Val Kilmer’s Western Movies Ranked: From Tombstone To Wyatt Earp’s Revenge

Val Kilmer actually starred in quite a few Westerns, and it’s interesting to see how they compare. He had a very successful period in the 1990s, appearing in popular films one after another, including The Doors, Heat, and Batman Forever. Many fans consider his performance in the 1993 movie Tombstone to be his best work.

Val Kilmer’s portrayal of Doc Holliday was Oscar-worthy, showcasing both comedic timing and genuine emotion. Although Dances with Wolves briefly brought Westerns back into popularity in the 90s, Kilmer, a self-proclaimed fan of the genre, didn’t get many more opportunities to star in Western films.

Although Val Kilmer is famous for many roles, a review of his filmography shows he’s actually been in quite a few Westerns – perhaps more than people realize. He’s played various characters in the Old West, even Wyatt Earp. But the big question is: do any of these Westerns compare to his iconic performance in Tombstone?

Summer Love (2006)

The Polish film Summer Love, also released as Dead Man’s Bounty, is considered Poland’s first Western. The DVD cover is misleading – it suggests Val Kilmer is the star, but he actually plays a corpse for the entire movie.

That’s correct. The film doesn’t show how the character dies or include a past scene with Kilmer. The director actually wanted his brief appearance to be a playful jab at foreign films often featuring American stars for marketing purposes.

The film centers around a mysterious Stranger, played by Karel Roden, who arrives in town carrying a dead man, immediately clashing with the local sheriff. While Summer Love aims to be artistic and unconventional, it ultimately feels low-budget and dull. The fact that a talented actor like Val Kilmer is reduced to playing a corpse throughout the entire movie highlights the film’s tendency to be overly concerned with appearing sophisticated rather than telling a compelling story.

A Soldier’s Revenge (2020)

Though not a significant improvement over Summer Love, A Soldier’s Revenge deserves some credit for attempting a classic Western feel. The film centers on a hardened Civil War veteran who now works as a bounty hunter, and who must rescue a woman while facing a figure from his past.

Kilmer’s role in A Soldier’s Revenge was near the end of his career, and while he performs well despite a minor part, the movie itself isn’t very impressive. It feels cheaply made, with a weak plot, uninspired dialogue, and obvious CGI used for the gunfights. This film is really only for those trying to collect every Western ever made.

Wyatt Earp’s Revenge (2012)

The movie Wyatt Earp’s Revenge heavily promoted its casting of Val Kilmer as the famous lawman, and that was a good strategy. However, trying to measure up to the classic Western Tombstone ultimately highlights this 2012 film’s weaknesses. The story shows an older Wyatt Earp (Kilmer) looking back on a largely made-up journey to get revenge for the death of someone he loved.

Shawn Roberts, known from Resident Evil: Afterlife, portrays a younger version of Wyatt Earp, but the noticeable difference between his appearance and Val Kilmer’s is just the beginning of the film’s problems. Wyatt Earp’s Revenge feels like a low-budget TV show; the story isn’t engaging, and the action sequences are awkward and unnatural.

Val Kilmer is always watchable, but his performance here isn’t very energetic, largely because his character spends most of the movie sitting still. While it’s not the worst Western he’s made, it’s definitely one you could easily skip without missing much.

Billy the Kid (1989)

Before taking on roles like Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp, Val Kilmer played another famous figure from the Old West in the movie Billy the Kid. This TV film presents a more realistic take on the Lincoln County War compared to the 1988 film Young Guns. Although Kilmer was considered much better-looking than the actual Billy the Kid (William Bonney), his performance was highly praised.

Unfortunately, the film – sometimes called Gore Vidal’s Billy the Kid – looks quite plain and doesn’t have a polished, cinematic style. However, its accurate portrayal of historical events and strong supporting actors make it worthwhile. If you’re looking for a more exciting Billy the Kid experience, though, you might want to watch both Young Guns and Young Guns II instead.

The Missing (2003)

Ron Howard’s film, The Missing, is very similar in story to the classic movie The Searchers. It stars Tommy Lee Jones and Cate Blanchett as a father and daughter who have grown apart, and who must work together to rescue Blanchett’s daughter from being sold into slavery in Mexico. Compared to his other films, The Missing is notably intense and harsh.

The director doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities and violence of the time period, pushing boundaries that films like The Searchers couldn’t cross in the 1950s. The movie features cameos from actors like Aaron Eckhart and Val Kilmer, who plays a cavalry lieutenant who first believes Jones is an enemy.

Val Kilmer has a small but important part in The Missing. At this point in the film, Cate Blanchett’s character, Maggie, still believes she’ll be rescued, but Kilmer’s character, Ducharme, gently lets her know she has to rely on herself. This realization is what drives Maggie to take action and pursue her goal.

Tombstone (1993)

The making of Tombstone was difficult, with the initial director being replaced and Kurt Russell reportedly taking over much of the directing. Although the film shows some evidence of this troubled production – like characters suddenly vanishing or storylines that don’t quite resolve – it remains a standout Western from the 1990s.

The movie boasts an incredible cast, including Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Sam Elliott, Michael Biehn, and Bill Paxton, among many others. Each actor gets a chance to stand out with a memorable scene or line, and Tombstone succeeds as both an exciting action film and an insightful look at the friendship between Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday.

Kilmer’s performance is truly outstanding – he dominates the screen and is incredibly charismatic, even when covered in sweat. The film cleverly provides Val Kilmer with dialogue that’s almost musical in its rhythm, and he delivers it with obvious enjoyment. It’s clear he’s having a blast playing the part.

While Val Kilmer truly shines in Tombstone, the film also features strong performances from the rest of the cast. It’s not perfect, but it’s definitely Kilmer’s best Western, and it’s an enjoyable movie overall.

2025-11-30 16:33