Earlier this year, author Priscilla Bettis, whose a prolific reader, wrote a post about westerns and how they’re “sneaking into all sorts of genres” lately. She meant books and listed the ones she’d noticed, but I commented that I’d noticed westerns in a lot of paranormal and horror TV shows and movies this year, too. Let’s take a look at some of 2022’s paranormal and horror westerns.
Paranormal Western TV Shows
Ghosts of Devil’s Perch – Paranormal Docuseries
Strange things are happening in Butte, Montana. When the town experiences an upswing in renovations, it leads to more and more calls that baffle the police. Mayor J.P. Gallagher and Sheriff Ed Lester decide to try something unconventional and seek the help of paranormal investigators. The Holzer Files alum, Cindy Kaza and Dave Schrader, team up with a new member, K.D. Stafford, to investigate hauntings and dig up some interesting history along the way.
The Ghost Town Terror – Paranormal Docuseries
What’s happening at Gunslinger Gulch? That’s what owner Karen Broussard would like to know. She quickly discovered the Anaconda, Montana, ghost town she’d bought had just that. Ghosts. And not the Casper type friendly kind either. More like the ones from a wild, wild west Paranormal Activity-style horror movie nightmare. Paranormal investigator Tim Wood and paranormal researcher Sapphire Sandalo, along with psychic medium Sarah Lemos and Wood’s fellow investigator Scott Di Lalla, arrive to try and help.
Haunted Gold Rush – Paranormal Docuseries
(Pictured L-R: Kelly Ireland, Corine Carey, and Leanne Sallenback). | Credit: T+E
This groundbreaking all-female series hasn’t premiered in the U.S. (Yet. I’m still hopeful it will.) But it did premier in Canada during T+E’s “Halloweekend” programming. It followed paranormal investigators Corine Carey, Leanne Sallenback, and Kelly Ireland as they explored the ghostly mysteries along British Columbia’s historic Gold Rush Trail.
Outer Range – Drama Mystery Thriller
At first glance, it seemed Amazon’s Outer Range was in answer to Peacock’s hit western, Yellowstone. Nope. Well, it might’ve been, but it had a decidedly otherworldly flair. I thought maybe it drew some inspiration from Skinwalker Ranch, but I’m still not sure what —if anything— inspired the weird goings on in the Wyoming wilderness of the show.
Paranormal Western Movies
Blackwood – Horror Western
As I wrote in the review of Blackwood, judging from the cover alone, this movie screams cowboy flick. You’d never know this western ventured into Wendigo territory unless you read this synopsis, which has everything from outlaws and a hunt for gold. Sadly, they’re looking in all the wrong places for their payday. Namely, right smack in the place where the legendary monster roams, and its none too happy about them being there.
Night of the Tommyknockers – Horror Western
Like Blackwood, outlaws and gold factor into this horror western too. Except, in this case, it’s not just one creature, but a bunch of them known as the Tommyknockers that are unleashed and must be contended with. Unlike Blackwood, which was okay but didn’t get great reviews, audiences have so far rated Night of the Tommyknockers as an enjoyable creature feature.
Nope – Horror Mystery Sci-Fi Western
Nope isn’t a traditional western. Then again, it’s also not a traditional UFO/alien movie either. But it definitely encompasses the spirit of both with a California ranch, horses, a western town, and something that is definitely “not of planet Earth.” And I can’t help but say, Keke Palmer’s performance still makes me smile when I think of it. She better get some award nominations for it. Just sayin’.
Check-In
Are there any paranormal or horror western TV shows or movies that came out in 2022 that you saw that aren’t listed above?
Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, and obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. (Yes, really! As explained here.) That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of mystical, to learn how Courtney channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.
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I haven’t watched many shows this year, but the hubster loved Outer Range. We don’t always enjoy the same shows, so I’m not sure if I’d like it or not!
Wayne and I don’t always agree on shows either, and he didn’t watch all of Outer Range with me just because he was busy and I didn’t want to wait for when he could watch. But when he watched with me, he was into it. And he really doesn’t like these kinds of shows but it was done in a way that even piqued his interest. For whatever that’s worth. lol
I haven’t heard of Outer Range. Do you know if it’s coming back for a second season?
Ghost Town Terror ended without an ending, which I found to be quite strange. It felt like they were still in the middle of the investigation, and I was expecting the next episode, and there wasn’t one. I figured it got canceled, but when I looked it up on TVDB, it said “finale.” So, in my opinion, there’s still work to be done. On a lot of forums, many people were claiming the entire show as “fake” with poor “acting.” I didn’t see it as such, and I have been following and investigating the paranormal for years, but, you know, nay-sayers feel better about themselves when they nay-say, or better yet, criticize. Skeptics are one thing, I get it. But just outright calling people liars is another.
Devil’s Perch? I love Dave and Cindy! Holzer Files was one of my favorite shows, and should have never been canceled. Their sidekick was kind of a sissy, but hey, there’s one in every group, just about. Can anyone say “Aaron” from Ghost Adventures? Anyhow, I wish the Travel Channel would find a solid home for the two of them. There’s no kidding around and no holds barred with those two, and most of all, there’s no fear … of anything … at all! Great article! I have downloaded all episodes of Outer Range and will be checking them out soon. Take care as always! Troy
Hey Troy! I hadn’t heard if Outer Range was renewed for a season 2. I was disappointed another Amazon show I liked hadn’t been, Night Sky, so I was worried they’d do that with OR too. Thankfully it HAS been renewed. I hope you enjoy it when you get to watch.
I had high hopes for Ghost Town Terror but ultimately couldn’t get into past episode 2 so I had no idea what came of it. It’ll be curious to see if they bring it back for more investigation. Same with Ghost of Devil’s Perch. I didn’t watch the end of it either but it seems like there is more investigating to be done. And I’m sure Cindy and Dave are eager for the work since Holzer Files is no more.