Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron is one of the most excellent animated movies ever made (in my humble opinion). The storytelling is simple, and the animals are very well voice-acted. What else do you need? | © DreamWorks Pictures
Mystery Road is a catchy thriller and western movie rolled into one. It sets up the story almost immediately and doesn't lose pace, unlike a lot of Western movies. | © Bunya Productions
The Sisters Brothers is a great story that follows notorious assassin brothers Eli and Charlie Sisters. And it's carried by John C. Reilly
and Joaquin Phoenix, who work far better together than you would expect. | © UGC
3:10 to Yuma builds up to one of the best Western set pieces of all time. And although the plot isn't original, Russell Crowe and Christian Bale do a lot to improve the film. | © Lionsgate Films
Slow West is a fitting name, and shows that not every Western needs to be fast-paced (although most do). The movie was visually stunning, as the filmmaker used a lot of cool camera tricks to make the Frontier look like colorful art work. | © Lionsgate Films
Bacurau is a solid Western that stands apart from the rest of the genre in a lot of ways. If you're looking for something a little more mysterious and thrilling, this might be the one for you. | © Vitrine Filmes
Django Unchained will keep you on the edge of your seat from the very first minutes; it's hilarious, fun, and wildly enjoyable. The plot is topped with iconic performances from Samuel L. Jackson, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Jamie Foxx. But we had to dock it a few points for Tarantino's infamous cameo. | © Columbia Pictures
Johnny Guitar is not truly a Western, but rather a complex story in a Western setting. Performances from the main actors are brilliant, and the atmosphere is dramatic to the point of being surreal. | © Republic Pictures
Wind River is a gripping Western mystery-thriller with a strong supportive cast that includes many fine Native American actors. It's a good retelling of their brutal history, but done with dignity and far less violence than you might expect. | © The Weinstein Company
Sweetgrass is an extremely slow-paced documentary with no narration, no host, and no attempt to tell the story. Each scene appears to be chosen because it illuminates the subject, rather than for drama. Sounds trash? It's absolutely not, but you need to go into it with the right spirit. | © Cinema Guild
Little Big Man was one of the first neo- or revisionist-Westerns that tells a tragic and epic tale. The script, acting, camera, and music still look fresh and ground-breaking. | © National General Corporation
Sweet Country is very well-made, especially with the clever use of flashbacks and flashforwards to take you through the story. The beautiful cinematography and unique locations make this movie a must-see, even if you're not a fan of Westerns. | © Bunya Productions
High Noon is one of the most gorgeous films that has all the moments of classics. Will Kane embodies the ideal American hero, he's a man who stands up for what is right, even when nobody else does. | © United Artists
El Dorado is the perfect movie if you want to watch a fast-paced action film that will entertain you with some clever moments and gorgeous scenery. I wish there were more films like this these days because the adventure genre is seriously lacking. | © Paramount Pictures
Fort Apache is a superb drama, a bit flawed but still very interesting and atmospheric. Both Wayne and Fonda force you to watch because you don't know what to expect from them as the movie goes on. | © RKO Pictures
The Rider is easily one of the most impressive Western movies of our day. It's a simple story, but it's told with a lot of empathy for Brady Jandreau. | © Sony Pictures Classics
No Country for Old Men is nearly perfect, and it still holds up after 17 years. People often talk about the impressive acting, but the haunting Texan landscape, and the counter-balance of humor, also serve to make this a modern masterpiece. | © Paramount Pictures
For a Few Dollars More is an iconic movie with fantastic performances from three heavyweight actors. The performances and script are amazing, the gunfights are awesome, and few films have influneced the genre as much. | © United Artists
My Darling Clementine is one of the greatest Western movies in the legacy that John Ford left us. This is truly a beautifully done film; the script is realistic and the action scenes stand out. | © 20th Century Studios
Once Upon a Time in the West is close to perfection; even the intro scene itself is a work of cinematic art. If you appreciate excellent scene making, camerawork, and soundtrack working together, you can't be disappointed with this movie. | © Paramount Pictures
True Grit is one of the most interesting movies with an absorbing story that will get you hooked from the first few minutes. The characters are genuine and extraordinary, and each of them could have their own movie. The modern remake is also solid and worth a watch, but start with the OG. | © Paramount Pictures
Hell or High Water is a story about two brothers who, after the death of their mother, organize a series of bank robberies. While it sounds like a typical story, it's excellently performed and very fun. And, the bank robbing scenes are badass. | © Lionsgate Films
Stagecoach should be on your "must-watch" list. The movie is a celebration of the genre, and even though it's terribly dated at this point, it's still a perfect Sunday movie. | © United Artists
The Treasure of the Sierra Madre is a wildly unconventional and grim Western movie, especially for its time. John Huston directed and wrote a true masterpiece about murder and greed. Like Stagecoach, it still holds up and should be on your "must-watch" list. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is the spaghetti Western. The way the music drives this movie is amazing, and there is not a single dull moment in the story. It's long, but you can easily enjoy it for the full three hours. | © United Artists
Even though Western films had much more appeal in the 20th century, the genre is still not entirely dead. From classic epics to modern interpretations, Western films have evolved alongside American culture, reflecting its changing values and societal shifts. Join us as we delve into a list of the 25 most iconic Western films. Draw!
