10 Modern Westerns That Are Just As Good As The Classics

Some of the finest examples of films in the Western genre are typically regarded as timeless classics from the 1930s to the 1970s, a period often associated with Hollywood. The Western genre, one of the earliest successful film genres in Hollywood, can be traced back to the silent era, alongside the gangster and horror genres. Intriguingly, one of the first successful films from the silent era was a Western – “Kidnapping by Indians,” a British short released in 1899, followed by Hollywood’s creation of “The Great Rain Robbery” in 1903. By the advent of ‘talkies,’ figures like John Ford and John Wayne played significant roles in making Westerns immensely popular during the 1930s.

By the 1960s, Italy excelled in the subcategory of spaghetti Westerns, making the Western film genre seem indomitable, spearheaded by John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, and Gary Cooper. However, following the early ’70s, the popularity of Western movies significantly declined, lasting until the 1990s when modern-day Westerns revived the genre’s appeal slightly. Interestingly, a film that rekindled interest in this genre was directed by Clint Eastwood himself, a prominent figure from classic Hollywood Westerns and a passionate admirer of the genre. Despite being a specialized genre, Westerns continue to hold popularity today.

10. The Harder They Fall (2021)

One Of The Few Black-Led Westerns

In the past, classic Westerns were typically characterized by a lack of diversity, with white cowboys as the protagonists and Native American tribes as the antagonists. However, a contemporary Western film titled “The Harder They Fall” aimed to break this pattern in 2021 by featuring a predominantly Black cast that was inspired by real-life cowboys, lawmen, and outlaws from the 19th century. This critically acclaimed production, which became a Netflix exclusive, boasted an impressive ensemble of actors including Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba, Zazie Beetz, Delroy Lindo, Lakeith Stanfield, Regina King, among others.

Nat Love is a man named Majors, who as a child, lost his parents to an outlaw called Rufus Buck (Elba). Years later, U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves (Lindo) presents him with an opportunity for retribution when Rufus Buck, recently pardoned, resumes his criminal activities. The film received high praise from critics, boasting a 88% fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes. It was also honored with the Best Cast Award by the National Board of Review and named Outstanding Motion Picture at the NAACP Awards.

9. The Power Of The Dog (2021)

A Rancher Terrorizes His Brother’s New Wife & Son

2021 marked a significant milestone in cinematic history, as I found myself standing at the helm of the top film at the prestigious Oscars – the captivating Western, “The Power of the Dog.” As a passionate film aficionado, this was an unparalleled moment for me, especially considering the illustrious company I shared with the Academy Awards’ pantheon. This wasn’t my first dance with the Academy; back in 1993, I was recognized for my work on “The Piano,” but it was this Western film that finally brought home the Best Director award for me. The Netflix original film garnered a total of 12 Oscar nominations, and while it was an honor to be among such esteemed company, only I managed to take home the prize for Best Director. Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, and Kodi Smit-McPhee all received acting nods, but unfortunately, they were not victorious on this occasion.

In “The Power of the Dog,” Plemons portrays a rancher who forms a family with a young widow, played by Dunst, through marriage and becomes her stepfather to her son, Smit-McPhee. Cumberbatch takes on the role of Plemons’ brother, a harsh character who shows no mercy towards his new family, particularly his brother’s wife and stepson. The movie delves into the themes of cruelty and vengeance in the isolated West, providing a thoughtful exploration of how even the most innocent individuals are compelled to make challenging choices for self-preservation as a result of the actions of wicked men.

8. Tombstone (1993)

Wyatt Earp & Doc Holliday At The O.K. Corral

In the 1990s, there were two movies based on Wyatt Earp. One of them had Kevin Costner portraying the lawman, delving into his life narrative. Yet, it was another Western film, where Kurt Russell took on the role of Earp, that proved to be more successful and offered a thrilling, action-packed depiction of the Wild West. Unlike its counterpart, “Tombstone” chose not to focus on Earp’s biography but rather tracked his and his brothers’ journey upon their arrival in Tombstone, culminating in the famous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

Although Russell was impressive as Wyatt Earp, Val Kilmer truly shined in his portrayal of Doc Holliday. Despite being an ensemble production with many well-known actors, the film stands out due to its more mainstream Hollywood style. Though not a traditional Western, it’s still cherished within the genre, ranking among the highest-earning modern Westerns and maintaining cult status thanks to the memorable cast and the lasting quotes from the movie “Tombstone” that are still popular today.

7. The Proposition (2025)

An Outlaw Receives An Ultimatum From A British Lawman

In conversation about his preferred films, Guy Pearce highlighted that one of his most cherished roles was in the 2005 Australian Western film titled “The Proposition“. Directed by John Hillcoat (known for “The Road“), this movie was adapted from a script penned by Nick Cave. In this film, Guy Pearce portrayed Charlie Burns, a bushranger who found himself in a precarious situation where he is asked by a lawman to execute his older brother, Arthur, or face the execution of his younger brother, Mikey, who had also been arrested. The catch was that Charlie had to carry out this act for the sake of his own survival.

This movie is a gritty, unsettling take on the Western genre, reminiscent of later classics from the 1960s and early 70s in America. Although it’s an Australian production, it shares the same themes and typical elements of American Westerns, demonstrating how strong family ties and thirst for vengeance can lead a man to extreme actions. The film has garnered acclaim for its authentic representation of indigenous Australian culture, which was often overlooked in traditional Westerns.

6. Bone Tomahawk (2015)

A Group Of Men Fight To Save Victims From Cannibals

Bone Tomahawk stands out as a distinct modern Western due to its genre-blending narrative. Essentially, it’s a chilling horror film set in the Wild West, with Kurt Russell playing the sheriff of a small town who must rally a posse to rescue three kidnapped individuals from a band of cannibal cave dwellers. The storyline bears resemblance to The Hills Have Eyes, combined with Western elements, encapsulating the essence of this intriguing blend.

In a departure from traditional Western narratives that some classic Western fans might find intense, this movie ventures into darker territories with its grisly and violent portrayal of cave people, leaning more towards horror genre than the conventional Western. Yet, it shares many similarities with classic John Wayne Westerns, as the protagonist, Franklin Hunt, assumes the role of a lawman on a mission to rescue abducted townspeople. The twist lies in the authenticity of the villains, contrasting with the stereotypical depiction of Native American tribes in previous Westerns, thus modernizing the storyline for contemporary audiences.

5. 3:10 To Yuma (2007)

A Rancher Is Paid To Transport A Prisoner To A Train Depot

Back in 2007, there was a modern reinterpretation of the iconic Western movie titled “3:10 to Yuma”. The initial release, from 1957, featured Van Heflin portraying Dan Evans, a hard-up rancher who takes on the task of escorting the notorious bandit leader Ben Wade (Glenn Ford) to the train bound for the Yuma Penitentiary. In this updated version, Christian Bale steps into the role of the rancher, while Russell Crowe assumes the part of the outlaw gang’s ringleader.

In contrast, there were significant variations, notably a more somber finale in the 2007 remake and subtly altered themes. Despite these alterations, the movie garnered widespread acclaim, earning an impressive 89% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Some reviewers hailed it as an enhancement of the original due to the acting prowess of Bale, Crowe, and Mangold’s direction. The film was even nominated for two Oscars. It is worth mentioning that Peter Fonda, son of the legendary Henry Fonda, a prominent figure in Western cinema, also starred in the movie.

4. Django Unchained (2012)

A Bounty Hunter Teams With A Freed Black Man To Save His Wife

In the course of his career, filmmaker Quentin Tarantino has crafted two Western films, and one of these, specifically “Django Unchained” released in 2012, stands out among modern Westerns produced since the year 2000. In this revisionist spaghetti Western directed by Tarantino, we find Jamie Foxx portraying Django, a man who was recently freed from slavery. He teams up with bounty hunter Schultz, played by Christoph Waltz, to track down their targets. In return for his assistance, Schultz promises to help Django rescue his wife from the clutches of plantation owner Calvin Candie, brilliantly portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio.

Much like many of Quentin Tarantino’s films, this one is marked by a significant amount of violence, yet it boasts an engaging plot, striking visual sequences, and dialogue that surpasses most Westerns from previous and subsequent times. The movie “Django Unchained” garnered five Oscar nominations and took home two awards: Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for Christoph Waltz. Tarantino later directed another Western titled “The Hateful Eight“, but in the realm of Westerns, “Django ” stands out as his magnum opus.

3. True Grit (2010)

A Young Girl Hires A Former Lawman To Bring In The Man Who Killed Her Father

The Coen Brothers have endeavored to reimagine some Western films in their professional journey, with True Grit being their take on a classic John Wayne Western from earlier times. In the original True Grit, John Wayne portrayed Rooster Cogburn, an elderly U.S. Marshal that a young girl hired to find and apprehend the man who murdered her father. In the Coen Brothers’ adaptation, Jeff Bridges steps into the role of Rooster, Hailee Steinfeld takes on the part of the young girl, Josh Brolin plays the killer, and Matt Damon joins as a Texas Ranger offering assistance.

The two films vary in that the Coen Brothers adapted Charles Portis’ novel more closely compared to the John Wayne adaptation. To achieve this, they told the story from Mattie’s perspective instead of Rooster’s. Consequently, their approach resulted in a successful film, garnering 10 Oscar nominations, such as Best Picture and Best Director, but unfortunately, it didn’t win any awards.

2. No Country For Old Men

A Ruthless Killer Hunts Down A Man Who Stole Dirty Money

Among the Coen Brothers’ Western movies, the standout is “No Country for Old Men,” a 2007 film adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s novel. The narrative centers around Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin), a man who stumbles upon the remnants of a botched drug deal, with all involved dead. Intriguingly, he discovers a stash of money, which draws the attention of Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem), an enigmatic assassin tasked with recovering the cash and eliminating anyone who gets in his way.

In a fresh take on contemporary Westerns, the film presents Anton as an incarnation of Death, echoing elements from Ingmar Bergman’s timeless masterpiece, “The Seventh Seal“. The character Chigurh serves as the grim reaper, meting out death to those he deems worthy. This gripping tale earned The Coen Brothers their highest accolades, securing wins for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay, with Javier Bardem taking home the prize for Best Supporting Actor.

1. Unforgiven (1992)

A Former Outlaw Seeks Revenge Against A Lawman Who Killed His Friend

It’s not a shock that the Western film which resurrected a once-dormant genre is also one of the finest contemporary Westerns around. Clint Eastwood, known for his roles in iconic classic Westerns from Tinseltown, directed Unforgiven, a modern take on the Western genre. In this movie, Eastwood portrays Will Munny, a former outlaw who’s settled down to run a hog farm following his wife’s passing. Yet when his old friend Ned Logan (Morgan Freeman) is brutally killed by the sheriff, Little Bill Daggett (Gene Hackman), Munny emerges from retirement to seek justice.

Nearly functioning as a counterpart to traditional Western films, “Unforgiven” presents an unconventional narrative. The protagonist, Will Munny, yearns for a tranquil retirement, but circumstances compel him to reenter a world he had sought to leave behind. Notably, Sheriff Little Bill is portrayed as a righteous lawman, yet his methods and actions, whether dealing with the guilty or innocent, hint at corruption.

In contrast to classic Western movies that clearly distinguish between heroes and villains, this film eschews such black-and-white portrayals. Instead, it explores moral complexities that have become a hallmark of contemporary Western cinema.

2025-05-25 04:41