Saddle up your horse, throw your cowboy hat on and get your lasso swinging, because these top 10 most popular western movies to watch right now certainly aren’t messing around.
Keep an eye on this list as it is updated with the latest and greatest western movies so you can be sure you’re in the loop. From Silverado to El Dorada, this list will help fans of the wild, wild west stay up to date on the most popular western films available.
What are you waiting for? Start watching classic westerns on DIRECTV now. Giddy up!
Watch Guide Methodology: Using proprietary viewership data, DIRECTV Insider curates lists of the most popular TV shows and movies being watched by real people, in real time, to help you pick the best trending content to watch across networks. Our rolling data collection also allows readers to see how a trending show’s ranking has changed week over week.
TOP 10 WESTERN MOVIES TO WATCH
Let’s get started. Here are the trending western movies that TV-watchers are enjoying right now, with all the information you need to check them out for yourself.
1. ‘Silverado’
↑ 5 vs. Prior Week
Featuring a star-studded cast including Kevin Kline, Scott Glenn, and Kevin Costner, 1985’s Silverado is a definitive example of modern western cinema at its most lively and entertaining. The film follows the story of a motley group of drifters whose lives intersect in the lawless town of Silverado, setting them on a path of unforgettable adventure.
Filled with vibrant characters, rugged landscapes, and a good dose of old-fashioned shootout action, Silverado revitalizes the classic western tropes we all love. Engaging, action-packed, and beautifully crafted, Silverado is a wild, adrenaline-filled journey into the heart of the American frontier.
2. ‘Cowboys & Aliens’
↑ 35 vs. Prior Week
In the thrilling mash-up of genres, Cowboys & Aliens, audiences experience an epic invasion the Wild West has never seen before. Walk through the dusty streets with Daniel Craig, who stars as an amnesiac outlaw named Jake Lonergan, finding himself caught up in a cosmic confrontation. With his stern attitude and enigmatic past, Jake teams up with the relentless Colonel Dolarhyde, played by the indomitable Harrison Ford.
As they band together to defend their homes from the extraterrestrial menace, they prove that a six-shooter is as good as any laser gun when it comes to courage and defiance. This electrifying film combines the suspense of the alien invasion lore with the gritty heroism of classic Westerns to create an adventure like no other.
3. ‘Bend of the River’
↑ 9 vs. Prior Week
Venturing into the untamed American frontier in 1952’s Bend of the River, we meet reformed outlaw Glyn McLyntock, brilliant portrayed by James Stewart, who has now become a beacon of hope for Oregon-bound farmers. His good deeds touch Emerson Cole, a thief facing the gallows, who soon joins McLyntock on their perilous journey. Unanticipated treachery awaits them, as a trusted trader turns foe, scheming to deprive the settlers of much-needed provisions. With roles reversed when Cole seizes the retrieved goods, McLyntock’s past as a lawbreaker turns his last defense. A thrilling pursuit unfolds in this classic Western, illustrating the limits one might cross when survival hangs in the balance.
4. ‘Django Unchained’
↑ 9 vs. Prior Week
Get ready for Tarantino’s incendiary take on pre-Civil War America with Django Unchained, a strangely comedic yet grim bounty hunter saga. Academy Award Winner Jamie Foxx stars as Django, a slave with a brutal past. Joined by German bounty hunter Dr. King Schultz, played by the eccentric Christoph Waltz, Django sets out to rescue his wife Broomhilda from the malicious plantation owner, Calvin Candie, played by the sinister Leonardo DiCaprio.
Boasting phenomenal performances and Tarantino’s signature style, Django Unchained is a wild, blood-soaked ride through the old west where justice prevails in the most violent ways.
5. ‘Pale Rider’
↑ 11 vs. Prior Week
A classic in the American Western genre, Pale Rider (1985) binds audience with its rich tale of courage, justice and determination. The brilliant Clint Eastwood plays the enigmatic Preacher, who lands in the fraught atmosphere of a small gold mining town. He stands firm against the hireling hooligans of Coy LaHood (Richard Dysart), aiming to protect the gold miners led by Hull Barret (Michael Moriarty). But when negotiations go south, LaHood calls upon the ruthless Marshal Stockburn (John Russell) to annihilate Preacher and his brigade. This quintessential cat-and-mouse game is a narrative gambit that will grip you till the last frame.
6. ‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly’
↑ 3 vs. Prior Week
From the epic vistas of the American Southwest to the tense standoffs of the Civil War period, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (1967) is a timeless masterpiece in the Spaghetti Western genre. It features the iconic Clint Eastwood as the stranger, Joe, locked in an uneasy alliance with Mexican bandit Tuco. Their volatile relationship intensifies when Joe’s typically flawless rescue attempts go unexpectedly awry, resulting in Tuco’s vengeful quest for retribution. Amidst the chaos and violence of a war-torn nation, the duo once again unites under grudgingly mutual goals, embarking on a relentless treasure hunt for a hidden fortune.
7. ‘The Outlaw Josey Wales’
↑ 121 vs. Prior Week
The Outlaw Josey Wales is a classic tale of grit and determination set in the tumultuous backdrop of the Civil War. Renowned actor Clint Eastwood brings the gruff yet honorable protagonist, Josey Wales, to life in this journey of vengeance and self-discovery. After his loved ones are brutally murdered by Union soldiers, Wales leaves behind his peaceful farming life and turns into an outlaw.
A stirring chronicle of resilience, betrayal and the quest for justice, this film is a riveting fusion of exhilarating action, complex personalities and a candid exploration of the human spirit during one of America’s most polarizing eras.
8. ‘Hang ‘Em High’
↔ vs. Prior Week
The classic 1997 Western-drama, Hang ‘Em High, stars an inimitable Clint Eastwood as the disturbed protagonist Jed Cooper. Falsely accused and left for dead, Cooper is saved by Marshal Dave Bliss (Ben Johnson) and Judge Adam Fenton (Pat Hingle), only to be offered an unexpected opportunity to serve justice himself. Circumstances may compel Cooper to follow the straight and narrow, but when he discovers his attackers are still making a mockery of the law, it’s time for some Old West vengeance. This captivating tale of revenge and redemption will keep you on the edge of your seat till the very end. The lines between right and wrong blur in this unforgettable cinematic journey.
9. ‘Unforgiven’
↑ 55 vs. Prior Week
Unforgiven is a critically acclaimed Western film directed by and starring Clint Eastwood, showcasing the dark and gritty reality of the Old West. Set in the 1880s, the story follows William Munny (Eastwood), a reformed outlaw and widower, who reluctantly returns to his violent past for one last job—seeking vengeance against those who wronged a group of prostitutes in the lawless town of Big Whiskey.
The film also stars Gene Hackman as the ruthless Sheriff Little Bill Daggett and Morgan Freeman as Munny’s loyal partner, Ned Logan. Unforgiven is a powerful exploration of morality, redemption and the brutal consequences of violence, solidifying its place as a modern Western masterpiece that challenges the genre’s traditional myths.
10. ‘El Dorado’
↑ 101 vs. Prior Week
In the 2000 Western epic, El Dorado, a vile tycoon, Bart Jason (Edward Asner), sets his greedy sights on the MacDonald family’s prime land. However, the town’s sheriff, J.P. Harrah, is lost in the land of alcoholism, rendering him useless in the face of the impending threat. Not willing to watch in silence, Harrah’s long-time friend, the ever-noble Cole Thorton (John Wayne), and his enthusiastic protégé, Mississippi (James Caan), gallop into town. Battling their personal demons and the town’s tormentor, they rally to bring law back to El Dorado, culminating in a pulse-pounding shootout against Jason’s cold-blooded henchmen. This film provides a stirring blend of classic western action and personal redemption.
And there you have it: the top 10 western movies to enjoy from the comfort of your own home. Stay tuned for updates to come so you can keep up with the best content available right now.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the different types of Western movies?
Spaghetti Western, Comedy Western, neo-Western, Epic Western, Revisionist Western
Who are the most well-known Western film actors of all time?
Clint Eastwood, John Wayne, Gary Cooper, Randolph Scott
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