Underrated Westerns Everyone Should Watch

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.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.

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.

“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.

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.

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.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.

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.

“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.

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 chosenfor preservation in the National Film Registry in 1992.

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.

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.

“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.

“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.

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.

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.

“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.

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.

“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.

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.

“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.

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.

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.

“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.

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.

“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.

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.

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.