The Western genre, despite being seemingly cut-and-dry, has a storied history behind it. Born out of the myths and misconceptions that crafted a romantic view of the American frontier, Westerns have since become a staple film genre. As a mythological landscape with plenty of worldly influences, you can find a Western that tackles any subject you can think of. This is doubly so for the plethora of Westerns currently available on Max.
Survival stories, stagecoach races, gratuitous gunfights, and more occupy Max’s expansive Western offerings, bolstered by the terrific legacy content of Turner Classic Movies. If you’re aching for a modern take on the genre, or if you want to see where it began, here are just a handful of the best Westerns currently streaming on Max.
Updated on May 2, 2024, by Soniya Hinduja: This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new Westerns.
23 The Revenant (2015)
Loosely based on a real-life story, The Revenant takes you to 1823, where frontiersman Hugh Glass leads an exploration party through the territory of the present-day Dakotas. He gets mauled by a grizzly bear and is left for dead by his hunting crew. Glass then begins a solitary journey of survival through the cold and brutal frontier while also plotting revenge on those who betrayed him. Especially Trapper John Fitzgerald, who suggested the trappers should mercy-kill Glass.
A Brutal Tale of Survival
Surviving through snowfall, rough terrain, and unfriendly indigenous people, Glass’ character is driven by his will to make it through. His relentless pursuit in the unforgiving wild is brought to the screen by Leonardo DiCaprio, giving an intense physical performance. Under the direction of Alejandro González Iñárritu, who co-wrote the screenplay with Mark L. Smith, the movie depicts an agonizing tale that leaves a lasting impact. From the natural landscapes to the awe-inspiring determination, every aspect of the movie is worth praising.
22 The Dollars Trilogy (1966 – 1968)
A Fistful of Dollars
- Release Date
- January 18, 1964
- Director
- Sergio Leone , Monte Hellman
- Cast
- Clint Eastwood , Marianne Koch , Gian Maria Volonte , Wolfgang Lukschy , Sieghardt Rupp , Joseph Egger
- Runtime
- 99
- Writers
- Ryûzô Kikushima , Akira Kurosawa , A. Bonzzoni , Víctor Andrés Catena , Sergio Leone , Jaime Comas Gil
The Dollars Trilogy comprises three iconic Sergio Leone films – A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. While none of these Western masterpieces are interconnected, they all feature a mysterious man known as ‘The Man with No Name,’ as he outwits rivaling groups for sport and profit across the frontier. The multilayered plotlines of each of these movies paved the way for more stylish storytelling within the Western genre.
Stylish and Subversive
Tales of morally corrupt gunslingers have long entertained American audiences. The Dollars Trilogy is a distinguished series of movies featuring lean narratives, grand cinematography, and unforgettable Ennio Morricone scores. Moreover, the movies also deconstruct the cowboy archetype by adding subtext even in the action-infused scenes. Anchored by Clint Eastwood’s minimalist yet refined performances, the influence of these Westerns is so immense that it lays the groundwork for understanding both the genre and cinema.
21 Lucky (2017)
Lucky (2017)
- Release Date
- July 15, 2011
- Director
- Gil Cates Jr.
- Runtime
- 103
- Writers
- Kent Sublette , Gil Cates Jr.
In the small desert town of Piru, California, resides a 90-year-old World War II veteran named Lucky whose fading health becomes a cause of concern for the locals. An atheist himself, he does not believe in redemption, but over the course of a few days, he embarks on a journey of self-exploration and converses with a variety of eccentrics. He tells his stories and listens to them, forming connections with them that are both comedic and tense.
A Quiet Meditation on Mortality
A critically acclaimed, bittersweet meditation on what it means to have lived a long life. Lucky is among the few thoughtful Western dramas that rely more on character studies rather than violence and still deliver the same moving impact on the audience. The quirky, often funny encounters the protagonist gets into are a poetic allegory for aging and learning how it’s the smallest moments of life that matter most. The movie was Harry Dean Stanton’s final on-screen appearance before his death.
20 Hang ’em High (1968)
Hang ‘em High is a revisionist Western movie starring Clint Eastwood in the role of a rancher named Jed Cooper. The story goes as follows: After he is wrongfully accused, convicted, and sentenced to death by a mob, Cooper is rescued by Marshal Dave Bliss and Judge Adam Fenton. They offer him a job as a lawman, and when Cooper finds out that the men who wronged him are involved in other crimes, he embarks on a dark and brutal quest for justice and vengeance.
Frontier Drama Starring Clint Eastwood
Hailed by critics as “a Spaghetti Western made in Hollywood,” Hang ‘em High has all the qualities of a timeless classic. A flawed protagonist seeking vengeance, a gritty and complex narrative, a scenic backdrop of the West, and truly outstanding performances from the devoted leads. To add, Eastwood’s anti-hero delivers an assured turn as a man who walks the tightrope between justice and retribution, adding intensity to the tale. Overall, the movie is a thrill to watch.
19 Crazy Heart (2009)
Crazy Heart
- Release Date
- December 16, 2009
- Cast
- Jeff Bridges , James Keane , Anna Felix , Paul Herman , Tom Bower , Ryan Bingham
- Runtime
- 112
Directed by Scott Cooper in his feature directorial debut, Crazy Heart is a Western drama inspired by the true story of country singer Hank Thompson. It follows a 57-year-old former singer named Bad Blake struggling with alcoholism but seeking to rebuild his life. Having gone through several failed relationships and with the weight of a failing career crushing him down, Blake’s road to redemption is filled with setbacks. He meets Jean, a journalist and divorced mother of a four-year-old, who gives him hope.
A Poignant Character Study
Despite having a conventional story and a laid-back pace, Crazy Heart won massive critical acclaim. Part of its success was the raw and vulnerable performance given by Jeff Bridges, who even won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. The beautiful songs paired with emotional scenes make the movie more authentic. Under Cooper’s immaculate direction, the themes of regret, redemption, and addiction come together to form a complete package worth unboxing.
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17 Appaloosa (2008)
Appaloosa
- Release Date
- September 19, 2008
- Cast
- Robert Jauregui , Jeremy Irons , Timothy V. Murphy , Luce Rains , James Tarwater , Boyd Kestner
- Runtime
- 114
- Writers
- Robert Knott , Ed Harris , Robert B. Parker
Appaloosa takes place in 1892 in a New Mexican town named Appaloosa. The town, which is being terrorized by a ruthless rancher named Randall Bragg, turns to a lawman for help. After the town’s Marshall is murdered by the rancher, this is the last straw. Virgil Cole, together with his deputy, Everett Hitch, are hired and get to work going after the troublemaker’s men.
An Impressive Ensemble
Directed by Ed Harris, and based on a crime novel of the same name, Appaloosa has a terrific cast. In addition to Harris, who also starred in the film, it featured Viggo Mortensen, Renée Zellweger, Jeremy Irons, and Timothy Spall. This ensemble of Hollywood heavyweights creates a taut yet heartwarming story of friendship and nobility in a time when it’s relatively scarce. The film also features the conventional themes of Westerns like grit and bravery and is cinematically executed in a tasteful and well-measured way.
16 El Diablo (1990)
El Diablo tells the story of a mild-mannered teacher named Billy Ray Smith, who lives in a tough Texan town. One of Billy’s teenage students, Nettie, has a crush on him but Billy, being her teacher, does not return her feelings. Later, the town is invaded by a group of bandits led by a fearsome one known as El Diablo. Nettie is kidnapped by the gang and Billy vows to rescue her with the help of Kid Durango, who reputedly is known as the fastest gun in the West but turns out to be extremely inept since he can’t even ride a horse or shoot a gun.
An Underrated Gem
A made-for-TV western film starring Anthony Edwards and Louis Gossett Jr, El Diablo was a great film if you enjoy the niche sub-genre of Western comedies. Having had John Carpenter’s name attached to the project, the film went to Peter Markle to direct as Carpenter was a little nervous about messing the project up. Despite not being a chart-busting western, El Diablo plays to the usual tropes of the genre and comes out as a decent film that’s entertaining and engrossing in equal measure.
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15 The Pilgrim (1923)
The Pilgrim centers on Charlie Chaplin’s character, known as the pilgrim, who escapes prison and manages to replace his prison garb with a minister’s uniform. After fleeing to Devil’s Gulch, Texas, he finds the town has been eagerly awaiting the arrival of their new parson. This means he has to keep up the act, with complications arising when he becomes attracted to one of the town’s young women.
A Western from the Legendary Charlie Chaplin
From a bygone era of classical Hollywood, The Pilgrim is a true classic from the genius that was the iconic Charlie Chaplin. Released back in 1923, the film is often regarded as offering one of his best-ever performances. Despite being almost a century old, there’s still so much to learn from Charlie Chaplin’s iconic approach to cinema, right from the emotional depth of his performance to his technical insight into the craft of filmmaking.
14 Cry Macho (2021)
Cry Macho
- Release Date
- September 17, 2021
- Runtime
- 1hr 44min
A contemporary western, the film saw Clint Eastwood play an ex-rodeo star named Mike Milo, who retires after suffering an injury. However, his former boss, Howard Polk, enlists his help for a special task. Mike finds himself traveling to Mexico to pick up Polk’s son, known as Rafo, and bring him back to the States. While this initially goes well, on the way back, Rafo’s vengeful mother, who runs illicit businesses in Mexico, sends her cronies to track them down before they can reach their destination.
A Clint Eastwood Classic
Adapted from a popular novel written in 1975, Cry Macho finally brought the story to the screen courtesy of Clint Eastwood, who directed and starred in the film. Previous attempts to adapt the novel once almost saw Arnold Schwarzenegger in the lead. In the end, Eastwood proved to be the perfect protagonist to take it forward as he came with his legendary status as an icon of Western films.
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13 Beauty and the Bandit (1946)
If you don’t mind a golden oldie, Beauty and the Bandit was a great entry from the ’40s. The film takes place in California during the 1800s and follows The Kid and his gang as they ambush a stagecoach to steal a chest of silver. He claims that this money belongs to his men and the impoverished people of Mexico, but it’s soon stolen from him. Just then, another epiphany strikes him and he learns that the “man” escorting the chest is a beautiful woman (played by the stunning Ramsay Ames), whom he soon falls for, sending the storyline into tumbling chaos.
80 Years Old and Still Going Strong
Building on the popularity of the famous comic book character from the era known as The Cisco Kid, Mexican-American actor Gilbert Roland played him in the film. The original character was known as a desperado who operated near the Texas-Mexico border and was a lot darker. However, his later renditions softened him into a more likable character despite him still being a Bandido.
12 And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself (2002)
Loosely based on true events, the film followed the exploits of the legendary revolutionary, Pancho Villa, as he attempted to scheme ways of funding his goal to overthrow the Mexican government. When he gets into contact with a Hollywood director eager to tell his tale, they strike up a deal to help each other out. What ensues is a great satirical western filled with moments that remind us why truth can sometimes be stranger than fiction.
(Almost) a True Story
This great TV film first debuted on HBO back in 2002 and starred Antonio Banderas in the lead. And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself was once the most expensive TV film ever made. With its $30 million budget, it was shot entirely on location in Mexico and later went on to be nominated for nine Primetime Emmy Awards.
11 Slow West (2015)
Slow West
- Release Date
- April 16, 2015
- Director
- John Maclean
- Runtime
- 84
- Writers
- John Maclean
The plot of Slow West follows a young, gullible teenager who travels across America in search of a woman he loves, accompanied by an outlaw under the pretense of protection. What follows is a unique take on the Western genre, cleverly balancing violence, humor, and romance, against the expansive scenery of the Western landscapes.
A Teenage-Focused Western
Funny, bizarre, and melancholic in equal measure, this Western shuns the mechanisms of the genre in many ways as it puts in the emotions of teenage angst, infatuation, and hard-boiled demeanors in a blender and presents a cocktail full of leisurely entertainment. John Maclean’s directorial debut steps away from the conventional norms attached to the genre and instead focuses on capturing the everyday trivialities of life in the wild Wild West.
10 In Pursuit of Honor (1995)
In Pursuit of Honor is a hard-hitting film that takes a lot of work to digest. The action revolves around a few members of the United States Cavalry detachment who refused to slaughter horses as a part of a plan to modernize the army. After having been deemed surplus to requirements by Gen. Douglas MacArthur (James Sikking), Sgt. John Libbey (Don Johnson) along with Lt. Marshall Buxton (Craig Sheffer) is tasked with transporting and executing hundreds of horses that once served as brave comrades.
Putting Respect on Our Animal Friends
In Pursuit of Honor is one of the few films that perfectly captures a man’s bond with an animal. Transcending the barriers of language and literature, this bond is unspoken yet can be felt quite vividly. Ken Olin’s film paints a heartwrenching portrait of this type of bond and the cost one would go to to protect it. If you’re a fan of animal films with a Western setting, be sure to give this one a watch.
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9 An Eastern Westerner (1920)
Likely the oldest Western on Max, An Eastern Westerner is an intriguing example of not only early Westerns but of genre parodies as well. Originally released in 1920, Harold Lloyd plays a New Yorker finding himself against all odds when he draws the ire of a villainous tycoon. To save the town, and to win the heart of a woman he’s fallen in love with, he’ll have to put his hedonistic lifestyle aside and embrace the “wild” part of the “wild west.”
Incredible Physical Comedy
Silent comedies are all about physical performances, and Harold Lloyd was no slouch in this department. Known for his extensive gags and daredevil stunts, his collaboration with Hal Roach — who would also produce the highly influential comedy duo, Laurel and Hardy — will certainly fill a unique niche in Max’s Westerns.
8 The Last Outlaw (1993)
The Last Outlaw follows the emotional journey of the retired Colonel Graff, who begins a life of crime when his wife and kids are murdered during the Civil War. He recruits his old men, and they begin a string of successful robberies. However, when his once closest ally (Mulroney) assumes control and ousts him, Graff joins the authorities again and starts going after his old gang. A great watch if you’ve never seen it, the film has since been hailed as one of the most underrated Westerns of the decade and has built up a cult following.
Focused on Justice and Revenge
The Last Outlaw released during the early ’90s, when so many other iconic Westerns like Unforgiven and Wyatt Earp were released, sadly relegated the TV film The Last Outlaw to the realms of insignificance. In such a legendary company, not many people even remember the 1993 movie starring Mickey Rourke and a much younger Dermot Mulroney. Having said that, The Last Outlaw is still a film of substance that’s powered by a steam engine of vengeance, bloodshed, and the sadistic idea of justice.
7 The Gold Rush (1925)
The Gold Rush features another outstanding performance from the great Chaplin himself. This one sees him chase the Klondike Gold Rush when he gets stuck in a cabin during a blizzard with a fugitive. Falling for a lovely barmaid, our hero’s luck gets better when he also meets a prospector there. Of course, in modern times, a silent black-and-white film from a forgotten time may not be to everyone’s taste. However, the film is iconic and perfectly illustrates the comic genius of the time in a Western setting.
A Must-Watch for Chaplin Fans
Remember when we said that there are Westerns out there for all tastes? If you’re the kind of film buff who can still appreciate the brilliance of Charlie Chaplin and what made his famous silent films so genius, The Gold Rush is for you. The 1925 silent film from the iconic actor that defined an entire era of cinema was old-school entertainment at its best. There’s a reason why the film holds a 93% audience rating and a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes’s famed Tomatometer where professional critics rate a film.
6 Dead Man (1995)
Dead Man
- Release Date
- May 26, 1995
- Cast
- Johnny Depp , Gary Farmer , Crispin Glover , Lance Henriksen , Michael Wincott , Eugene Byrd , John Hurt , Robert Mitchum , Iggy Pop , Gabriel Byrne , Jared Harris , Mili Avital , Billy Bob Thornton , Alfred Molina
- Runtime
- 121 Minutes
You may confuse Dead Man for being older than it is. This psychedelic Western starring Johnny Depp was released in 1995, telling the story of an accountant on the run after committing a murder. However, after a brief encounter with a Native American named “Nobody,” our accountant finds himself at the center of a spiritual reawakening.
A Western With Independent Flair
Filmed exclusively in black-and-white, Dead Man is directed by directed by Jim Jarmusch (Paterson, Only Lovers Left Alive) and features a soundtrack composed by Neil Young. Dead Man is easily one of the more eclectic Westerns in Max’s library. If you want a bit more soul-searching in your Western adventure, along with a lot more weirdness, this may be the film for you.
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5 Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (2007)
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee is a historical drama that adapts the titular 1970 book by Dee Brown. Set shortly after the bloody Battle of the Little Bighorn, we follow multiple different characters as history starts to unfold, with one being Charles Eastman, a Sioux doctor who became the first Native American certified in conventional medicine. We also get the perspective of Sitting Bull himself, the Lakota leader who led the resistance at Little Bighorn to begin with.
Historically Thorough and Engrossing
The amount of material covered here is nothing to scoff at. There’s a genuine effort to display the exploitation and grief that the Lakota tribe experienced during the 1860s, and though it is technically classified as a “TV film,” some of what is depicted is indescribable. As an HBO original, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee remains a stunning part of Max’s library.
4 Deadwood: The Movie (2019)
Any Western fan who hasn’t seen HBO’s Deadwood is doing themselves a disservice. Its short, three-season run is perfect for weekly binging, and while the series would ultimately be canceled before wrapping up its story, Deadwood: The Movie serves as the climactic conclusion to the series. Ten years after the end of season three, a majority of Deadwood‘s ensemble cast returns as old rivalries are set ablaze amid the seas of change.
Timothy Olyphant Is at His Best in Westerns
Known for its legendary use of profanity and breathtaking visuals, Deadwood is an essential Western series for any enthusiast of the genre. Created by David Milch, who would later write for HBO’s True Detective, Deadwood is easily what put actors like Ian McShane and Timothy Olyphant on the map, along with winning multiple Emmy Awards for its costume and set design.