What Parents Need To Know About The Hit Drama Western Yellowstone

The Dutton family are finally, finally back for Season 5 of Yellowstone, and of course this is all anyone wants to watch right now. The gorgeous scenery, the constant in-fighting, Beth and Rip forever. Dig in. Unless you’re a child. Apologies in advance if you were hoping Yellowstone was appropriate for kids to watch, because this is really not for them. Like, at all.

Note: Spoilers are ahead!

Yellowstone follows a complicated ranching family

For those who have not yet been indoctrinated, Yellowstone tells the story of wealthy rancher John Dutton, played by Kevin Costner, living in Montana on the largest contiguous ranch in the country. The Duttons constantly have to protect the borders of their vast acreage against outside forces like land developers, state parks, and an Indian reservation. They also have to protect themselves from each other since it seems like they never really stop fighting over who might inherit the ranch when their dad dies.

John Dutton has three remaining children (Spoiler alert: his oldest son Lee, played by Dave Annable, dies in the first episode), daughter Beth played by Kelly Reilly, son Kayce played by Luke Grimes, and finally son Jamie, played by Wes Bentley. The family struggles not only with each other but with the elements, living in an almost constant state of some sort of danger or need to preserve the “Yellowstone” Dutton Ranch.

Things are heating up significantly in the super-sized fifth season, which premiered on Sunday, Nov. 13, now that John Dutton is governor of the state of Montana. But still... find something else for the kiddos to watch. Or just put them to bed.

Why Yellowstone isn’t appropriate for kids.

Well, in a word, murder. Who knew that ranchers had to kill people all the time? There are lots of animals being killed and people being killed as well for all sorts of reasons that make sense to the Duttons, but if that isn’t enough to make you reconsider watching Yellowstone with your kids, there are plenty of other reasons.

Partial nudity and sexuality, for instance, lots of swearing, drinking alcohol and smoking “like the classic Westerns it is influenced by,” as Common Sense Media’s review of the series explains. Oh yes, and let’s not forget that ranch hands who come to Yellowstone have the letter “Y” branded on their body with a hot iron. As one parent noted on Common Sense Media, “Too much violence against animals — unnecessary sexual content — too much profanity — none of the above adds to the story line.”

Yellowstone is rated TV-MA.

Yellowstone is rated TV-MA for sexual references, though Common Sense Media’s review notes it might be OK for kids over 15 years old to watch. Many parents, however, note that kids shouldn’t dabble in the world of Yellowstone until they’re 18 or older.

How to watch Yellowstone after the kids go to bed.

Yellowstone might not be for the kids, but millions of adults certainly love it, and the new season has everyone talking already. You can stream Yellowstone on Paramount+ and Peacock. If you want to watch something set in the Old West with the kids, check out some great family-friendly cowboy movies.