At one cut-off date, Westerns had been about as ubiquitous in Hollywood as superhero films are immediately. Studios had been churning them out 12 months after 12 months, some higher than others, however after a sure level the style form of died off fully. We nonetheless get the odd Western right here and there, and even the odd good Western right here and there, however by and huge, it’s a style that’s been left behind or is simply used to inform a revisionist story that performs with the constraints of the standard Western style. Which is a disgrace, as a result of it is one of the crucial beautiful and compelling genres in movie historical past.
But it surely lives on within the age of streaming! Whether or not you’re searching for one thing within the basic mould, one thing fashionable, or one thing in between, we’ve rounded up a listing of one of the best Westerns on Netflix proper now. Certainly, whereas the streaming service could also be slim pickins on the subject of iconic basic Westerns, there are nonetheless a handful of nice films emblematic of the style accessible.
Do not see what you are searching for right here? Take a look at our checklist of The Greatest Westerns of the twenty first Century So Far, Greatest Westerns By Non-American Administrators, or Reveals That Paved the Approach for ‘Yellowstone’. For extra suggestions, browse our checklist of one of the best films on Netflix throughout all genres.
Editor’s Notice: This text was up to date in February 2023 to incorporate The Highwaymen.
RELATED: The Greatest TV Westerns of the twenty first Century
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The Energy of the Canine (2021)
Run Time: 2 hr 6 min | Director: Jane Campion
Forged: Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Jesse Plemons
Written and directed by New Zealand filmmaker Jane Campion and primarily based on Thomas Savage’s 1967 novel of the identical identify, The Energy of the Dogstars Benedict Cumberbatch as Phil Burbank, an intimidating, alluring, and emotionally broken rancher in 1925 Montana whose authority is jeopardized as soon as his brother George (Jesse Plemons) introduces him to his spouse Rose (Kirsten Dunst) and her son Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee). This psychological western forces the emotionally closed-off Phil to confront his previous relationships, grapple along with his masculinity, and are available to phrases with all that he’s misplaced. The movie is at the moment nominated for 12 Oscars, together with Greatest Image, Director, and Actor for its 4 primary stars. — Emily Bernard
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The Highwaymen (2019)
Picture by way of Netflix
Run Time: 2 hrs 12 min | Director: John Lee Hancock
Forged: Kevin Costner, Woody Harrelson, Kathy Bates, John Carroll Lynch
Starring Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson, The Highwaymenis against the law drama concerning the finish of notorious financial institution robbers Bonnie and Clyde. Directed by John Lee Hancock, The Highwaymen reveals the untold true story of the previous Texas Rangers (Costner and Harrelson) who finally tracked and stopped the violent criminals. Additionally starring Kathy Bates and John Carroll Lynch, The Highwaymen reveals an unexplored perspective, depicting the intricate manhunt by the steely law-enforcement detectives in a movie that took many years to make. With a intelligent thriller tone, The Highwaymen is an thrilling tackle the story of the legendary thieves. – Yael Tygiel
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Concrete Cowboy (2020)
Picture by way of TIFF
Run Time: 1 hr 51 min | Director: Ricky Staub
Forged: Idris Elba, Caleb McLaughlin, Jharrel Jerome, Clifford “Technique Man” Smith, Lorraine Toussaint
Concrete Cowboy is a wealthy and well-crafted fashionable American western directed by Ricky Staub, who co-wrote the screenplay with Dan Walser. A fictional story a few rebellious boy (Caleb McLaughlin) who spends his summer season along with his estranged father (Idris Elba) in Pennsylvania, Concrete Cowboy will not be solely primarily based on a novel by Greg Neri but in addition closely impressed by an precise group of Black cowboys in Philadelphia. That includes performances from actors Jharrel Jerome, Clifford “Technique Man” Smith, and Lorraine Toussaint, Concrete Cowboy locations actual members of the tight-knit Fletcher Road City Using Membership in supporting roles within the movie, permitting them to voice actual points and supply authenticity to a profound movie. – Yael Tygiel
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Montford: The Chickasaw Rancher (2021)
Picture by way of Chickasaw Nation Productions
Run Time: 1 hr 36 min | Director: Nathan Frankowski
Forged: Martin Sensmeier, Dermot Mulroney, Tommy Flanagan
Impressed by the outstanding story of Chickasaw cattleman Montford T. Johnson, and performed sincerely by Martin Sensmeier (Rutherford Falls), Montford: The Chickasaw Rancher is an exciting western journey a few man within the American West who constructed a ranching empire. Supported by a stellar solid, together with Dermot Mulroney (Arrested Growth) and Tommy Flanagan (Westworld), Montford is a heartfelt story about perseverance via adversity. Shot with grand scenes and sweeping movement, Canadian director Nathan Frankowski (To Write Love on Her Arms) brings to life Lucy Tennessee Cole’s script, revealing an typically unexplored aspect of American historical past. – Yael Tygiel
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Longmire (2012-2017)
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Creators: Hunt Baldwin John Coveny
Forged: Robert Taylor, Katee Sackhoff, Lou Diamond Phillips
Longmire is a gritty, modern crime thriller concerning the distraught sheriff of Absaroka County, Wyoming. Longmire is a not too long ago widowed man who should come to phrases along with his grief as he makes an attempt to renew his work to serve and defend. Starring Robert Taylor because the sarcastic and troubled sheriff, Longmire explores redemption and second possibilities. Sheriff Longmire pursues criminals with the assistance of a staff that includes Lou Diamond Phillips and the incomparable Katee Sackhoff(Battlestar Galactica) in a complete function that permits her to actually exhibit all depths of human emotion. With journey, dry wit, and justice, Longmire is an gratifying trip. – Yael Tygiel
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Cowboy Bebop (2021)
Picture by way of Netflix
Creator: Christopher L. Yost
Forged: John Cho, Mustafa Shakir, Daniella Pineda
Cowboy Bebop is the live-action adaptation of the beloved house western anime sequence that follows an unlikely staff of heroes on a quest to save lots of the universe. Collectively, the misfit bounty hunters try to carry the galaxy’s criminals to justice. Christopher L. Yost presents a superbly stylized imaginative and prescient along with his adaptation, uniquely using acquainted options, slipping in nods to Cowboy Bebop followers with out distracting new viewers. Cowboy Bebop stars John Cho, Mustafa Shakir, and Daniella Pineda, who floor their exaggerated characters by mixing sincerity with outlandish eventualities and fantastical components. Sadly, Cowboy Bebop solely survived one season, however the full story continues to be accessible in anime format. – Yael Tygiel
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Justice (2017)
Picture by way of Netflix
Run Time: 1 hr 32 min | Director: Richard Gabai
Forged: Stephen Lang, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Nathan Parsons, Jackson Rathbone
Justice is paying homage to many beloved old-school Westerns in essentially the most basic sense. Stuffed with horses, gunslingers, and corruption, the gritty Justice permits a contemporary solid to journey seamlessly into the previous. When US Marshal James McCord, performed by Nathan Parsons (Roswell, New Mexico), strolls right into a small city in Nevada, he’s decided to uncover the reality concerning the homicide of his brother, performed by Jackson Rathbone(Twilight). Parson’s straight-shooting Marshal McCord exudes lawful righteousness as he faces off towards the city’s corrupt Mayor Pierce, performed by a sublime Stephen Lang(Avatar), who is not any stranger to the style. In the meantime, Pierce’s intentions attain far past greed, as his motivations stem from his makes an attempt to resurrect the Civil Warfare. – Yael Tygiel
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In a Valley of Violence (2016)
Run Time: 1 hr 44 min | Director: Ti West
Forged: Ethan Hawke, John Travolta, Taissa Farmiga
Packed stuffed with star energy, In A Valley of Violence chronicles the enthralling Ethan Hawke (Moon Knight) as a mysterious drifter who stands toe to toe towards John Travolta’s nefarious Marshal. In a Valley of Violence is a charming endeavor that follows Hawk’s understated and sophisticated hero, Paul, and his lovable canine Abbie on their journey to Mexico via an previous western valley haunted by native legend. Paul and Abbie dive straight into an tried shortcut, referred to as the “valley of violence,” solely to be met with hostility, suspicion, and bloodshed. Peel again the layers of each the characters and the valley on this riveting film peppered with sudden moments of humor. Hailing from Blumhouse Productions, a reputation that has develop into synonymous with horror movies, In A Valley Of Violence allowed author/director Ti West to create an unpredictable world whereas additionally capturing an unusual suspenseful tone. – Yael Tygiel
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The Killer (2017)
Picture by way of Netflix
Run Time: 1 hr 39 min | Director: Marcelo Galvão
Forged: Maria de Medeiros, Diogo Morgado
Author and director Marcelo Galvão (Colegas, A Despedida) explores the Western style exquisitely via the adventures of a as soon as lawless Pernambuco in the course of the Forties. Brazil gloriously supplies a gorgeous backdrop serving as an sudden setting for this action-packed story of household, destiny, and intention. The movie follows Diogo Morgado (Son of God) as Cabeleira, or Shaggy, who leaves his remoted recluse way of life within the desert to analyze the disappearance of his estranged outlaw father. As Shaggy rejoins the full of life and colourful city, he should confront the reality about himself and his previous, all whereas studying to set a greater instance for a future era within the type of an sudden son. The motion within the forefront of The Killer is as arresting because the units and surroundings. The Killer is on the market in each its native Portuguese with subtitles or dubbed in English. – Yael Tygiel
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The Ridiculous 6 (2015)
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Run Time: 1 hr 59 min | Director: Frank Coraci
Forged: Adam Sandler, Terry Crews, Jorge Garcia
Adam Sandler stars within the uproarious The Ridiculous 6, which he co-wrote with Tim Herlihy(The Wedding ceremony Singer). Sandler and Herlihy’s cinematic historical past collectively is cause sufficient to take a look at The Ridiculous 6. Add to that Sandler’s latest explorations into beforehand unvisited genres, and also you’ll discover his distinctive perspective created an unexpectedly playful and fashionable twist on the Western story. As White Knife, Sandler performs an orphan and outlaw who spent his life raised by an Indigenous tribe earlier than studying he had 5 organic half-brothers. Upon reuniting, the brothers try to trace down their absentee father. As with different Sandler tasks, after all, The Ridiculous 6 is filled with the standard Blissful Madison crew, together with Steve Buscemi,David Spade, andRob Schnider, however the inclusion of native actors like Julia Jones was a pleasing casting selection. – Yael Tygiel
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Thar (2022)
Picture by way of Netflix
Run Time: 1 hr 48 min | Director: Raj Singh Chaudhary
Forged: Anil Kapoor, Harshvardhan Kapoor, Fatima Sana Khaikh
In contrast to hottest Westerns, Thar was impressed by the subgenre of Western Noir and takes place within the late Eighties in India. The story facilities across the mysterious Siddharth, an vintage vendor whose depth is captured by actor Harshvardhan Kapoor. As Siddharth leaves his large metropolis life for a smaller desert village, he crosses paths with Inspector Surekha Singh, performed by the actor’s father, Indian icon Anil Kapoor (Slumdog Millionaire). When the distant desert city is unnerved by unexplained violent murders, the inspector arrives to analyze, finally forcing Siddharth to confront his previous. Ugly and gory, Thar doesn’t maintain again with the vivid violence, which breaks away from the extra conventional gunshots audiences anticipate from a Western movie. Critics praised the path of Raj Singh Chaudhary, who additionally co-wrote the script with Anthony Catino and Yogesh Ishwar. Thar is on the market each with English dubbing or subtitling. – Yael Tygiel
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The Stolen (2017)
Picture by way of Netflix
Run Time: 1 hr 38 min | Director: Niall Johnson
Forged: Alice Eve, Jack Davenport, Graham McTavish
In an beautiful and uncommon female-led Western, The Stolen stars Alice Eve (Males In Black III) as Charlotte Lockton, a mom who should navigate a wild and unfamiliar world to seek for her kidnapped son after her husband is murdered. In a world dominated by outlaws, gunslingers, and trigger-happy males, each breath Charlotte takes could possibly be her final. This British Western is a powerful story directed by Niall Johnson, who co-wrote it with Emily Corcoran, revealing the vulnerabilities and challenges of the West. The astute storytelling is each breathtaking and chilling, as everybody Charlotte meets on her journey may simply flip from pal to foe, together with Bully, performed by Graham McTavish (Outlander), and Joshua McCullen, performed by Jack Davenport (Pirates of the Caribbean). – Yael Tygiel
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The Tougher They Fall (2021)
Picture by way of Netflix
Run Time: 2 hr 19 min | Director: Jeymes Samuel
Forged: Jonathan Majors, Zazie Beetz, Regina King, Idris Elba, R.J. Cyler, Lakeith Stanfield
The Tougher They Fallis simply a lot enjoyable. A refreshing throwback to the basic spaghetti western style, Jeymes Samuel’s action-packed star car options an unbelievable ensemble of heroes, villains, and scoundrels. Jonathan Majors proves but once more why he’s one of the crucial charismatic younger actors of his era, however be careful for the scene-stealing performances by Idris Elba and Regina King because the legendary outlaws Rufus Buck and Trudy Smith, respectively. Though it’s a fictionalized story, The Tougher They Fall had been impressed by actual historic figures and occasions. Samuels makes the style really feel contemporary once more along with his immediately iconic unique soundtrack, which incorporates the terrific single “Weapons Go Bang.” — Liam Gaughan
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Godless (2017)
Picture by way of Netflix
Creator: Scott Frank
Forged: Jack O’Connell, Jeff Daniels, Michelle Dockery, Scoot McNairy, Merritt Wever, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Tantoo Cardinal
A lean and imply miniseries that doesn’t pull any punches, Godless is a strong Western that isn’t afraid to problem narrative tropes whereas additionally nonetheless packing loads of the standard violence of a lawless world. Set in 1884, it follows an outlaw who takes shelter in a small New Mexico city that has develop into completely run by girls after a mining accident killed all the lads. It’s a gritty and extremely well-acted present with Merritt Wever proving to be one of the crucial standouts in each scene she will get. It doesn’t meander or waste any of your time because it absolutely builds the great thing about its setting in each panorama with out shying away from the ugliness of its themes. By the point it reaches an explosive shootout of a conclusion, you’re fully invested within the survival of the characters and the world they’ve constructed for themselves. It has largely been slept on which solely makes it all of the extra participating to find it for your self. — Chase Hutchinson
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The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018)
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Run Time: 2 hr 12 min | Director: Joel and Ethan Coen
Forged: Tim Blake Nelson, Tyne Daly, James Franco, Brendan Gleeson, Invoice Heck
The primary time the Coen Brothers have ever tried an anthology film, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs has six tales going down within the West, and whereas nothing connects them by way of narrative or character, they’re all thematically sure by having one thing to do with demise. The ethical penalties the Coens see of their starkly realized film give Buster Scruggs its spark even because it jumps between comedy (“The Ballad of Buster Scruggs”) to tragedy (“Meal Ticket”) and every thing in between. Whereas The Ballad of Buster Scruggs might not stand as one of the best Coen Brothers’ film (a troublesome activity when your filmography contains films like Fargoand No Nation for Previous Males), it is maybe one of the best film for understanding the recurring themes of their films, particularly once you get it throughout six shorts like this. – Matt Goldberg
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The Hateful Eight (2015)
Picture by way of The Weinstein Firm
Run Time: 3 hr 7 min | Director: Quentin Tarantino
Forged: Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh
Because the title suggests, The Hateful Eight is a, effectively, hateful movie. It isn’t for the faint of coronary heart, as Tarantino’s second full-on Western principally pulls collectively eight despicable characters and traps you, the viewer, in a room with them for 3 hours. It’s a little bit of an endurance check in that approach, and I’d truly counsel watching the “prolonged model” of the movie on Netflix as an alternative, which breaks it into chapters and contains fairly a bit of recent footage overseen by Tarantino himself. By way of being a Western, this one’s within the vein of Stagecoach because it places numerous characters in a contained setting and lets the drama unfold. However as I stated, this can be a nasty movie crammed with nasty folks, so don’t go in anticipating to root for a “hero.” These eight are as rotten as will be. – Adam Chitwood
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