Hollywood was build upon the foundation laid down by the westerly film genre and after fading in popularity during the late 20th C , Westerns have softly see a resurgence . The gold earned run average of 50s/60s Western celluloid produce some of the peachy moving picture of all time , many of which made our list of The 10 keen Westerns of All - Time . As it turn out , western sandwich have never been as profitable as they have been in recent years , with four of the top five highest - grossing westerly films of all - time being unloosen in the past decennium . With the musical genre now back in the glare , it ’s time we honorThe 12 Best Modern Western Films .
12. No Country For Old Men (2007)
Based on the Cormac McCarthy novel of the same name , No Country For Old Menis a neo - western thriller starring Josh Brolin , Tommy Lee Jones , and Javier Bardem . Written and direct by Joel and Ethan Coen , the film follow Brolin ’s character , a welder and Vietnam Veteran name Llewelyn Moss , as he discovers drug deal money in the desert while out hunt . Unable to resist taking the money , Llewelyn is later hunted by a terrific assassin ( Javier Bardem ) with a stadium baseball swing and a oxen gun through the West Texas desert landscape painting of 1980 .
moviegoer were moved by Javier Bardem ’s terrific portrayal of hitman Anton Chigurh it was good enough to put down the fictional character on our leaning ofThe 25 Greatest Movie Villains In Movie account . No Country For Old Menwas universally praised by critics and many people regard it as the Coen pal ’ unspoiled film to date .
Via Dulwich Picture Gallery
11. Tombstone (1993)
This play activeness - adventure Western is based more on legend rather than historical fact finds Wyatt Earp ( Kurt Russell ) seek a life free from legal philosophy enforcement . release in 1993 , the film boast a fantastic cast of characters that include Earp ’s brothers Virgil ( Sam Elliot ) and Morgan ( Bill Paxton ) , as they arrive in Tombstone , Arizona intending to subside into retreat . He shortly discovers that recollective - time friend Doc Holliday ( Val Kilmer ) is there and that the town is run by a group of brutal outlaws called the Cowboys . Earp quickly realizes that he ’s unable to hightail it his past and he ’s thrown right back into natural action . With the help of his newly formed band of deputies , he adorns the badge of a U.S. Marshall .
Tombstoneis an interesting portraiture of the Wyatt Earp taradiddle and the film is elevated by the carrying into action of the supporting cast of sidekicks , play up by one of Val Kilmer ’s slap-up persona as the alcoholic , drop risk taker / sharpshooter , Doc Holiday . vital reception forTombstonewas generally positive and while the film performed well at the box office , it has become a bit of a rage classic due to its repeated ventilation on cable television .
Via cowgirlmagazine.com
10. Young Guns (1988)
Partially root on by the Kurosawa filmSeven Samurai , Young Gunsis an over - the - top , natural process - operose Western that follow the liveliness of William H. Bonney a.k.a . Billy the Kid and his crew of outlaws turned lawmen . historiographer have calledYoung Gunsthe most historically exact of all prior Billy the Kid cinema and Emilio Estevez was fantastic in his role as the infamous gunman . Billy and his deputies set out to avenge the murder of the rancher who became their helper but when Billy contain their agency too far , they become the hunted .
Young Gunsfeatures an ensemble cast of Kiefer Sutherland , Lou Diamond Phillips , Charlie Sheen , Dermot Mulroney , Casey Siemaszko , Terence Stamp , Terry O’Quinn , Brian Keith , and Jack Palance . The celluloid benefit from some wondrous performances that have aid to elevate it to 80s cult Greco-Roman status . As with the case ofTombstone , Young Guns’repeated airings on cable networks have maintain the motion picture relevant in the decades since its release . That being said , the motion picture was still well - received , open at no . 1 at the box office and finally earning $ 45 million from a modest $ 11 million budget .
Via espritcine.fr
9. The Homesman (2014)
free-base on the 1988 novel of the same name , the 2014 filmThe Homesmanis a historical menstruation drama set in the 1850s Midwest directed by and star Tommy Lee Jones . boast a mavin - studded ensemble form that include Hilary Swank , Meryl Streep , Grace Gummer , Miranda Otto , Hailee Steinfeld , John Lithgow and James Spader , the film ’s plot of land revolves around three woman living on the edge of the American frontier struggling to last the harsh trailblazer life . The task of salvage them falls to the pious , independent - minded Mary Bee Cuddy ( Swank ) . Transporting the women by covered wagon to Iowa , she soon realise just how daunting the journeying will be , and employs a grim - life story vagrant , George Briggs ( Jones ) , to help her journey . Together , they traverse the coarse Nebraska Territories hem in by stark beauty and constant danger .
Despite receive a limited dismissal in North America , the photographic film was mostly well receive by critics and owns an 81 % evaluation on Rotten Tomatoes . The performances from Academy Award winners Hilary Swank and Meryl Streep are unsurprisingly the highlight of the film , but critic also enjoyedThe Homesman’scomplex plot and unexpected twists and turns .
Via Saban Films
8. 3:10 to Yuma (2007)
A remake of the 1957 Glenn Ford and Van Heflin flick , which was base on Elmore Leonard ’s short story of the same name , 2007’s3:10 to Yumasees director James Mangold creating a grand westerly . The film stars Russell Crowe and Christian Bale in the lead roles , with supporting performances by Peter Fonda , Gretchen Mol , Ben Foster , Dallas Roberts , Alan Tudyk , Vinessa Shaw , and Logan Lerman.3:10 to Yumarevolves around Dan Evans ( Christian Bale ) , the owner of a drought - stricken spread , who volunteer to see criminal Ben Wade ( Russell Crowe ) on a gearing leap for judge . Along the journey , a scrimy respect pattern between the man , but danger looms at every turn , with Wade ’s gang in spare-time activity .
It ’s rare that a motion-picture show is remade and really surpasses the quality of the previous adjustment , but that ’s indeed the subject with Mangold’s3:10 to Yuma . The standout here is the complex family relationship between the two central character , with excellent performances from both Crowe and Bale . Despite being an excellent Western,3:10 to Yumawas only a modest boxful office success , earning just $ 70 million on a $ 55 million budget .
Via Amazon.com
7. Dances with Wolves (1990)
dancing with Wolvesis a 1990 epic Western moving picture asterisk , directed , and bring about by Kevin Costner . After Union US Army Lieutenant John Dunbar ( Costner ) is transmit to the army ’s most distant outpost , Fort Sedgewick , he get in to find the billet desert and in disrepair , but chooses to stay nevertheless . Dunbar sets about restoring the fortress , and he keep a journal of his experiences and activities , which involve him befriend a tribe of Lakota Indians and the local wildlife . The film was applauded for its legitimacy , as much of the dialogue is talk in Lakota with English subtitles . In 2007,Dances with Wolveswas pick out for conservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “ culturally , historically , or aesthetically meaning ” .
dance With Wolveswon widespread wonderment as well as seven Academy Awards , including that for Best Picture in 1990 . The film was a monolithic financial success for Orion Pictures earning over $ 400 million on a $ 22 million budget , make up it one of the gamey grossing Western films of all time .
Via Variety
6. The Proposition (2005)
ready against the rough and relentless landscape of the 1880s Australian outback , The Propositionis a visually stunning tale of loyalty , revenge and the quest for justice in a lawless land . The film catch ratter Charlie Burns ( Guy Pearce ) along with his two Brother , Arthur ( Danny Huston ) and Mikey ( Richard Wilson ) , hedge the jurisprudence and a slaying charge . After the group is nail by Capt . Stanley ( Ray Winstone ) Charlie is offered a proposition . for gain pardon and , more importantly , save his beloved vernal brother Mike from the gallows , he must give chase down and bolt down Arthur , his psychotic sr. brother . An impossible moral dilemma leads to a murderous sexual climax .
The Propositionreceived a circumscribed liberation in North America but the flick was well receive by critic , with a rating of 86 % on Rotten Tomatoes . In particular , the film ’s filming , acting performances , compelling narrative , as well as the unique Australian outback setting receive high praise .
5. Open Range (2003)
spread out Rangeis a 2003 western movie directed and co - produced by Kevin Costner , starring Robert Duvall and Costner , alongside an ensemble cast of Annette Bening , Michael Gambon , and Michael Jeter . The pic follow four “ freegrazers ” – oxen herders with no specific property – as they team up against a unpitying man who has created his own trivial state in the sometime due west , found his own laws . When they finally catch up with the villain , the moving picture reach out a coming with a monolithic gunfight .
Open Rangewas well received ; a critical and financial winner that earned nearly $ 70 million on a $ 20 million budget . It features the final on - concealment appearance of Michael Jeter , who died before it was released , and the film was dedicate to Jeter ’s memory , as well as to Costner ’s parents , Bill and Sharon . Open Rangehas a rating of 80 % on Rotten Tomatoes , with critics citing the interpersonal chemistry between Duval and Costner ’s characters as its big attractor .
Via True West Magazine
4. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)
This 2007 revisionist western film was written and directed by Andrew Dominik , and adapted from Ron Hansen ’s 1983 novel of the same name . A dramatisation of the relationship between westerly legend Jesse James ( Brad Pitt ) and Robert Ford ( Casey Affleck ) , the plastic film focuses on the events that lead up to their eventual cleanup . Haunting , visually stunning and with one of the good slews in late memory board , James ’ downfall at the hand of his covetous banking concern robbing confederate only serve well to fuel the fable of his exploits .
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Fordis a classic typesetter’s case of a longwinded title killing public interest in a what is actually a very estimable plastic film . It has been more than a decade since the photographic film ’s release and it ’s just now make the appreciation it deserves as a fine piece of tardily - burn picture palace , featuring one of Brad Pitt ’s all - time greatest performances . This tremendous film flew under the radar during its initial release , but word of mouth has diffuse and The Assassination of Jesse Jamesis a film that should n’t be missed by fans of Western films .
Via WallpaperJam
3. Django Unchained (2012)
Quentin Tarantino’sDjango Unchainedis a highly stylise tribute to Spaghetti Westerns ; in particular , the 1966 Italian filmDjangoby Sergio Corbucci , whose whizz Franco Nero makes a cameo appearance . The motion picture , which is set in the Old West and Antebellum South , stars Jamie Foxx , Christoph Waltz , Leonardo DiCaprio , Kerry Washington , and Samuel L. Jackson , with Walton Goggins , Dennis Christopher , James Remar , and Don Johnson in supporting roles . The revisionist Western find out Foxx ’s fibre Django Freeman , a freed hard worker sets out to rescue his married woman from a fell Mississippi plantation possessor Calvin J. Candie ( Leonardo DiCaprio ) . Django enlists the aid of a German bounty hunter named Dr. King Schultz ( Christoph Walz ) and the two form an unlikely friendship .
This fantastic picture show was wildly successful , with oecumenical vital acclaim and a highly profitable run at the box function . It was nominate for several industry awards include five Academy Awards with Christoph Walz gain for Best Supporting Actor and Tarantino for Best Original Screenplay . We also get a great performance from DiCaprio as the photographic film ’s central villain .
Via MSNBC.com
2. Unforgiven (1992)
The moving-picture show that many critics citation for breathe spirit back into the genre , 1992’sUnforgivenis a revisionist Western motion-picture show produce and directed by Clint Eastwood and written by David Webb Peoples . The plastic film follows the level of William Munny , an aging outlaw , who direct on one more caper years after retiring to life history of farming and raise his kid . The film stars Eastwood in one of the greatest role of his illustrious career , as well as an ensemble cast of Gene Hackman , Morgan Freeman , and Richard Harris . Eastwood , who was well known for his function in theMan with No Name Trilogyreleased three decennary to begin with , state that the flick would be his last Western for fear of repeating himself or imitating someone else ’s study .
WhileUnforgivenwould be Eastwood ’s last foray into the westerly musical genre , it ’s arguably his expert . The film won four Academy Awards , including Best Picture and Best Director for Clint Eastwood , as well as Best Supporting Actor for Gene Hackman , and Best Film Editing for editor in chief Joel Cox . The pic was the third Western to make headway the Oscar for Best Picture , followingCimarron(1931 ) andDances with Wolves(1990 ) , and would be followed byNo Country for Old Menfifteen years later .
Via Warner Bros
1. True Grit (2010)
The second Coen Brothers film to make this list , 2010’sTrue Gritis the second adaption of Charles Portis ’ 1968 novel of the same name , which was antecedently release in 1969 and star John Wayne and Glen Campbell . This revisionist Western moving picture conduct , written , produced , and edited by the Coen sidekick and administrator produce by Steven Spielberg . The 2010 adaption ofTrue Gritfeatures a breakout performance from Hailee Steinfeld as Mattie Ross and a consummate effort from Jeff Bridges as Deputy U.S. Marshal Reuben J. “ Rooster ” Cogburn . The pic also has an impressive ensemble cast with the like of Matt Damon , Josh Brolin , and Barry Pepper .
True Gritfeatures an engaging story that keep abreast 14 - year - onetime farm girl Mattie Ross as she sets out to capture her begetter ’s killer whale , hired hand Tom Chaney ( Brolin ) . She hires the toughest U.S. marshal she can find , a man with “ honest grit , ” Reuben J. “ Rooster ” Cogburn ( Bridges ) reluctantly answers the call . They are joined by Texas Ranger LaBoeuf ( Matt Damon ) , who wants Chaney for his own purposes and the unlikely deuce-ace finds danger and surprisal on the journey , each with his or her “ grit ” quiz . True Gritwas well received by critics , garnering a 96 % Rotten Tomatoes mark . It was nominated for a sum of ten Academy Awards , yet somehow failed to take home a undivided profits .
Via Hollywood Reporter
