Best Western Movies

Last updated: July 21, 2026

Looking for the best of the Wild West to share with your kids? This list of top picks brings to life the era of cowboys, cattle drives, and the open range, from classics like Shane and High Noon to newer adaptations like True Grit and Slow West. Some of these movies may even start important family conversations about outdated cultural depictions and language. So grab some popcorn and a ten-gallon hat, because it's time to giddyap! For more ideas, check our Horse Movies for Kids and Adventure Movies.

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Shane Poster Image

MOVIE

Shane

age 10+

"Come back, Shane!" Classic Western for the ages.

April 23, 1953 1953 NR (118 minutes)

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A Fistful of Dollars Poster Image

MOVIE

A Fistful of Dollars

age 11+

Guns galore in intro "spaghetti Western" serving.

January 18, 1964 1964 R (102 minutes)

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High Noon Poster Image

MOVIE

High Noon

age 11+

Tense 1950s Western is still a cinema classic.

July 30, 1952 1952 NR (85 minutes)

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Stagecoach movie poster: Illustration of a stagecoach being pulled by several horses against a blue sky

MOVIE

Stagecoach

age 11+

John Wayne Western has strong messages, drinking, violence.

March 2, 1939 1939 NR (96 minutes)

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Hud movie poster: Paul Newman wears a red shirt and cowboy hat

MOVIE

Hud

age 12+

1960s Western drama has adult themes, drinking, smoking.

May 29, 1963 1963 NR (112 minutes)

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The Sons of Katie Elder movie poster: a painting of four White men in cowboy outfits.

MOVIE

The Sons of Katie Elder

age 12+

Western about reputation and corruption; violence, smoking.

June 24, 1965 1965 NR (122 minutes)

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Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid Poster Image

MOVIE

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

age 13+

Classic tale of two famous outlaws; violence, cursing.

October 24, 1969 1969 PG (111 minutes)

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Meek's Cutoff Poster Image

MOVIE

Meek's Cutoff

age 13+

Lyrical Western is OK for kids ... if they're interested.

April 8, 2011 2011 PG (104 minutes)

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The Cowboys Poster Image

MOVIE

The Cowboys

age 13+

Classic action-packed Western has lots of cursing, violence.

January 13, 1972 1972 PG (134 minutes)

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The Magnificent Seven (1960) Poster Image

MOVIE

The Magnificent Seven (1960)

age 13+

Classic shoot-'em-up not for young viewers.

October 23, 1960 1960 NR (127 minutes)

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Once Upon a Time in the West Poster Image

MOVIE

Once Upon a Time in the West

age 14+

Leone's violent epic Western is an essential masterpiece.

July 4, 1969 1969 PG-13 (165 minutes)

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Will Penny Poster Image

MOVIE

Will Penny

age 14+

Cowboy character study mixes violence and depth; some peril.

April 10, 1968 1968 NR (110 minutes)

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3:10 to Yuma (2007) Poster Image

MOVIE

3:10 to Yuma

age 15+

Western remake with plenty of shoot-outs and bloodshed.

September 7, 2007 2007 R (117 minutes)

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Appaloosa Poster Image

MOVIE

Appaloosa

age 15+

Old-fashioned Western features great performances.

September 17, 2008 2008 R (114 minutes)

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Dances with Wolves Poster Image

MOVIE

Dances with Wolves

age 15+

A grand, sweeping journey with graphic violence.

November 17, 1990 1990 PG-13 (181 minutes)

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Old Henry Poster Image

MOVIE

Old Henry

age 15+

Classically built Western explores themes of violence; guns.

October 1, 2021 2021 NR (99 minutes)

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Outlaw Johnny Black Movie Poster: Michael Jai White and Anika Noni Roseon a retro-style poster with other members of the cast

MOVIE

Outlaw Johnny Black

age 15+

Bawdy send-up of Blaxploitation, spaghetti Westerns.

September 15, 2023 2023 PG-13 (130 minutes)

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The Ballad of Lefty Brown Poster Image

MOVIE

The Ballad of Lefty Brown

age 15+

Sidekick takes spotlight in excellent but violent Western.

December 15, 2017 2017 R (111 minutes)

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The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Poster Image

MOVIE

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

age 15+

Potent Italian-Western shoot-'em up/war drama.

December 29, 1967 1967 R (161 minutes)

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The Power of the Dog Poster Image

MOVIE

The Power of the Dog

age 15+

Expertly crafted Western drama has violence, cruelty.

November 17, 2021 2021 R (125 minutes)

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