Tom Foster
The 25 greatest Western movies are those that make you remember that the Old West was a difficult place to live in. However, cinema put a fun spin on a lot of it.
Tombstone
Out of all the Western movies depicting Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, this is arguably the best of the lot. Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer nailed their roles in a way that is tough to debate.
For a Few Dollars More
Several of these entries are going to be Clint Eastwood movies. Some of his greatest works came when he was younger.
High Plains Drifter
The idea of a spirit coming back to life to avenge his own death is enticing. Also, the fact that nearly the entire town was a part of that revenge was strangely satisfying.
The Outlaw Josey Wales
No one can deny that Josey Wales was due his vengeance, especially after all he lost. But he also managed to coin a couple of great quotes that live on to this day.
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Be honest, you’ve whistled or at least hummed the iconic tune that makes this movie so great. It’s not just that, but the fact that this movie took place during the Civil War was intense.
Unforgiven
As he got older, Eastwood became a lot more grizzled but no less effective. His gruff and mean demeanor has served him well in each movie he’s taken part in.
The Gunfighter
Gaining a reputation as a gunfighter wasn’t the best thing to do in the Old West. As is seen in the movie, it’s more of a target than an honor.
Shane
The idea of someone coming to clean up a town is one of the oldest tropes in a Western movie. But the sheer emotion that comes with this movie has carried on for decades.
Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid
People still cite the ending of this movie for some reason. A lot of them appear to forget that the two died when they came out with guns blazing.
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
Establishing a bully in a movie, any movie, is necessary for a hero, no matter what type of hero they are. This movie does that wonderfully and makes people get into the story.
The Sons of Katie Elder
This is one of the more personal stories that is kind of fun to watch. Imagine a group of sons neglecting their mother and then trying to serve her memory positively, that’s how this plays out.
Rio Bravo
Redemption arcs in Western movies are a popular trope. Anytime a person is given a second chance to do something right is usually fun to watch.
The Wild Bunch
Sam Peckinpah’s name has gone down in history at this point for this and several movies. It’s not the most conventional and revisionist history is still iffy, but it was a fun movie.
Once Upon a Time in The West
There are a lot of working elements in this story, but they come together nicely at the end. Plus, the identity of one of the main characters is a fun reveal.
The Magnificent Seven
People who stand up for others make for a great story. However, being outgunned and outmanned is a desperate tale that a lot of people enjoy even more.
Dances With Wolves
Some people criticize this movie because a white man appears to dominate the tale. But the truth is that this is a tale and the dawning comprehension that would serve a lot more people.
High Noon
Imagine being threatened by an outlaw and not being able to depend on a town you’ve done your best to protect. Kane was justified in the final look he gave the townsfolk in this movie.
The Hateful Eight
Leave it to Quentin Tarantino to create a Western that’s an utter bloodbath. The stories that collided in this movie were outlandish to be fair, but they were compelling.
True Grit
If anyone remembers this movie it’s because of Rooster Cogburn, the irascible old man who John Wayne played, and then Jeff Bridges in the remake. Anything else is kind of just window dressing.
Young Guns
Anyone who says they don’t like this movie needs to watch it again. For a reason, Billy the Kid is a popular Old West legend, even if the story wasn’t entirely accurate.
Jeremiah Johnson
The story of a man who seeks to become a mountain man is a strong one. It’s especially interesting since while he seeks peace, others seek to war against him or make his life difficult.
News of the World
Just imagine how people used to hear news back in the day and realize that they had no way to know what was going on in other parts of the world without correspondence. That kind of link was what kept many people going.
3:10 to Yuma
Getting a convicted killer to the train station and to prison wasn’t a joy ride. That’s fully attested to in a lot of Western movies, including this one.
Open Range
The struggle to survive and thrive in the wilderness was often made more difficult by those with more money and more muscle. But as this story proves, those with the grit and determination didn’t go down quietly.
Pale Rider
The Gold Rush was a brutal time no matter how prosperous it was for some people. The approach this movie took was rough, but it felt rather honest.
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