Yellowstone: Season 5 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Yellowstone: Season 5 Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman June 11, 2025

As I settled in to write this review of Yellowstone: Season 5's second half Blu-ray release, I took a gander at Paramount's upcoming releases page and was shocked to find not a thing I could readily identify with the name "Taylor Sheridan" until all the way into August -- a whopping two months -- when the studio releases the second season of the (second) Yellowstone prequel 1923. It feels like half of what Paramount has been releasing here lately can in some way tie back to the Yellowstone mogul, the maker of the super hit show who has branched out into a number of additional shows -- its two spinoffs, Mayor of Kingstown, Tulsa King, Special Ops: Lioness, and Landman. Yeah, he's been busy...busy spending the gazillion dollars he's certainly made for himself in that time, no doubt...but rightly enjoying the fruits of his labor all the same. He's certainly made Paramount about a gazillion at the same time, seeing that Yellowstone has been just about the biggest thing since sliced bread (just yesterday I walked past the Yellowstone-branded jerky at Wal-Mart). So here is the second half of season five, which proceeds with very much a familiar vibe but, at the same time, for obvious reasons for anyone who has gotten here, is also very different. Things have changed, and yet they've remained very much the same. That's the mark of a good show, able to play a narrative ace and only continue to trend upward with the tables drastically turned.

The final Yellowstone episodes -- at least in this iteration -- begin at the end with something that is so spoiler-ific the would be a crime to share in digital ink in this space. But suffice it to say the world of Yellowstone has been turned upside down, and these final six episodes explore both the immediate and long-ranging implications of what is the turning point of all turning points for the series as it stands right now. In many ways, despite this massive turn of events, these final six episodes represent Yellowstone in its purest form, maybe amplified through the prism of what's happened but certainly seeing every piece moved, in many ways as expected, yet still here with a unique feel and flair as the movements are shaped by what's transpired as the episodes begin.

So, with that said, these final episodes pack a punch, albeit a punch that maybe feels, in the end, more or less on the level as the show has delivered throughout its run, just from a new angle. The season, of course, aims to progress story lines, deepen character relations, and sort out some of the overhanging (and underpinning) political elements that serve to deepen divides and add to the show's spice. But it'a all here in top form and playing the familiar angles, which is a good thing in the broad overview, but maybe fans might have wanted to see the show take its turn a little further; even with what transpires on the screen (and, really, most fans know all too well if they've been following the off-screen drama around the show) making an inexplicably huge wave, Yellowstone is still Yellowstone, just...different. If that makes sense.

Of course, on the technical side of things, these final six episodes are also Yellowstone through-and-through. There's not a thoughtless shot, a poorly realized dramatic moment, or a bad bit of acting. It's as polished as ever, brimming with the same narrative depth and detail, the same exacting and excruciating technical detail, and the same dependable drama, the same vicious and violent movements, and the same A-list acting. Reaching the end hasn't led to any cut corners, and if anything the show strives to shine its brightest even when its brightest no longer lends its light to the show.

Yellowstone: Season 5 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Paramount releases the final six episodes of Yellowstone to Blu-ray with another dazzling 1080p transfer. As always, the show just looks astounding, boasting superb clarity in practically every shot with off-the chart levels of texture and detail, seeming to push the 1080p resolution towards its upper limits. Viewers will see depth to scars and pores, fine detail on skin, and countable stands of hair. Likewise, environmental definition is top notch, both on complex manmade interiors and breathtaking natural vistas which still haven't grown tiresome this deep into the franchise's run, and certainly not tiresome at 1080p. The image is rich and abundant in every way. The same goes for colors. They are fully saturated, accurate, and consistently gorgeous. This goes for sprawling natural greens, warm woods, red blood, colorful attire, and all sorts of other tones scattered throughout. White balance is excellent, black depth is super, and I spotted only the faintest traces of encode anomalies. This is a striking transfer from Paramount.

Yellowstone: Season 5 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Yellowstone's fifth season ships with the series standard Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack. It delivers big moments and subtle elements alike with exacting precision. Light score during the dramatic opening moments of the second half's first episode are perfectly enveloping and naturally stable, and paired with background support elements outside build up one of the most emotional scenes in the season and the series. Gentle bass helps add weight to key score elements while it can amplify as necessary. Balance is wonderful, with the full stage consistently working to immerse the listener into the series' expert sound design that never leaves sounds out of place, too high, too low, or in any way absent excellence. Dialogue is clear, centered, and perfectly prioritized for the duration. This may not be a track that elevates to the levels of "special" or "memorable," but it is a finely tuned and balanced bit of audio engineering, evident in every shot, scene, and sequence.

Yellowstone: Season 5 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This three-disc Blu-ray release of Yellowstone's second half of season five includes all extras on disc three. Paramount has also included five collectible Yellowstone-themed postcards. No DVD or digital copies are included with purchase. This release does ship with a non embossed slipcover.

• Redemption: A Season of Change (1080p, 32:59): This piece begins with a deep focus on Sheridan's genius and through that explores characters, performances, the scope and span of the entire story arc, key moments throughout the story run, and more.
• Moments in Time with Photographer Emerson Miller (1080p, 8:10): The Yellowstone photographer discusses his work on the series, capturing countless iconic moments, one frame at a time.
• The Heartbeat of Yellowstone: Chief Joseph Ranch (1080p, 11:00): Shane Libel, owner of the real ranch that serves as the setting for Yellowstone, shares its history and guides audiences around the now iconic location. Additionally, cast and crew share their memories of working on the set.
• Yellowstone: Stories from the Bunkhouse (1080p): Tales from the making of each episode with Denim Richards, Ian Bohen, and Jefferson White who provide a both humorous and somber studies of each episode. Included are segments for Desire Is All You Need (12:55), The Apocalypse of Change (9:39), Three Fifty-Three (11:17), Counting Coup (11:31), Give the World Away (8:27), Life Is a Promise (20:16), Ranch Retrospective (8:55), and Wheeler of Misfortune (7:13). Note that the final two are not episode recaps.

Yellowstone: Season 5 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

So this seems to be it for Yellowstone, at least in this mainline iteration. However, there are a couple of follow-up/soft sequel/spin-off/whatever shows in production: The Madison and Y: Marshals which promise to keep the momentum going within the current generation of the Yellowstone legacy. But what a ride it's been! Yellowstone's explosion into the TV scene, popular culture, and the American essence has been nothing short of astonishing, meteoric, and by the numbers very well deserved. It's the epitome of modern TV and it propelled Sheridan to writer-creator stardom, whose golden pen keeps cranking out hit after hit. But Yellowstone will always his be his masterpiece, and Paramount has nicely wrapped it up with a season five, part two Blu-ray that offers all six episodes on two discs, plus a bonus third disc that houses special features. As with previous seasons, video and audio presentations are top notch. Obviously, this one comes highly recommended.