The Top 25 Must-See Quintessential Western Movies

Ranker Film
Updated September 13, 2023 3.6K votes 423 voters
Over 400 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Top 25 Must-See Quintessential Western Movies
Voting Rules
Vote up the Western movies that define the genre and should be required viewing for beginners in an Intro to Westerns class.

For years in the United States, Western movies were the most popular films around. Before we ever launched a man into space, kids everywhere wanted to be cowboys as they represented humanity bravely exploring uncharted territory. A lot of this perception had to do with Westerns, which often glorified life on the wild west and presented cowboys as heroic figures. At one point in time, John Wayne was America's hero and everyone rushed to theaters to see the latest Westerns. If you want to understand American film, these are must-see movies. 

However, Westerns have been on the decline in recent years, especially after Blazing Saddles provided a sharp deconstruction of the genre that highlighted some of the less savory details of life on the frontier. However, Westerns are nevertheless important to cinematic history as they helped refine filmmaking tropes and techniques during the height of their popularity. If you're ready to learn more about the influential genre, consider these Western movies for beginners! 

There are hundreds, if not thousands of Westerns, but these are the essential Western movies everyone should watch. You can use this list as an intro to the genre that brought us classics like High Noon and The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. Watch these famous Westerns and then give your favorites a thumbs up below. 

Most divisive: The Hateful Eight
  • Tombstone
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    361 VOTES

    Tombstone

    Tombstone, a captivating Western drama, unravels the story of an infamous lawman, Wyatt Earp (Kurt Russell), who retires to Tombstone, Arizona. He's accompanied by his brothers and Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer), a volatile gambler. As they strive for a peaceful life, their tranquility is shattered by the ruthless Cowboy gang. The ensuing conflict leads to the legendary Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. The movie brims with high-stakes confrontations and historic characters, offering an intense exploration of brotherhood and justice in the dangerous Wild West.
    • Released: 1993
    • Directed by: George P. Cosmatos
    361 votes
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  • The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
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    2
    300 VOTES

    The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

    The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is a classic spaghetti western that transcends time. Set amidst the chaos of the American Civil War, it stars Clint Eastwood as 'Blondie' (The Good), Lee Van Cleef as 'Angel Eyes' (The Bad), and Eli Wallach as 'Tuco' (The Ugly). The trio embarks on a thrilling quest for buried Confederate gold, each driven by their own unique motives. Directed by Sergio Leone, this film combines intense gunfights with strategic mind games. Boasting a memorable score by Ennio Morricone, it won the 1967 BAFTA Award for Best Original Score. This film is a must-see for fans of the genre and cinema history alike.
    • Released: 1967
    • Directed by: Sergio Leone
    300 votes
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  • The Outlaw Josey Wales
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    3
    289 VOTES

    The Outlaw Josey Wales

    Josey Wales (Clint Eastwood) watches helplessly as his wife and child are murdered, by Union men led by Capt. Terrill (Bill McKinney). Seeking revenge, Wales joins the Confederate Army. He refuses to surrender when the war ends, but his fellow soldiers go to hand over their weapons -- and are massacred by Terrill. Wales guns down some of Terrill's men and flees to Texas, where he tries to make a new life for himself, but the bounty on his head endangers him and his new surrogate family.
    • Released: 1976
    • Directed by: Clint Eastwood
    289 votes
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  • Unforgiven
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    4
    278 VOTES

    Unforgiven

    Unforgiven, a multi-Oscar winning Western drama, showcases the final days of aging outlaw William Munny (Clint Eastwood). Once a notorious killer and robber, Munny is now a widowed pig farmer, living quietly with his two children. Persuaded by young gunslinger The Schofield Kid (Jaimz Woolvett) to claim a bounty on two cowboys who disfigured a prostitute, he teams up with his old partner Ned Logan (Morgan Freeman). As they embark on their mission, Munny grapples with the violence of his past and the harsh realities of frontier justice. This film explores themes of morality, redemption, and the brutal nature of violence.
    • Released: 1992
    • Directed by: Clint Eastwood
    278 votes
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  • The Magnificent Seven
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    5
    263 VOTES

    The Magnificent Seven

    In The Magnificent Seven, a band of seven disparate outlaws unite for an audacious cause. Led by the steely-eyed Chris Adams (Yul Brynner), they include the sharpshooter Vin Tanner (Steve McQueen) and knife-wielding Brit, Harry Luck (Brad Dexter). Hired by desperate villagers to protect their homes from marauding bandits, these unlikely heroes find themselves in an epic battle for survival. This 1960 Western, directed by John Sturges, is a thrilling tale of camaraderie, courage, and sacrifice, which garnered an Oscar nomination for Best Original Score.
    • Released: 1960
    • Directed by: John Sturges
    263 votes
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  • True Grit
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    221 VOTES

    True Grit

    After hired hand Tom Chaney (Jeff Corey) murders the father of 14-year-old Mattie Ross (Kim Darby), she seeks vengeance and hires U.S. Marshal "Rooster" Cogburn (John Wayne), a man of "true grit," to track Chaney into Indian territory. As the two begin their pursuit, a Texas Ranger, La Boeuf (Glen Campbell), joins the manhunt in hopes of capturing Chaney for the murder of a Texas senator and collecting a substantial reward. The three clash on their quest of bringing to justice the same man.
    • Released: 1969
    • Directed by: Henry Hathaway
    221 votes
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