Getting nominated for an Oscar is a big deal. The Oscars are also known as the Academy Awards and there are multiple categories. This award ceremony is presented yearly. The first Oscar award was presented on May 16, 1929, so nearly a century.
The movie genres vary. One common movie genre to win the Oscars since the beginning is Western films. Western films are movies set in the American West. While the period varies, the films are generally set during the mid to late 1800s. Western films are dramatic, filled with action, passion, and sometimes romance. When most people think of Western films, they picture cowboys, large hats, gun-slinging, and saloons, and they aren’t too off. Some of the best Western films feature all of these and have even been nominated for an Oscar.
One of the oldest Western movies nominated for an Oscar is “Cimarron.” This movie was released in 1931 and is based on the novel of the same name. They were nominated for Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Production Design. This classic is unforgettable.
Not all Western movies to be nominated for the Oscars are old. A more recent film is “The Power of the Dog.” This epic Western thriller was nominated for a whopping 12 awards and won one.
Are you also interested in learning about epic showdowns? After reading our article on great Westerns that were nominated for Oscars, check out the most epic showdowns in Western films.
To determine the greatest Westerns that were nominated for Oscars, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on Oscars history from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Westerns were ranked based on the number of Academy Awards for which they were nominated. Only Westerns with at least three nominations were included. Supplemental data on average IMDb user rating and Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score are current as of April 2024. (Also See The 40 Absolute Best Modern Westerns)
27. Legends of the Fall (1994)
Source: Courtesy of TriStar Pictures
Source: Courtesy of TriStar Pictures
- Oscars history: 3 nominations, 1 win
- IMDb user rating: 7.5/10 (156,441 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 58% (57 reviews)
- Directed by: Edward Zwick
- Nominated for: Art Direction, Cinematography, Sound
26. The Hateful Eight (2015)
Source: Courtesy of The Weinstein Company
Source: Courtesy of The Weinstein Company
- Oscars history: 3 nominations, 1 win
- IMDb user rating: 7.8/10 (550,683 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 74% (337 reviews)
- Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
- Nominated for: Actress In A Supporting Role, Cinematography, Music (Original Score)
25. Broken Arrow (1950)
Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
- Oscars history: 3 nominations, 0 wins
- IMDb user rating: 7.2/10 (8,233 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 89% (9 reviews)
- Directed by: Delmer Daves
- Nominated for: Actor In A Supporting Role, Cinematography (Color), Writing (Screenplay)
24. The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018)
Source: Courtesy of Netflix
Source: Courtesy of Netflix
- Oscars history: 3 nominations, 0 wins
- IMDb user rating: 7.3/10 (133,130 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 89% (234 reviews)
- Directed by: Joel & Ethan Coen
- Nominated for: Costume Design, Music (Original Song), Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
23. The Professionals (1966)
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
- Oscars history: 3 nominations, 0 wins
- IMDb user rating: 7.3/10 (15,262 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 88% (17 reviews)
- Directed by: Richard Brooks
- Nominated for: Cinematography (Color), Directing, Writing (Screenplay–Based On Material From Another Medium)
22. Blazing Saddles (1974)
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
- Oscars history: 3 nominations, 0 wins
- IMDb user rating: 7.7/10 (131,541 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 88% (59 reviews)
- Directed by: Mel Brooks
- Nominated for: Actress In A Supporting Role, Film Editing, Music (Song)
21. News of the World (2020)
Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
- Oscars history: 4 nominations, 0 wins
- IMDb user rating: 6.8/10 (74,696 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 88% (263 reviews)
- Directed by: Paul Greengrass
- Nominated for: Cinematography, Music (Original Score), Production Design, Sound
20. Hell or High Water (2016)
Source: Courtesy of Lionsgate Films
Source: Courtesy of Lionsgate Films
- Oscars history: 4 nominations, 0 wins
- IMDb user rating: 7.6/10 (214,372 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 96% (283 reviews)
- Directed by: David Mackenzie
- Nominated for: Actor In A Supporting Role, Film Editing, Best Picture, Writing (Original Screenplay)
19. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
- Oscars history: 4 nominations, 3 wins
- IMDb user rating: 8.2/10 (119,669 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (52 reviews)
- Directed by: John Huston
- Nominated for: Actor In A Supporting Role, Directing, Best Motion Picture, Writing (Screenplay)
18. Monte Walsh (1970)
Source: Courtesy of National General Pictures
Source: Courtesy of National General Pictures
- Oscars history: 5 nominations, 1 win
- IMDb user rating: 7.0/10 (2,608 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 89% (9 reviews)
- Directed by: William A. Fraker
- Nominated for: Actress In A Supporting Role, Directing, Film Editing, Best Picture, Writing (Screenplay–Based On Material From Another Medium)
17. Cat Ballou (1965)
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
- Oscars history: 5 nominations, 1 win
- IMDb user rating: 6.8/10 (14,273 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 88% (26 reviews)
- Directed by: Elliot Silverstein
- Nominated for: Actor, Film Editing, Music (Scoring Of Music–Adaptation Or Treatment), Music (Song), Writing (Screenplay–Based On Material From Another Medium)
16. Django Unchained (2012)
Source: Courtesy of The Weinstein Company
Source: Courtesy of The Weinstein Company
- Oscars history: 5 nominations, 2 wins
- IMDb user rating: 8.4/10 (1,427,183 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 87% (291 reviews)
- Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
- Nominated for: Actor In A Supporting Role, Cinematography, Best Picture, Sound Editing, Writing (Original Screenplay)
15. Shane (1953)
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
- Oscars history: 6 nominations, 1 win
- IMDb user rating: 7.6/10 (38,919 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 97% (36 reviews)
- Directed by: George Stevens
- Nominated for: Actor In A Supporting Role, Actor In A Supporting Role, Cinematography (Color), Directing, Best Motion Picture, Writing (Screenplay)
14. Cimarron (1931)
Source: Courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures
Source: Courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures
- Oscars history: 7 nominations, 3 wins
- IMDb user rating: 5.9/10 (5,881 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 52% (29 reviews)
- Directed by: Wesley Ruggles
- Nominated for: Actor, Actress, Art Direction, Cinematography, Directing, Outstanding Production, Writing (Adaptation)
13. The Alamo (1960)
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
- Oscars history: 7 nominations, 1 win
- IMDb user rating: 6.8/10 (15,249 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 52% (21 reviews)
- Directed by: John Wayne
- Nominated for: Actor In A Supporting Role, Cinematography (Color), Film Editing, Music (Music Score Of A Dramatic Or Comedy Picture), Music (Song), Best Motion Picture, Sound
12. The Yearling (1946)
Source: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Source: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- Oscars history: 7 nominations, 2 wins
- IMDb user rating: 7.2/10 (5,689 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (15 reviews)
- Directed by: Clarence Brown
- Nominated for: Actor, Actress, Art Direction (Color), Cinematography (Color), Directing, Film Editing, Best Motion Picture
11. Hud (1963)
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
- Oscars history: 7 nominations, 3 wins
- IMDb user rating: 7.8/10 (20,859 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 83% (30 reviews)
- Directed by: Martin Ritt
- Nominated for: Actor, Actor In A Supporting Role, Actress, Art Direction (Black-And-White), Cinematography (Black-And-White), Directing, Writing (Screenplay–Based On Material From Another Medium)
10. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
- Oscars history: 7 nominations, 4 wins
- IMDb user rating: 8.0/10 (217,852 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 89% (53 reviews)
- Directed by: George Roy Hill
- Nominated for: Cinematography, Directing, Music (Original Score–For A Motion Picture [Not A Musical]), Music (Song–Original For The Picture), Best Picture, Sound, Writing (Story And Screenplay–Based On Material Not Previously Published Or Produced)
9. Stagecoach (1939)
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
- Oscars history: 7 nominations, 2 wins
- IMDb user rating: 7.9/10 (46,215 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (45 reviews)
- Directed by: John Ford
- Nominated for: Actor In A Supporting Role, Art Direction, Cinematography (Black-And-White), Directing, Film Editing, Music (Scoring), Outstanding Production
8. High Noon (1952)
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
- Oscars history: 7 nominations, 4 wins
- IMDb user rating: 8.0/10 (100,798 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 97% (58 reviews)
- Directed by: Fred Zinnemann
- Nominated for: Actor, Directing, Film Editing, Music (Music Score Of A Dramatic Or Comedy Picture), Music (Song), Best Motion Picture, Writing (Screenplay)
7. How the West Was Won (1962)
Source: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
N/A
Source: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
- Oscars history: 8 nominations, 3 wins
- IMDb user rating: 7.1/10 (19,799 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 86% (22 reviews)
- Directed by: Henry Hathaway, George Marshall, John Ford
- Nominated for: Art Direction (Color), Cinematography (Color), Costume Design (Color), Film Editing, Music (Music Score–Substantially Original), Best Picture, Sound, Writing (Story And Screenplay–Written Directly For The Screen)
6. Unforgiven (1992)
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
- Oscars history: 9 nominations, 4 wins
- IMDb user rating: 8.2/10 (391,927 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 96% (106 reviews)
- Directed by: Clint Eastwood
- Nominated for: Actor In A Leading Role, Actor In A Supporting Role, Art Direction, Cinematography, Directing, Film Editing, Best Picture, Sound, Writing (Screenplay Written Directly For The Screen)
5. Giant (1956)
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
- Oscars history: 10 nominations, 1 win
- IMDb user rating: 7.6/10 (37,057 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 93% (45 reviews)
- Directed by: George Stevens
- Nominated for: Actor, Actor, Actress In A Supporting Role, Art Direction (Color), Costume Design (Color), Directing, Film Editing, Music (Music Score Of A Dramatic Or Comedy Picture), Best Motion Picture, Writing (Screenplay–Adapted)
4. True Grit (2010)
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
- Oscars history: 10 nominations, 0 wins
- IMDb user rating: 7.6/10 (323,355 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 95% (275 reviews)
- Directed by: Joel & Ethan Coen
- Nominated for: Actor In A Leading Role, Actress In A Supporting Role, Art Direction, Cinematography, Costume Design, Directing, Best Picture, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
3. The Power of the Dog (2021)
Source: Courtesy of Netflix
N/A
Source: Courtesy of Netflix
- Oscars history: 12 nominations, 1 win
- IMDb user rating: 6.8/10 (191,000 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 94% (362 reviews)
- Directed by: Jane Campion
- Nominated for: Actor In A Leading Role, Actor In A Supporting Role, Actor In A Supporting Role, Actress In A Supporting Role, Cinematography, Directing, Film Editing, Music (Original Score), Best Picture, Production Design, Sound, Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
2. The Revenant (2015)
Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
- Oscars history: 12 nominations, 3 wins
- IMDb user rating: 8.0/10 (809,924 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 78% (401 reviews)
- Directed by: Alejandro G. Iñárritu
- Nominated for: Actor In A Leading Role, Actor In A Supporting Role, Cinematography, Costume Design, Directing, Film Editing, Makeup And Hairstyling, Best Picture, Production Design, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, Visual Effects
1. Dances with Wolves (1990)
Source: Courtesy of Orion Pictures
Source: Courtesy of Orion Pictures
- Oscars history: 12 nominations, 7 wins
- IMDb user rating: 8.0/10 (250,448 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 83% (76 reviews)
- Directed by: Kevin Costner
- Nominated for: Actor In A Leading Role, Actor In A Supporting Role, Actress In A Supporting Role, Art Direction, Cinematography, Costume Design, Directing, Film Editing, Music (Original Score), Best Picture, Sound, Writing (Screenplay Based On Material From Another Medi