The Best Modern Western Movies

The best modern westerns are not necessarily period pieces but they all capture the wild essence of the West. The Western is a classic film genre full of grit, action, and life or death situations. While many of our favorite Western tropes are historically inaccurate, its films represent America at its most mythological. The top modern western movies build upon this tradition while amping up situations with current technology and cutting edge storylines. This is a list of recent western movies featuring everything from Django Unchained to 3:10 to Yuma to Dances with Wolves.

What new movies will you find on this list of the best modern westerns? Tombstone offers a modern twist on one of the most famous stories of the western genre. Wyatt Earp and his brothers – with a little help from Doc Holliday – star in this exciting tale of lawmen versus unruly cowboys who are terrorizing the land. Sukiyaki Western Django is another great modern western. Like that film, many ostensible Westerns have gone far beyond the Old West setting while still remaining true to the genre's roots.

Other good movies featured on this list of the top modern western films include The Proposition, Unforgiven, and Ain't Them Bodies Saints. Which modern western is the best? Decide by giving your favorites a thumbs up, and add any great movies that are missing.