Best Western Movies

Last updated: June 30, 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 Some of these movies may even start important family conversations about outdated cultural depictions and language.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.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1953)

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High Noon Poster Image

MOVIE

High Noon

age 11+

Tense 1950s Western is still a cinema classic.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1952)

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A Fistful of Dollars Poster Image

MOVIE

A Fistful of Dollars

age 11+

Guns galore in intro "spaghetti Western" serving.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1964)

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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.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1939)

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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.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1963)

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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.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1965)

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The Cowboys Poster Image

MOVIE

The Cowboys

age 13+

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

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1972)

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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.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1960)

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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.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2011)

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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.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1969)

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Will Penny Poster Image

MOVIE

Will Penny

age 14+

Cowboy character study mixes violence and depth; some peril.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1968)

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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.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1969)

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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.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2021)

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Appaloosa Poster Image

MOVIE

Appaloosa

age 15+

Old-fashioned Western features great performances.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2008)

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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.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1967)

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Dances with Wolves Poster Image

MOVIE

Dances with Wolves

age 15+

A grand, sweeping journey with graphic violence.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1990)

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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.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2017)

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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.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2023)

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True Grit Poster Image

MOVIE

True Grit

age 15+

Coen brothers tackle classic Western with wit and brutality.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2010)

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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.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2007)

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