The Landman Rotten Tomatoes Score: Why Taylor Sheridan’s Oil Drama Is Reviewing Better Than Yellowstone's Debut

Since its premiere, Taylor Sheridan’s latest neo-Western drama, Landman, has captured the attention of critics and audiences, but its Rotten Tomatoes score reveals a fascinating divide and a surprising victory over the creator's flagship series, Yellowstone. As of December 2025, the series, which plunges viewers into the gritty, high-stakes world of West Texas oil fields, is generating intense discussion, especially following the release of its highly anticipated second season on Paramount+.

The reception of the show—co-created by Sheridan and Christian Wallace, and starring a powerhouse ensemble including Billy Bob Thornton, Jon Hamm, and Demi Moore—has been anything but uniform. While critics are largely praising the series for its raw energy and compelling narrative, the audience reaction has been notably cooler, creating a significant gap between the Critics Consensus and the Audience Score on the review aggregation site.

Landman: Cast, Creator, and Production Profile

Landman is inspired by the 11-part podcast series Boomtown, which chronicles the modern-day oil boom in the Permian Basin of West Texas. The show is a deep dive into the lives of roughnecks, billionaires, and the "landmen" who are the boots on the ground, negotiating drilling rights and navigating a volatile industry fraught with danger, corruption, and immense wealth.

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The series is a key part of the expanding Taylor Sheridan universe on Paramount+, following the success of *Yellowstone* and its various spin-offs. Sheridan, known for his authentic, gritty storytelling, co-created the series with Christian Wallace, the host of the original *Boomtown* podcast, ensuring a grounded and knowledgeable portrayal of the oil industry.

Complete Landman Cast and Crew Biography

• Co-Creator & Executive Producer: Taylor Sheridan (known for Yellowstone, 1923, Tulsa King, Sicario)
• Co-Creator & Writer: Christian Wallace (Host of the Boomtown podcast)
• Source Material: The Boomtown podcast series
• Network/Streaming Service: Paramount+
• Genre: Neo-Western, Oil Industry Drama, Crime Thriller
• Protagonist: Tommy Norris, played by Billy Bob Thornton
• Main Cast:
  • Billy Bob Thornton as Tommy Norris
  • Jon Hamm as Sid Richardson
  • Demi Moore as Cami Miller
  • Ali Larter as Angela Norris
  • Jacob Lofland as Cooper Norris
  • Michelle Randolph as Afton Norris
  • Andy Garcia as Galino
  • Paulina Chávez as Ariana
  • Kayla Wallace as Rebecca Falcon
• Season 2 Premiere Date: Sunday, November 16, 2024

The Critics vs. The Audience: A Deep Dive into Landman's Rotten Tomatoes Scores

The most compelling narrative surrounding *Landman* on Rotten Tomatoes is the stark contrast between the critics and the general audience. This phenomenon is not uncommon for Sheridan's work, but the scores for *Landman* tell a unique story, especially when compared to his most famous creation, *Yellowstone*.

The Critics Consensus: A Strong Approval Rating

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For its debut season, *Landman* earned a strong Critics Score of 78% on Rotten Tomatoes. Season 2 has maintained this critical approval, with scores hovering around 77% to 83% based on a significant number of critic reviews. The consensus praises the show for its high-octane drama, the compelling performance of Billy Bob Thornton as the rough-around-the-edges Tommy Norris, and the authentic, unflinching look at the brutal realities of the oil industry in the Permian Basin. Critics often highlight the show's dark humor and the complex moral ambiguities of its characters, cementing its status as a worthy addition to the neo-Western genre.

A Surprising Victory Over Yellowstone

Crucially, *Landman* has already surpassed the initial critical reception of *Yellowstone*. The debut season of *Yellowstone* in 2018 only managed a 58% Critics Score, meaning *Landman*'s 78% debut is a significant critical win for Sheridan. This indicates that critics are more immediately on board with the tone and execution of this oil-focused drama than they were with the Dutton family's ranching epic.

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The Audience Score: A Notable Drop

Despite the critical acclaim, the Audience Score for *Landman* has been significantly lower, settling around 62%. This suggests a disconnect between the professional reviewers and the casual viewers. While critics appreciate the show's slow-burn tension and complex themes, audience reviews suggest mixed feelings. Some fans, perhaps expecting the immediate, high-stakes action of *Yellowstone*, have found the oil industry procedural elements and the legal drama less engaging. The audience score for Season 2, in particular, has been noted as having "tanked," suggesting some fans were unhappy with the direction of the new episodes.

Thematic Entities and Topical Authority: Why Landman Resonates

The success of *Landman*, regardless of the audience-critic score gap, lies in its rich thematic landscape and the abundance of relevant entities that ground the story in a believable, modern-day Western setting. The series leverages the following key elements to build its topical authority:

• The Permian Basin: The setting is not just a backdrop; it is a character. The Permian Basin is the largest oil-producing region in the United States, and the show accurately portrays the boom-and-bust cycles that define the region's economy and social fabric.
• Big Oil Money and Corruption: The narrative frequently explores the immense power of "Big Oil" money, the ethical compromises necessary for survival, and the political corruption that lubricates the industry.
• Neo-Western Drama: Like *Yellowstone*, *Landman* is a modern take on the Western. Instead of cattle ranchers, the conflict centers on oil tycoons, land rights, and the constant threat of violence, including a significant feud with a powerful Mexican cartel.
• The Landman Role: The title refers to the real-life professionals who negotiate mineral rights. The show details the high-pressure, often morally questionable work of these individuals, making Billy Bob Thornton's character, Tommy Norris, a compelling anti-hero.
• Star Power and Acting: The ensemble cast, featuring veterans like Jon Hamm (as Sid Richardson), Demi Moore (as Cami Miller), and the always-reliable Billy Bob Thornton, provides the gravitas needed for a high-stakes drama. Thornton's performance, in particular, has been praised for its "one-liners" and raw intensity.

Ultimately, *Landman* is a powerful, dark look at the price of the American lifestyle, where oil is the "devil's bargain" that fuels the entire economy. While the Audience Score suggests it hasn't fully captured the massive, devoted fan base of *Yellowstone*, its strong critical approval confirms that Taylor Sheridan has successfully carved out another compelling niche in his ever-expanding universe of gritty, authentic American dramas.

The series is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys complex character studies, high-stakes business thrillers, and the signature neo-Western style that only Taylor Sheridan can deliver. Despite the audience reservations, the critical consensus is clear: *Landman* is a better-reviewed debut than *Yellowstone*, solidifying its place as a critical darling on Paramount+.