My Favourite Western Films of All-Time

Not many genres have managed to earn a following as big as the Western. Since the 1960’s, the genre has produced great movies. Whether it’s bounty hunters, slave traders or unforgiven outlaws in danger, the Western genre has produced several characters. Given the number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best westerns ever made that deserve to be celebrated.

1. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Westerns are a great genre of movies that shaped my grandfather’s identity. Several years ago, I formed a strong bond with a grandfather that was a huge fan of spaghetti westerns. I remember bonding with a grandfather that grew up to treasure westerns about bounty hunters embarking on good bad and ugly adventures. He became excited whenever he had a chance to watch a film about gunslingers without a name. My grandfather adored all kinds of western movies but his favourite film in the genre was always “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”. Ever since its release in 1966, Sergio Leone’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest western ever made. With the greatest film of his career, Leone used innovative cinematic techniques to capture gunslingers with a burden to bear. Leone always had an aptitude for making spaghetti westerns, and “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker clearly. For instance, the final shootout scene in which Blondie confronts his enemies causing trauma is one of the finest moments of the western genre. At the centre of it all is an iconic performance by Clint Eastwood, who created one of the most iconic western heroes in Hollywood. Ultimately, what makes “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” the greatest western of all-time is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about greed which would resonate with everyone. Unlike most movies in the genre, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. Nearly 60 years after the release of a classic western about good bounty hunters going on bad journeys to find treasures that are ugly, it’s a bold reminder about a great genre that has made commemorated movies which definitely without a doubt deserve to be celebrated in the industry.

2. Unforgiven

Forgiveness isn’t an easy decision to make in life. Recently, I found it hard to forgive a mean cyberbully that harassed me online. He would often insult me by criticizing my writing in ways that proved to be demeaning. A destructive bully, he became a person that was impossible to forgive. As someone haunted by memories of a bully that was unforgiven, I adored “Unforgiven”. Released in 1992, Clint Eastwood’s Oscar-winning western depicted outlaws which are unforgiven. Eastwood is one of those filmmakers that has always had an aptitude for making westerns, and “Unforgiven” showcased his strengths as a director. Eastwood used brutal violence to capture the harsh realities of a western landscape where outlaws are unforgiven. For instance, the final scene in which William Munny confronts criminals in the town’s bar engaging in an intense shootout is one of the finest moments of the western genre without a doubt. Ultimately, what makes “Unforgiven” a western classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about forgiveness which would resonate with everyone. An unforgettable portrait of outlaws that are unforgiven, it’s an undeniable reminder of a genre that has made timeless movies which deserve celebration.

3. The Searchers

Indigenous communities are rarely depicted accurately in movies. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a friend that criticized ways Native-Americans were depicted in movies. A member of the Aboriginal community, he would criticize depictions of Native-Americans in films rarely true to reality. He believed movies were an art that couldn’t honour Aboriginal communities that held a place in his heart. As someone treasuring a friend that adored Native-American figures, I appreciated “The Searchers”. Released in 1956, John Ford’s classic western depicted a Civil War veteran searching for Indigenous communities. John Ford spend most of his career making westerns, and “The Searchers” showcased his strengths. For instance, the final scene in which the doorway closes on Ethan remains one of the finest moments of the western genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by John Wayne, who embodied an iconic western character in cinematic history. Ultimately, what makes “The Searchers” a classic western is its depiction of Indigenous communities. Unlike most movies in the genre, “The Searchers” honoured Indigenous communities. As strong as Ethan’s desire to search for relatives that are abducted, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made timeless movies which deserve to be appreciated.

4. No Country for Old Men

Serial killers are frightening figures that always terrified me. At an early age, I developed fear of serial killers when my housemaid was murdered causing damage. Stabbed to death in the shower by her lover, my housekeeper faced murder. Left devastated, my family never recovered from murder that wasn’t investigated. As someone haunted by a murder committed by old men, I adored “No Country for Old Men”. Released in 2007, the Coen Brothers’ Oscar-winning western captured a serial killer committing murders in the Wild West. The Coen Brothers are a dazzling duo of filmmakers that have always excelled at making westerns, and “No Country for Old Men” showcased their strengths. For instance, the coin toss scene in which Anton Chigurh intimidates the owner of a local store is one of the best moments of the western genre. At the centre of it all is a superb performance by Javier Bardem, who embodied a frightening serial killer. Ultimately, what makes “No Country for Old Men” a western masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a bold message about aging which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Anton Chigurh’s desire to murder, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made films which audiences treasure.

5. Django Unchained

Slavery is a sensitive subject matter that shaped my friend’s identity. During my childhood, I formed bonds with a friend that always took great interest in slavery. I remember he was a friend that grew up to treasure slavery he regarded an important subject matter. He always made efforts to educate people in my school about a time in history about which he was passionate. As someone treasuring fond memories of a companion that loved seeing slaves unchained, I adored “Django Unchained”. Released in 2012, Quentin Tarantino’s mesmerizing masterpiece offered a unique take on the western genre through its depiction of slavery. Tarantino is one of those filmmakers that has never been afraid of taking risks by tackling controversial subject matter, and “Django Unchained” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which Django kills his slave owners that tortured him in the past out of vengeance is one of the most memorable moments of the western genre. Ultimately, what makes “Django Unchained” a western classic is its message. The film delivers a strong message about the value of freedom which would resonate with everyone. A spectacular portrait of slaves in American history that are unchained, it’s a strong reminder about a genre that has gained a huge fan following making movies that have always entertained.

6. The Revenant

Movies about survival have always resonated with me. At an early age, my family faced bombing in Saudi Arabia that caused damage.  Through my parent’s drive to survive, I made it out of the bomb blast without a scratch alive. I felt grateful for my survival. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured survival as powerfully as “The Revenant”. Released in 2015, Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu’s movie depicted fur traders surviving catastrophe. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Revenant” stand out is its visuals. Innaritu stages stunning scenes of man vs. nature in the western landscape. Assisted by Leonardo DiCaprio is amazing, Innaritu created a western that’s compelling. As strong as Hugh Glass’ desire for survival, it’s a powerful reminder of a genre that has made memorable movies which audiences consider special.

7. The Power of the Dog

Bullying has shaped my identity. During high school, I was often picked on by bullies which were cruel. A frightening experience, bullying shattered my self-confidence. As someone haunted by powerful memories of bullying, I adored “The Power of the Dog”. Released in 2021, Jane Campion’s movie offered an engaging depiction of bullying in the Wild West. Unlike most movies in the genre, “The Power of the Dog” stands out due to its depiction of bullying. Campion used breathtaking visuals to capture consequences faced by ranchers that endure bullying. Assisted by Benedict Cumberbatch who is superb in the lead role, Campion created a powerful western about bullying. A powerful portrait of bullying affecting ranchers in the Wild West, it’s a riveting reminder of why the western has stood the test of time as a genre that’s the best.

8. Killers of the Flower Moon

Martin Scorsese is a legendary filmmaker that has built a strong legacy. With their stunning visuals, engaging storytelling and powerful acting, Scorsese’s movies have earned a huge following. In 2024, Scorsese showcased his strengths as a filmmaker that won’t be forgotten soon when he made “Killers of the Flower Moon”. With his first ever Western, Scorsese captured a grim genocide that impacted Indigenous communities. Scorsese used stunning visuals to create a portrait of the Aboriginal community which is compelling. Assisted by Leonardo DiCaprio is excellent in the lead role, Scorsese honoured Aboriginal communities years ago. Nearly 90 years after a mass genocide in which Indigenous tribes died, it’s a marvellous reminder of a genre that has made commemorated movies which have left audiences satisfied.

9. Logan

Few superheroes seen with sharp claws on the big-screen are as beloved as The Wolverine. Since his creation in the 1970’s, the Wolverine has appeared in many movies. With his frightening claws, intense anger and compelling personality, Logan has earned a huge following. In 2017, James Mangold offered a unique western interpretation of the iconic superhero in his movie “Logan”. Unlike most westerns, what makes “Logan” stand out is its strong depiction of aging. Mangold uses breathtaking visuals to capture a superhero facing consequences of aging. Assisted by Hugh Jackman who is extraordinary in the lead role, Mangold honoured a hero with recognition. As sharp as the Wolverine’s claws, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has made memorable movies without flaws that have earned a round of applause.

10. News of the World

Over the past decade, the western genre has declined in quality. With their cartoonish characters, over-the-top action and lacklustre storytelling, westerns have become painful. In a genre that no longer makes global headline news, its worth praising “News of the World”. Released in 2020, Paul Greengrass’ movie revived the western genre. Greengrass used breathtaking visuals to create a compelling western. Assisted by Tom Hanks who is excellent, Greengrass created a wonderful modern western. Although it falls short of the greatest westerns, “News of the World” proves the appeal of the genre. As strong as Captain Kidd’s desire to deliver a news headline, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that hasn’t lost its abilities to shine which has made timeless movies I will forever treasure for inspiring my love of Cinema which will never decline.