Top 15 Classic Western Films

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2021 Episode 16: Top 15 Classic Western Films

The western is a genre that, despite going in and out of fashion, has never disappeared completely. The following is our list of the 15 best classic westerns. For our definition of classic, we're looking at the best westerns released prior to 1990. So films like 'Unforgiven' and 'Dances With Wolves' won’t be featured here, however, we’ll be releasing a video for those films later this week, so make sure you hit the subscribe button.

Have your own opinions? Post them in the comments below!

Smashing UK Productions

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[imperium]

The Outlaw Josey Wales is my pick for best classic western

[MinistR]

The good the bad and the ugly can easily compete for the best movie ever.

[markfullbrighton]

Well done Brit, you certainly know your Westerns. Good job especially putting The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly at number 1. It's not only the greatest Western ever made, but in my opinion, it is the greatest film ever made.

[TheFartingMonkeys]

Once Upon a Time in the West is one of my all time favorites, I think it’s Leone’s true masterpiece.

[filmtrailer]

1. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
2. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
3. Winnetou 1 (1963)
4. Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
5. The Searchers (1956)
6. For a Few Dollars More (1965)
7. Winnetou 3 (1965)
8. The Treasure of the Silver Lake (1962)
9. The Great Silence (1968)
10. Django (1966)
11. The Man who shot Liberty Valance (1962)
12. Duck you Sucker (1971)
13. A Fistful of Dollars (1964)
14. The Wild Bunch (1969)
15. Rio Bravo (1959)

[chriswalas]

I’m not a fan of best of lists, but you really have put together a superb collection here. Regardless of ranking, these are all top choices. Well done.

[qualityman]

The last 3 years only, I think I watched over 200 western movies, let alone the once I have see over a life time. They are an acquired taste. Today's young folks don't care for it. They are truly missing out.

[Outwest]

Anything John Wayne has my vote! GOAT of westerns

[phenom]

Silverado (1985) is criminally underrated.

[randymoore]

The Outlaw Josey Wales, Big Jake, Silverado, Cattle Empire, Wells Fargo, Union Pacific, Santa Fe Trail, Canadian Pacific, Cariboo Trail, The Rare Breed, Once Upon A Time in the West, Ride the High Country, The Tall T, The Gun Fight at the O.K. Corral, Hombre, South of St. Louis.

[Zonteck]

I really love Rio Bravo and your brief description here sums it up well. It's such a nice time.

[camwchristian]

Thanks for putting this together as I’m deep diving the classic western!!

[olemextorf]

Great List! I would´ve put Stagecoach and the magnificent seven higher but still a very satisfying video with great picks! Keep up the good work

[chrishampton]

Josey Wales, High Plains Drifter, Big Jake all needed to be on this list.

[owainglyndwr]

Jeremiah Johnson is vastly underrated and should be included. Also, in my view, The Searchers should have been number 1.

[dr.juerdotitsgo]

Never cared much for spaghetti westerns, but overall a solid list.
More honorable mentions: "3:10 to Yuma", "Bend of the River" and "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon".

[GLORYNEVADASMITH]

I can’t believe western movie listers are this sleeping on the great 1966 The Professionals. You just don’t know Westerns if you Leave “ The Professionals “ off your list . Starring Lee Marvin and Burt Lancaster, this is a far superior “ Buddy Movie “ than “ Butch and Sundance “ . Great Action ; The dialogue is incredible, having more memorable lines than any movie in any genre . The Film score by Maurice Jarre is one of the composers finest works, as good as Ennio Morricone’s but in a different style .

[SmashingUKProductions]

For this list, we are looking at films from all genres of western, made BEFORE 1990. Whether that be your more classically defined genre western, or more modern neo-westerns (such as 'The Treasure of the Sierra Madre').

[alankoemel]

Lonesome Dove. End of the conversation

[joepratte]

she wore a yellow ribbon was one of my favorite westerns. great topic.