Taylor Sheridan, long familiar with leading streaming charts, has been overtaken in the Taylor Sheridan streaming competition by PBS’s ambitious miniseries, The American Revolution, which premiered on November 16, 2025. The historical epic has soared to the top of Amazon and Apple TV’s digital rankings, outpacing Sheridan’s Landman and other popular titles, thanks to its in-depth look at America’s founding and its widespread viewer appeal.
PBS’s Historical Miniseries Surges in Popularity
The American Revolution is a six-part, 12-hour documentary that has received exceptional praise following its release, quickly earning a dedicated audience through the PBS app. This surge in viewership has knocked Sheridan’s Landman off its perch on Amazon, and even surpassed heavy hitters like Spartacus on the Apple TV store. Unlike many series about the American Revolution that tread familiar ground, this production has captivated both critics and the public with its exhaustive research and fresh perspective.
Critics have responded with enthusiasm, as reflected in an unbroken run of perfect ratings at Rotten Tomatoes up to the most recent review. The official synopsis describes it as:
“Examining how America’s founding turned the world upside-down as the thirteen British colonies on the Atlantic Coast rose in rebellion, won their independence and established a new form of government that radically reshaped the continent.”
— PBS
The miniseries stands out not only in content but also in its ambitious production—the crew filmed for six months in more than 150 locations across the United States. Their attention to detail included capturing events like the 2024 solar eclipse to authentically recreate scenes set nearly three centuries ago. The result is a series loaded with historical precision, resonating with viewers and critics alike.
Ken Burns Delivers Another Noteworthy Documentary
Helmed by director Ken Burns, widely recognized for his definitive 2015 documentary on the Civil War, The American Revolution builds on his reputation for excellence in historical storytelling. Burns brings the same level of meticulous care that earned critical acclaim for The Civil War, a series that still holds near-perfect approval scores among critics and viewers.
The Boston Globe’s Chris Vognar wrote of the new miniseries:
dense, exhaustive, and, yes, highly rewarding march through a period of early American history that treats generalizations and clichés the way patriot mobs treated suspected loyalists.
— Chris Vognar, Boston Globe
This project is not for those seeking a romanticized or glossy retelling. As Vognar put it, The American Revolution
sidesteps romanticism of the period and strips away myth with a grounding in granular reality.
— Chris Vognar, Boston Globe
Burns’s vision presents the revolution with clear-eyed realism, offering audiences an unvarnished look at the nation’s transformation, while distinguishing the series from more sensationalized versions seen in Hollywood.
Audience Reactions and the Series’ Lasting Impact
While the critical reception has been nearly flawless, the series’ audience score currently stands at 77%. Negative reviews appear to stem mostly from specific grievances, such as the omission of Dutch contributions or discomfort with comparisons between past and present flaws, rather than the documentary’s overall quality. Most viewers, however, have found the sprawling series both absorbing and educational, joining critics in praise.
The remarkable response to The American Revolution’s launch shows that even after centuries, the story of America’s founding can still enthrall a modern crowd. Thanks to Ken Burns’s commitment and the production team’s dedication, this series has not only set new standards for historical documentaries but also shifted the landscape of the Taylor Sheridan streaming competition in favor of thoughtful, meticulously crafted storytelling. The continued popularity on streaming platforms suggests that demands for historically rich content remain strong, and the show’s approach could inspire future productions focused on authenticity and nuance.
