Best Western movies have something that fans of such genre found appealing for many years, the stories of rough terrain, gunslinger duels and the rough wild west. This type of films has yielded some of the finest western movies ever made and each one gives a little peek into the wild west of cowboys, bandits and the law of the wild frontier. In this article, we will be divulging top 20 impactful western films which is quintessential western genre. Whether if you have been a fan of filmmaking for quite sometime now or you are new to horror films, then you would surely get to have a great time with these movies.
1. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
This simply ranks as one of the best western movies ever to be produced, and has aged well and could easily be categorised as a timeless classic. Filmed by Sergio Leone, and based on a true event of the Civil war era when three gunmen embark on search of gold, this is a movie classic. This is one of those pictures that is difficult to describe and explain in detail; however, it can be surely stated that spreaheading unforgettable music by Ennio Morricone, stunning visuals, and great performances by Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, and Eli Wallach this movie captures the spirit of the wild west in all what was good and bad about it.
2. Unforgiven (1992)
The film ‘Unforgiven’ depicts a modern western scenario that has reminiscence of revenge and redemption moves. Made by Clint Eastwood as a director as well as the leading actor, the film is a drama detailing a story about a gunslinger, who after retiring, decides to work for the final time to avenge a woman’s rape. The film is a study into the function of violence and the outcome of it, thus making it one of the best western movies of the early nineties. Combined with an outstanding cast such as Morgan Freeman and Gene Hackman, ‘Unforgiven’ is a powerful, highly emotional landmark film, which could re-write the Western genre.
3. Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
The movie by Sergio Leone, “Once Upon a Time in the West,” is one of the magnificent epic best western movies of all ages. A strange lone bikie, a brutal robber, an avenging widow, along with other totally different characters all inhabit a fast-altering frontier. Thanks to extremely powerful music, indelible images, and a brilliantly villainous Henry Fonda, this picture can be called a true shot at the western genre and spirit.
4. High Noon (1952)
A movie that any lover of the western genre must watch is “High Noon,” one of the best western movies that is delivered very passionately and in real time. This film is based on the life of an urban marshal portrayed by Gary Cooper who has to fight alone against a gang of outlaws, while the people of the town desert him. Thematically, duty, courage, and loneliness mark this as one of the greatest westerns of all time. As a classic movie, “High Noon” can boast of its interesting plot along with the astonishing acting by the main stars.
5. The Searchers (1956)
Arguably one of the best western movies ever made, ‘The Searchers’ directed by John Ford features deep characterizations and amazing terrain. It is a western with John Wayne playing the role of a Civil War veteran who tries to find his niece who has been kidnapped for years. The film is focused on such topical issues as obsession, racism, and atonement, presenting slightly different views of the western frontier. ”The Searchers” is a great picture that has had an impact on all contemporary directors.
6. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” is a western comedy action film with excellent tragic notes that definitely belongs to the list of the best western movies of the 60’s. It is a story of a tall dark stranger, Newman, and a handsome young fellow, Redford, who become outlaws and are pursued by a posse. Due to it’s great lines, unique characters and the freeze-frame conclusion this film has turned into a classic regardless the genre it belongs to.
7. True Grit (1969)
True Grit’ can be considered one of the best western movies that reflects the genre of vengeance and retribution. It can also be considered one of the most important films in the career of John Wayne, making it a standout among the best western movies. The story of the film can be summed up as the story of a lady who is on a mission to ensure that she kills a man she has deemed responsible for her father’s death, and in the process, she hires a retired U.S. Marshal. The manner in which Wayne imitated Rooster Cogburn as a stubbed-down portrayal put the film into receiving an Academy Award; thus, “True Grit” can be ranked among the better western films of the late 60s. This thrilling film, containing comedy, several types of action sequences, and emotion, has been approved by western audiences.
8. Stagecoach (1939)
A classic western is the film “Stagecoach” by John Ford that was released in 1939 and that boosted the fame of the future acclaimed star of westerns, John Wayne. During the movie, the fate of the stagecoach and the group of people inside it is shown as they travel through a desert surrounded by thorns, shifting sands, and hostile Native Americans. Because of its well-developed characters, suspenseful battle sequences, and breathtaking natural scenery, that classic motion picture, which is known all over the world as “Stagecoach,” is considered to be one of the best examples of the best western movies.
9. The Magnificent Seven (1960)
This is a western movie where seven mercenaries are hired to protect a small village in Mexico from a gang of robbers, inspired by Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai The main cast of this film that well deserves the title of movie of the year includes Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen and Charles Bronson, among others, which makes this movie a box-office hit and a real action film. Because of these features, the movie calls for honor, sacrifice, and most importantly comradeship making it be one of the best western movies of the 60s and one of the best western movies of all time.
10. The Wild Bunch (1969)
‘The Wild Bunch’ is a rough and gory movie with strong elements of violence that, in its turn, made a strong impression in the given genre. Made by Sam Peckinpah, it portrays a group of outlaws who are willing to perform one more robbery on the border between Texas and Mexico. Highly appreciated for the slow-motion action scenes and realism depicting violence in “The Wild Bunch,” the picture is recognized as one of the finest best western movies which revolutionized the stereotyped perception of westerns.
11. Rio Bravo (1959)
”Rio Bravo” is a classic western, and one of the most popular films today due to its superior characterization, great plot and spirited script. Staring John Wayne and directed by Howard Hawks; the movie involves a sheriff and his posse in their stand against a tycoon who is a cattle baron. The movie theme of loyalty in particular, friendship and justice have made it one of the best western movies of the 50s.
12. Tombstone (1993)
“Tombstone” is a modern western, which tells about the action before and after the actual Gunfight at the O. K. Corral. The film has an excellent cast: Kurt Russell plays Wyatt Earp, Val Kilmer – Doc Holliday. “Tombstone” is ranked among some of the best western movies of the 90s due to the fast action, cloves-filled dialogues, and outstanding performances.
13. Django Unchained (2012)
Django Unchained is brilliantly an unapologetic western of Quentin Tarantino, which merges the traditional western universe with some of Tarantino’s unique features. They reflect various important and popular themes, getting together a freed slave, portrayed by Jamie Foxx, who in order to rescue his wife joins a bounty hunter. Being a perfect blend of comedy, action, violence, and an insight into the unalterable social system of the black people of that era, “Django Unchained” undoubtedly qualifies to be in this list of the best western movies of the 21st century.
14. Shane (1953)
‘Shane’ is a western genre film that portrays the lifestyle of a man who is a gunfighter but only silently with the aim of fighting for the homesteaders. The combination of the story of settlers and ranchers at the turn of the century in the American West, along with good performances and fine use of the land, has made this one of the better best western movies of the 50s. In this case, I think that “Shane” is quite a dramatic and touching motion picture, which I do not think loses its relevance.
15. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)
This is a western film produced by John Ford which focuses on the theme of myth and history of the American frontier. In the movie, the lead role is played by James Stewart as a legal attorney who against all odds defends himself against a bad man Rich played by Lee Marvin with assistance of a rancher played by John Wayne. As such, the aspect of justice, truth and legend are some of the key area that put the movie as one of the best western movies of the early 60s.
16. No Country for Old Men (2007)
Despite not being a western movie, “No Country for Old Men” is a contemporary flick that retains all qualities of the western in its themes of destiny, righteousness and the unrelenting endeavor to avenge. The movie, made by the Coen brothers describes a chase of a hunter, a hired killer, and a sheriff through the zones of West Texas. Due to the suspense, great acting, the plot – “No Country for Old Men” has been rightfully included in the list of the best Western movies of the 21st century.
17. The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976)
The movie under discussion of this paper is titled “The Outlaw Josey Wales” and was directed and starred Clint Eastwood. This is a story which revolves around Josey Wales: a Confederate who becomes an outlaw once the war is over Perceiving this, he becomes determined to kill all the Union soldiers who murdered his family and during the course of his mission, Wales acquires new family, the outcasts. In other words, having considered the principles of honor, loyalty, and redemption of the film, it is possible to include it to the list of the best western movies of the 70s.
18. 3:10 to Yuma (2007)
“3:10 to Yuma” is a modern picture that can be termed as a western that has actually caused a spin-off from another picture that was produced in 1957. The movie revolves around a rancher, portrayed by Christian Bale, who himself offers for the job of taking an infamous criminal, played by Russell Crowe, to the train that will take the latter to jail. The concept of law and outlaw, coupled with good acting, especially Owen’s sensitive portrayal of a man on the run, make it one of the best western movies of the 2000s.
19. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)
This movie is a meditative and artful look at what might be the last days of one of the gunmen most famous in the Wild West days, Jesse James, played by Brad Pitt, and his young.I dont know how to put it, but this feeling is somewhat poetic take on the popular genre of the western, shooting and capturing the last moments of Jesse James, a Quiet Man and his killer Robert Ford, played by Casey Affleck. The topic of the movie which is focused on the concept of fame, betrayal and the myth of the American frontier makes it one of the best western movies in the contemporary cinema. With the beautiful work on the visual and sound aspects of the film the movie has a memorable feel to it.
20. Open Range (2003)
“Open Range” is a western movie which aims at portraying the actual fight between two cattle drivers and a wicked cattle baron and his gang. Starring and directed by Kevin Costner, who gives one of his best performances to date, ‘Robin Hood: The film ‘Prince of Thieves’ is a simple cowboy film stripped down to its fundamental ideas, the cowboy values of honor, friendship, and justice. That is why I am placing the Open Range on the list of the best western movies taking into consideration such aspects of the film as high stakes, powerful backgrounds, highly charged shootings, and strongly felt performances.
Conclusion:
It is evident that the best western movies are still latest as per their release because they harbor great stories of adventure and the Righteousness of the Wild Wild West and deserts. These are the best of the best when it comes to movies in this genre and I will briefly introduce you to all the 20 so you know what to expect. These films prove that no matter how often and thoroughly one has observed these films or how many times he or she is going to view these masterpieces, western is an invariably relevant genre in the history of cinematograph.