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Between 1940 through 1960, a time known as the Golden Age of Westerns, the Western film genre was tremendously popular. During these years, the number of Western films produced surpassed that of all other genres combined. It was also a time that produced some of the most legendary Westerns, including “High Noon,” “The Magnificent Seven,” “The Searchers,” and “Shane,” among many others.
These films showcased the era's biggest stars, like Rock Hudson, Gregory Peck, Joan Crawford and Elizabeth Taylor. Westerns often became closely associated with particular actors, many of whom appeared in numerous films. For instance, both James Stewart and John Wayne are each featured in seven movies from the list.
John Wayne worked with director John Ford on 14 films, nine of which were Westerns, three of which are featured here. Two of these Westerns have a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score of 100%. Additionally, Wayne starred in two films directed by Howard Hawks that also received a perfect 100% rating.
James Stewart featured in five films on the list directed by Anthony Mann, all of which scored a perfect Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating of 100%.
24/7 Tempo created an index using average ratings from IMDb, an online movie database owned by Amazon, along with audience scores and Tomatometer scores from Rotten Tomatoes, an online review aggregator, as of Sept. 13, 2023. All ratings were weighed equally to determine the top Westerns everyone should see. Only Westerns with fewer than 40,000 user reviews on both IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes were included, and documentaries were not considered.
In all, 17 Westerns on our list have Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer scores of 100%. Even though audiences and critics appreciated the genre, that did not necessarily translate into Oscar recognition. Just six movies listed received Academy Awards. (Here are the 30 best western films ever made.)
40. The Professionals (1966)
- Directed by: Richard Brooks
- Starring: Burt Lancaster, Lee Marvin, Robert Ryan
- IMDb user rating: 7.3/10 (15,262)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 81% (3,973 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 88% (17 reviews)
In "The Professionals," a rancher hires four experts to rescue his supposedly kidnapped wife from a former revolutionary leader. However the team soon discovers that she is not a captive but a willing lover to the leader, resulting in a moral standoff at the U.S.-Mexico border.
39. Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid (1973)
- Directed by: Sam Peckinpah
- Starring: James Coburn, Kris Kristofferson, Richard Jaeckel
- IMDb user rating: 7.3/10 (18,848)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 83% (7,669 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 86% (21 reviews)
"Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid" is a revisionist Western that explores the turbulent friendship between aging lawman Pat Garrett and his former companion, Billy the Kid. Directed by Sam Peckinpah, the movie features a Grammy-nominated score by Bob Dylan. It became notorious for behind-the-scenes conflicts that resulted in re-edited version, which was disowned by the cast and crew.
38. The Cowboys (1972)
- Directed by: Mark Rydell
- Starring: John Wayne, Roscoe Lee Browne, Bruce Dern
- IMDb user rating: 7.4/10 (13,780)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 88% (9,668 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 80% (15 reviews)
When his ranch hands desert him for a gold rush, rancher Wil Andersen (Wayne) hires local schoolboys for a 400-mile cattle drive. The boys rise to the challenge, facing threats from a gang of cattle rustlers led by Asa "Long Hair" Watts.
37. Last Train from Gun Hill (1959)
- Directed by: John Sturges
- Starring: Kirk Douglas, Anthony Quinn, Carolyn Jones
- IMDb user rating: 7.3/10 (7,222)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 81% (1,646 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 91% (11 reviews)
In this gripping tale of law, loss, and retribution, Douglas and Quinn star as old friends turned enemies following a horrible crime. Douglas plays a U.S. marshal seeking justice for his murdered Cherokee wife, only to discover that the son of the wealthy cattle baron, played by Quinn, is the perpetrator.
36. The Man From Snowy River (1982)
- Directed by: George Miller
- Starring: Kirk Douglas, Tom Burlinson, Terence Donovan
- IMDb user rating: 7.2/10 (9,651)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 89% (26,356 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 85% (13 reviews)
In this Australian Western, Douglas takes on dual roles as brothers Harrison and Spur. Based on a Banjo Paterson poem, the film follows Jim Craig, a young man determine to prove his worth after his father's death. Confronting family secrets, forbidden love, and wild horse mobs, Jim ultimately captures an elusive prize colt, demonstrating his true mettle.
35. The Misfits (1961)
- Directed by: John Huston
- Starring: Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe, Montgomery Clift
- IMDb user rating: 7.2/10 (19,552)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 78% (9,424 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 97% (30 reviews)
In this contemporary Western, newly divorced Roslyn Tabor (Marilyn Monroe), navigates complex relationships with a cowboy, his best friend, and a rodeo rider. Although it was initially a commercial failure, the film, which was the last completed work for both Gable and Monroe, is now considered a 1960s masterpiece.
34. The Ballad of Cable Hogue (1970)
- Directed by: Sam Peckinpah
- Starring: Jason Robards, Stella Stevens, David Warner
- IMDb user rating: 7.3/10 (9,203)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 81% (3,771 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 93% (15 reviews)
Set in the last days of the frontier era, "The Ballad of Cable Hogue" is an unconventional Western comedy focusing on humor rather than the typical violence of the genre. The story follows Cable Hogue, a prospector who finds water in the Arizona desert and starts a business, making him an atypical hero for a Western.
33. Hombre (1967)
- Directed by: Martin Ritt
- Starring: Paul Newman, Fredric March, Richard Boone
- IMDb user rating: 7.4/10 (11,958)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 80% (3,970 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 93% (15 reviews)
Newman Plays John Russell, an Apache-raised white man facing prejudice in late 19th-century Arizona. The film explores Russell's moral struggle as he navigates a hostile world, leading to a tragic, yet heroic finale. The film offers a unique perspective on Native American issues.
32. The Yearling (1946)
- Directed by: Clarence Brown
- Starring: Gregory Peck, Jane Wyman, Claude Jarman Jr.
- IMDb user rating: 7.2/10 (5,689)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 76% (3,773 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (15 reviews)
This family-themed Western follows a boy named Jodie who adopts a troublesome young deer. The story explores Jodie's relationship with his parents, his efforts to keep the deer, and the heartache he faces when he must ultimately kill his beloved pet.
31. The Far Country (1954)
- Directed by: Anthony Mann
- Starring: John McIntire, James Stewart, Ruth Roman
- IMDb user rating: 7.2/10 (7,215)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 76% (2,814 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (10 reviews)
"The Far Country" offers a unique setting for a Western: Alaska. Amidst the gold rush and cattle drives, self-reliant adventurer Jeff Webster clashes with a corrupt judge while driving cattle to Dawson City in the Yukon. This film marks the fourth collaboration between director Anthony Mann and actor James Stewart.
30. She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949)
- Directed by: John Ford
- Starring: John Wayne, Joanne Dru, John Agar
- IMDb user rating: 7.3/10 (16,757)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 80% (8,882 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 95% (22 reviews)
In the iconic "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon," part of Ford's "Cavalry Trilogy," and one of nine Westerns directed by Ford starring Wayne, a retiring cavalry veteran is given a final mission to prevent a potential frontier war. Amidst the turmoil, romantic tensions escalate among the troops. The film was well-received, earning an Academy Award for Best Cinematography.
29. McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971)
- Directed by: Robert Altman
- Starring: Warren Beatty, Julie Christie, Rene Auberjonois
- IMDb user rating: 7.7/10 (23,819)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 86% (8,708 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 84% (56 reviews)
"McCabe & Mrs. Miller," challenges Western genre norms, with an anti-Western narrative. John McCabe, a gambler in 1902 Washington state, collaborates with Constance Miller, a madam, to establish a thriving brothel. However, their success attracts dangerous attention, resulting in a tragic conclusion.
28. Jubal (1956)
- Directed by: Delmer Daves
- Starring: Glenn Ford, Ernest Borgnine, Rod Steiger
- IMDb user rating: 7.1/10 (3,696)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 78% (1,315 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (10 reviews)
Once informally referred to as "Othello on the Range," "Jubal" revolves around a cowboy, Jubal Troop, who seeks refuge on a large ranch. There, he becomes entangled in a complex web of deceit, jealousy, and violence involving the ranch owner, his wife, and a resentful cattleman.
27. The Naked Spur (1953)
- Directed by: Anthony Mann
- Starring: James Stewart, Janet Leigh, Robert Ryan
- IMDb user rating: 7.3/10 (10,690)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 76% (2,350 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (15 reviews)
Stewart plays a bounty hunter on a quest for justice after the murder of a marshal. Teaming up with two untrustworthy strangers, he embarks on a perilous journey through the Rocky Mountains. The film, noted for its original screenplay, is the third Western collaboration between director Mann and Stewart.
26. Hud (1963)
- Directed by: Martin Ritt
- Starring: Paul Newman, Melvyn Douglas, Patricia Neal
- IMDb user rating: 7.8/10 (20,859)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 89% (8,455 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 83% (30 reviews)
"Hud" portrays the conflict between a principled patriarch, Homer Bannon, and his self-absorbed son, Hud, during a threatening cattle disease outbreak. Celebrated for its revisionist take on the Western genre, the film won three Academy Awards.
25. Go West (1925)
- Directed by: Buster Keaton
- Starring: Buster Keaton, Howard Truesdale, Kathleen Myers
- IMDb user rating: 7.2/10 (4,133)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 80% (1,890 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (11 reviews)
In this silent Western comedy, Keaton plays a drifter named Friendless. From cattle wrangling to bronco-busting and even dairy farming, he tries various endeavors until he ends up driving a herd of cattle through the streets of Los Angeles.
24. 3:10 to Yuma (1957)
- Directed by: Delmer Daves
- Starring: Glenn Ford, Van Heflin, Felicia Farr
- IMDb user rating: 7.6/10 (19,052)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 79% (9,258 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 96% (28 reviews)
Adapted from an Elmore Leonard short story, "3:10 to Yuma" recounts the story of a struggling rancher entrusted with delivering a notorious outlaw to justice in the Arizona Territory. The film was remade in 2007, starring Russell Crowe and Christian Bale.
23. The Shootist (1976)
- Directed by: Don Siegel
- Starring: John Wayne, Lauren Bacall, Ron Howard
- IMDb user rating: 7.6/10 (23,342)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 88% (9,640 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 87% (23 reviews)
This Western was John Wayne's final film performance. The plot revolves around a retired sheriff and gunfighter diagnosed with terminal cancer, who seeks solace in a quiet boarding house. However, his peaceful life is shattered when his past resurfaces, sparking confrontations with those looking to exploit his notorious reputation.
22. Bend of the River (1952)
- Directed by: Anthony Mann
- Starring: James Stewart, Rock Hudson, Arthur Kennedy
- IMDb user rating: 7.3/10 (8,272)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 79% (3,160 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (8 reviews)
"Bend of the River" follows a cowboy who risks his life to deliver crucial supplies to settlers following a gold discovery. Set in Oregon, the film explores themes of redemption and trust. It marked the second Western collaboration between director Mann and actor Stewart.
21. The Man from Laramie (1955)
- Directed by: Anthony Mann
- Starring: James Stewart, Arthur Kennedy, Donald Crisp
- IMDb user rating: 7.3/10 (10,313)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 79% (3,427 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (10 reviews)
In another collaboration between Mann and Stewart, this film portrays a stranger who confronts a local cattle baron and his ruthless son by aligning with a long-standing rival, sparking a deadly feud. Shot in CinemaScope, the movie beautifully captures the grandeur of the Western scenery.
20. Shenandoah (1965)
- Directed by: Andrew V. McLaglen
- Starring: James Stewart, Doug McClure, Glenn Corbett
- IMDb user rating: 7.3/10 (8,351)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 79% (6,128 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (6 reviews)
"Shenandoah" resonates with powerful humanitarian and antiwar messages. Set against the backdrop of the Civil War, the story centers on the Anderson family's efforts to steer clear of the conflict until it directly impacts them. They are forced into a frantic search for their youngest son, who is mistakenly captured as a prisoner of war.
19. Ride the High Country (1962)
- Directed by: Sam Peckinpah
- Starring: Joel McCrea, Randolph Scott, Mariette Hartley
- IMDb user rating: 7.5/10 (12,803)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 84% (4,078 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 93% (15 reviews)
In Randolph Scott's last screen appearance, this film follows ex-lawman Steve Judd, who is hired to transport gold, while his companions conspire to steal it. Recognized for its cultural significance, the film was chosen for preservation in the National Film Registry in 1992.
18. The Sons of Katie Elder (1965)
- Directed by: Henry Hathaway
- Starring: John Wayne, Dean Martin, Martha Hyer
- IMDb user rating: 7.2/10 (16,707)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 81% (10,170 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (13 reviews)
Taking place in Texas, this film centers on the four grown sons of ranch owner Katie Elder, who reunite for her funeral. They face hostility from the locals and contend with a villainous gunsmith named Hastings, who falsely lays claim to the Elders' ranch. Amidst a backdrop of violence and betrayal, they endeavor to restore their mother's honor and reclaim their family's possessions.
17. The Rider (2017)
- Directed by: Chloé Zhao
- Starring: Brady Jandreau, Mooney, Tim Jandreau
- IMDb user rating: 7.5/10 (17,308)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 82% (2,068 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 97% (185 reviews)
This modern Western follows the life of an injured former rodeo star facing poverty and health challenges in South Dakota. Praised for its raw storytelling and authentic performances, the film features non-professional Lakota actors portraying fictionalized versions of themselves.
16. Shane (1953)
- Directed by: George Stevens
- Starring: Alan Ladd, Jean Arthur, Van Heflin
- IMDb user rating: 7.6/10 (38,919)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 81% (15,575 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 97% (36 reviews)
"Shane," a classic Western masterpiece, follows a skilled gunfighter who defends settlers against the bullying tactics of a cruel cattle baron. Renowned for its award-winning cinematography and outstanding performances, the film is a significant contribution to the Western genre and has been preserved in the National Film Registry.
15. Johnny Guitar (1954)
- Directed by: Nicholas Ray
- Starring: Joan Crawford, Sterling Hayden, Mercedes McCambridge
- IMDb user rating: 7.6/10 (16,647)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 85% (3,605 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 93% (46 reviews)
"Johnny Guitar," a pioneering Western, centers on Vienna, a determined saloonkeeper, and her complex relationships with the townsfolk and her former flame, Johnny Guitar. The film explores themes of love, rivalry, betrayal, and survival in the unforgiving landscape of an Arizona frontier town.
14. Lonely Are the Brave (1962)
- Directed by: David Miller
- Starring: Kirk Douglas, Gena Rowlands, Walter Matthau
- IMDb user rating: 7.6/10 (8,684)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 85% (1,135 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 93% (14 reviews)
In this adaptation of Edward Abbey's novel "The Brave Cowboy," set in contemporary times, Douglas takes on the role of Jack Burns, a man at odds with the modern world. When his friend Bondi is imprisoned, Burns orchestrates his own arrest to help Bondi escape jail. Despite facing a relentless manhunt, Burns remains firm, embodying the spirit of the Old West.
13. Destry Rides Again (1939)
- Directed by: George Marshall
- Starring: Marlene Dietrich, James Stewart, Mischa Auer
- IMDb user rating: 7.7/10 (10,958)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 82% (4,902 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 96% (25 reviews)
The storyline of this Western comedy centers on the formidable Tom Destry Jr., who, despite his initial reluctance to resort to violence, helps restore law and order to a corrupt Western town. Recognized for its cultural importance, the film has been honored with a place in the National Film Registry.
12. Giant (1956)
- Directed by: George Stevens
- Starring: Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, James Dean
- IMDb user rating: 7.6/10 (37,057)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 87% (24,274 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 93% (45 reviews)
"Giant" focuses on wealthy Texas rancher Bick Benedict and his wife, Leslie. The story explores their marital challenges, the friction with ranch hand Jett Rink, and the intricate dynamics of their family amid societal shifts. The film was Dean's final leading role before his untimely and tragic death.
11. The Tall T (1957)
- Directed by: Budd Boetticher
- Starring: Randolph Scott, Richard Boone, Maureen O'Sullivan
- IMDb user rating: 7.3/10 (4,829)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 84% (611 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (5 reviews)
In "The Tall T," a retired ranch foreman and an heiress find themselves kidnapped by three outlaws seeking ransom. This gripping tale of survival and resistancee was one of five Boetticher films starring Randolph Scott.
10. Fort Apache (1948)
- Directed by: John Ford
- Starring: John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Shirley Temple
- IMDb user rating: 7.5/10 (17,222)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 83% (7,930 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (21 reviews)
"Fort Apache" is the acclaimed opening chapter of John Ford's "Cavalry Trilogy." The film offers a compassionate portrayal of Native Americans and is hailed as one of the first 'pro-Indian' Westerns. The film depicts escalating tensions at an isolated U.S. cavalry post, where an inexperienced and arrogant officer assumes command, resulting in a tragic clash with local tribes.
9. Little Big Man (1970)
- Directed by: Arthur Penn
- Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Faye Dunaway, Chief Dan George
- IMDb user rating: 7.6/10 (34,080)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 87% (17,453 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 96% (26 reviews)
In this genre-bending Western, Dustin Hoffman stars as a white man raised by the Cheyenne nation in the 19th century. The film follows his journey to reintegrate into white American society, cleverly parodying the Western genre. Through contrasting the experiences white settlers and Native Americans, it indirectly critiques America's role in the Vietnam War.
8. Jeremiah Johnson (1972)
- Directed by: Sydney Pollack
- Starring: Robert Redford, Will Geer, Delle Bolton
- IMDb user rating: 7.6/10 (30,195)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 89% (12,927 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 95% (20 reviews)
"Jeremiah Johnson" portrays the journey of a Mexican War veteran who becomes a mountain man. After learning survival skills from a fellow mountain man, adopting a son, and marrying the daughter of an Indian chief, his peaceful life is shattered when his family is killed by the Crow tribe. This tragedy sets him on a relentless path of revenge.
7. Winchester '73 (1950)
- Directed by: Anthony Mann
- Starring: James Stewart, Shelley Winters, Dan Duryea
- IMDb user rating: 7.6/10 (18,953)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 86% (5,471 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (27 reviews)
In this classic Western, the main character goes on a quest to track down both a murderer and a cherished rifle across iconic landscapes of the West. The story follows the rifle's journey through different owners, integrating themes of betrayal and redemption along the way.
6. El Dorado (1966)
- Directed by: Howard Hawks
- Starring: John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, James Caan
- IMDb user rating: 7.6/10 (25,687)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 87% (12,709 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (23 reviews)
Robert Mitchum plays an alcoholic sheriff, while John Wayne takes on the role of his old friend, a hired gun. Together, they attempt to protect a rancher who is being forced off his land.
5. The Ox-Bow Incident (1942)
- Directed by: William A. Wellman
- Starring: Henry Fonda, Dana Andrews, Mary Beth Hughes
- IMDb user rating: 8.0/10 (22,306)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 91% (5,137 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 91% (22 reviews)
"The Ox-Bow Incident" follows two cowboys who join a hastily assembled posse seeking vengeance for a rancher's murder. The posse unjustly lynches three men suspected of the crime, only to realize their tragic mistake later on. Nominated for Best Picture, the film remains a stark portrayal of the dangers of mob justice.
4. My Darling Clementine (1946)
- Directed by: John Ford
- Starring: Henry Fonda, Linda Darnell, Victor Mature
- IMDb user rating: 7.7/10 (24,191)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 86% (7,524 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (31 reviews)
Henry Fonda portrays Wyatt Earp in this timeless Ford masterpiece. The story unfolds during the events leading up to the notorious gunfight at the O.K. Corral.
3. Red River (1948)
- Directed by: Howard Hawks
- Starring: John Wayne, Montgomery Clift, Joanne Dru
- IMDb user rating: 7.8/10 (29,715)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 87% (8,571 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (30 reviews)
"Red River" gives a fictional account of the first cattle drive from Texas to Kansas. The storyline revolves around a feud erupting between the rancher who started the drive and his adopted adult son.
2. The Gunfighter (1950)
- Directed by: Henry King
- Starring: Gregory Peck, Helen Westcott, Millard Mitchell
- IMDb user rating: 7.7/10 (10,510)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 89% (1,321 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (14 reviews)
Gregory Peck portrays the infamous title character in "The Gunfighter," struggling with his violent history, a desire for reconciliation with his estranged wife, and the relentless pursuit by those seeking revenge and notoriety.
1. The Big Country (1958)
- Directed by: William Wyler
- Starring: Gregory Peck, Jean Simmons, Carroll Baker
- IMDb user rating: 7.9/10 (16,962)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 90% (5,532 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (11 reviews)
In this sweeping Western saga, James McKay, a former sea captain, travels to the American West to wed his fiancée Patricia. Amidst a backdrop of ranch rivalries and cowboy escapades, McKay navigates through conflicts, tames wild horses, and forges strategic alliances.