What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedYoung Guns
Christopher Cain · Film · 1988
If you loved Young Guns, start with Billy the Kid (Michael Hirst, 2022) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Young Guns across media.
What hooked you in Young Guns was the bond of brotherhood forged between outlaws who operate outside the traditional lines of morality.
Books on the same thread
Lonesome Dove
Larry McMurtry · Book · 1988
Shares a thread with Young Guns: Loss of Innocence.
Like the ragtag group in Young Guns, this story explores the profound complexity of male friendship and the heavy toll taken by a life lived on the frontier.
The Gunslinger
Stephen King · Book · 2003
Shares a thread with Young Guns: Moral ambiguity.
If the moral ambiguity of Billy the Kid drew you to Young Guns, you will appreciate this journey through a haunting landscape defined by obsession and difficult choices.
The Lone Star Ranger
Zane Grey · Book · 2010
Explores: Redemption, Justice, Outlaw hero.
Buck mirrors the outlaw hero archetype central to Young Guns, navigating a world where justice is a personal pursuit rather than something granted by the law.
The Outsiders
S. E. Hinton · Book · 1967
Shares a thread with Young Guns: Brotherhood.
The intense loyalty and social isolation found in Young Guns echo through this story, capturing that same pivotal moment where youth clashes with the harsh realities of violence.
Series on the same thread
Lonesome Dove
Series · 1989
Shares a thread with Young Guns: Revisionist Western.
This epic adventure captures the same spirit of camaraderie and the drive for one final, dangerous mission that defined the brotherhood of the gunmen in Young Guns.
Young Justice
Greg Weisman · Series · 2010
Explores: Coming-of-Age, Secret Identities, Mentorship.
Just as the young deputies in Young Guns struggle to prove themselves as a team, this series focuses on the complex dynamics of a group striving for recognition.
The A-Team
Frank Lupo · Series · 1983
Explores: Wrongfully Accused, Redemption, Teamwork.
The vigilante spirit of Young Guns is alive here, following a team of outcasts who live on the run while attempting to balance justice with their own survival.
Billy the Kid
Michael Hirst · Series · 2022
Shares a thread with Young Guns: Revisionist Western.
This biographical look at the same historical figure from Young Guns provides a deeper perspective on the outlaw life and the origins of a legendary, complicated hero.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Young Turks
Podcast
Explores: political discourse, social justice, media criticism.
If you enjoyed the rebellious, anti-establishment energy of Young Guns, you will find a modern parallel in this show's commitment to challenging the mainstream media narrative.
Criminal
Vox Media Podcast Network · Podcast · 2026
Shares a thread with Young Guns: moral ambiguity.
This show mirrors the moral ambiguity explored in Young Guns, focusing on individuals who exist in the gray areas of society where justice and wrongdoing often collide.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Young Guns based on a true story about Billy the Kid?
Young Guns is a 1988 film directed by Christopher Cain that follows a group of young gunmen led by Billy the Kid. They act as deputies to avenge the murder of their benefactor before their actions eventually turn them into the hunted.
What is the primary conflict in Young Guns?
In Young Guns, a group of young gunmen becomes deputies to seek vengeance for their murdered benefactor. The conflict escalates when Billy the Kid abuses his authority, causing the group to transition from lawmen into the hunted.
Who directed the 1988 movie Young Guns?
The movie Young Guns was directed by Christopher Cain. The story centers on a group of young gunmen led by Billy the Kid who attempt to avenge the death of the rancher who served as their benefactor.
How does the group in Young Guns lose their status as deputies?
The group in Young Guns loses their standing because Billy the Kid takes his authority as a deputy too far. This misuse of power forces the group to face the consequences of their actions as they become the hunted.