The Greatest Movies In Western Film From The Last 20 Years
Contrary to popular belief, Western films and television shows are alive and well on multiple platforms in the 21st century, including Netflix as well as various cable networks. The thing is, the genre is a bit different from the stereotypical John Wayne films from way back when.
Now, films such as The Magnificent Seven and True Grit show just how violent, adventurous, and female-dominated modern Westerns can be, without taking out some traditional aspects, such as beautiful cinematography. To highlight the ever-growing genre of Western entertainment, we wrangled together this list of noteworthy 21st-century films and series for you to explore. Enjoy!
The Missing
Ron Howard's western The Missing is harrowing, dramatic, and full of action. After Maggie Gilkeson witnesses her teenage daughter being kidnapped by Apache Rebels, she has no choice but to ask for the help of her estranged father, Samuel. The two have to work together if they hope to rescue Lily before she is sold into slavery south of the border.
The film garnered positive reviews. It's said to be one of Ron Howard's best films to date, with fantastic acting and a thrilling plot that keeps audience members on the edge of their seats.
Open Range
Open Range brings the beauty of Western cinema into the 21st century with its scenery, plot, and character development that covers everyone from friendly cattle drivers to revenge-driven cowboys. The film follows the story of Boss Spearman and his two right-hand cowhands Charley and Mose, as they herd their cattle across the countryside.
But when Mose ventures into a village and doesn't come back, it's up to Boss and Charley to rescue him and get revenge on whoever is holding him captive. Film critic Roger Ebert said, "[the movie is] an imperfect but deeply involving and beautifully made Western."
Godless
In La Belle, New Mexico, a mining accident left the western town with a population of primarily women. Now, the town is governed by the hardened women, so when word gets out that the infamous criminal Frank Griffin and his gang of misfits are on their way to town in search of an "ex-brother," the women band together to take them down.
Godless has been praised for taking the traditional Western genre and modernizing it with a predominantly female cast in a male-dominated genre. This fresh take was highly regarded and helped the mini-series land the title as one of the best shows of 2017.
The Magnificent Seven
Set in the Old West town of Rose Creek, The Magnificent Seven follows the story of a greedy industrialist Bartholomew Bogue and his bandits who take control of the small town in their quest for gold. When they feel as though their town and livelihoods are at stake, the residents call upon Sam Chisolm, a skilled bounty hunter.
With the help of a group of gunslingers, they take on Bogue and his miscreants in hopes of taking back control of Rose Creek. The film is praised for the work of Denzel Washington as Chisolm and the amazingly choreographed action sequences.
Deadwood
The three seasons of the hit television show Deadwood are full of raw language, lawlessness, and more than one shoot-em-up scene. Set in a post-Civil War mining town, Deadwood is lawless and attracts the worst types of people -- those who want to get rich or die trying.
Ian McShane, who plays foul-mouthed saloon owner Al Swearengen, has been praised for his performance in the series, and creator David Milch's writing has been noted as well. The series is highly regarded as one of the best television shows of all time.
The Hateful Eight
Leave it to writer and director Quentin Tarantino to make a western thriller set in the middle of a blizzard. Following the story of eight strangers who hole up at a stagecoach stopover to wait out a snowstorm, The Hateful Eight brings together Tarantino's typical film formula of over-the-top violence, humor, and a whole lot of action.
Film critic James Berardinelli said, "[The Hateful Eight] is a high-wire thriller, full of masterfully executed twists, captivating dialogue, and a wildly entertaining narrative that gallops along at a pace to make three hours evaporate in an instant. Best film of the year? Yes."
Broken Trail
Broken Trail brings together two historical events, the transporting of Chinese women to central America to become ladies of the night and the British buying horses in the west. The mini-series follows Prent Ritter and his nephew Tom Harte as they set out to drive horses from Oregon to Wyoming.
Only things aren't as simple as they appear. Along the way, the two rescue five Chinese women who have been sold into slavery. Of course, their "keeper" isn't too happy with losing their possessions and sets a gang of killers after the two cowboys and the girls.
True Grit
After outlaw Tom Chaney murders her father, young Mattie hires lawman Rooster Cogburn to find him and bring him to justice. True Grit follows the story of the unlikely duo as they journey to find the outlaw, add Texas Ranger LaBoeuf to their crew, and find themselves in hostile territory looking to dish out some Old West justice.
The film was nominated for multiple awards, including an Academy Award for Best Picture, Director, Adapted Screenplay, and more. Young Hailee Steinfeld even won a Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Young Performer.
Wind River
Wind River is a moving, neo-Western mystery that pulls at viewers' heartstrings. The story follows the death investigation of a Native American woman who dies close to a reservation in Wyoming. And while each scene in the film is said to be perfect, the most beautiful moments are the long conversations between wildlife officer Cory Lambert and grieving father, Martin Hanson.
The film has been praised for its all-star cast, including Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen, and Gil Birmingham, as well as its smart writing. According to a poll by PostTrack, "[viewers] gave the film a 90% overall positive score and a 70% "definite recommend."'
Longmire
The western crime drama Longmire has had a loyal following since its first season aired in 2012. It follows the story of Walt Longmire, the sheriff of fictional Absaroka County, who wants nothing more than to keep the peace through the county. The thing is, he's also suffering from emotional wounds and now has to deal with major crimes.
Although the series has modern elements, such as cellphones, it is still considered a neo-western, and a good one at that. According to The Wall Street Journal's Nancy DeWolf Smith, "if it weren't for a few modern conveniences, like cellphones and trucks, it might as well be 1875."
Hostiles
Starring Christian Bale, Rosamund Pike, and Wes Studi, Hostiles is one western film you're not going to want to miss. Set in 1892, New Mexico, the movie follows the legendary Army Capt. Joseph Blocker as he escorts a dying Cheyenne war chief and his family back to their native homeland in Montana.
Of course, crossing all of that land isn't exactly safe, and the group soon finds themselves banding together to survive the harsh landscape and hostile people they encounter. The film garnered positive reviews, especially for the performance Bale put on.
Appaloosa
Based on a novel of the same name by Robert B. Parker, Appaloosa follows the story of two men traveling the 1880s Southwest, bringing justice to towns who have no other choice but to hire them. But when Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch find themselves in the mining town of Appaloosa, things get complicated for the duo.
They're tasked with ridding the town of rancher Randall Bragg and his cronies, but when widow Allison French arrives, they're dynamic is shaken. The film is praised: "A traditional genre western, Appaloosa sets itself apart with smart psychology, an intriguing love triangle, and good chemistry between the leads."
Forsaken
The father and son duo of Donald and Kiefer Sutherland come together in the western drama film Forsaken. It's 1872, and John Henry Clayton has decided to put away his gun and return home to mend his strained relationship with his father, Reverend Samuel Clayton.
But when a gang hops on the train that runs through their tiny town, Clayton has to decide if he's done with his violent ways. Or if he should return to being a gun-slinger in order to save those he loves from the people terrorizing the town.
Justified
Justified follows the story of Raylan Givens, a deputy U.S. Marshal who has his own brand of justice he likes to dish out. But when he is reassigned to his hometown of Harlan, Kentucky, Givens faces more than one foe who is trying to take him out.
This includes a crime-boss named Mags Bennett who serves poison-spiked "apple pie" moonshine to people attempting to disband her "company." Critics have praised the modern-day western for its colorful characters and intriguing storytelling, as well as its humorous dialogue.
The Ballad Of Lefty Brown
Five years after his first Western, writer-director Jared Moshe proved he's not letting the western genre take a backseat in cinema. The Ballad of Lefty Brown is beautifully shot, entertaining, and an old-fashioned drama with an unsuspecting twist: Lefty Brown, an underachiever, goes gunning for justice once his Wild West legend of a partner is killed.
Jeffrey M. Anderson from Common Sense Media said, "Writer/director Jared Moshe clearly loves and appreciates the Western genre, and here he's created one that's not only classical, skillful, and unpretentious but a fresh angle on an old story."
Crossfire Trail
Expectations were high when actor Tom Selleck and director Simon Wincer teamed up once again for a film adaptation of Louis L'Amour's novel Crossfire Trail. The film surpassed expectations, following the grim tale of Rafe Covington. After making a promise to his friend to look after his Wyoming ranch and wife after he's passed, Covington finds himself rehabilitating the land.
But things get a bit crazy after a fatal shooting, and Covington is told he needs to leave town. The film has been praised for its beautiful score and lovely cinematography that is custom to the western genre.
Hell On Wheels
Following the story of Confederate Army veteran Cullen Bohannon, Hell on Wheels goes from a revenge story to a full-blown epic in five seasons. After the events of the Civil War, Bohannon can't seem to put the war behind him, especially after the death of his wife at the hands of a Union soldier.
During his journey, the army veteran comes across a town called Hell on Wheels, and follows the construction of the first transcontinental railroad. Hank Stuever of the Washington Post said, "Hands down, the most intriguing show on the fall slate. Though imbued with epic sweep, Hell on Wheels is a western at heart."
Hell Or High Water
Hell or High Water follows four main characters. On one side of the coin, we have Toby and Tanner Howard, two West Texas brothers who will do pretty much anything to stop their farm from being foreclosed, including robbing more than one bank.
On the other side, there is veteran Texas Ranger Marcus Hamilton and his partner Alberto Parker, two men who will stop at nothing to bring the two brothers to justice. Bouncing off an Oscar-nominated screenplay, director David Mackenzie masterfully entertained the fate of the four leads. But you're going to have to watch the film to see how the modern western ends.
Yellowstone
First airing in 2018, the Paramount Network hit series Yellowstone has since gained a loyal following. The western series follows John Dutton, a sixth-generation rancher who has to operate in a world of corrupt politicians who make choices based on influential lumber and oil corporations.
The series is full of drama, unsolved murders, always-shifting alliances, and constant conflict for the main character's ranch. When the two-hour premiere episode aired, Yellowstone became the most-watched original series ever telecast on the Paramount Network.
Monte Walsh
Director Simon Wincer once again proves he's an all-star director when it comes to western films with Monte Walsh. The story follows the title character Monte Walsh, a man who finds his cowboy way of life fading due to an ever-expanding civilization.
Now, Walsh has to decide if he wants to keep his lifestyle on the open ranges, or if he wants to stay with his sweetheart and join Colonel Wilson and his traveling Wild West show. In 2004, the film was awarded the Western Heritage Awards Bronze Wrangler for Outstanding Television Feature Film.
The Proposition
The Proposition is a 2005 Australian Western film directed by John Hillcoat. The film stars notable actors such as Guy Pearce, Emily Watson, Ray Winston, Danny Huston, among others.
The film tells the story of Charlie Burns (Guy Pearce), one of the notorious Burns Brothers who is captured along with his younger brother Mikey (Richard Wilson), and ordered to track and kill his older brother Arthur (Danny Huston) or else Mikey will be hanged. Known for its violence and impossible moral paradox, the film is a roller coaster of a Western.
The Devil's Rejects
An absolutely twisted take on the Western genre, The Devil's Rejects, is considered to be a neo-Western horror film in the Firefly film series and a sequel to House of 1,000 Corpses. The stars Sig Haig, Bill Moseley, Sheri Moon Zombie, and Leslie Easterbrook, focusing on three members of a psychopathic family on the run that is now viewed as criminal protagonists.
Released in 2005, the film had minimal commercial success and mixed reviews, although it has now garnered a cult following. It was the last film to feature Matthew McGrory before his death that same year.
3:10 To Yuma
3:10 To Yuma is a 2007 Western directed by James Mangold and stars Russel Crowe and Christian Bale in the lead roles. The film tells the story of an impoverished and injured farmer who takes on the dangerous job of transporting a notorious outlaw to justice.
A remake of the 1957 film of the same name, which makes it the second adaptation of Elmore Leonard's 1953 short story "Three-Ten to Yuma." The film received positive reviews from critics, grossing $70 million worldwide.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Released in 2007, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is considered to be an epic revisionist Western film adapted from Ron Hansen's 1983 novel of the same name. Directed by Andrew Dominik, the film dramatizes the relationship between the historical figures Jesse James (Brad Pitt) and Robert Ford (Casey Affleck), leading up to James' assassination.
Known for its artistic style and unique storytelling, the film was nominated for Best Cinematography and Best Supporting Actor for Affleck and has been considered by some critics and Pitt's and Affleck's best performances to date.
No Country For Old Men
A neo-noir Western, No Country For Old Men was written and directed by Ethan and Joel Coen, and based on Cormac McCarthy's 2005 novel of the same name. Starring Tommy Lee Jones and Javier Bardem, it follows a Texas Vietnam War veteran in 1980 who discovers a cash of gold and is then relentlessly chased by hitman for it.
In 2007, the film was featured on more critic's top ten lists than any other film and is considered to be the Coen Brother's best work. In 2016, it was voted the 10th best film of the 21st century.
There Will Be Blood
Loosely based on the 1927 novel Oil! by Upton Sinclair, There Will Be Blood is an epic-period drama written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, the film focuses on a silver miner turned-oil-man and his ruthless quest for oil in Southern California during the oil boom in the late 19th and early 20th century.
The film was acclaimed by both critics and audiences with Day-Lewis winning an Oscar, BAFTA, Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild, and IFTA for Best Actor. Currently, it' considered one of the greatest films of the 21st century.
Django Unchained
A revisionist Western film, Django Unchained, is everything you would expect out of a Quentin Tarantino Film. Starring heavy-hitting actors such as Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio, Christoph Waltz, Samuel L. Jackson, and more, the film is a tribute to old Spaghetti Western films, specifically, Django, an Italian film, from 1966.
Django Unchained went on to become Tarantino's highest-grossing film to date, grossing over $425 million worldwide against its $100 million budget. It was also nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, with Waltz winning for Best Supporting Actor.
The Revenant
Loosely based on the life of frontiersman Hugh Glass in 1823, 2015's The Revenant is a film also based partially on Michael Punke's 2002 book of the same name. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Hugh Glass, who, after surviving an attack by Native Americans, is mauled by a grizzly bear and left for dead after witnessing the murder of his own son.
Dead-set on revenge, he manages to survive the harsh wildness and exact revenge on those who wronged him. The film was praised by critics and audiences and won numerous accolades for the film's cinematography, story, and acting.
The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada
Starring Tommy Lee Jones, Barry Pepper, Julio Cedillo, Dwight Yoakam, and January Jones, The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada is based on the true story. Told from multiple characters' perspectives, the film shows Melquiades Estrada, a teenager working as a cowboy in Texas, shot and killed by a U.S. Border Patrol officer.
The film is a modern Western that accurately portrays what life is like for some cowboys along the Texas-Mexican border. It was also the first film that Tommy Lee Jones directed.
Rango
Western films crossed over into the computer animated genre for the first time with Rango. Top actors including Johnny Depp, Isla Fisher, Bill Nighy, and Abigail Breslin lent their voices for this incredibly successful film that grossed $245.7 million.
The animated Western film follows a chameleon named Rango who wanders a desert in Nevada and ends up in a town called "Dirt". Once he learns about the town's inner-workings, he finds his true calling. Rango is a treat for families who love watching Westerns together.
Damsel
Western comedy Damsel was shot in just 32 days, with three main actors, 27 film crew members, and 70 extras. Samuel (Robert Pattinson) sets out to rescue his love, Penelope (Mia Wasikowska) after she is kidnapped by the Cornell brothers.
Damsel has plot twists along with the laughs and garnered mostly positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. It's not a classic Western, but it doesn't try to be-- it's just what you're looking for in a modern Western film.
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
Created by Netflix and released in 2018, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs is a Western anthology film by the Coen brothers. The film received outstanding reviews and several awards nominations, complimented for its well-crafted dark sense of humor.
Starring Time Blake Nelson, Liam Neeson, James Franco, Brendan Gleeson, and others, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs will bring the laughs along with the gunfights and cowboy culture. Catch it if you can on Netflix.
Go for Sisters
Released in 2013, Go for Sisters describes the close resemblance between two long-time friends, Bernice (LisaGay Hamilton) and Fontayne (Yolanda Ross) and follows the two as they try to solve a murder case. Although they've known each other since high school, the two's rekindled friendship later in life is an unusual one, as one of the women works in law enforcement and the other is a parolee.
Set along the US-Mexico border, Go for Sisters was filmed guerrilla-style in 65 locations and cost less the one million dollars to make.
Red Hill
Australians love Westerns too, and Director Patrick Hughes knew what he was doing with 2010's Australian Western thriller film, Red Hill. The film is full of action with a classic chase of the good guys vs the bad guys, as young police officer Shane Cooper moves to a small town and is assigned the task of locating and capturing a prison escapee.
Red Hill checks all of the boxes of a modern Western film. Although the plot is far from original, it's entertaining and deserves a place on this list.
