The Best Westerns on Netflix Right Now (2024)

At one point in time, Westerns were about as ubiquitous in Hollywood as superhero movies are today. Studios were churning them out year after year, some better than others, but after a certain point, the genre fizzled out. Which is a shame, because it's one of the most gorgeous and compelling genres in film history. But it lives on in the age of streaming! Whether you’re looking for something in the classic mold, something modern, or something in between, we’ve rounded up a list of the best Westerns on Netflix right now.

Don't see what you're looking for here? Check out our list of The Best Westerns of the 21st Century So Far, Best Westerns By Non-American Directors, or Shows That Paved the Way for 'Yellowstone'. For more recommendations, browse our list of the best movies on Netflix across all genres.

Disclaimer: These titles are available on US Netflix.

'A Million Ways to Die in the West' (2014)

Rotten Tomatoes: 33% | IMDb: 6.1/10

A Million Ways to Die in the West

Comedy

Western

Release Date

May 22, 2014

Director

Seth MacFarlane

Cast

Seth MacFarlane , Charlize Theron , Amanda Seyfried , Liam Neeson , Giovanni Ribisi , Neil Patrick Harris

Runtime

116

A Million Ways to Die in the West is a comedy Western directed by and starring Seth MacFarlane, who also co-wrote the script with Alec Sulkin and Wellesley Wild. The film follows a frontiersman, played by MacFarlane, as he tries to win the heart of a female gunslinger (Charlize Theron) and stand up to her outlaw husband (Liam Neeson). The movie’s ensemble cast also features Amanda Seyfried, Neil Patrick Harris, Giovanni Ribisi, and Sarah Silverman. Though largely panned by critics, A Million Ways to Die in the West actually has a lot going for it. The film has plenty of MacFarlane’s particular sense of humor, and it’s reminiscent of classic comedies like Blazing Saddles and Airplane. The zany performances from Liam Neeson, Neil Patrick Harris, and Sarah Silverman are particularly enjoyable. It might not be a masterpiece, but A Million Ways to Die in the West is a fun, ridiculous ride that’s perfect for fans of MacFarlane’s brand of comedy.

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'Strange Way of Life' (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 78% | IMDb: 6.2/10

Strange Way of Life

Western

Drama

Release Date

April 12, 2024

Director

Pedro Almodovar

Cast

Pedro Pascal , Ethan Hawke , José Condessa , Manu Rios

Runtime

31 minutes

Written and directed by Pedro Almodóvar, Strange Way of Life is a Spanish Western drama short film. The film stars Ethan Hawke and Pedro Pascal as two gunslingers with a romantic past who reunite after 25 years. Unfortunately, their reunion is marred by a murder and subsequent complications. Strange Way of Life premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, where it was favorably received by critics and competed for the Queer Palm. Presenting a brief but deep study of two fascinating characters, Strange Way of Life is a beautiful glimpse at the unbreakable bond between its lead cowboys. Both Hawke and Pascal are acclaimed actors, and the film utilizes their talents to the fullest. A well-written and well-acted relationship drama that still bears all the hallmarks of a classic Western, Strange Way of Life is a fleeting but moving story that’s perfect for genre fans and lovers of great cinema.

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'The Quick and the Dead' (1995)

Rotten Tomatoes: 58% | IMDb: 6.5/10

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The Quick and the Dead

Western

Release Date

February 10, 1995

Director

Sam Raimi

Cast

Sharon Stone , Gene Hackman , Russell Crowe , Roberts Blossom , Kevin Conway , Pat Hingle , Gary Sinise , Leonardo DiCaprio

Runtime

108

Directed by Sam Raimi and written by Simon Moore, The Quick and the Dead is a 1995 Western starring Sharon Stone as a vengeful gunfighter known as The Lady. The movie focuses on The Lady riding into a town called Redemption and joining a dueling competition to get revenge on her father’s killer. The film’s ensemble cast also features Gene Hackman, Russell Crowe, and Leonardo DiCaprio. The Quick and the Dead opened in theaters in 1995 to a terrible reception, flopping at the box office and getting mixed-to-negative reviews from critics. However, the film has since been positively re-evaluated by critics, and it’s now considered one of Raimi’s most underrated movies. A slick western with excellent cinematography and direction, The Quick and the Dead is a proper popcorn entertainer bolstered by solid performances from its talented stars — especially Stone in the lead role. The Quick and the Dead may have missed the mark when it first hit screens, but like many of Raimi’s movies, the film is a well-crafted genre movie that was simply ahead of its time.

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'The Power of the Dog' (2021)

Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | IMDb: 6.8/10

The Power of the Dog

Drama

Western

Psychological

Charismatic rancher Phil Burbank inspires fear and awe in those around him. When his brother brings home a new wife and her son, Phil torments them until he finds himself exposed to the possibility of love.

Release Date

November 17, 2021

Director

Jane Campion

Cast

Benedict Cumberbatch , Kirsten Dunst , Jesse Plemons , Kodi Smit-McPhee , Thomasin McKenzie , Keith Carradine

Runtime

125 minutes

A modern Western bathed in the best assets of its predecessors, The Power of Dog stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Phil Burbank, the quintessential cowboy. However, Phil’s enigmatic lifestyle spent castrating calves and swimming in mud soon comes under threat when he and his brother meet Rose (Kirsten Dunst) and her son, Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee). Director Jane Campion’s doting ode to Westerns-old feels brutal but stylish, highlighted by her winning the 2022 Academy Award for Best Achievement in Directing, with the film also picking up a staggering 11 other nominations. The movie also won the coveted Best Film award at the BAFTAs, with its success proving undoubtedly that the Western genre is here not just to stay but to thrive. - Jake Hodges

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'The Furnace' (2022)

Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 6.4/10

The Furnace

Western

Adventure

Drama

Release Date

September 1, 2022

Cast

Ahmed Malek , Baykali Ganambarr

Runtime

1 hr 56 min

Story By

Following a duo of cameleer brothers who accidentally steal gold and begin a terrifying game of cat and mouse with the Police Gold Squad, The Furnace takes all of the best aspects of the American Western and, refreshingly, places them in the Australian outback, shedding light on the very real plight of thousands of Middle Eastern migrants that were swept up in the gold rush. Although not well represented by awards, The Furnace is certainly a well-respected and deliciously gorgeous export of the Western genre, with writer/director Roderick MacKay praised for his ability to balance a gripping narrative with some of the best cinematography you’re likely to have seen in some time. - Jake Hodges

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'The Highwaymen' (2019)

Rotten Tomatoes: 58% | IMDb: 6.9/10

The Highwaymen

Drama

Release Date

March 15, 2019

Director

John Lee Hanco*ck

Cast

Kevin Costner , Woody Harrelson , Kathy Bates , Kim Dickens , John Carroll Lynch , W. Earl Brown

Runtime

132

Bolstered by the leading pair of Woody Harrelson and Kevin Costner, The Highwaymen tells the fascinating true story of the two lawmen who came out of retirement and finally managed to bring down the infamous terrorizing duo of Bonnie and Clyde. Directed by John Lee Hanco*ck, The Highwaymen is an action-packed and thought-provoking tale that marries the Western genre with a true tale that showcases the other side of a well-told story à la Wicked. A nominee for the SXSW’s Audience Award, The Highwaymen is an all-out thrill ride. - Jake Hodges

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'Concrete Cowboy' (2020)

Rotten Tomatoes: 80% | IMDb: 6.3/10

Concrete Cowboy

Drama

Western

Inspired by the real the Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club, Concrete Cowboy follows a troubled teen sent to live with his estranged father in North Philadelphia, where he discovers Philadelphia's urban cowboy subculture. Caleb McLaughlin and Idris Elba star in the 2020 adaptation of Greg Neri's novel Ghetto Cowboy.

Release Date

September 10, 2020

Director

Ricky Staub

Cast

Idris Elba , Lorraine Toussaint , Caleb McLaughlin , Jharrel Jerome , Method Man , Swen Temmel

Runtime

111 minutes

Starring the always-enthralling Idris Elba, Concrete Cowboy tells the story of teenager Cole (Caleb McLaughlin), who, after being sent to live with his father with whom he has a dysfunctional relationship, finds solace and a sense of freedom with a group of Black, Philadelphia-based cowboys. Directed by Ricky Staub, winner of the Palm Spring International Film Festival ‘Directors to Watch’ award for this project, Concrete Cowboy is a touching tale with an even greater cast, all performing at their best. With themes of identity and coming-of-age crucial to its narrative, this film is both wildly unique and deeply relatable. - Jake Hodges

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'Longmire' (2012)

Rotten Tomatoes: 88% | IMDb: 8.3/10

Longmire

Crime

Mystery

Western

Walt Longmire is the dedicated and unflappable sheriff of Absaroka County, Wyoming. Widowed only a year, he is a man in psychic repair but buries his pain behind his brave face, unassuming grin and dry wit.

Release Date

June 3, 2012

Cast

Robert Taylor , Lou Diamond Phillips , Cassidy Freeman , Katee Sackhoff

Longmire is a deep character piece centered on the world-weary sheriff of Absakora County, the titular Walt Longmire (Robert Taylor). With the safety of his people always his dominating thought, Longmire must now face the demons of his past — despite his many months of hiding it. Gritty, dramatic, and told with a cheeky wink, Longmire is an engaging story set against the backdrop of many a stunning location. Nominated for several awards, including a win for its audio and visual work, Longmire is a Western series that fans of the genre won’t want to miss. - Jake Hodges

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'Cowboy Bebop' (2021)

Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 8.9/10

Cowboy Bebop (2021)

Space

Western

Release Date

November 19, 2021

Cast

John Cho , Mustafa Shakir , Daniella Pineda , Elena Satine , Alex Hassell

Creator

Christopher Yost

Based on the adored anime series, Cowboy Bebop sees a ragtag gang of unlikely heroes come together with a common goal — to remove crime from our galaxy for good. Starring the likes of John Cho and Mustafa Shakir, the series manages to beautifully walk the line between astronomically surreal and genuinely tender. Certainly quotable and with bags of style, this reboot is adored by both fans of the original and new fans alike. With a plot packed full of non-stop fun, Cowboy Bebop is well deserving of its endless praise, highlighted by an acclaimed 100% Rotten Tomatoes score and nomination for a Primetime Emmy. - Jake Hodges

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'The Killer' (2022)

Rotten Tomatoes: 85% | IMDb: 6.8/10

The Killer (2022)

Action

Crime

Thriller

Release Date

July 13, 2022

Director

Jae-Hoon Choi

Cast

Jang Hyuk

Runtime

95 minutes

Written and directed by Marcelo Galvão, this Brazilian Western, one of the best of the genre the country has ever produced, follows the life of Cabeleira (Diogo Morgado), also known as Shaggy, as he leaves the comfort and confinement of his hometown on a mission to find his outlaw father who has gone missing. A story about identity, family, and community, The Killer taps into the hopeful yearning in all of us whilst also packing an action-packed punch. An enormous success at Brazil’s Gramado Film Festival, The Killer perhaps hasn’t received the international recognition it deserves, making for a wonderful and likely new viewing experience for many. - Jake Hodges

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'Thar' (2022)

Rotten Tomatoes: 65% | IMDb: 6.1/10

Thar (2022)

Western

Action

Thriller

Release Date

May 6, 2022

Director

Raj Singh Chaudhary

Cast

Anil Kapoor , Harshvardhan Kapoor , Fatima Sana Shaikh , Mukti Mohan

Runtime

1 hr 48 min

Forget everything you know about deep-south American Westerns — Thar is here to tell a tale set in 1980s India. When unexpected murders become rife in the small town of Rajasthan, Inspector Surekha Singh (Anil Kapoor) is hired to investigate, although the journey of the case instead brings into question the past of antique dealer Siddharth (Harshvardhan Kapoor) when the two cross paths. Backed by the chemistry of its two aforementioned leads, with the actors actually father and son, Thar is a brutal, unflinching depiction of a crime caper bathed in some of the Western genre’s best tropes. Certainly NSFW with its gory visuals and detailed murders, Thar found plenty of awards success back in India, with nods going to the acting, directing, and cinematography. - Jake Hodges

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'The Harder They Fall' (2021)

Rotten Tomatoes: 88% | IMDb: 6.6/10

The Harder They Fall

Western

Action

Drama

When an outlaw discovers his enemy is being released from prison, he reunites his gang to seek revenge.

Release Date

November 3, 2021

Director

Jeymes Samuel

Cast

Edi Gathegi , Zazie Beetz , Idris Elba , LaKeith Stanfield , Regina King , Jonathan Majors

Runtime

139 Minutes

A terrific homage to the spaghetti Western, The Harder They Fall’s premise is simple yet effective, with outlaw Nat Love (Jonathan Majors) assembling his toughest allies to track down Rufus Buck (Idris Elba), an enemy of Love’s who has just been released from prison. Inspired by true events, the story is non-stop, all-out entertainment supported by one of the most intelligently assembled Western ensembles in recent memory. Charming, vibrant, and as fun as they come, The Harder They Fall is one Western you really won’t want to miss, especially considering its BAFTA win for writer/director Jeymes Samuel. - Jake Hodges

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'Godless' (2017)

Rotten Tomatoes: 83% | IMDb: 8.2/10

Godless

Western

Drama

Action

In the 1880s American West, murderous outlaw gang leader Frank Griffin hunts for ex-protege Roy Goode. Frank's chase leads him to La Belle, New Mexico--a town inhabited, after a mining disaster, almost entirely by women.

Release Date

November 22, 2017

Cast

Jeff Daniels , Michelle Dockery , Jack O'Connell , Scoot McNairy , Thomas Brodie-Sangster , Tantoo Cardinal , Sam Waterston , Kim Coates

This brutal miniseries created by Scott Frank is set in 1884 and follows gang leader Frank Griffin (Jeff Daniels) as he hunts down the young outlaw and former student of Griffin, Roy Goode (Jack O’Connell). However, what at first seems like a standard cat-and-mouse chase turns unique when the pair end up in La Belle, New Mexico — a town comprising almost entirely of women. Filled with superb performances from the entire ensemble, Godless is an aesthetically delightful but thematically brutal miniseries with one eye on action-packed entertainment and another on emotionally captivating drama. Loved by both the public and critics alike, Godless certainly deserved its three Primetime Emmy wins. - Jake Hodges

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'The Ballad of Buster Scruggs' (2018)

Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 7.3/10

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs

Western

Anthology

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs is a six-part western anthology film directed by the cohen brothers and centered on a man named Buster Scruggs, where each chapter tells a different story about life on the American frontier. From the lives of outlaws, singing storytellers, and dark tales about survival in the extreme west, the stories range from sorrowful to hopeful.

Release Date

November 9, 2018

Director

Joel Coen , Ethan Coen

Cast

Tim Blake Nelson , Tom Waits , James Franco , Tyne Daly , Liam Neeson , Zoe Kazan

Runtime

133 minutes

This first-time anthology movie from the iconic Coen Brothers stars the likes of James Franco and Brendan Gleeson and depicts six different Old West tales, each with its roots in the violent drama of the classic Western genre. An unforgettable wild ride brimming with six unique tales, each as enthralling as the last, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs is perhaps best summarized by its impressive three Academy Awards nominations in 2019 for its music, costume design, and screenplay. The Coen Brothers' typical blend of enigmatic comedy and often gritty action is on display in all its glory, with The Ballad of Buster Scruggs a perfect example of the pair’s cinematic genius. - Jake Hodges

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