Top 25 Modern Westerns

Westerns today come in many forms, from historical dramas to contemporary stories set in frontier landscapes, often referencing classic Western themes. Filmmakers are using this genre to examine topics like justice, ownership of land, and the struggle to survive, but with fresh perspectives and diverse voices. You’ll find both reimaginings of old favorites and completely new stories, released as movies and TV series, and originating from filmmakers around the world. Each suggestion includes details about the creators, actors, location, and plot, helping you choose your next watch.

‘No Country for Old Men’ (2007)

No Country for Old Men, directed by the Coen brothers and based on Cormac McCarthy’s novel, is a thrilling chase story set in the harsh landscape of West Texas. The film centers around a hunter who stumbles upon a large sum of drug money, and the dangerous consequences that follow, as he’s pursued by a cold-blooded killer and investigated by a tired, local sheriff. Featuring strong performances from Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem, and Tommy Lee Jones, the movie was filmed in Texas and New Mexico and earned critical acclaim, winning Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor (Bardem).

‘Hell or High Water’ (2016)

Taylor Sheridan’s film is a modern Western about a bank robbery in rural Texas. It follows two brothers who target the bank that’s threatening to take their family’s ranch, while a Texas Ranger, played by Jeff Bridges, pursues them. Chris Pine and Ben Foster star as the brothers. Filmed in New Mexico, the movie garnered several Academy Award nominations.

‘The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford’ (2007)

Andrew Dominik’s Western, *The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford*, tells the story of the outlaw’s last days. Brad Pitt stars as Jesse James, and Casey Affleck plays Robert Ford, with the film exploring the complicated relationship between the two men. Shot by Roger Deakins using natural light and authentic Canadian locations, the movie was praised for its stunning visuals, and Casey Affleck received an Oscar nomination for his performance.

‘True Grit’ (2010)

The Coen brothers created a new version of the Charles Portis novel, told from the perspective of a young girl. Hailee Steinfeld plays Mattie Ross, with Jeff Bridges as Rooster Cogburn and Matt Damon as a Texas Ranger. The movie follows their dangerous journey into Indian Territory to track down the man who murdered her father. Filmed in New Mexico and Texas, it received several Academy Award nominations.

‘The Proposition’ (2005)

Set in the Australian outback during the 1880s, this Western is directed by John Hillcoat and features a screenplay by Nick Cave. The film stars Guy Pearce, Ray Winstone, and Emily Watson, and tells the story of a police officer who makes a harsh deal to capture a famous gang leader. It was filmed in Queensland, and the music was composed by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis.

‘The Revenant’ (2015)

I was completely captivated by Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s film, a truly incredible survival story based on the life of Hugh Glass. Seeing Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy bring this tale of hardship, injury, and ultimately, incredible resilience to life was breathtaking. What really struck me was how beautifully it was filmed – the cinematographer, Emmanuel Lubezki, used only natural light while shooting in Canada and Argentina, creating a stunning visual experience. It’s no surprise the film received so much recognition, including Academy Awards for Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Cinematography – it truly deserved them all!

‘Django Unchained’ (2012)

Quentin Tarantino’s latest film is a Western set before the Civil War, telling the story of a freed slave on a quest to find his wife. The movie stars Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Kerry Washington, and Leonardo DiCaprio. Filmed in Louisiana, California, and Wyoming, it features a diverse musical score and won two Oscars, including one for Best Original Screenplay.

‘3:10 to Yuma’ (2007)

Directed by James Mangold, this movie is a new take on the classic 1957 film inspired by an Elmore Leonard story. Christian Bale stars as a rancher down on his luck who agrees to transport a notorious outlaw – played by Russell Crowe – to the train station. Set in the Arizona territory and filmed in New Mexico, the story focuses on the perilous trip to catch the 3:10 train to Yuma.

‘The Hateful Eight’ (2015)

Quentin Tarantino’s latest film takes place in Wyoming after the Civil War, centering around a remote stagecoach stop covered in snow. The movie features a talented cast including Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Walton Goggins. Filmed on large-format 65mm film and featuring a score by the legendary Ennio Morricone, the film was initially released with a special presentation that included an overture and an intermission.

‘Bone Tomahawk’ (2015)

S. Craig Zahler’s film combines a Western rescue story with horror. Starring Kurt Russell, the movie follows a small group as they venture into the wilderness to save people taken from their town. The cast also features Patrick Wilson, Matthew Fox, and Richard Jenkins. Made on a limited budget, the film was shot in California.

‘Meek’s Cutoff’ (2010)

Kelly Reichardt’s film depicts a wagon train’s journey across the harsh Oregon High Desert in 1845. Michelle Williams, Bruce Greenwood, and Paul Dano star as pioneers and their guide, facing challenges like a lack of water and unclear paths. The filmmakers prioritized historical accuracy, using authentic costumes and filming on location in Oregon. The movie centers around the difficult choices these settlers made when facing uncertainty and trying to survive.

‘Open Range’ (2003)

Kevin Costner’s film, set in Montana, tells the story of a clash between cattlemen and ranchers. Costner also stars alongside Robert Duvall and Annette Bening, portraying free-range ranchers fighting to protect their way of life. Filmed on location in Alberta, the movie includes realistically built frontier towns and is particularly known for its carefully planned and exciting final gunfight.

‘The Power of the Dog’ (2021)

Jane Campion’s film is based on a novel by Thomas Savage and set in Montana during the 1920s. It stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, and Kodi Smit-McPhee as a complex family. Though set in the American West, the movie was filmed in New Zealand, with careful attention paid to creating an authentic historical ranch setting. The film was highly acclaimed, winning many awards, including an Academy Award for Best Director.

‘Deadwood’ (2004–2006)

David Milch’s series, ‘Deadwood,’ takes place in a South Dakota gold mining town, exploring the worlds of law, business, and crime. The show features a talented cast including Ian McShane, Timothy Olyphant, and Molly Parker, and is inspired by real people from history. The production team meticulously recreated the gritty atmosphere of the 1870s with detailed sets and costumes. In 2019, the story continued with a concluding film, ‘Deadwood: The Movie,’ bringing back the original cast.

‘The Rider’ (2017)

Chloé Zhao’s film features real cowboys and cowgirls, not professional actors, telling a modern Western story. Brady Jandreau, who plays the lead, portrays a horse trainer working to recover from a severe head injury. Filmed on location in South Dakota, the movie mixes scripted scenes with authentic moments from the lives of its subjects, offering a look at family dynamics, the challenges of ranching, and the dangers of bronc riding.

‘Wind River’ (2017)

Taylor Sheridan’s crime Western takes place on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming. Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen team up to investigate a death, facing harsh winter conditions and working alongside tribal law enforcement. Filming occurred in Utah to showcase the snowy scenery. The film touches on complex legal issues surrounding jurisdiction, and concludes with a screen displaying relevant statistics.

‘1883’ (2021–2022)

This short series tells the story of a wagon train journeying from Texas to Montana. It was created by Taylor Sheridan and stars Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, and Sam Elliott. Filmed on location in Texas and Montana, the production involved extensive sets and a lot of animals. The show reveals how the Dutton family, featured in ‘Yellowstone’, first came to be.

‘The Harder They Fall’ (2021)

Jeymes Samuel’s new Western flips the script by focusing on a group of Black cowboys and law enforcement officers. The movie stars Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba, Zazie Beetz, Regina King, and LaKeith Stanfield. While inspired by real people from the Old West, it tells a completely new story. Filmed in New Mexico, the movie features striking visuals and a contemporary musical score.

‘Godless’ (2017)

Scott Frank’s new series takes place in a New Mexico mining town where most of the residents are women, following a tragic event. Starring Jeff Daniels and Jack O’Connell, with Michelle Dockery and Merritt Wever also featuring, the story unfolds across various towns and ranches, filmed on location in New Mexico. The series consists of seven episodes that complete the entire story within a single season.

‘The Sisters Brothers’ (2018)

Jacques Audiard’s new film is based on a novel by Patrick deWitt and follows a group of gunslingers journeying from Oregon to California. Joaquin Phoenix and John C. Reilly star as brothers, with Jake Gyllenhaal and Riz Ahmed also playing important characters. Though set in the American West during the Gold Rush, the movie was filmed in Spain and Romania, and centers around the group’s search for a chemist.

‘News of the World’ (2020)

Directed by Paul Greengrass, this film follows a journey through post-Civil War Texas. Tom Hanks stars as a newsreader tasked with safely returning a young girl to her family. Filmed on location in New Mexico and Texas, the movie beautifully captures the vast landscapes and small towns of the era. It earned Oscar nominations recognizing its technical achievements and musical score.

‘Hostiles’ (2017)

Scott Cooper’s film centers on an American army officer who must safely guide a Cheyenne chief to Montana. The movie stars Christian Bale and Rosamund Pike, with Wes Studi and Ben Foster in supporting roles. Filmed in the natural landscapes of New Mexico and Arizona, the story unfolds as they travel between frontier forts and settlements.

‘Appaloosa’ (2008)

I recently checked out this film directed by and starring Ed Harris, and it’s based on a Robert B. Parker novel. It’s a really interesting setup – Viggo Mortensen plays a deputy to the town marshal, and they’re up against a rancher portrayed by Jeremy Irons. What I loved was the attention to detail; they actually *built* a whole town set in New Mexico! It’s full of authentic touches, like period firearms and some tense courtroom drama, and it really explores the idea of who holds the power and how the law works in this setting.

‘The Salvation’ (2014)

Kristian Levring’s Western film was a collaborative production from Denmark, the UK, and South Africa. Starring Mads Mikkelsen as a homesteader seeking revenge after a family loss, the movie was filmed in the dry landscapes near Johannesburg. Eva Green and Jeffrey Dean Morgan also star in this English-language film.

‘Slow West’ (2015)

John Maclean’s new film is a Western about a young man growing up while traveling across the American West. Kodi Smit-McPhee stars as the teenager, and Michael Fassbender plays the wanderer who guides him. Though filmed in New Zealand, visual effects convincingly create the vast landscapes of the prairie. The movie debuted at Sundance, where it won the World Cinema Jury Prize.

Share your favorite modern Westerns in the comments and tell us which ones we should add next.

2025-10-20 02:22