In recent years, many people have found a new love of the Western genre. It’s part of the reason why newer neo-Westerns like “No Country for Old Men” have seen a resurgence as of late. There can be many reasons why people enjoy this old type of cinema. It could be that films were shorter and often less complex than movies of today, so you can just relax and watch them during an afternoon. It could also be that many Westerns are about justice, and people enjoy seeing heroes conquer villains. If you enjoy Westerns, you’ve likely seen the heavy hitters, like “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” and “Shane,” but there are also many overlooked Westerns that you should watch.
Why were these films overlooked? It could have been that the market was oversaturated with Westerns when they came out, and so the critics and audiences were getting burned out. It could also be that they had a unique style that many people were not used to back then, and so the movies were mostly disregarded. Whatever the reason, these movies did not make much money at the box office or get positive reviews, but that has all changed. Now, many of these overlooked Westerns are considered to be cult classics, and they’re all worth a watch.
To determine the overlooked Westerns people should watch, 24/7 Tempo consulted many different cinematic sources, including the Internet Movie Database, Rotten Tomatoes, and The Hollywood Reporter, to find the best gems of the genre. We think you’ll enjoy going through this list and watching each and every one. If you want to revisit some of the most celebrated films in the genre, check out this list of the greatest Westerns ever made according to IMDb ratings.
“The Man from Snowy River”
- IMDb Score: 7.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 89%
- Year Released: 1982
- Director: George Miller
- Cast: Kirk Douglas, Tom Burlinson, Terence Donovan
The first of the overlooked Westerns that are now considered a cult classic is this great film that’s set in Australia. It stars Kirk Douglas as a man who loses his father. In order to keep the family farm, he needs to go through many challenges. It’s the tale of a man trying to make it through hard times, and it’s wonderfully acted. In fact, Douglas plays dual roles as he plays both brothers alongside an Australian cast. This is a dark and gritty film that’s worth viewing if you enjoy Westerns.
“Day of the Outlaw”
- IMDb Score: 7.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 72%
- Year Released: 1959
- Director: Andre De Toth
- Cast: Robert Ryan, Burl Ives, Tina Louise
This is a classic Western that’s about a small town that’s taken over by outlaws. The inhabitants, led by one rancher, try to get out of the dangerous situation without people getting hurt. This is another one of those Westerns that’s great because it’s set to a snowy backdrop, and so there is also the weather to contend with, and it adds to the drama. This movie is a great character study and one to watch if you love the genre.
“Duck, You Sucker”
- IMDb Score: 7.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 83%
- Year Released: 1971
- Director: Sergio Leone
- Cast: Rod Steiger, James Coburn, Romolo Valli
Director Sergio Leone was known as a king in this genre, but this is one of his most underrated Western films. It’s set in the 1970s during the height of the Mexican Revolution. An explosive expert and a bandit team up while trying to get out of a conflict, and they forge a friendship. This is a fun film with plenty of action but also a fair share of laughs and a bit of tragedy. It’s a movie with a lot going on and many people consider it to be one of the most overlooked Western films in history.
“Two Mules for Sister Sara”
- IMDb Score: 7.0/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 73%
- Year Released: 1970
- Director: Don Siegel
- Cast: Clint Eastwood, Shirley MacLaine, Manolo Fabregas
Clint Eastwood starred in many Westerns during his career, and one of his rather overlooked Westerns is this action/comedy hybrid that also stars Shirley MacLaine. She plays a nun who’s trying to get home, so she teams up with Eastwood’s character, and they go on an adventure through the Wild West. The film is great because it has some really cool action set pieces and awesome visuals, especially for a film from 1970. If you love Clint Eastwood or great films from the decade, this is one to watch.
“Lonely are the Brave”
- IMDb Score: 7.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 84%
- Year Released: 1962
- Director: David Miller
- Cast: Kirk Douglas, Gena Rowlands, Walter Matthau
This is another unique Western tale that’s not really a Western at all, at least not initially. The movie is about a Korean War veteran who comes back with PTSD and gets in trouble with the law and they chase him into New Mexico. While there, he tries to get away on horseback while the authorities chase him down. This is one of the finest performances in Kirk Douglas’ career and it’s a good film to watch if you like a combination of modern and classic cinema.
“The Lusty Men”
Robert Mitchum talking to Susan Hayward outside in a scene from the film 'The Lusty Men', 1956. (Photo by RKO Radio Pictures/Getty Images)
- IMDb Score: 7.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 83%
- Year Released: 1952
- Director: Nicholas Ray
- Cast: Susan Hayward Robert Mitchum, Arthur Kennedy
This unique tale tells the story of a veteran rodeo champion who decides to mentor an up-and-coming rodeo contestant and bring him to a new level. However, the novice’s wife is terrified of the dangers of the rough sport. The result is some fun action but also a bit of drama, and it’s all entertaining. The film is loved now but it was a box office dud back then but don’t let that deter you from giving it a chance.
“Forty Guns”
- IMDb Score: 7.0/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 66%
- Year Released: 1957
- Director: Samuel Fuller
- Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Barry Sullivan, Dean Jagger
Perhaps one of the most overlooked Westerns is “Forty Guns,” which was directed by Samuel Fuller. He’s the director of many other unique films, including “House of Bamboo” and “The Steel Helmet.” In “Forty Guns,” there’s a massive showdown between multiple parties, including U.S. Marshals, the Bonnell brothers, and the rancher who controls the area. The result is an exciting romp that has some great shots and cinematography. The movie bombed back then, but it’s a must-see for Western fans today.
“Mad Dog Morgan”
- IMDb Score: 6.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 40%
- Year Released: 1976
- Director: Philippe Mora
- Cast: Dennis Hopper, Jack Thompson, David Galpilil
This is the rare film that stars amazing actor Dennis Hopper in a leading role. It’s the story of a real-life figure of the same name that was an outlaw living in the wilderness of Australia. This is a very odd movie that is very experimental. It has odd editing and unique cuts and it can be kind of trippy if you’re not ready for it. However, if you’re interested in unique cinema that’s not like everything else, it’s worth a try.
“Tombstone”
- IMDb Score: 7.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 94%
- Year Released: 1993
- Director: George P. Cosmatos
- Cast: Kurt Russel, Val Kilmer, Bill Paxton
Though this was a major motion picture back in 1993, “Tombstone” is often in the discussion of overlooked Westerns mostly because it’s not talked about much these days. Still, this is a very solid Western film with great acting and an all-star cast. Unlike many of the other films on this list, the movie did have great reviews when it came out with many publications calling it one the best Westerns of all time, but it has been largely forgotten since that time. If you want to see some of the best performances of the 1990s, check this one out.
“The Missouri Breaks”
- IMDb Score: 6.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 60%
- Year Released: 1976
- Director: Arthur Penn
- Cast: Marlon Brando, Jack Nicholson, Randy Quaid
It’s hard to believe that this is considered to be one of the overlooked Westerns, especially since it has a cast of big-name actors, including Brando and Nicholson. In it, Brando plays a sharpshooter who’s tasked with hunting a gang that’s led by Nicholson’s character. It’s always great to see a movie where the good guy and the bad guy are played by such famous faces, and this is no exception. Keep in mind that the movie is pretty unique in that it’s more offbeat than your typical film, but if you’re in for an experience, check it out.
“The Great Silence”
- IMDb Score: 7.7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 89%
- Year Released: 1968
- Director: Sergio Corbucci
- Cast: Jean-Louis Trintignant, Klaus Kinski, Frank Wolff
For a great spin on the Western genre, check out “The Great Silence,” which is about a mute gunslinger who decides to stand up to a group of bounty hunters who give him a run for his money. This is a spaghetti Western and it’s rather bleak and violent, but many Westerns were back then. The movie is also unique because it’s set in an icy and cold setting as opposed to the hot desert. It’s a great film with superb action and a wonderful soundtrack that really adds to the experience.
“The Gunfighter”
- IMDb Score: 7.7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 89%
- Year Released: 1950
- Director: Henry King
- Cast: William Bowers, William Sellers, André De Toth
Many people consider “The Gunfighter” to be the absolute most overlooked Western and a true hidden gem in the genre. It’s about Jimmy Ringo, a notorious gunfighter who rides into town and has the simple desire to see his true love. However, she doesn’t want to see him. Instead, what he finds is a heap of trouble, and he needs to fight his way out of it. Ironically, this film failed miserably at the box office, but many people now consider it to be one of the greatest Western films of all time.
“The Rider”
- IMDb Score: 7.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 2017
- Year Released: 2017
- Director: Chloe Zhao
- Cast: Brady Jandreau, Mooney, Tim Jandreau
One of the more recent overlooked Western films on this list is “The Rider,” which came out in 2017. It’s the story of a young cowboy who gets a head injury. As he recovers, he searches for a new identity and learns what it is to be a man in America’s heartland. This is one of many more recent films that are considered neo-Westerns because they have many of the same themes, but they’re set in a more modern day. If you’re interested in more recent Western films, check out our list of the 40 absolute best modern Westerns.