The Madison has a 63% Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer for Season 1 and a 57/100 Metascore in the inspected October 8, 2026 snapshot. Those scores put it below several prominent Sheridan titles, although Metacritic ties it with Yellowstone. The rankings measure different things, so neither is a definitive list of every Sheridan show.
How The Madison’s scores compare
The figures below are snapshots inspected on October 8, 2026. Rotten Tomatoes reports season-level Tomatometer scores; Metacritic’s Sheridan ranking uses series-level Metascores. The numbers are therefore useful for comparisons within each service, not as if they were one shared scale.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
The Madison: Season One | $28.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![Madison [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51budp7X2cL._SL160_.jpg)
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Madison [Blu-ray] | Buy on Amazon | |
| 3 |
![The Bridges of Madison County [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51jWdz+X81L._SL160_.jpg)
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The Bridges of Madison County [Blu-ray] | $8.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![Madison County - Unrated [3D Blu-ray] [Alemania] [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61xb0WwkVAL._SL160_.jpg)
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Madison County - Unrated [3D Blu-ray] [Alemania] [Blu-ray] | $78.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
![The Bridges of Madison County [Blu-ray] by Warner Home Video by Clint Eastwood](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51+cCi1lq7L._SL160_.jpg)
|
The Bridges of Madison County [Blu-ray] by Warner Home Video by Clint Eastwood | $24.87 | Buy on Amazon |
| Service and scope | Title | Score |
| Rotten Tomatoes, Season 1 | The Madison | 63% Tomatometer, from 52 critic reviews |
| Rotten Tomatoes, Season 1 | 1883 | 89% Tomatometer |
| Rotten Tomatoes, Season 1 | 1923 | 88% Tomatometer |
| Rotten Tomatoes, Season 2 | Landman | 83% Tomatometer |
| Rotten Tomatoes, Season 1 | Yellowstone | 58% Tomatometer |
| Metacritic, series ranking | The Madison | 57/100 Metascore |
| Metacritic, series ranking | Yellowstone | 57/100 Metascore |
| Metacritic, series ranking | Lioness | 61/100 Metascore |
| Metacritic, series ranking | Tulsa King | 66/100 Metascore |
| Metacritic, series ranking | 1883 | 69/100 Metascore |
| Metacritic, series ranking | 1923 | 71/100 Metascore |
On Rotten Tomatoes, The Madison trails 1883, 1923, and Landman Season 2, but edges above Yellowstone Season 1. That last comparison is season-to-season: Yellowstone’s later seasons can score differently. Metacritic instead places The Madison level with Yellowstone and below the other listed series. See Rotten Tomatoes’ Taylor Sheridan guide and Metacritic’s Sheridan series ranking.
What the scores do—and do not—tell you
Rotten Tomatoes: critic approval and audience response differ
The 63% Tomatometer reflects the share of counted critic reviews classified as positive; it is not an average rating out of 100. Rotten Tomatoes also showed a 72% Popcornmeter from 500+ audience ratings in the same October 8, 2026 snapshot. That gap indicates a more favorable audience response than critic response on that service, but the two measures use different groups and should not be treated as interchangeable scores. Rotten Tomatoes’ The Madison page listed the critic and audience figures.
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Metacritic: a separate weighted score
Metacritic’s 57/100 Metascore is categorized as mixed or average, and its page showed a user score based on 49 ratings at the inspected date. The Metascore is distinct from Rotten Tomatoes’ percentage and from Metacritic’s user rating; a figure from one system cannot be directly converted into the other. Scores may also change as reviews are added.
Why critics are divided on The Madison
The positive case centers on Michelle Pfeiffer, the performances more broadly, and the striking locations. Rotten Tomatoes’ listed critics consensus says the series is “satisfying enough” as an addition to Sheridan’s universe. The reservations focus on pace, melodrama, and writing. Those are attributed critical reactions, not objective descriptions that every viewer will share.
Rank #2
- Blu-ray
Review excerpts on Metacritic illustrate the split: Newsday’s Verne Gay notes the beauty and good performances but also hokey stretches, while Empire’s David Opie criticizes writing he considers stagnant, awkward, and predictable. Metacritic’s review page collects the excerpts.
How its style differs from other Sheridan dramas
The Madison leans into a contained, character-focused family story rather than the plot-led action and crime elements associated with several other Sheridan series. Actor Kevin Zegers described the distinction in a TV Insider interview published March 13, 2026: “There’s less of a net on this show because it’s just about people, and there’s no plot twist that’s going to drive the story forward.” That quieter approach may appeal to viewers seeking intimate character drama; viewers looking for momentum driven by action or twists may find its pace less satisfying. TV Insider interviewed Zegers about the series.
Rank #3
- Blu-ray
- Multiple Formats, Blu-ray, NTSC
- English (Published), English (Original Language)
- 1
- 135
Which Taylor Sheridan show has the best reviews?
Among the titles and measures in these rankings, 1923 leads the listed Metacritic series scores at 71/100, while 1883 has the highest listed Rotten Tomatoes season score at 89% for Season 1. That is not a universal winner across every Sheridan project: the Rotten Tomatoes comparison is season-based, Metacritic’s is series-level, and the rankings do not provide a complete, consistently scoped comparison of every show associated with Sheridan.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where to watch The Madison
Rotten Tomatoes lists The Madison as streaming on Paramount+ and available to buy on Fandango. Availability can vary by location and change over time; check the service listings for your region.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
