original to date, it’s fair to say it’s pulling weight. It likely stands shoulder to shoulder with Kingstown, maybe even a notch above depending on subscription spikes.
So, while we can’t slap a precise dollar sign on the show’s forehead, we can safely say it’s not just covering costs. It’s pushing profits.
Side-by-Side with the Sheridan Empire
Taylor Sheridan is basically Paramount+’s franchise factory at this point. Each of his shows drops with a cinematic flair and A-list performances.
Let’s look at how Landman compares to its extended family:
- 1923 costs: $22 million per episode
- Yellowstone: massive commercial and critical success, but aired on cable first
- Mayor of Kingstown: generated over $60 million in revenue
While Landman‘s exact earnings remain elusive, its debut numbers suggest it’s already sitting at the adult table. More global reach, more first-week views, and top-tier star power suggest it might even outperform the likes of 1883 in long-term returns.
Add in the fact that Landman is the most-watched original on Paramount+ to date? That’s a shiny feather in its cowboy hat.
Beyond the Numbers: Why It Works
Success isn’t always about dollars and cents.
Landman works because it’s timely. It takes on energy politics, climate fears, and corporate greed with the kind of intensity only Sheridan can bottle. And it does it all with grit, swagger, and a whole lot of roughneck charm.
Billy Bob Thornton’s lead performance brings that perfect mix of oil-field wisdom and big-business weariness. Demi Moore adds firepower. And the writing? Tight. Sharp. No-nonsense.
People watch because it feels real. And unlike some high-concept dramas that lose steam halfway through, Landman just digs deeper.
What Comes Next: Gushers and Greenlights
With a second season already greenlit, the road ahead looks smooth and paved with premium oil.
If Paramount+ keeps leveraging Landman‘s momentum, they could have another flagship title to pair with Yellowstone. Sheridan shows aren’t cheap, but they’re proving to be worth every penny.
And while it’s too early to tally up lifetime earnings, one thing’s certain: Landman‘s first season struck a nerve and likely struck financial gold too.
Stay tuned. There’s a lot more oil left in this well.
