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| Loved Netflix's Little House on the Prairie? Here Are 21 Shows You Need to Watch Next. (Photo: Netflix) |
Little House on the Prairie has returned with a fresh perspective, and viewers have quickly embraced its grounded take on frontier life. Rather than relying on nostalgic comfort alone, Netflix's 2026 adaptation dives into the hardship, uncertainty and human cost of building a home in the American frontier. With a stronger focus on historical realism, complex relationships with Native communities and the everyday struggles of the Ingalls family, the series has become one of the most talked-about historical dramas of the year. Naturally, plenty of fans are already searching for another show that captures the same mix of family warmth, survival and life on the edge of an unforgiving wilderness.
Online reactions have been wonderfully divided in all the right ways. Some viewers praised the show's faithful return to Laura Ingalls Wilder's original books, while others appreciated its broader perspective on frontier history and the inclusion of voices often overlooked in earlier adaptations.
Many loved its slower pace, saying every episode felt like opening another chapter of a classic novel. Others joked they suddenly felt grateful for supermarkets after watching pioneers spend half an episode trying not to freeze. Whatever side people landed on, one thing was consistent: audiences wanted more historical dramas that feel authentic rather than polished beyond recognition.
Shows Like LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE
1. 1883 (2021)
If the harsh realities of pioneer life were your favourite part of Little House on the Prairie, 1883 should be first on your watchlist. This sweeping Western follows a family travelling west across dangerous territory in search of a better future.
Every mile comes with impossible decisions, brutal weather and constant danger, making survival feel earned rather than guaranteed. Like the Netflix series, it never pretends frontier life was an extended countryside holiday.
2. American Primeval (2025)
Set during one of the most violent periods of American frontier history, American Primeval follows families attempting to survive conflict, unforgiving landscapes and shifting alliances.
Both series present the West as a place filled with opportunity but equally packed with hardship and moral complexity.
3. The English (2022)
Beautifully filmed and emotionally devastating, The English explores revenge, identity and the changing American frontier.
Like Little House on the Prairie, it pays careful attention to Native American experiences while challenging familiar Western myths.
4. Godless (2017)
An isolated mining town dominated by women becomes the centre of a dangerous conflict after an outlaw arrives seeking refuge.
While the tone is darker, both series celebrate resilience, close-knit communities and ordinary people facing extraordinary challenges.
5. Anne with an E (2017)
Although set in rural Canada rather than the American frontier, Anne with an E shares the same focus on family, belonging and growing up in a challenging environment. Both dramas favour emotional storytelling over spectacle and let their characters quietly steal the show.
6. Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (1993)
One of television's defining frontier dramas, the series follows a doctor building a new life in Colorado after the Civil War.
Like Little House on the Prairie, it balances family relationships with wider social issues, including interactions between settlers and Native communities.
7. When Calls the Heart (2014)
This long-running period drama follows a young teacher adapting to life in a remote frontier town. Community spirit, personal growth and heartfelt storytelling make it a natural recommendation for viewers wanting something gentler after Netflix's grittier adaptation.
8. Hell on Wheels (2011)
Railroad expansion drives this gripping Western, where ambition, revenge and survival collide. The historical setting and exploration of America's changing frontier complement the themes found throughout Little House on the Prairie.
9. Lonesome Dove (1989)
Widely regarded as one of the greatest Western miniseries ever made, Lonesome Dove follows two retired Texas Rangers leading a cattle drive north.
It captures the beauty and danger of frontier life while building unforgettable relationships between its characters.
10. The Son (2017)
Spanning multiple generations, this family saga explores land, identity and the transformation of Texas. Fans of the Ingalls family's evolving journey will appreciate another story where history shapes every personal decision.
11. Into the West (2005)
Produced by Steven Spielberg, this epic miniseries tells the settlement of the American West through both settler and Native American perspectives. Its balanced storytelling closely reflects the revisionist approach embraced by Netflix's adaptation.
12. Deadwood (2004)
The frontier is far rougher here, but the detailed historical setting and fascinating community dynamics make Deadwood an excellent follow-up. It reminds viewers that building civilisation often involved plenty of chaos before anyone managed to put up a decent fence.
13. The Waltons (1972)
Family remains at the heart of this beloved period drama set during the Great Depression. While separated by several decades, both series celebrate resilience, kindness and finding hope during difficult times.
14. Road to Avonlea (1990)
Based on the works of Lucy Maud Montgomery, this charming Canadian drama explores growing up in a rural community filled with memorable neighbours and heartfelt family moments. It carries the same comforting atmosphere many loved in Little House on the Prairie.
15. Christy (1994)
A young teacher moves into an isolated Appalachian community, where she discovers both hardship and purpose. Like Laura's journey, the series focuses on education, family values and adapting to unfamiliar surroundings.
16. Frontier (2016)
Starring Jason Momoa, this historical drama examines the brutal fur trade across North America. It shares the same rugged landscapes and constant struggle for survival, although everyone seems considerably angrier.
17. Jamestown (2017)
Following English settlers establishing one of America's earliest colonies, Jamestown highlights the daily challenges of creating a new life in unfamiliar territory. Themes of perseverance and community echo throughout both series.
18. Barkskins (2020)
Based on the novel by Annie Proulx, this historical drama explores colonial North America through settlers, labourers and Indigenous communities. Its layered examination of land and identity makes it particularly relevant for fans of Netflix's updated perspective.
19. North and South (1985)
This sweeping American historical drama follows two families before and during the Civil War. While its focus differs, viewers who enjoyed the family-driven storytelling and changing historical landscape will find plenty to appreciate.
20. Poldark (2015)
Set in eighteenth-century Cornwall, Poldark swaps frontier cabins for coastal cliffs but keeps the themes of rebuilding a life against overwhelming odds. Strong family relationships and historical authenticity remain at its core.
21. Wind at My Back (1996)
This Canadian family drama follows the Bailey family after tragedy forces them to rebuild their lives in a small town during the Great Depression. Like Little House on the Prairie, it focuses on resilience, hope and the quiet strength that grows within families facing uncertain futures.
Next: Where Was LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE Filmed?
The new Little House on the Prairie proves that historical drama does not need endless action to keep audiences invested. Honest storytelling, believable family relationships and a frontier that feels both beautiful and unforgiving have helped the series stand out from modern Westerns.
These 21 shows continue that tradition in different ways, whether through pioneering journeys, small-town communities or sweeping tales of survival across changing landscapes. Have you watched any of these series already, or is there another hidden historical gem that deserves a place on this list?