Westernshave been a staple of American cinema for over a century, with countless films and TV shows dedicated to the iconic cowboys and outlaws of the Wild West. Despite having such a crucial spot in film history, not all Westerns receive the recognition they deserve. For every Magnificent Seven or True Grit, many get forgotten about or do not get the credit they deserve. Even the bombs like Wild Wild West or The Lone Ranger tend to draw more attention than great ones.
Update July 29, 2023: This article has been updated with even more underappreciated Westerns that are worth checking out.
Many great films in this genre have been overlooked or forgotten over the years. Here is a look at some great Westerns that are worth checking out. They may not have redefined the genre, but that exemplifies some of the best elements of it. These are the most underrated Westerns that are worth watching.
Bone Tomahawk
Some of the best westerns can take you for a ride while exploring other genres without you realizing what you’re actually watching. Bone Tomahawk is a film written and directed by S. Craig Zahler, who gathers the extraordinary talents of Kurt Russell, Patrick Wilson, and Richard Jenkins. It’s a story that follows a sheriff, a gunslinger, a cowboy, and a backup deputy as they embark on a dangerous rescue mission to save townspeople abducted by a group of Native Americans. Mid-quest, they are ambushed by the tribe, who turn out to be savage cannibals. The gripping film slowly turns into one of the most graphic horror films you have ever seen, which makes for a fine first viewing, as the movie will stay imprinted on your mind forever.
The Missouri Breaks
It’s surprising how a casting full of powerhouses of the era paired with a great story failed to catch the imagination of audiences. The Missouri Breaks is a unique story about a horse thief and his gang who find themselves the target of an eccentric landowner. The movie was directed by Arthur Penn and written by Thomas McGuane. The all-star cast reunites Marlon Brando, Jack Nicholson, and Randy Quaid in a very unconventional story with plenty of grey areas and no clear sign of who are the good guys and the bad guys. It deserves a little more love from the audience, especially considering this is one of the few Nicholson’s Western roles.
3:10 to Yuma
After winning an Oscar with Walk the Line, James Mangold decided to make a remake of a classic western that went nearly unnoticed by everyone worldwide, despite the incredible casting choices for the film. 3:10 to Yuma is the story about a struggling rancher hounded by a loan shark. To make the money he needs to pay his debt, he must volunteer to escort a notorious criminal to the train that will take him to prison. This criminally underrated remake features the talents of Russell Crowe, Christian Bale, and Ben Foster. It’s a great film that plays with the audience's allegiances as it’s difficult to know who to root for across the story.
The Sisters Brothers
If you’re drawn to the talent of Joaquin Phoenix, you will be surprised to explore his most obscure films. Most of the actor’s small projects are the ones actually to showcase his range, and The Sisters Brothers is one of them. The film was written and directed by Jacques Audiard with the assistance of Thomas Bidegain. The casting includes Joaquin Phoenix, John C. Reilly, and Jake Gyllenhaal, of all people.
The underrated film was made on a tiny budget of $38 million and didn’t even collect $13 million in its theatrical run. The story follows two brothers who work as hired guns, tracking down a prospector in Oregon. During their trip, they experience plenty of misfortunes, which could make for good comedy but feels more tragic than anything. This movie is also the final feature filmed by Rutger Hauer before passing in 2019.
Slow West
The old west is a great setting to tell stories about misguided love, and that’s precisely what Slow West offers. The film, written and directed by John Maclean, features the talents of Kodi Smit-McPhee, Michael Fassbender, and Ben Mendelsohn. The story follows a young Scottish man traveling to America to search for his lost love, an outlaw girl named Rose. He teams up with a bounty hunter named Jay to protect him. Once Jay realizes the woman he’s looking for has a large bounty on her head, both men play each other with deception, lies, and betrayal. It’s a great film, but the ending may not be everyone’s cup of tea, as it serves as a strong reminder that the wild west was an unforgiving place, especially to the naive.
Northfork
Northfork is a poetic and mystical Western that often goes overlooked. Directed by Michael Polish and starring James Woods, Nick Nolte, and Daryl Hannah, this 2003 film takes place in the early 1950s in the small town of Northfork, Montana, which is about to be flooded by a new dam.
At its core, Northfork is a meditation on life, death, and the human experience. The characters are all grappling with their own mortality, whether it's the boy who knows he is dying, the men who are forced to leave their homes behind, or the angels who are watching over them all. The movie is full of poignant moments and beautiful imagery, from the stunning Montana landscapes to the surreal scenes of the angels moving through the town.
The Gunfighter
The Gunfighter stars Gregory Peck as Jimmy Ringo, a famous gunslinger who has grown tired of his life of violence and seeks to leave it behind. However, his reputation precedes him, and he is constantly being challenged to duels by young upstarts looking to make a name for themselves. The film is a character study that explores the toll that violence takes on a person, even after they have left it behind.
The Ox-Bow Incident
The Ox-Bow Incident is a gripping Western with Henry Fonda that explores the dark side of mob justice. Set in the late 1800s, the film follows a group of cowboys who capture three men suspected of cattle rustling. As they await the arrival of the local sheriff, tensions rise, and the group decides to take matters into their own hands. The film raises important questions about justice, morality, and the dangers of groupthink.
The Tall T
The Tall T is a taut, suspenseful Western that stars Randolph Scott as a former rancher who finds himself caught up in a kidnapping plot. Scott's character, Pat Brennan, is forced to use all of his wits and skills to outsmart his captors and escape with his life. The film is a thrilling ride from beginning to end and showcases Scott's skills as a leading man.
The Shooting
The Shooting is a surreal, experimental Western starring Jack Nicholson and directed by the great Monte Hellman, and follows a group of strangers on a journey through the desert. As they travel, they are pursued by a mysterious gunman who seems to be picking them off one by one. The film is a moody meditation on violence and mortality and features stunning visuals and a haunting score.
The Naked Spur
The Naked Spur is one of several masterful Westerns with Jimmy Stewart, directed by Anthony Mann, and follows a bounty hunter on the trail of a wanted criminal. Along the way, he is joined by a group of characters with their own agendas, including a former soldier with a gambling problem and a woman who may or may not be the criminal's accomplice. The film is notable for its complex characters and its exploration of themes like redemption and betrayal.
My Darling Clementine
My Darling Clementine, directed by John Ford and starring Henry Fonda as legendary lawman Wyatt Earp, tells the story of Earp's time in Tombstone, Arizona, where he becomes embroiled in a conflict with the Clanton gang. The film is notable for its gorgeous cinematography and its depiction of the larger-than-life figures who inhabited the Wild West.
The Proposition
Set in the Australian outback, The Proposition is a gritty and uncompromising Western that tells the story of an outlaw who is given a proposition by a lawman to save his younger brother from the gallows. Starring Guy Pearce, Ray Winstone, and Emily Watson, this movie is a brutal examination of the human condition and the lengths that people will go to survive.
The Salvation
IFC Films
Starring Mads Mikkelsen and Eva Green, The Salvation is a Danish Western that tells the story of a Danish immigrant who seeks revenge after his family is brutally murdered. With stunning visuals and intense action scenes, this movie is a must-watch for anyone who loves a good revenge story.
The Homesman
Directed by and starring Tommy Lee Jones, The Homesman is a bleak and haunting Western that tells the story of a claim jumper and a pioneer woman who team up to transport three insane women across the American frontier. With stunning cinematography and incredible performances from Hilary Swank and Meryl Streep, The Homesman is a must-watch for anyone who loves a good character study.
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