{"id":11818,"date":"2026-02-25T16:31:40","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T22:31:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fredsportsextra.com\/?p=11818"},"modified":"2026-02-25T16:31:40","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T22:31:40","slug":"my-list-of-25-best-made-westerns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fredsportsextra.com\/?p=11818","title":{"rendered":"My List of 25 Best Made Westerns….."},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

The Best Westerns I have viewed ranked 1-25 as of quality.<\/span><\/h1>\n
\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span><\/h3>\n

<\/h3>\n

<\/h3>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\"Poster<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
    \n
  • \n

    1.\u00a0 All time great western by John Ford…..Wayne gives us a complex man in a very complex movie.\u00a0 \u00a0Some might say dated with the take on the Native Americans, but this is John Ford’s greatest film and is, for me, a masterpiecce.\u00a0 Wayne’s last frame is the one shot that I consider the greatest ending of a movie, and it is all Wayne and Ford.\u00a0 Have the film.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n
    \n
    \"Poster<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    2.\u00a0 Val Kilmer leads a wonderful cast that delivers. An action film that is violent but not gratuitous, for me that is. Look for Billy Bob Thorton in a fine, yet short supporting role. One of the most entertaining westerns of all time. The ending give you goose bumps. Parts of the film are used at the Oklahoma State University football games on the big video board. Val Kilmer’s greatest performance…..have the DVD.\u00a0 My most watched Western<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n
    \n
    \"Poster<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    3.\u00a0 Best Western genre film by Howard Hawks. The complexity of the characters is what separates this from most films in general. Wayne plays a really bad person, throwing dust to the death of his sweetheart, killing men for his own wants, then burying them with a prayer. Clift, playing a gay cowboy, has never been better. Not only a great western, one of the great films of cinema. Shows that Hawks was not a lessor director with regard to the best (Ford especially) but right up there as one of the greatest ever.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n
    \n
    \"Poster<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    4.\u00a0 Wayne is great in this 39 classic. One of the best westerns of all time.\u00a0 Character development might be the best in Western movie history. The list of “A” character actors separates this one from the others.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n
    \n
    \"Poster<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    5.\u00a0 Peckinpah’s best known masterpiece is a historic motion picture for\u00a0 how the movie going public accepts the blood and guts the old West…..ultra violent for its day. Each individual character played by a great actor and the film directed by Peck puts it over the top.\u00a0 Anther film that hits on all levels.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n
    \n
    \"Poster<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    6.\u00a0 Hits on many genra’s and one of the best films ever made. Could be number one and a top 10 film of any ever made.\u00a0 Bogart directed by Huston (junior) with Huston (senior) in a supporting role. Oklahoman Tim Holt also supports.\u00a0 Yes, this one gets the “badges” of an all-time.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n
    \n
    \"Poster<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    7.\u00a0 Leone’s fine tribute to the old west, shot in Spain. Hank Fonda in only his second role as a western villain. Best close-up shots in this film catagory.\u00a0 Music by Ennio Moricone is noted here.\u00a0 Charles Bronson’s best role.<\/p>\n

    <\/h2>\n<\/li>\n
  • \n
    \n
    \"Poster<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    8.\u00a0 A western art film with Brad Pitt in the role of Jesse James and Casey Affleck as Robert Ford. A major work that some consider too slow-moving. For me, a western of substance. Great supporting cast. And don’t forget Sam Rockwell as Bob Ford’s brother. He has never been better. Have it on Blu-ray. (Maybe the finest western in the past 25 years. I have it as the 2nd best in the genre on my top Western list as of films that I watch over and over. Ranks up there with The Searchers, Tombstone, Red River, and Once Upon A Time in the West as a top shelf movie in this classification. This is an experience that shows that a Western can be made as an art film, which I would say it is. This is a director’s movie, with all the tricks of the trade\u00a0 used. This is also an actor’s movie, having a lineup of some of the best in cinema at the time it was made. A movie that I can say might be the best of the year, the decade, and the genre, as it ages.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n
    \n
    \"Poster<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    9.\u00a0 \u00a0Stewart, Wayne, and Marvin lead a strong cast in another Ford flick. His acting regulars are mostly here. Stewart’s weakness of his character as displayed is exceptional, and Marvin’s evil take\u00a0 is exploited by Ford to an extreme. As much of a psychological movie as any Ford film.\u00a0 Ford has done it a gain.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n
    \n
    \"Poster<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    10.\u00a0 Another Ford flick and Fonda and Mature are exceptional. Would you expect less?\u00a0 Don’t over look this Earp, Holiday, and Clanton gunfight at the OK Corral.\u00a0 It is the 2nd best one.\u00a0 Have the Criterion blue ray.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n
    \n
    \"Poster<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    11.\u00a0 A movie that I would never forget from my teens. Always a Julie Christie fan, she does her best here and Warren Beaty is also just fine and dandy.\u00a0 Altman has made a great film.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n
    \n
    \"Poster<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    12.\u00a0 Costner and Duvall are perfect friends in this fantastic western. The final shootout, shot in actual time, is as good as you get. I like this one better than the more highly rated Eastwood flick “The Unforgiven”, which in itself, is a great film and Oscsr Best Picture winner. Open Range is a don’t miss.\u00a0 And don’t forget the love story between Charlis and Sue.\u00a0 It is what makes this one go over the top.\u00a0 I would rank this one in the greatest westerns of cinema.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n
    \n
    \"Poster<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    13.\u00a0 A better film than his higher rated Wild Bunch, maybe, it is close. Peckinpah had the honor to direct Randolph Scott and Joel McCray in their final movie. As buddy films go, this one is at the top of the list. Warren Oates is just one of a list of terrific supporting actors in this fine motion picture.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n
    \n
    \"Poster<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    14.\u00a0 One of my favorite Jimmy Stewart westerns…..Marline Dietrich holds her own in one sexy ground breaking film….highly regarded by critics and well worth a watch….have it on DVD.\u00a0 It is so fun to view, each and every time<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n
    \n
    .\"Poster<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    15.\u00a0 Another Leone westerns, might be better than any he made.\u00a0 OK, I love his work in westerns.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n
    \n
    \"Poster<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    16.\u00a0 Lee Marvin and Burt Lancaster lead a raid into Mexico to rescue a wife of a rich American. On my umpteenth viewing (Aug, 2021), my appreciation on this film continues to grow. Let us begin with the screenplay. One of the best in western movie history as Richard Brooks (director) took the work of Frank O’Rourke’s novel and put the film to life with some all-time lines. Brooks direction is traditional but does not miss a beat. The violent set pieces are perfect. The great Maurice Jarre’s musical score is impeccable. This film could be the best western of the 1960s. Highly recommended.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n
    \n
    \"Poster<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    17.\u00a0 Alan Ladd in one of the highest rated westerns of all time. Great entertainment and the fight scene between Ladd and Jack Palance can’t be beat. Van Heflin is at his best and Alan Ladd’s performance is perfect……not to heavy and not a pushover. Jean Arthur’s only color film and her last. She too is the loving wife and mon. Jack Palance is evil through and through and the fight set with Ladd is the best of the western genre. Beside a top five western for many, a top 50 American film too.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n
    \n
    \"Poster<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    18.\u00a0 One of the best flicks of the 50’s…….great cast led by Tracy with Robert Ryan in a juicy role.\u00a0 Has much with various issues of the time, including racism, criminal activity on a local leadership level, with<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n
    \n
    \"Poster<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    19.\u00a0 Redford and Newman make a most commerical Western that has high production values.\u00a0 Is a film that hits on all levels, including drama, comedy, and action.\u00a0 A great watch with Katherine Ross as the female lead.\u00a0 Raindrops keep falling for this one. Thank you Burt, Hal, and BJ.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n
    \n
    \"Poster<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    20. Quintin Tarantion’s best film?\u00a0 Might be, technically with the cameras used by him. The use of the wide angle phtography, a score by Ennio Morricone, and a cast of actors at their highest level provide a movie that is crude, vulgar, bold, insulting, wild, and most importantly, viewable. Maybe my most favorite film of 2016 after a year of thinking about it. Even my wife, a woman that does not like cussing, blood and guts, etc, watched it from start to finish without a complaint. It is that good.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n
    \n
    \"Poster<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    21.\u00a0 Hoffman steals this one and it is a very funny flick. I tend to like Westerns with comedy and this one delivers.\u00a0 A great movie made by Arthur Penn and staring Dustin Hoffman and Faye Dunaway…….a favorite and highly recommended.\u00a0 Jack Crabb you couldn’t be any older my man.\u00a0 Arthur Penn’s other great flick (Bonnie and Clyde).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n
    \n
    \"Poster<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    22.\u00a0 Director Sturges makes another great Western.\u00a0 . Loved it as a child and now as an old man.\u00a0 Wonderful cast and almost as good as the original by the master in Japan. Have the DVD.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n
    \n
    \"Poster<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    23.\u00a0 A beautiful film in every way. Montana 1925 (New Zealand) never looked so good. Superior film in most every way. Will be in my Top Ten flicks for the year. A best western if there ever was one. Old fashioned and a film that John Ford and Howard Hawks would enjoy to the max. The director was brave enough to let the viewer figure out what was happenings without putting up road signs. I appreciated that. And the acting is as good as it gets.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n
    \n
    \"Poster<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    24.\u00a0 One of the finest westerns in the past ten years with great acting by all. My best picture for 2016……have the blue ray……<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n
    \n
    \"Poster<\/div>\n
    25.\u00a0 My best 3:10 with respect to the newer motion picture.\u00a0 Daves uses Ford and Heflin in the correct way, giving a crisp screenplay and a no-nonsense sparten budget using black and white.\u00a0 Do not underestimate this great flick.\u00a0 Have the Criteron copy.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
    <\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

     <\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n

    <\/path><\/svg><\/i> \"Loading\"<\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    The Best Westerns I have viewed ranked 1-25 as of quality. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0…<\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n

    <\/path><\/svg><\/i> \"Loading\"<\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11819,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[399,10,401,4,7],"tags":[1392],"class_list":["post-11818","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-and-more-freds-movie-take-one","category-featured","category-freds-movie-first-take","category-home","category-latest","tag-western-movies"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":39,"today_views":0},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fredsportsextra.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11818","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fredsportsextra.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fredsportsextra.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fredsportsextra.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fredsportsextra.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=11818"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/fredsportsextra.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11818\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11825,"href":"https:\/\/fredsportsextra.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11818\/revisions\/11825"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fredsportsextra.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/11819"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fredsportsextra.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=11818"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fredsportsextra.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=11818"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fredsportsextra.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=11818"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}