6 Greatest Western Movies Based on True Stories, Ranked

Hollywood has given us some truly memorable films – beautiful, heartbreaking, and exciting stories – ranging from comedies like Blazing Saddles to action-packed films like Django Unchained. While many of these classic movies are completely made up, some of the very best are based on real historical events.

The American West was a period defined by conflict, adventure, and people forging new lives as the nation expanded. It continues to captivate us as a significant chapter in history, and Hollywood played a big role in keeping its stories well-known. While fictional Westerns are enjoyable, real-life accounts – even those with a bit of dramatic flair – are often the most compelling.

Young Guns Follows the Story of Billy the Kid

The movie Young Guns tells the story of Billy the Kid, known as William H. Bonney, who finds a father figure in rancher John Tunstall. Tunstall takes Billy under his wing and teaches him alongside a group of other young men, known as the Regulators. After Tunstall is murdered by a rival, the Regulators seek revenge, becoming deputized lawmen in the process. They embark on a statewide quest for justice, but their methods soon draw the attention – and opposition – of the established authorities.

Since the 1800s, the legend of Billy the Kid has captivated people, but the movie Young Guns showed that the story of the Regulators as a group was even more compelling. While the film takes liberties with the historical Lincoln County War, it’s been well-received for its portrayal of Billy Bonney. Even after 37 years, it remains a memorable part of 1980s cinema, and helped launch the careers of some of the decade’s biggest young actors by turning them into iconic gunslingers.

The Revenant is a Brutal Survival Story

The Revenant follows Hugh Glass, a fur trapper, as he fights for survival after a brutal bear attack. Left for dead, he embarks on a harrowing journey through the harsh Dakota wilderness, facing dangers from both nature and other people. Driven by a desire for revenge, he relentlessly pursues the man who killed his adopted son and left him to die.

The movie version of Hugh Glass’s story took some liberties with the facts to connect with today’s viewers. In reality, Glass was driven by the loss of his rifle, not the death of his son, and the film’s depiction of his injuries is historically more accurate. What truly captivates audiences is the incredible hardship Glass faced while surviving in the wilderness – a testament to the courage and resilience of the early frontiersmen.

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is a Perfect Buddy Adventure

The film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid follows two famous outlaws on the run from the law. With a reward offered for their capture, they decide to escape to Bolivia, hoping to start a new, legitimate life. But as they journey south, they realize they can’t outrun their identities as outlaws.

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is considered the quintessential buddy Western, and it cemented Robert Redford and Paul Newman’s status as one of Hollywood’s most iconic pairings. The film uniquely captures the adventurous and rebellious spirit of the Old West, portraying its outlaws as charming and likable figures. Though it romanticizes their lives, the real story of Butch and Sundance marked the end of an era for the Wild West.

The Searchers Follows an Epic Quest Across the West

The Searchers tells the story of Ethan Edwards, a former Confederate soldier, who discovers his brother’s family has been killed in a Comanche raid. Fueled by a desire for revenge, he embarks on a mission to find his two young nieces, who have been captured by the attackers. What starts as a straightforward pursuit quickly becomes a multi-year journey filled with hardship and devastating events, as Edwards relentlessly continues his search.

The novel drew inspiration from the kidnapping of Cynthia Ann Parker and the life of Britt Johnson, a black cowboy. Interestingly, despite Hollywood’s reluctance to cast black actors in leading roles at the time, Johnson’s story was reimagined with him as a white Confederate character. This change allowed the novel to critique racism through his experiences.

Jeremiah Johnson Explores a Legendary Mountain Man

Jeremiah Johnson is the story of a skilled hunter who ventures into the Rocky Mountains to create a new life. He finds family by adopting a boy who survived a Blackfoot attack and marrying the daughter of a Flathead chief. However, tragedy strikes when his attempt to aid a cavalry officer results in an attack on his loved ones. Filled with fury, he retaliates against those responsible, sparking a long and bitter conflict with the Crow tribe.

Jeremiah “Liver-Eating” Johnson is a true figure from American history, though his story has become exaggerated over time. Even during his life, people likely embellished tales about him, turning him into a local hero. The movie aims to balance the real man with the myth surrounding him, and helped establish Robert Redford as a classic Western film star.

Tombstone is the Ultimate Revenge Epic

The movie Tombstone tells the story of the Earp brothers arriving in the wild, booming town of Tombstone, Arizona, which is controlled by a dangerous gang known as the Cowboys. As newly appointed lawmen, the Earps attempt to disarm the Cowboys, leading to a bitter feud. After an assassination attempt leaves one brother dead and another wounded, Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday set out on a quest for revenge.

Even after more than three decades, Kurt Russell’s Tombstone continues to define the modern Western. The film powerfully portrays its heroes as the heart of frontier law, and scenes like Wyatt Earp’s pursuit of justice and the famous shootout at the O.K. Corral remain instantly recognizable symbols of the Old West. Visitors still travel to Arizona hoping to experience the locations featured in the movie. With Russell’s perfect portrayal of Earp and Val Kilmer’s unforgettable performance as Doc Holliday, Tombstone remains the definitive cinematic depiction of Wyatt Earp.

2026-01-29 06:43