101 Best Western Movies of All Time

Reviews and rankings of the best western movies are, of course, ultimately subjective.  But we aimed to be as objective as possible by evaluating each film against the same consistent criteria.  These criteria account for various aspects of each film's reputation.  A film's reputation can shift over time, so we weighted the most consistent critical and audience assessments most heavily.  Still, a standout performance or notable craftsmanship can earn a title a spot even if it isn't widely known.  

Films that fit the broad Neo-Western subgenre are included. Films that draw only limited influence from Westerns and belong more squarely to other genres, like science fiction or crime drama, are not. 

List of criteria categories

Key criteria categories include: 

• Influence

• Craftsmanship

• Performances

• Historical significance

• Entertainment value

And for those interested in the full list, here it is.  Without further ado, The 101 best western movies of all time.

Directed by Evil Dead and Spider-Man’s Sam Raimi, The Quick and the Dead sees some of the biggest Hollywood stars of the ‘90s delivering their own spin on the revisionist Western.  Sharon Stone stars as “The Lady”, a gunfighter who travels to the town of Redemption and competes in a shooting tournament in hopes of getting revenge for her father’s death.  Unforgiven’s Gene Hackman returns to the Western genre as a villainous outlaw, with the cast also featuring Russell Crowe and a pre-Titanic Leonardo DiCaprio.

Synopsis

Seeking to avenge the death of her father, a gunslinger known as “The Lady” (Sharon Stone) travels to the town of Redemption and enters a shooting tournament hosted by outlaw mayor John Herrod (Gene Hackman).

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A somewhat rare example of a relatively recent Western appropriate for younger viewers, this Dreamworks animated feature follows Spirit (Matt Damon), a Kiger mustang living in the Old West who is captured by the U.S. military during the American Indian Wars.  The film was well received by most critics, being compared favorably to other animated features of the time.  It was praised for featuring striking visuals as well as for being satisfying for both children and adults.

Synopsis

During the American Indian Wars, Kiger mustang Spirit (Matt Damon) is captured by American soldiers before being rescued by a Lakota man and a fellow horse.

Best For:

Viewers seeking a Western appropriate for children and adults.

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A Danish production, The Salvation offers modern takes on classic and Spaghetti Western aesthetics.  Set shortly after the Civil War, it follows a Danish settler (Mads Mikkelsen) seeking revenge for his wife’s murder.  The performances of Mikkelsen and other cast members such as Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Eva Green were praised.

Synopsis

In post-Civil War America, Danish settler Jon’s (Mads Mikkelsen) mission of vengeance brings him into conflict with land baron Henry Delarue (Jeffrey Dean Morgan).

Best For:

Fans of the well-known leading actors. 

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A spiritual sequel to a beloved classic, Blackthorn presents a fictional tale following an aged Butch Cassidy (Sam Shepard), the real-life outlaw more famously portrayed by Paul Newman.

Also featuring an appearance by the Sundance Kid, with Pádraic Delaney taking on the role made famous by Robert Redford, Blackthorn was accepted as a solid addition to the Western canon despite the storied reputation of its predecessor.  Shepard’s performance, in particular, was praised.

Synopsis

20 years after his famed disappearance, an aged Butch Cassidy (Sam Shepard) attempts to return to America.

Best For:

Western fans interested in a different take on the real-life outlaws from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

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Although not the most widely known, this thriller is celebrated as an unconventional, creative addition to the genre.  The plot follows a pair of white sisters (Brit Marling and Hailee Steinfeld – returning to Westerns after her Oscar nominated turn in True Grit) and an African American slave (Muna Otaru) who must defend themselves from a pair of rogue soldiers.  The Keeping Room is noted as an uncompromising, intense depiction of the dangers women and people of color faced in the Western historical period.

Synopsis

During the American Civil War three women (Brit Marling, Hailee Steinfeld, and Muna Otaru) must band together to defend themselves against rogue soldiers.

Best For:

Thriller or horror fans looking West. 

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Another depiction of female experiences in the West, The Homesman was also praised for the performances of its star-studded cast.  Focusing on an unlikely duo paid to transport several women being driven to madness by pioneer life, the film is mostly noted as a showcase for the acting of Tommy Lee Jones (who also directed the film) and Hilary Swank.  Meryl Streep and Hailee Steinfeld also appear.

Synopsis

Mary Bee Cuddy (Hilary Swank) and George Briggs’ (Tommy Lee Jones) work transporting a group of suffering women highlights the difficulties of frontier life.

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Idris Elba, Zazie Beetz, and Regina King lead one of the few predominantly Black casts in a major Western in this critical favorite from 2021.  With several cast members playing real figures from the historical West, the film follows outlaw Nat Love (Jonathan Majors) who plans to hunt down his old enemy Rufus Buck (Elba) when the latter is released from prison.  Although the Netflix-produced film only received a limited theatrical release it was one of the most popular titles of the year, earning several awards and other accolades.

Synopsis

Outlaw Nat Love (Jonathan Majors) calls his gang back together to seek revenge when old foe Rufus Buck (Idris Elba) is released from prison.

Best For:

Viewers interested in a Western focused on a more diverse cast than is common for the genre.

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Slow West’s depiction of the contrast between the earnest (if sometimes misguided) hope born of love and the harsh realities of survival in the West earned director John Maclean and its lead actors well-deserved acclaim.  Young Scotsman Jay Cavendish’s (Kodi Smit-McPhee) determination to find his childhood love, who emigrated to the American West with her father, takes him far but cannot protect him from the hostile surroundings and locals he encounters.  Jay hires Irish bounty hunter Silas Selleck (Michael Fassbender) as a bodyguard, with their unconventional partnership changing both men in unexpected ways.

Synopsis

A young Scotsman hires an Irish bounty hunter to help search the American West for his lost love.

Best For:

Those looking for effective, modern revisionist Westerns or simply a short but powerful drama film.

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Widely considered one of the best films of the current decade, if not century, Jane Campion’s adaptation of the 1967 novel of the same name blends Western aesthetics with an intimate story of psychological drama and earned Campion the Academy Award for Best Director along with many other accolades.  When wealthy ranch-owner George Burbank (Jesse Plemons) marries widow Rose Gordon (Kirsten Dunst), George’s brother Phil (Benedict Cumberbatch) is outraged at having to accept Rose and her son Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee) into his life.  Although Phil torments Peter for not showing what he views as proper masculinity, the pair come to learn that they have more in common than expected.

Synopsis

George Burbank’s (Jesse Plemons) marriage to Rose Gordon (Kirsten Dunst) ignites a dangerous battle of wills between George’s brother, Phil (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Rose’s son Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee).

Best For:

Those who follow recent award-winning films or want to see a Western focusing on unconventional, complex characters.

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Frequent Western director and star Kevin Costner is joined by Robert Duvall in this revisionist entry.  Open range cattleman Boss Spearman (Duvall) and his crew, including Charley Waite (Costner), develop a feud with Montana cattle baron Denton Baxter (Michael Gambon) that escalates to violence.  Critics were particularly complimentary of both the onscreen dynamic between Duvall and Costner and the film’s action scenes, which were considered much more realistic than those of other recent studio films.

Synopsis

In this revisionist Western from director Kevin Costner, a cattleman must call upon his old skills as a gunslinger when his crew’s feud with a cattle baron turns violent.

Best For:

Kevin Costner fans and action movie experts.

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Although not successful commercially, this recent entry is well-regarded, particularly for Bill Pullman’s leading performance.  Pullman plays the titular character, a frontiersman hunting the outlaws who shot and killed his friend, a recently elected Senator.  Peter Fonda and Pullman’s son Lewis, who has recently become a rising star due to his roles in blockbusters Top Gun: Maverick and Thunderbolts*, also appear.

Synopsis

Montana frontiersman Lefty Brown (Bill Pullman) seeks revenge for the murder of a friend who was recently elected Senator.

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Loosely based on a true historical incident, Meek’s Cutoff follows a group of pioneers, including Emily Tetherow (Michelle Williams) who come to suspect that their guide, Stephen Meek (Bruce Greenwood) has not selected a safe route through the Oregon High Desert for their wagon train.  Although perhaps overshadowed by the Coen Brothers’ remake of Western classic True Grit, released the same year, Meek’s Cutoff is well-regarded, especially for its focus on themes of survival.  It is also notable as a rare example of a modern film shot in the old Academy aspect ratio (1.37:1) which was commonly used by classic Hollywood Westerns.

Synopsis

Based on a true story, Meek’s Cutoff follows a group of settlers’ treacherous journey across the American West.

Best For:

Cinephiles interested in films with unusual visual styles.

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Director and co-writer Ed Harris also stars in this modern take on the traditional Western, joined by Viggo Mortensen.  Although some reviews were slightly critical of its pacing, the cast’s work was generally praised.  Some critics also compared the romantic storyline favorably to those in other Westerns.

Synopsis

While fighting to protect a small town from a ruthless rancher, the friendship between a pair of lawmen is threatened when they meet a widow.

Best For:

Fans of the cast and those interested in the romantic side of Westerns.

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The beloved time travel trilogy ends by sending Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) and Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) further back in history than ever, for an installment that blends the usual ‘80s sci-fi comedy with Western genre tropes.  Marty and Doc’s quest to escape 1885 leads to plenty of old-fashioned spins on the classic gags from the previous Back to the Future films, but Part III is also praised for providing emotionally satisfying conclusions to the characters’ trilogy-long arcs.  Plus, who wouldn’t love a flying, time-traveling steam engine?

Synopsis

Following the second film’s cliffhanger ending, the Back to the Future trilogy concludes with Marty and Doc trying to escape dangerous fates in the Old West.

Best For:

Fans of the Back to the Future franchise and those interested in the mixture of ‘80s blockbuster and various styles of Western filmmaking.

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While many Westerns emphasize the frightening physical and emotional difficulties of frontier life, this indie hit goes further, fully embracing the trappings of the horror genre.  At the end of the 19th century, the isolation and other stresses of life in New Mexico prairie land led to a series of disturbing incidents for a group of settlers.  As the brutality continues, Lizzy Macklin (Caitlin Gerard) and Emma Harper (Julia Goldani Telles) come to suspect that the threats they face may be supernatural.

Synopsis

In 19th century New Mexico, a small group of prairie settlers contend with psychological and supernatural horrors.

Best For:

Horror fans also interested in Westerns.

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A South Korean reimagining of Clint Eastwood and Sergio Leone’s iconic The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, this 2000s action thriller was met with a warm reception of its own.  Many reviews described the film as creative and highly entertaining, with the action sequences in particular receiving praise.  However, some evaluations were critical of either the plot and/or use of humor throughout.

Synopsis

Director Kim Jee-woon delivers an exhilarating reimagining of a Western classic with this action thriller.

Best For:

Action movie and Korean cinema fans.

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his Western set martial arts comedy successfully unites a pair of wildly mismatched heroes.  When Chinese Imperial Guard Chon Wang (Jackie Chan) travels to the American West to rescue a princess, he runs afoul of outlaw Roy O’Bannon (Owen Wilson), only for the pair to ultimately team up against an international conspiracy.  The combination of satirical, comedic takes on Western tropes and explosive martial arts action was well-received.

Synopsis

Both hilarity and intense thrills ensue when a martial arts master and cowboy come together in the Old West.

Best For:

Fans of martial arts, studio comedy, and spoof films.

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This Mel Brooks satire is both arguably the most famous parodic take on the Western and an overall Hollywood comedy classic.  However, its provocative nature, which caused it to receive a mixed reception upon initial release, continues to divide modern viewers.  Particularly intense is the debate over the film’s handling of topics of racism, though somewhat ironically this has also likely further cemented its status as an important product in pop culture history.

Synopsis

Mel Brooks’ satire of movie Westerns is also a turning point in self-aware, onscreen comedy.

Best For:

Western fans looking for a spoof of the genre, and people interested in controversial comedy.

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Best known as the movie that finally got Leonardo DiCaprio an Oscar win, this 2015 thriller is also praised for its visual style and realistic action sequences.  Although based on a novel which in turn focused on a real-life figure, the film did receive criticism for significant deviations from historical fact, though this ultimately did little to reduce its success.  Director of photography Emmanuel Lubezki also won the Oscar for Best Cinematography.

Synopsis

This award-winning action drama is considered one of Leonardo DiCaprio’s best films.

Best For:

Fans of DiCaprio and other starring actors.

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Although not commercially successful, this adaptation of a novel about a pair of famed historical outlaws is often celebrated as one of the most epic modern Westerns.  The film is perhaps most famous for the unique visuals crafted by cinematographer Roger Deakins, though the performances from lead actors Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck are also frequently commended.  However, some less generous appraisals object to the film’s length and pacing.

Synopsis

Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck shine in this sweeping drama that has alternatively been called epic and slow.

Best For

Viewers who closely study cinematography and acting.

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Samuel L. Jackson leads the eclectic cast of writer-director Quentin Tarantino’s second Western.  Known for its wintery scenery, complex mystery plot, and the lengthy runtimes of both the theatrical and extended editions, The Hateful Eight was largely embraced by both Tarantino devotees and other moviegoers.  However, it was also subject to many of the criticisms commonly leveled at the director, regarding the use of graphically violent and racist content.

Synopsis

Quentin Tarantino brings together an all-star cast for a grandiose Western mystery.

Best For:

Tarantino fans and other viewers who prefer long movies.

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Noted as a rare example of a recent film that comes across as an old-fashioned star vehicle, News of the World sees Tom Hanks play a Civil War veteran tasked with bringing a young, kidnapped girl back to safety.  Hanks’ performance and that of his child co-star Helena Zengel were praised, with some critics also noting the story’s relevance to current events.  That said, critics were somewhat divided over the film’s pacing and what some viewed as uneventful qualities.

Synopsis

After the Civil War, a Confederate soldier making a living reading newspapers to townspeople is charged with taking a young kidnapping victim to safety.

Best For:

Fans of Tom Hanks.

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Based on a novel of the same name, The Sisters Brothers features John C. Reilly and Joaquin Phoenix as the title characters, a familial hit man team hired to hunt down another duo searching for golden treasure.  The film was a box office bomb but received positive reviews.  Critics were especially complimentary of the acting, particularly the unexpected combination of leads, and the film’s sense of humor.

Synopsis

The unconventional team of John C. Reilly and Joaquin Phoenix star in this comedic Western.

Best For:

Fans of the featured actors.

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Chloé Zhao’s second film is this acclaimed contemporary Western, which paved the way for the filmmaker’s wider successes with subsequent films Nomadland and Hamnet, the former being a Best Picture winner that also earned her the Oscar for Best Director.  Many of the distinctive qualities of Zhao’s filmography are apparent in The Rider, including the casting of nonprofessional actors and striking compositions highlighting real location settings.  The film was also praised for its realistic portrayal of a story inspired by true events.

Synopsis

This striking modern Western was a breakthrough success for future Oscar winner Chloé Zhao.

Best For:

Fans of independent cinema and those who follow popular auteurs.

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Based on a story by Donald E. Scott, director Scott Cooper’s haunting odyssey confronts the historic injustices and problematic social dynamics inherently tied to the Western genre.  In the 1890s, U.S. Army Captain Joseph “Joe” Blocker (Christian Bale) reluctantly accepts an assignment to lead a unit transporting imprisoned Cheyenne chief Yellow Hawk (Wes Studi) back to his ancestral homeland in Montana before his death, despite the two men sharing a violent history.  Bale and Studi make the shifting dynamic between the group leaders mesmerizing, with Rosamund Pike and Rory Cochran also delivering scene stealing performances as especially traumatized group members.

Synopsis

A U.S. Army unit’s mission to transport a dying Cheyenne prisoner leads to reckonings with concepts of hatred, violence, justice, and forgiveness in this chilling Western.

Best For:

Those interested in serious reflections on the historical context of the Western genre.

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This Australian production was critically acclaimed despite, and often because of, its especially bleak, brutal tone.  Many critics described The Proposition as especially original and unusual, with the cast’s acting, particularly that of Danny Huston, also receiving many compliments.  Praise was also directed at the visual depiction of the Australian outback.

Synopsis

This especially brutal Western is critically revered as a distinctive entry in the genre.

Best For:

Viewers who follow critical favorites and appreciate particularly dark films.

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The Spaghetti Western subgenre produced some of the best western films in cinema history, originating from films made in Italy and/or by Italian artists.  Director Sergio Leone was instrumental in popularizing the style internationally, especially through his films made with famed partners such as Clint Eastwood and composer Ennio Morricone.

Spaghetti Westerns feature especially prominent depictions of moral ambiguity, with many of their protagonists fitting the antihero archetype, and both cartoonish and graphic violence.  These qualities earned disdain from some contemporary critics, especially American ones, but the best westerns in this mold were quickly embraced by wide audiences.  Critical opinion, particularly on films from Leone, Eastwood, and other famous figures also quickly shifted, with many Spaghetti Westerns having long since been considered classics.

While Spirit is noted for being a seriously reflective Western despite its family friendly tone, Rango approaches the genre in ways one might be quicker to expect from a family friendly animated studio film.  However, it does so quite successfully and was embraced with a similarly positive reception.  The film won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature and serves as a child-friendly alternative to genre spoofs like Blazing Saddles.

Synopsis

After being stranded in a desert outpost, a former pet iguana (Johnny Depp) strives to become the town’s sheriff in this animated Western.

Best For:

Family audiences and those looking for less transgressional humor.

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Revered as one of the most epic films in Hollywood history, How the West Was Won is also known for its complex production process, with several unconventional techniques being used to complete the ambitious project.  The film’s story follows a pioneer family and related characters’ experiences over a span of decades, the plot structured in five episodic sections set during different historical periods.  Henry Hathaway directed three of the sections, with John Ford and George Marshall helming those focused on the Civil War and development of the railroad industry, respectively.  

Synopsis

Directed by a trio of celebrated filmmakers and featuring an extensive ensemble of Golden Age Hollywood stars, this historical epic is one of the most comprehensive cinematic depictions of the West.

Best For:

Those interested in classical Hollywood, unique visual styles, and lengthy, epic narratives.

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One of the few Hollywood films to come close to How the West Was Won in terms of the production’s sheer ambition and complexity, Heaven’s Gate is unfortunately most famous for being one of the biggest disasters in industry history.  The film’s immense box office failure and the abysmal reviews received upon initial release drastically altered the career trajectory of director Michael Cimino, despite his previous Oscar-winning success with The Deer Hunter, and is generally considered responsible for the end of United Artists’ history as an independent studio.  However, many critical reappraisals have been radically different in more recent years, with several of the film’s various cuts instead being embraced as unique examples of an auteur’s distinct vision and even misunderstood masterpieces.

Synopsis

Michael Cimino’s 1980 epic is infamous for its troubled production history and effects on the American film industry, though more recent critics have reappraised it as a unique gem.

Best For:

Those interested in controversial or troubled films and those which had significant impacts on the industry.

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Although an Italian/French co-production, director Sergio Corbucci crafted this Spaghetti Western in response to international political events, including the deaths of leftist leaders such as Che Guevara and Malcolm X.  The unconventionally bleak, politically charged narrative resulted in mixed reactions from contemporary European audiences and prevented 20th Century Fox from distributing the film in the American market.  In the intervening years, and especially due to various theatrical re-releases, the film has received intense acclaim, with it often being noted as a key installment in the Spaghetti Western subgenre.  It is also known for its score, which was composed by Western icon Ennio Morricone.

Synopsis

This brutal tale of Western violence has become a cult favorite following controversial early reactions.  

Best For:

Fans of Corbucci and Morricone’s work, as well as politically divisive or cult films.

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Written, produced, and directed by the influential Richard Brooks, this revisionist entry earned commercial and especially critical success.  Based on a novel by Frank O’Rourke, the film follows a group of mercenaries hired to rescue a bride kidnapped during the Mexican Revolution.  Despite its action-heavy nature, The Professionals was nominated for several prestigious awards, including the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Drama.

Synopsis

This action-packed revisionist Western was a 1960s critical favorite.

Best For:

Viewers interested in historical award nominees.

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This Charlton Heston vehicle was based on a specific episode of television series The Westerner, making it a relatively early example of a film adaptation of a property originated on television, rather than the inverse, which has often been more common.  The film received praise for its perceived realism and less romanticized depiction of the West.  It has often been described as a highlight of Heston’s career, with the actor himself having agreed.

Synopsis

Charlton Heston considered this gritty Western a career peak.

Best For:

Fans of Heston.

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The second cinematic adaptation of Elmore Leonard’s short story “Three-Ten to Yuma” was considered by many critics to be equally as impressive as the well-regarded 1950s original.  Director James Mangold’s remake features an impressive lineup of both established and then up and coming stars.  The film’s success foreshadowed the director’s and several of the actors’ later successes in the Western genre, with Christian Bale and Russell Crowe’s lead performances, in particular, being praised.

Synopsis

Christian Bale stars as an impoverished rancher hired to pursue a dangerous fugitive (Russell Crowe) in this early hit from acclaimed director James Mangold. 

Best For:

Fans of Mangold and the cast.

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Based on a novel of the same name, The Ox-Bow Incident features Henry Fonda and Harry Morgan (credited as Henry Morgan) as a pair of cowboys who join a posse of Nevada townspeople looking to hunt down and lynch a murderer. The film received positive reviews and was nominated for the Oscar for Best Picture.  It is noted for being an early example of a film that presented a more ambiguous, or even critical, portrayal of Old West notions of justice.

Synopsis

In 1880s Nevada, a pair of cowboys (Henry Fonda and Harry Morgan) join a posse hunting down a murderer, though one group member (Harry Davenport) questions the ethics of mob justice.

Best For:

Viewers interested in challenging the morality of traditional Westerns.

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Based on written accounts of the titular historical mountain man, this 1972 drama was directed by Sydney Pollack.  Robert Redford stars as Johnson with his performance and the film as a whole generally being well-received.  It was particularly successful at the box office, despite some reviews’ criticisms of the film’s pacing.

Synopsis

Robert Redford stars as the historical mountain man in this early ‘70s hit.

Best For:

Fans of Redford.

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This Technicolor film features Gregory Peck as a New England sea captain who moves to his fiancée’s large family ranch in Texas, only to get involved in a local land feud.  Although contemporary reviews were mixed, the film’s visual style and Burl Ives’ performance, which earned him both the Academy and Golden Globe awards for Best Supporting Actor, were consistently praised.  The Big Country is also noted as one of few films in which Charlton Heston plays a supporting, rather than lead, role.

Synopsis

New England sea captain James McKay (Gregory Peck) is drawn into a land feud in his fiancee’s home state of Texas.

Best For:

Fans of Peck, Ives, or Heston.

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This neo-Western action movie was both the feature debut of cult favorite writer director Robert Rodriguez, and the first installment in his so-called “Mexico Trilogy.”  Earning commercial success on a famously small budget, El Mariachi features some of the distinctive elements of Rodriguez’s filmography, such as noticeably fast editing and camera movements and the sometimes comical use of graphic violence.

Synopsis

This Spanish-language neo-Western was the feature debut of distinctive filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, establishing his singular style.

Best For:

Fans of Rodriguez and those interested in films that earned major success despite low budgets.

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Legendary director Robert Altman’s 1971 drama is considered instrumental to the widespread increase in popularity of the revisionist Western subgenre at the time.  Based on the novel McCabe, the film depicts gambler and rumored gunfighter John McCabe’s (Warren Beatty) and madam Constance Miller’s (Julie Christie) partnership in the establishment and management of a successful brothel in a small Washington State town.  

The film is celebrated for effectively subverting the usual dynamics and tropes expected of Westerns at the time, with Altman having acknowledged this intent by referring to it as an “anti-Western”.  The film is also interpreted as a critique of capitalism.  Christie’s performance earned her a Best Actress nomination.

Synopsis

Robert Altman’s epic revisionist Western represented a groundbreaking turning point for the genre.

Best For:

Followers of Altman’s work and those interested in the revisionist Western subgenre.

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Following Aboriginal Detective Jay Swan’s (Aaron Pedersen) investigation of a local teenager’s murder in the Australian perspective, Mystery Road is praised for effectively blending neo-Western storytelling with a strong national perspective.  The film is also commended for its handling of social issues involved in the crime drama plot.  Pedersen’s performance was praised, with the film’s success leading him to reprise the role in both a sequel film, Goldstone, and television spin-off, also titled Mystery Road.

Synopsis

Aboriginal Detective Jay Swan (Aaron Pedersen) investigates a homicide in the Australian outback in this neo-Western.

Best For:

Viewers interested in modern neo-Westerns or international interpretations of the genre.

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After making his directorial debut with contemporary thriller Play Misty for Me, the second film Clint Eastwood helmed, in addition to starring in, saw him return to the cinematic West.  Eastwood plays the mysterious Stranger, who is hired to help the people of a small town defend themselves from outlaws they’ve developed a feud with, though portions of the plot emphasize that the Stranger is no hero, even alluding to him being supernatural in nature.  The film’s dark tone and ruthless characterization of the lead made it somewhat divisive upon release, but it also foreshadows more acclaimed, complex entries in the Western and other genres, including Eastwood’s own Unforgiven.

Synopsis

A deadly Stranger (Clint Eastwood) is hired to aid the people of a small town in their conflict with a band of outlaws.

Best For:

Fans of Eastwood and dark, antihero films.

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An early entry in the canon of widescreen films, this depiction of a journey across the Oregon Trail is notable for featuring both John Wayne in his first starring role and British silent star Tyrone Powers Sr.’s final completed, and only sound, film.  Two versions of the film were shot, one in a short-lived widescreen 70mm format and another in 35mm.  Both versions were edited separately from one another, and their visuals differ in ways beyond their aspect ratios.

Synopsis

In his first leading role, John Wayne plays a fur trapper protecting a group of pioneers traveling the Oregon Trail.

Best For:

Fans of Wayne and students of cinematography formats.

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Although The Shooting and another Western from director Monte Hellman, Ride in the Whirlwind, which were filmed back-to-back, received acclaim when shown at film festivals, they had difficulty securing distribution, with the Walter Reade Organization ultimately foregoing theatrical releases.  Despite only being screened sporadically on television, both films began to receive enthusiastic support from critics and are considered two of the first “acid Westerns” – a niche subset that mixes the aesthetics and themes of other Western subgenres with ideas from 1960s counterculture and surreal themes and imagery.  

The Shooting itself follows a pair of cowboys hired to help a woman (Millie Perkins) travel a desert to complete a mysterious personal mission, the outcome of which becomes increasingly abstract.  The addition of a femme fatale character like those in classic noir films is just one of many unusual aspects of this unconventional Western in which Jack Nicholson (a producer on the film) also appears as an assassin.

Synopsis

With chilling performances from Millie Perkins and Jack Nicholson, this esoteric Western became a critical favorite despite minimal initial releases.

Best For:

Fans of the director or featured actors, as well as those interested in surreal or little-known cinema.

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Part of the seven film “Ranown Cycle” of movies starring Randolph Scott, directed by Budd Boetticher and written by Burt Kennedy, Ride Lonesome is brief (73 minute run time), with sparse dialogue and uneasy tension increasing of a  journey over an unforgiving landscape. Bounty Hunter Ben Brigade (Randolph Scott) captures outlaw Billy John (James Best) and seeks to deliver him to stand trial for his crimes, all the while aware that Billy’s brother, Frank (Lee Van Cleef), will trail them and try to free Billy.

Synopsis

A bounty hunter lays a trap to exact revenge on his wife’s killer.

Best For:

Randolph Scott fans.

Genres:

A documentary, Sweetgrass depicts the life and work of modern shepherds following their flocks through Montana mountains for summer grazing. The film has no commentary and almost no dialogue.  A pure documentary, it simply follows a Norwegian-American family of herders, with no interviews of the subjects, on what turns out to be the last herding of the 104 years the family’s ranch was in operation.

Synopsis

Pure documentary chronicling the dying tradition of sheep herding through Montana mountains.

Best For:

Documentary lovers.

Genres:

One of five “morality” westerns directed by Anthony Mann with Jimmy Stewart playing the lead, The Naked Spur is acclaimed for its tight dialogue and vibrant Technicolor cinematography, unusual for films of this vintage. Stewart plays against type as emotionally scarred Civil War veteran Howard Kemp. Kemp becomes a bounty hunter and pursues the charming killer Ben Vandergroat (Robert Ryan) through the Colorado Rockies. Forced to enlist the help of other disreputable characters, Kemp finds his greed challenged by his love for Lina Patch (Janet Leigh).

Synopsis

Morality western starring Jimmy Stewart as a damaged bounty hunter struggling for redemption.

Best For:

Introspective cowboy and Jimmy Stewart fans.

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Last of the “Ranown Cycle” starring Randolph Scott, directed by Budd Boetticher and written by Burt Kennedy, Comanche Station is a taut commentary on human values.  Scott plays Jefferson Cody, a rugged loner willing to brave hostile territory to reunite a husband with his wife, who was kidnapped by Comanches. Cody is not concerned with any reward, acting simply based on his own morals.  His mission also forces Cody to face unforgiving landscapes and villain Ben Lane, who Cody helped court-martial for his murder of Native Americans.

Synopsis

Rugged loner endures danger and forgoes reward to reunite kidnapped wife with her husband.

Best For:

Western fans who appreciate frontier virtues.

Genres:

One of five collaborations between director Anthony Mann and star James Stewart, Winchester ’73 is considered a hybrid of the Western and film noir genres.  Stewart plays morally ambiguous cowboy Lin McAdam, with the plot following his hunt for outlaw Dutch Henry Brown and obsession with a stolen rifle.  McAdam and Brown’s final confrontation reveals the shockingly personal origins of their feud.

Synopsis

Jimmy Stewart tracks both an outlaw and a coveted rifle.

Best For:

Fans of Westerns, film noir, and Stewart. 

Genres:

Another of Mann’s collaborations with Stewart, Bend of the River continues the duo’s legacy of presenting psychological themes within the Western genre. Stewart plays Glyn McLyntock, hired to guide homesteaders to their destination in Oregon. McCyntock is a former border raider and is seeking to reform his ways. Although McLyntock saves Emerson Cole (Arthur Kennedy) from a lynching, Cole subsequently betrays him, endangering the group’s survival.

Synopsis

Jimmy Stewart plays a reformed raider vying for an upright life.

Best For:

Jimmy Stewart fans.

Genres:

One of the earliest major Westerns to feature a female lead character, Forty Guns stars Barbara Stanwyck as Jessica Drummond, boss of Cochise County which she runs with the help of forty hired guns. Lawman Griff Bonell (Barry Sullivan) becomes enamored by Jessica, after coming to town to serve a warrant.  While Jessica is likewise attracted to Griff and wants to employ him, a deadly feud ultimately breaks out between their families.

Synopsis

A ruthless woman’s rule of a small town is complicated by her relationship with a lawman.

Best For:

Viewers interested in early feminist takes on the genre.

Genres:

Starring Gregory Peck as Jimmy Ringo, The Gunfighter is a black and white Western noir hybrid, known for presenting a story that is noticeably less sentimental than viewers expected from the former genre at the time.  Based on assorted myths about the real-life Ringo, the film follows Peck’s version in an attempt to redeem himself for his violent past and reconcile with his family that is cut tragically short.  The film is notable as one of the earlier Westerns to focus on a morally ambiguous, seriously flawed lead.

Synopsis

A reformed gunfighter can’t escape his fate.

Best For:

Fans of noir and other ambiguous films.

Genres:

Directed by Nicholas Ray, this Western noir was unique for its time given the central focus on a conflict between two women, with male characters playing supporting roles. Business-minded Vienna (Joan Crawford) opens a saloon in a town expecting a railroad line. She is not welcomed by the townspeople, led by Emma Small (Mercedes Cambridge) who stokes the locals’ mob mentality against Vienna, falsely accusing her of conspiring with a gang of stagecoach robbers.  Contemporary American audiences were harshly critical of the film but international ones were quick to praise its innovative and stylistically unique qualities, which has led to a general shift towards acclaim from retrospective reviews.

Synopsis

A strong-willed woman confronts threats and false accusations while striving to forge a business in the expanding West.

Best For:

Viewers interested in feminist themes.

Genres:

Considered a favorite John Ford film by the director himself, Wagon Master tells the tale of the journey of Mormon settlers through the unforgiving Utah Territory.  After being expelled from a town due to their religious beliefs, the settlers engage two drifters to guide their wagon train through the desert to the San Juan River valley.  Wagon Train was not as immediately successful as some of Ford’s other Westerns but many retrospective critics have agreed with his evaluation of it as one of his best.

Synopsis

The journey of Mormon settlers escaping intolerance through hostile territory.

Best For:

Fans of Ford.

Genres:

Legendary filmmaker Fritz Lang helmed this Technicolor crime picture starring Marlene Dietrich.  Dietrich plays Altar Kane, matron of a hideout for outlaws, who a pair of suitors feud over.  Although some contemporary reviews compared the film unfavorably to previous works from both Lang and Dietrich, it has since come to be considered a classic.

Synopsis:

A widower and gunslinger vie for the affections of Altar Kane (Marlene Dietrich), owner of a ranch catering to outlaws.

Best for: 

Fans of Lang and Dietrich.

Genres:

Western, Crime

One of the five core films in Boetticher and Scott’s “Ranown Cycle,” this survival thriller sees Scott playing a ranch foreman who is abducted by outlaws alongside a married couple.  The Tall T is commended for both clever plotting and for giving the characters more nuances and complicated morals than many 1950s studio pictures.  Scott’s work is also praised.

Synopsis:

Part of the beloved “Ranown” Cycle.

Best for:

Fans of the cycle.

Genres:

Directed by Anthony Mann, this is a brooding, psychological film, exploring themes of vengeance and envy.  Jimmy Stewart stars as the mysterious Will Lockhart, a freight deliveryman who enters the town of Coronado, New Mexico, with a hidden agenda. Lockhart is obsessed with avenging the death of his brother, who was killed in an Apache ambush, and is searching for the supplier of the Apache’s modern rifles. Lockhart’s search entangles him in the dynastic Waggoman family’s internal conflicts. The last of Mann and Stewart’s collaborations, the film demonstrates Shakespearean influences and was one of the first Westerns filmed in Cinemascope.

Synopsis

A Western take on universal themes of envy, betrayal and vengeance.

Best For:

Fans of Westerns and Shakespeare.

Genres:

Another Anthony Mann film, The Furies is a story of a battle for control over a familial ranch.  Vance Jeffords (Barbara Stanwyck) is the ambitious daughter of the widowed, tyrannical T.C. Jeffords (Walter Huston). T.C. disapproves of his daughter’s choice of husband, and Vance reciprocates when T.C. plans to remarry. The father-daughter conflict, raising Oedipal and Freudian themes, is shot in a dark, noir style (Oscar-nominated for cinematography). Both father and daughter love the land they battle over, but it is portrayed as a dark landscape, and, therefore, a questionable prize.  Vance ultimately prevails by breaking her father financially; however, T.C. is shot and killed leaving Vance with the land, but alone. The film is aptly titled, with the Furies being goddesses of vengeance in Greek mythology, who seek to punish acts of family betrayal.

Synopsis

A dark, compelling portrait of the effects of unbridled ambition and pride.

Best For:

Film noir fans. 

Genres:

After robbing a bank, James “Stretch” Dawson (Gregory Peck) and his band of outlaws flee to a ghost town where they are opposed by the sole inhabitants, a fierce young woman named Mike (Anne Baxter) and her prospector grandfather (James Barton).  Based on an unpublished novel itself interpreted as an adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Tempest, the film is commended for William A. Wellman’s direction.  Yellow Sky is also noted as an early example of a film that subverts traditional expectations of gender roles.

Synopsis

Gregory Peck stars as an outlaw who finds himself in a ghost town where he encounters a powerful young woman (Anne Baxter).

Best For:

Viewers interested in early feminist films. 

Genres:

On their way to cash in on the Yukon Gold Rush, cowboy Jeff Webster (James Stewart) and his partner develop a feud with a corrupt judge.  The film is notable as one of few Westerns of the time to be set in Alaska, though it was not actually filmed in the state.  Its degree of moral ambiguity and focus on corruption also separate it from many contemporaries.

Synopsis

A pair of cowboys make enemies of a corrupt judge during the Yukon Gold Rush in this James Stewart vehicle.

Best For:

Fans of Stewart and Mann’s collaborations. 

Genres:

A young gunfighter referred to as “Nobody” (Terrence Hill) challenges his idol, Jack Beauregard (Peter Fonda) to take on the famed Wild Bunch, before retiring.  This comedic take on the Spaghetti Western was produced by the subgenre’s originator, Sergio Leone.  Leone was also involved in directing some sequences and there are conflicting recollections from cast and crew members about how much of the film he and credited director Tonino Valerii each shot.

Synopsis

A young peer challenges aging gunfighter Jack Beauregard (Peter Fonda) to take on the Wild Bunch before retiring.

Best For:

Viewers interested in a comedic spin on the Spaghetti Western made during the subgenre’s heyday.

Genres:

Hollywood swashbuckler Errol Flynn made a successful transition to Westerns with this entry from Casablanca director Michael Curtiz.  After moving to the titular Kansas city from Texas, cattle agent Wade Hatton (Flynn) is disturbed by its lawlessness and becomes sheriff.  This is one of many collaborations between Flynn and co-star Olivia de Havilland.

Synopsis

Errol Flynn plays a cattle agent who takes the job of sheriff in a lawless Kansas city.

Best For:

Fans of the lead actors.

Genres:

Although made in the traditional/classic Western period and style, this Gary Cooper and Burt Lancaster vehicle is considered an influential predecessor to later entries, particularly the Spaghetti Western subgenre.  The prominent focus on moral quandaries and the ethics, or lack thereof, of the characters of Vera Cruz was uncommon at its time, instead foreshadowing the more ambiguous evolutions of the genre that would soon begin.  The film’s influence on the work of both Sam Peckinpah and Sergio Leone is particularly pronounced, with many cast members from Vera Cruz appearing across their filmographies.

Synopsis

Gary Cooper and Burt Lancaster star as members of a mercenary troop that reconsiders its mission to transport a shipment of gold in this groundbreaking Western.

Best For:

Those interested in the transition from traditional Westerns to later subgenres. 

Genres:

Although its status as part of the Ranown Cycle is debated, Scott and Boetticher’s first collaboration is definitely itself considered a classic.  The simple but engrossing story of revenge foreshadowed not just Scott and Boetticher’s other projects, but many other Westerns and filmmakers.  Though producer John Wayne had the film recut before release, Boetticher’s original edit has since been restored.

Synopsis

Randolph Scott stars as a sheriff on a mission of revenge in the first of seven films uniting the actor with director Budd Boetticher.

Best For:

Fans of the Scott/Boetticher partnership.

Genres:

Viewed as an example of Western film noir, Day of the Outlaw is a black and white film showcasing a bleak, frozen landscape which tests the resilience of its inhabitants. Directed by André De Toth, the film follows Blaise Starrett (Robert Ryan), a cattleman who founded the apt-named town of Bitters, Wyoming. In love with a woman married to another man, and in conflict with newly arrived homesteaders, Starrett’s bitterness is compounded when a gang of outlaw ex-cavalrymen arrive terrorizing the town.

Synopsis

Led by its founder, a town divided by land disputes confronts a terrorizing gang in a frozen environment.

Best For:

Fans of tense, psychological Westerns.

Genres:

Directed by Sam Peckinpah, Ride the High Country is a prime example of the revisionist subgenre, breaking down clear cut heroes and villains into more complex and ambiguous characters. The movie stars iconic Western actors Joel McCrea and Randolph Scott as two old friends and ex-lawmen Steve Judd (McCrea) and Gil Westrum (Scott), transporting gold from a mining camp. Musing on personal integrity, loyalty and aging, the friends ultimately find themselves separated by betrayal.

Synopsis

Aging lawmen transporting gold confront perilous territory and conflicting morality.

Best For:

Viewers looking for a reflective, nostalgic ride.

Genres:

Directed by Anthony Mann, this psychological Western bursts the romanticized view of the West with a brutal display of the loneliness and ruthlessness of life on the frontier. Gregory Peck stars as Link Jones, a former criminal trying to reform himself and live an upright life. When his attempt to thwart train robbers fails, he and fellow passengers are left stranded.  Seeking to protect the innocent travelers, Link is forced to seek shelter with his former criminal gang led by his sadistic uncle. The film addresses the theme of destiny based on identity and the psychological weight of a violent past.

Synopsis

Reformed outlaw is forced to let the ends justify the means in order to protect innocents in a brutal environment.

Best For:

Viewers looking for realism and moral relativism.

Genres:

Jason Robards stars in the title role in this humorous tale of the eccentricities of the West. Directed by Sam Peckinpah, in a tonal departure highlighting the filmmaker’s range, the movie follows Hogue (Robards), a prospector betrayed by his partners and left for dead in the desert.  Hogue miraculously stumbles upon a waterhole, a discovery that saves his life and reawakens his fading entrepreneurial spirit. Hogue constructs a prosperous stagecoach stop around the waterhole with the help of quirky Western characters. Celebrating people often at the margins of society and shunned by many mainstream films, this is a character-driven Western focused on persistence rather than violence.

Synopsis

Near death, an eccentric prospector finds water and builds a stagecoach stop.

Best For:

Viewers looking for a humorous take on Western perseverance.

Genres:

This revisionist Western tells the story of the real-life James-Younger gang.  The James-Younger gang was a historic group of train and bank robbers led by Jesse James and consisting of five groups of brothers. The film is uniquely cast with four sets of brother actors portraying the roles. Directed by Walter Hill, the film is gritty and violent, de-romanticizing the outlaw life, as the gang is stalked by Pinkertons and bounty hunters.

Synopsis

Fleeing the law and bounty hunters, the James-Younger gang conducts daring robberies until its violent end.

Best For:

Viewers interested in history and ensemble casts.

Genres:

A hybrid of the Western and coming-of-age film, The Cowboys stars John Wayne as aging rancher Wil Andersen. Abandoned by his crew, Andersen is compelled to hire a group of boys, none older than 15, to assist in his 400-mile cattle drive.  When pursuing cattle rustlers eventually catch the group, tragedy strikes.  The boys are hardened by their experiences, exemplifying a new generation’s reckoning with ideas of masculinity and violence featured in past Westerns.

Synopsis

An aging rancher transforms schoolboys into cowboys.

Best For:

Rite-of-passage fans.

Genres:

In the final film role of his career, John Wayne headlined The Shootist. Among the best cowboy movies of the decade, it follows dying gunfighter J.B. Books.  Riddled with cancer and distraught by signs that life is about to pass him by, a contemplative Books returns to Carson City seeking a second opinion. His cancer confirmed with a dire prognosis, Books rents a room for his last days from Bond Rogers (Lauren Bacall).  But death won’t come softly, as young rivals seek to make their names with his head as their trophy.  The film has been acclaimed as a fitting conclusion to Wayne’s history with the genre.

Synopsis

Legendary gunfighter faces a final confrontation in a changing West.

Best For:

John Wayne fans.

Genres:

The second of director John Ford’s “Cavalry Trilogy” films, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon is a classic Western.  It is a film heavy with nostalgia and features a romanticized view of the West, with the heroic cavalry juxtaposed against stereotypically savage Native Americans.  Despite clashing with its poorly aged aspects, the film’s themes of duty and honor are well-depicted, highlighting the routine and oftentimes lonely nature of the era’s military existence, against a backdrop of striking cinematography.

Synopsis

A dutiful veteran cavalry officer strives to maintain peace with Native American tribes.

Best For:

Those looking for a romanticized view of the West and John Wayne fans.

Genres:

The first installment of Ford’s “Cavalry Trilogy,” Fort Apache is more complex and truthful than its successor.  Hailed as one of the first “pr0-Indian” Westerns, it portrays Native Americans with some sympathy. Henry Fonda stars as a disgraced Civil War veteran, dispatched to a remote outpost and determined to win glory at the expense of local Native populations.  Fonda’s character clashes with Wayne’s more level-headed captain, who tries to impart his understanding of the hardships the Apache tribes have endured at the hands of the U.S. government.  The film examines themes of duty and honor, and provides a more earnest appraisal of historical events than many of its contemporaries.

Synopsis

An ego-driven soldier ignores the practical advice of his seasoned subordinates and leads his men to defeat at the hands of Native American tribes.

Best For:

Fans of military strategy and historic films.

Genres:

After years of limited success for Westerns, director Lawrence Kasdan revitalized the genre with this hit action movie.  Four misfit cowboys, played by Kevin Kline, Kevin Costner, Scott Glenn, and Danny Glover, work together to liberate the town of Silverado from the grip of its corrupt Sheriff Cobb (played by Brian Dennehy).  Thematically Silverado touts the values of friendship and the honor found in fighting for justice, despite the sacrifice it may exact.  The film helped resuscitate the genre’s popularity , breathing new life into familiar Western tropes.

Synopsis

Misfits unite to fight a corrupt sheriff for the freedom of a town.

Best For:

Fans looking for a fun good vs. evil Western bout.

Genres:

Sam Peckinpah’s depiction of a clash between the legendary outlaw friends, played by James Coburn and Kris Kristofferson, is another example of a Western famed for its troubled production.  Peckinpah clashed with both original screenwriter Rudy Wurlitzer and studio executives from Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer, with Kristofferson noting that the director even came to question the effectiveness of Bob Dylan’s soundtrack, which for a time was arguably the most popular result of the film’s release.  

A studio approved theatrical cut was largely dismissed by critics and disowned by key cast and crew, but an early cut Peckinpah had more authority over has been celebrated since being released in 1988.

Synopsis

Two of the West’s most iconic cowboys are pit against one another in this revisionist film with a soundtrack from Bob Dylan.

Best For:

Fans of Peckinpah and Dylan’s music.

Genres:

For his sixth and final collaboration with director Martin Ritt, Paul Newman stars in this revisionist Western that grapples with some of the historical prejudice intrinsically tied to the genre.  Based on a novel of the same name, Hombre features Newman as John Russell, a white man raised by an Apache tribe, who must decide whether he will help the fellow passengers who discriminated against him defend themselves when a gang tries to rob their wagon train.  The writing and acting of the film were commended, with Newman’s performance being noted for giving John rich characterization despite a limited amount of dialogue.

Synopsis

Paul Newman leads the acclaimed cast of this Western that explores themes of racial hatred.

Best For:

Newman fans and viewers interested in the depictions of prejudice in Westerns.

Genres:

Kirk Douglas stars in this chilling John Sturges film.  While U.S. Marshall Matt Morgan’s (Douglas) quest to find justice for the rape and murder of his wife provides plenty of the thrilling action expected of most Westerns.  But the film has also been interpreted as a complex reflection on opposing philosophies on the concept of law.

Synopsis

A lawman’s investigation of the rape and murder of his wife leads ignites a personal feud and debate over the nature of justice.

Best For:

Viewers interested in the philosophical and moral implications of Westerns.

Genres:

When cattle rustler Tom Logan’s (Jack Nicholson) friend is killed by a land baron, Tom and his gang seek revenge, leading the baron to hire an eccentric assassin (Marlon Brando).  Upon initial release the film was derided by both critics and audiences, though many retrospective reviews have been complimentary, noting explorations of sociopolitical themes common in director Arthur Penn’s work.  John Williams composed the score.

Synopsis

Jack Nicholson and Marlon Brando face off in this esoteric Western.

Best For:

Fans of the cast, director, or composer.

Genres:

After being accused of horse theft, wanderer Cole Harden (Gary Cooper) faces Texas judge Roy Bean (Walter Brennan) who is famous for sentencing many defendants to hang.  Although Harden survives their first encounter the pair’s feud continues to escalate, eventually involving both a local family of homesteaders and a popular English actress.  For his performance Brennan won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for the third time.  He is still the only performer to have done so.

Synopsis

A wanderer develops a rivalry with a brutal Texas judge in the film that won Walter Brennan a record-setting third Oscar.

Best For:

Those who follow film award history.

Genres:

Director Clint Eastwood also plays the titular character, a Confederate soldier turned criminal, in this adaptation of Asa Earl “Forrest” Carter’s novel The Rebel Outlaw: Josey Wales (also known as Gone to Texas).  Both Eastwood’s acting and direction were widely praised, with the film quickly becoming and consistently remaining one of the most iconic of his many Westerns.  The film has been described, including by Eastwood himself, as presenting anti-war themes.

Synopsis

After enduring multiple tragedies during the Civil War, Confederate soldier Josey Wales (Clint Eastwood) is branded an outlaw and must evade a plethora of pursuers intent on claiming the bounty on his head.

Best For:

Fans of Eastwood and anti-war films.

Genres:

This drama directed by Jim Jarmusch is as unconventional an addition to the genre as one would expect from the eccentric filmmaker.  Johnny Depp stars as William Blake, an accountant on the run after being wounded and killing a man in self-defense.  Blake is aided by a Native American spirit guide referred to as “Nobody” (Gary Farmer) who comes to believe that Blake is a reincarnation of the famed poet of the same name.  

Dead Man was not financially successful and contemporary reviews were mixed to negative.  It has since been reappraised as an interesting addition to the acid Western canon, though even many supporters acknowledge it is not a widely accessible film.  Farmer’s performance and the accurate portrayal of Native American cultures tend to receive the most praise.

Synopsis

A fugitive (Johnny Depp) is aided by a Native American man (Gary Farmer) convinced the former is a legendary poet reincarnated.

Best For:

Followers of Jarmusch’s work, and those who want to see respectful portrayals of Native American characters.

Genres:

Tom Destry Jr. (James Stewart), son of a famed lawman, is sent to free the town of Bottleneck from a ruthless crime boss’ control.  A very loose amalgamation of a novel and magazine serial, the film was an early success for Western comedy.  Stewart’s performance as well as Marlene Dietrich’s are widely praised.

Synopsis

The son of a famous lawman, Tom Destry Jr. (James Stewart) travels to the town of Bottleneck to free it from a crime boss.

Best For:

Fans of the lead actors or more comedic adventure movies.

Genres:

Henry Fonda stars as Wyatt Earp in John Ford’s interpretation of the historic “gunfight at the O.K. Corral” that has inspired many a Western.  Ford and company took considerable dramatic license, with the film’s story differing from historical accounts in a variety of ways, such as the role of Clementine Carter (Cathy Downs), the fictional woman referenced in the title.  The film is widely regarded as one of the best in both Ford’s filmography and the genre as a whole and continues to inspire many later Westerns, filmmakers, and other stories. 

Synopsis

John Ford’s acclaimed dramatization of a famed event in Old West history features Henry Fonda as Wyatt Earp.

Best For:

Fans of Ford and Fonda, and those interested in both the development of the genre and the specific historic events.

Genres:

This '90s hit is one of the best western movies of its era, offering a modern take on the O.K. Corral battle and related events that is similarly beloved.  Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer star as Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, respectively, leading an extensive, hugely talented ensemble that also includes Bill Paxton and Charlton Heston, among many other stars.  Though perhaps not quite as universally revered as some of its predecessors, Tombstone has largely been cemented as a modern classic, with Russell and especially Kilmer’s performances considered iconic.

Synopsis

This modern classic brings new life to a Western legend and features iconic performances from Val Kilmer, Kurt Russell, and more.

Best For:

Fans of more recent Westerns and members of the star-studded cast.

Genres:

Despite the remake’s success, Delmer Daves’ original adaptation is still celebrated, with some favoring it over Mangold’s interpretation.  Both contemporary and later critics note similarities between the stories of Daves’ film and the more famous High Noon, with many viewing the films to be of similar quality.  3:10 to Yuma’s visuals, in particular, have been praised as strong examples of classic Western aesthetics.

Synopsis

The first cinematic adaptation of the Western short story remains an impressive entry in the genre.

Best For:

Those interested in comparing the original with the remake or other famous titles.

Genres:

The first film based on Charles Portis’ novel of the same name was a late career hit for John Wayne.  Wayne won the Oscar for Best Actor for his portrayal of Rooster Cogburn, the cantankerous marshal young Mattie Ross (Kim Darby) hires to bring her father’s murderer to justice.  Though best remembered for Wayne’s performance, True Grit is considered an expertly made as a whole, hence its continually storied reputation, which led to both film and television sequels, with Wayne reprising his role in the former, and influence on various latter projects beyond the celebrated remake.

Synopsis

The original film version of Charles Portis’ novel features one of John Wayne’s most iconic performances.

Best For:

Fans of Wayne, the novel, or remake.

Genres:

Even with the original’s reputation remaining strong, however, the Coen Brothers’ True Grit is a rare example of a remake that many view as an improvement even over its revered predecessor.  The 2010 film is one of the best westerns of modern and all time, as well as a delightful highlight in the directors’ prolific careers.  

In addition to making a film that stays somewhat more faithful to the novel, the Coens’ masterfully blend in welcome amounts of their characteristically peculiar humor and style, while consistently maintaining the serious, grand qualities of the story.  Jeff Bridges’ leading performance has made him equally synonymous with the Cogburn character as Wayne, with Matt Damon and an assortment of modern character actors featured in the supporting cast.  But the 2010 film is best known for 13-year-old Hailee Steinfeld’s vibrant, star-making turn as Mattie Ross, which led her to become one of the youngest ever nominees for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Synopsis

The Coen Brothers’ acclaimed Western remake features iconic performances from Jeff Bridges and Hailee Steinfeld.

Best For:

Fans of the directors, cast, and those who follow modern Westerns or critical favorites.

Genres:

The first collaboration between Paul Newman and Robert Redford immortalized both the actors’ partnership and the outlaw folk heroes they played in pop culture history.  Although a box office hit, contemporary reviews of the film were mixed to negative, but its reputation quickly shifted for the better, making it as beloved among most critics and film scholars as it is with wide audiences.  

Synopsis

Paul Newman and Robert Redford’s beloved Western buddy comedy led to groundbreaking shifts in the history of film,

Best For:

Fans of the actors and independent film, or students of film history.

Genres:

Arguably the most famous exemplar of the connection between Westerns and Japanese samurai films, John Sturges’ American remake of Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai itself became an instant classic.  Yul Brynner and Steve McQueen lead an ensemble cast in the tale of the titular gunslingers’ battle against a band of marauders.  The Magnificent Seven has inspired not just a long-standing multimedia franchise but also an ever growing plethora of action and ensemble films.

Synopsis

Based on a Japanese film of similar renown, The Magnificent Seven is one of the American film industry’s most beloved action classics.

Best For:

Most action/adventure fans and those interested in the link between Westerns and samurai movies.

Genres:

While its relationship to the similarly plotted, more revered, High Noon, which director Howard Hawks and star John Wayne were publicly critical of, makes it controversial, Rio Bravo is still generally regarded as a sharply made traditional Western.  Wayne plays a Texas sheriff who recruits a team of unlikely allies to help prevent a murder suspect from escaping jail.  Both Hawks’ direction and the film’s acting are typically praised.

Synopsis

A Texas sheriff (John Wayne) recruits an unlikely team to stop a gang from freeing a murder suspect.

Best For:

Fans of Wayne or Hawks.

Genres:

Directed and co-written by Sam Peckinpah, The Wild Bunch is especially direct in confronting some of the themes common to the revisionist subgenre.  Set in 1913 Texas, it follows a gang of aging outlaws who come to feel their glory days are behind them.  In addition to innovative uses of editing and slow motion, the film is known for moral ambiguity, and, especially, its graphic violence.  The latter has continued to be controversial since the film’s initial release, with a 1993 rerelease even being delayed when the MPAA almost changed the film’s rating from R to NC-17.

Synopsis

An aging gang of outlaws reckon with changing times in this famously dark Western.

Best For:

Fans of Peckinpah.

Genres:

After revolutionizing the film noir genre with The Maltese Falcon, the team of director John Huston and star Humphrey Bogart delivered one of the classic era’s most unique Westerns.  Following a trio of explorer’s quest for a treasure of Mexican gold, the film is known as a hallowing critique of greed.  Widely considered one of the great films of all time, it resulted in Huston winning Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Screenplay, and his father, Walter, doing so for Best Supporting Actor.

Synopsis

Considered one of the great achievements of director John Huston, this Western is a devastating illustration of man’s corruption by greed.

Best For:

Fans of Huston and Bogart, followers of historic critics’ favorites and award winners.

Genres:

This Howard Hawks film follows rancher Thomas Danson (John Wayne) on a long cattle drive, including clashes with his adopted son (Montgomery Clift) over leadership.  Hawks had disagreements with both the studio and other filmmakers, resulting in multiple edits of the film being made.  In the decades since, various versions have repeatedly been lost or rediscovered, though the original theatrical cut was restored relatively recently.

Synopsis

Following a rancher (John Wayne) and his peers on a lengthy cattle drive, this classic Western is known for its grand scale.

Best For:

Fans of large-scale spectacle in films.

Genres:

Based on a novel of the same name, Shane follows the titular character, played by Alan Ladd, a mysterious drifter hired by a family of Wyoming homesteaders that he quickly bonds with.  When his new community is repeatedly harassed by employees of a local cattle baron, Shane must reluctantly call upon skills from his violent past.  

Synopsis

George Stevens’ Technicolor epic features Alan Ladd as a former gunslinger whose hopes for a peaceful life conflict with a small town’s need for a protector.

Best For:

Those interested in a sophisticated exploration of Western themes that is less graphic than some of its peers and imitators.

Genres:

The first entry in Sergio Leone and Clint Eastwood’s Dollars Trilogy ignited the international popularity of Spaghetti Westerns, as well as that of its star and director.  Interpreted as an unofficial remake of Kurosawa samurai film Yojimbo, Leone’s film features Eastwood playing a mysterious wanderer who pits the leading families of a desolate town against each other.  Along with its loosely connected sequels, A Fistful of Dollars established many of the trademark elements of Eastwood and Leone’s filmographies, as well as those of the Spaghetti Western more generally, and Ennio Morricone’s distinctively styled scores.

Synopsis

Clint Eastwood’s first movie as The Man with No Name introduced the world to a whole new style of filmmaking.

Best For:

Fans of Leone, Eastwood, and Spaghetti Westerns.

Genres:

The second film in the Trilogy faced arguably even more scrutiny for its violent nature in initial reviews, but like its siblings was soon embraced as one of the most entertaining of all Westerns.  After initially developing a rivalry, Eastwood’s gunslinger reluctantly teams with Colonel Douglas Mortimer (Lee Van Cleef) to pursue an escaped criminal, for very different reasons.  Van Cleef proved an equally compelling co-star for Eastwood, hence his return in the third installment.

Synopsis

Clint Eastwood faces off with Lee Van Cleef in the second part of Sergio Leone’s iconic trilogy.

Best For:

Fans of Leone, Van Cleef, Eastwood, and Spaghetti Westerns.

Genres:

Director John Ford confronts the mythological West in this widely heralded film. Ransome Stoddard (Jimmy Stewart) is an elderly senator returning to the town of Shinbone to attend the funeral of Tom Doniphon (played by John Wayne).  A story told in flashbacks reveals that the legend which gave rise to Stoddard’s political career was a lie.  

Synopsis

A respected elder senator reveals his heroic reputation was built on a lie.

Best For:

Viewers looking past a romanticized West.

Genres:

Classic Western, Drama, Leone Epic

Leone’s second Western trilogy began with another classic.  Depicting a multi-sided land feud, Once Upon a Time in the West features a more complex plot and gradual pacing than the Dollars films, despite bearing many other similarities.  Although some contemporary reviews were mixed, the film would also go on to be embraced as one of the great Western epics, and is cited as a favorite particularly often by notable crime filmmakers.

Synopsis

Sergio Leone’s epic sees a multi-front conflict erupt in an Old West town.

Best For:

Fans of Leone and “epic” movies.

Genres:

The less traditional, for its time even radical, Gary Cooper film Rio Bravo responds to is the more popular and influential of the two.  In High Noon, Cooper plays Will Kane, a small town marshall whose plans for retirement are interrupted when a criminal he sent to prison leads a gang to seek revenge.  

Kane’s unsuccessful attempt to rally neighbors to help him fight is interpreted as an allegory for screenwriter Carl Foreman’s experiences as one of many industry figures blacklisted due to anti-Communist paranoia in America.  Its ideological significance and unique narrative qualities, including real time pacing and the, for the time, unconventional role of female lead Grace Kelly, have cemented High Noon as a beloved, groundbreaking entry in the Hollywood canon.

Synopsis

This classic Western starring Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly is an influential favorite in film history.

Best For:

Those interested in the effects of political and historical events on the film industry.

Genres:

Depicting an eclectic group of passengers’ eventful journey from Arizona to New Mexico, this John Ford classic is the film that made John Wayne a star.  Ford’s direction and the performances from Wayne and other cast members influenced the productions of many subsequent Westerns and Stagecoach is widely seen as one of history’s great films, regardless of genre.  That said, like many key Westerns its portrayal of Native American characters has been acknowledged as offensive by an ever increasing number of viewers as time goes on.

Synopsis

Exemplifying both the virtues and controversies with its genre, John Ford’s legendary Western is one of the most important films in the medium’s history.

Best For:

Students of film history and fans of Wayne and Ford.

Genres:

Clint Eastwood’s dark masterpiece is seen as a culmination of both his personal history with Westerns and the genre’s development as a whole.  Widely regarded as one of the best western movies of all time, the film draws on decades of genre history, with Eastwood and the full cast embodying techniques refined by his predecessors and peers throughout the preceding decades. Unforgiven’s undeniable greatness earned it four Academy Awards, including those for Best Picture and Best Director, among many other accolades.

Synopsis

Director Clint Eastwood stars alongside Morgan Freeman and Gene Hackman in this gripping reckoning with the nature of violence and the history of the Western that won four Oscars including Best Picture.

Best For:

All viewers interested in the genre, as well as fans of any of the actors, and those who follow industry, critic, and awards favorites.

Genres:

While Unforgiven is arguably Eastwood’s best exploration of the Western’s complexities, the conclusion to his and Leone's Dollars Trilogy is among the best westerns ever made and arguably the most purely entertaining installment in the genre.  

The quest for a lost cache of Confederate wealth leads to a backstabbing conflict between a trio of outlaws: Eastwood’s “Blondie”/Man With no Name, Lee Van Cleef’s “Angel Eyes”, and Eli Wallach’s Tuco.

Along with the performances and many other qualities, the film is celebrated for Leone’s unique visual stylings and masterful escalation of tension and continues to influence a vast assortment of stories in all mediums and genres to this day.

Synopsis

Clint Eastwood is joined by Lee Van Cleef and Eli Wallach in the final installment of Sergio Leone’s Dollars Trilogy, a tale of uneasy alliances that continues to influence the future of storytelling.

Best For:

Fans of the actors and Leone, and anyone interested in the development of adventure films of all types.

Genres:

Probably the most controversial of Ford and Wayne's collaborations is also one of the greatest western movies ever made, with a form, history, and influence that collectively serve as the best encapsulation of the genre's reputation overall.  Based on a novel by Alan Le May, the film follows Confederate soldier Ethan Edwards (Wayne) and his adopted nephew, Martin Pawley (Jeffrey Hunter) who embark on a years-long quest to find and rescue Martin’s sister, who was abducted by a group of Comanches that killed the rest of their family.

Ford and company’s filmmaking craftmanship, especially the depiction and recreation of natural landscapes, and the story’s core ideas of protecting family and seeking justice exemplify the narrative and stylistic qualities that attract many viewers to the Western genre.

But outdated aspects of the humor, characterizations, and production itself, specifically those connected to the depiction of diverse characters and race relations, also prominently display the ambiguities and outright flaws inherent in the genre that continue to be critiqued and studied. 

That being said, virtually all of the film’s distinguishing qualities, good and bad, continue to be echoed, homaged, and challenged by an ever growing list of films and filmmakers, many of which are themselves among history’s most famous, inspired by The Searchers.

Synopsis

John Ford's controversial epic may be the best western film ever made.

Best For:

All interested in the development and controversies of the genre.

Genres:

There are many key elements that makes a western film scene captivating - and we've broken down the key elements in the graphic below:

While the full list will reveal a lot of hidden gems, some readers may understandably want to start with a more concise selection of the best western films.  Given that, here are 10 Essential Westerns for viewers new to the genre, with brief explanations of their importance.

As mentioned previously, the Western genre, from classic western movies to modern Neo-Westerns, has long encompassed a varied assortment of smaller groups distinguished by more specific niches and qualities.  There are many of these so-called “subgenres” but 4 are more prominent and broadly encompassing than most.  The first of these essential subgenres is defined below, with the other three definitions being included throughout the main ranking.

lassic western movies were primarily American productions made during the Hollywood studio system era, by filmmakers such as John Ford, Howard Hawks, and Anthony Mann.  These classic western movies, set in traditional locations and time periods, established the filmmaking techniques and storytelling tropes fundamental to the genre and continue to be celebrated for their craftsmanship.

However, aspects of many of these films have not aged well, with their unambiguous perspectives on ideas of right and wrong and historical conflicts between white settlers and Native Americans and other diverse populations making them subject to increasing scrutiny and criticism from later viewers. 

The revisionist subgenre contains some of the best western movies ever made, spanning a wide array of artists and periods, and is arguably still evolving. Many of the best westerns of the past 60 years belong to this tradition.  Early experimentations with Westerns from international filmmakers were often considered part of the subgenre, but many artists and actors from the classic era also made their own revisionist projects.  Revisionist films challenge the myths and assumptions about frontier life accepted by the classic era, introducing previously uncommon degrees of moral ambiguity and reflection.

The Spaghetti Western subgenre produced some of the best western films in cinema history, originating from films made in Italy and/or by Italian artists.  Director Sergio Leone was instrumental in popularizing the style internationally, especially through his films made with famed partners such as Clint Eastwood and composer Ennio Morricone.

Spaghetti Westerns feature especially prominent depictions of moral ambiguity, with many of their protagonists fitting the antihero archetype, and both cartoonish and graphic violence.  These qualities earned disdain from some contemporary critics, especially American ones, but the best westerns in this mold were quickly embraced by wide audiences.  Critical opinion, particularly on films from Leone, Eastwood, and other famous figures also quickly shifted, with many Spaghetti Westerns having long since been considered classics.

“Neo-Western” is maybe the broadest of the main subgenres, covering a much wider variety of topics, settings, and time periods, including many set in modern times. The top western movies in this category often challenge traditional frontier myths more directly than other subgenres.  These films tend to challenge the traditional Western and frontier myths even more explicitly than others, grappling with problems of racism and government or law enforcement corruption.  As mentioned previously, the designation is sometimes even given to films that are more plainly part of other genres, which demonstrate limited but notable Western characteristics or influences from specific, earlier Western titles.  However, for the sake of simplicity, such films were not included in our ranking. 

While the full list will reveal a lot of hidden gems, some readers may understandably want to start with a more concise selection of the best western films.  Given that, here are 10 Essential Westerns for viewers new to the genre, with brief explanations of their importance.