10 Classic Western Movies That Still Hold Up Today

The Western genre has been around since the earliest days of cinema, but some of its movies have only gotten better with time. The definitive Western movies look back on the days of the American frontier and the Old West. With a genre so used to looking into the past, it makes sense that some Westerns don’t age well.

Even some of the greatest Western movies of all time are seen as a product of their time, featuring outdated characters and tropes. The Western genre went through many changes over the years as well, with the Spaghetti Westerns and Revisionist Westerns replacing the more traditional Westerns of good guys versus bad guys.

However, there are some truly standout movies in the genre that, despite being decades old, can still be watched today by both new and old fans and demonstrate the greatness of Westerns.

10

The Gunfighter (1950)

The Western genre is renowned for telling stories of folk heroes, and The Gunfighter is a prime example. The reality behind Johnny Ringo is much darker than this movie suggests, but it uses his iconic stature in the Old West to examine the idea of elevating men of violence to a place of reverence.

Gregory Peck stars as Ringo, a notorious gunslinger who is seeking to find some redemption with the family he left behind. However, his hope for the future is constantly put in danger by those who want to challenge him and make a name for themselves, or those who want revenge over rumors of his murders.

Peck makes for a stoic yet complicated Western protagonist. His Ringo is a man who is not as villainous as the stories suggest, but is also a flawed man who has made many mistakes. The movie holds up with its contained and exciting story, building tension throughout. It all leads to an ending that still packs a punch today.

9

Shane (1953)

Shane came out of a time of traditional Westerns and offers a setup that sounds similar to those types of movies, only to be much more under the surface. Alan Ladd gives the genre his most iconic character as a gunfighter who comes upon a family of settlers being terrorized by a ruthless cattle baron.

Shane makes for one of the most definitive Western archetypes, the reluctant hero who steps up and uses his skills for violence to help those in need. He has influenced countless characters in movies beyond the Western genre, with Shane featured prominently in Logan as a parallel to Hugh Jackman’s hero.

The deep themes of heroism and myth showed an examination of the Western genre that was ahead of its time and still resonates. The ground-breaking visual style of the movie also pushed the genre forward, with the wide-open landscapes adding an epic feel to the story.

8

The Shootist (1976)

John Wayne’s Western movies stand as some of the most popular titles in the genre, but there is no denying that many of his Westerns come from an era of the genre that went out of style. However, The Shootist works so well because it sees the actor moving out of that comfort zone while also reflecting on his legacy.

The Shootist stars Wayne as J.B. Books, a famed gunslinger who learns he is dying of cancer. Looking to end his life with some dignity and peace, he settles into a small town to await his fate. The movie marked the end of an era as it turned out to be Wayne’s final Western and final movie before his death.

While The Shootist didn’t get as much attention when it was released, the fact that it marks the end of Wayne’s career has made it a perfect celebration of his contributions to the genre, while also featuring Wayne’s best performance.

7

Rio Bravo (1959)

As much as John Wayne’s movies don’t all age so well, some of those classics from his career are perfect to revisit. Rio Bravo is one of the best movies of Wayne’s career, while also featuring standout performances from Dean Martin, Angie Dickinson, and Ricky Nelson.

Wayne stars in the movie as a sheriff in a small town who imprisons a local murderer and must fend off the hired goons who have come to bust the man out. Quentin Tarantino called Rio Bravo the ultimate “hangout movie,” which is why it has aged so well.

The movie is less about the plot of the heroes standing tall while being outnumbered and more about spending time with these characters. They are rich and layered creations, and the relationships become more entertaining with each new viewing.

6

Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid (1969)

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is another movie that is far too kind to its real-life outlaw characters, but is also one of the most enjoyable Western movies ever made. Paul Newman and Robert Redford play the titular duo, a pair of outlaws who spend their time robbing trains and running from the law.

The chemistry between the two leads is one of the reasons Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid has stood the test of time. Whether they are standing side by side and facing their enemies or bickering with each other, Newman and Redford are electric together.

The tone of the movie is also lighter than you might expect, feeling like a grand adventure that we have been invited along on. The jokes still land, and the action is still thrilling, with it all leading to a grim yet satisfying ending.

5

Once Upon A Time In The West (1968)

The Spaghetti Western movement reshaped Westerns at a time when they were in need of new life. While there are many great examples, Sergio Leone is undoubtedly the greatest Spaghetti Western director of all, with Once Upon a Time in the West feeling like his opus.

The movie takes place in a small town where a widow, an outlaw, and a mysterious gunslinger converge to face off with a ruthless killer. From the methodical and riveting opening sequence of the movie, Leone shows supreme confidence as a filmmaker, drawing the audience into this extraordinary experience.

The music by Ennio Morricone adds to the sweeping nature of the movie, while the characters are all vividly drawn and wonderfully acted. Particularly iconic are Charles Bronson as the silent gunslinger and Henry Fonda as the vicious villain. It is a staggering piece of filmmaking from any genre that still wows audiences.

4

Unforgiven (1992)

Clint Eastwood is one of the greatest Western actors of all time, so it makes sense that he would also make for an ideal director to deconstruct the genre. Unforgiven is a dark Western drama starring Eastwood as William Munny, a former outlaw, now living a quiet life, who is called back to his violent ways.

The movie brilliantly tackles the idea that the stories we have been told of Westerns are not as romantic or heroic as they seemed. The simple decision to have the “hero” of the story be a former murderous outlaw and the villain to be a small-town sheriff (played by Gene Hackman) turns the genre on its head.

Unforgiven came at a time when Westerns were fading from Hollywood popularity and served as a way for the genre to transition to a new era. However, with the movie decades removed from that context, it simply stands as an exciting, complex, and profound Western tale.

3

High Noon (1952)

Even with the Western genre tackling parts of America’s past, some bold movies used the genre to comment on the current climate. One of the finest examples of this is High Noon. Gary Cooper plays a Marshal who awaits the arrival of a feared outlaw looking for revenge.

As the lawman prepares for the showdown, he finds the townspeople he has protected over the years won’t stand up to help him. While it makes for a great confined Western thriller, it also served as a profound commentary on McCarthyist politics of the time.

High Noon was met with praise and backlash at the time, with John Wayne labeling it “un-American”. While its allegories are not timely anymore, the message of heroism in the face of indifference still stands as a powerful one.

2

Tombstone (1993)

Over the past three decades, Tombstone has grown from a strong ’90s Western offering to one of the best Western movies of all time. The movie examines one of the most iconic Western figures of all time, with Kurt Russell starring as Wyatt Earp, the lawman who fought to bring down the villainous gang, The Cowboys.

Tombstone is filled with everything fans could want from a Western movie, from the compelling heroes, the despicable villains and the thrilling action. However, the thing that really stands out more than with most Westerns is Tombstone‘s script, with dialogue that is still quoted by fans to this day.

The movie also features one of the best casts in any Western movie, with many of the actors rising to greater fame following this movie. As terrific as the entire ensemble is, Val Kilmer’s Doc Holliday remains the true star of the show.

1

The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly (1967)

Once Upon a Time in the West is seen by some to be Sergio Leone’s masterpiece, but few Western movies have maintained their level of brilliance as effectively as The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. The final movie in Leone’s Dollars Trilogy follows a trio of figures during the Civil War who seek out a buried treasure.

With each movie in the trilogy, Leone built on his vision of the Western, making this third movie a complete and definitive take on the genre. It has a massive feel and values action over dialogue. Yet the characters come alive on screen, thanks to the trio of perfect actors, Eli Wallach, Lee Van Cleef, and an iconic Clint Eastwood.

It is a long and stunning ride from beginning to end, but it is that final showdown sequence that stands as one of the greatest moments in cinema history. It is a moment that anyone of any taste can sit down and be mesmerized by.