Summary

• The best Westerns on Netflix offer a wide range of brilliant movies and shows, showcasing the versatility of the genre.
• Many of the best Westerns on Netflix prove that the genre can exist outside the Old West timeline, creating modern versions of these stories.
• The lineup of Westerns on Netflix includes international entries, such as a Brazilian comedy and an Indian neo-Western, adding diversity to the genre offerings.

Though the genre might be overlooked at times, the best Westerns on Netflix offer a wide range of brilliant movies and shows. The Western is one of the oldest genres in Hollywood. Tales of outlaws and lawmen fighting for survival in a dangerous land have been among some of the best films and TV shows of all time. While the Western might not be as popular as it once was, there are still plenty of films and shows in the genre to enjoy. Among all streaming platforms, the lineup of Westerns on Netflix is incredibly strong.

While some may dismiss Westerns as simple stories of heroic cowboys and vicious outlaws, these various movies and shows give a glimpse at how versatile the genre can be. Modern Westerns might not be the guaranteed box-office smashes they were in the days of John Wayne, but some of the best movies of the last few decades have been Westerns, and the roster of Wild West movies on Netflix — many of which are under a decade old — proves this. Many of the best Westerns on Netflix prove the genre can even exist outside the Old West timeline, using the Western style and tropes to create modern versions of these stories.

25 Django (2023)

Matthias Schoeneart's Taken On The Classic Gritty Hero

While Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained may have brought the name to the mainstream, Django is a Western hero who has been around since his debut in the 1966 movie Django. The 2023 Western series on Netflix reimagines that story with Matthias Schoenaerts starring as the gunslinger who seeks out his long-lost daughter in an idyllic town where she fears his reputation will bring trouble. While the Django series on Netflix wasn't hugely successful with critics, the return of the character in a new violent adventure makes for a solid Western.

24 Time Hustler (2022-)

Quirky Brazilian Comedy That Brings Many Genre's To The Western Setting

The mix of wacky comedy and the Western setting has made for some hilarious classics, most notably with Blazing Saddles. However, the Brazilian comedy Time Hustler attempts to strike that tricky balance in television form with this seven-episode series. The show follows a loving but struggling father in modern times who suddenly wakes up in 1927 and is mistaken for a legendary bandit. The various genre mash-ups happening can be off-putting, but it is also fun to see a show take a chance at the Western comedy format.

23 El Camino Christmas (2017)

Finding a Western with a holiday twist is a rare enough occurrence that it makes El Camino Christmas instantly intriguing among the Westerns on Netflix (or anywhere else). Yellowstone actor Luke Grimes stars as a young man passing through the small desert town of El Camino where he is harassed by police, leading to a hostage situation at a small liquor store with the local police out of their depth in dealing with the situation. Though it failed to get much notice as a quirky Christmas movie or a modern Western, the talented ensemble, which includes Vincent D'Onofrio, Jessica Alba, and Tim Allen, adds a lot of fun.

22 Ridiculous 6 (2015)

Adam Sandler's Western Spoof

Yet another comedic take on the genre, Ridiculous 6 marked the first collaboration between Adam Sandler and Netflix. The star-studded satire follows Sandler's brave hero who was raised by a native tribe and meets his five half-brothers who all work together to save their father. The movie is not one of Sandler's best comedies and caused controversy for some of its offensive depictions. However, the cast have great comedic chemistry and there are some hilarious gags, such as the band of outlaws meeting Abner Doubleday (John Turturro), who attempts to teach them his new confusing game of baseball.

21 The Killer (2017)

The Gritty Western From Brazil About A Boy Raised As A Bandit

Another Western movie from Brazil shows the country has a surprising output from the genre. The Killer tells the story of a young child named Shaggy (Diogo Morgado) who was abandoned as a baby and raised in isolation by a bandit. As an adult, Shaggy finally has to travel into civilization when his surrogate father goes missing. With an interesting protagonist and a different setting for a Western story, The Killer is an overlooked Western on Netflix that's worth seeking out by subscribers looking for something new in the genre.

20 Thar (2022)

Bollywood's Taken On Neo-Westerns

Though many Netflix subscribers who are self-professed Western fans will find the classics they know and love, the platform provides a glimpse at entries in the genre from other countries. Thar is an Indian movie starring international star Anil Kapoor in a neo-Western tale. Set in 1985, the movie follows a mysterious drifter who comes across a desert town where he crosses paths with an inspector investigating a series of murders. The tense crime thriller mixed with a Western vibe makes for an exciting genre mash-up, even if there is a predictable story at its center.

19 Montford: The Chickasaw Rancher (2021)

The True Story Of America's Greatest Cattle Ranch

There are plenty of true stories to be told in the Western genre, from the iconic legends to the lesser-known tales. Montford: The Chickasaw Rancher falls into the latter category as it is inspired by the story of Montford T. Johnson, a cattleman who overcame attacks and hardships in order to build one of the greatest ranching empires in America. It is an interesting new approach to the genre with an inspiring underdog story instead of one featuring gunslingers and shootouts.

18 The Ranch (2016-2020)

Ashton Kutcher Learns The Old West Isn't Dead

Though set in modern days, The Ranch is a sitcom that takes a look at how the Old West cowboy ways have yet to die away in certain parts of the country. Ashton Kutcher stars in the show as a former football star whose injury ends his career, sending him back home to help run the cattle ranch owned by his father (Sam Elliott). While the series was never critically acclaimed, its Western cinematography earned it several Emmy nominations, while Elliott's performance was seen as a bright spot.

17 White Fang (2019)

The Classic Tale Reanimated

Based on the book by Jack London, White Fang is a Western adventure that has been adapted several times. One of the best adaptations is the 2019 French animated take on the story of a free-spirited wolfhound who meets and forms various bonds throughout his fight for survival in the Alaskan wilderness. Though it is a familiar story for many, the beautiful animation is enough to make it a worthwhile retelling of the tale of White Fang. The English version also features voice roles by Nick Offerman, Rashida Jones, and Paul Giamatti.

16 The Ballad Of Lefty Brown (2017)

Bill Pullman Delivers A Hilarious Revenge Tale In The Old West

Revenge stories are another common feature in the Western genre and The Ballad of Lefty Brown has an exciting approach. Bill Pullman stars as the eponymous hero, a sidekick of a noble lawman who has to step up to avenge his friend when he is killed by an outlaw. Left Brown is the type of comedic character seen in older Westerns, so the idea of putting him in the spotlight as the avenging hero is a fun one. Pullman gives a terrific performance in the role, while the movie is among the most action-packed and exciting rides among the Westerns on Netflix.

15 Frontier (2016-2018)

The Canadian Fur Trader Drama Starring Jason Momoa

Jason Momoa seems like the kind of action hero who fits perfectly in the wilderness setting, and the Netflix Western Frontier shows exactly why. Frontier is a Canadian adventure series and historical drama centering on the fur trade of the early 1800s. Momoa stars as a Canadian outlaw who fights against the corruption of the Hudson Bay Company's fur trade in his land. Momoa gives a powerful performance in the lead role, elevating the series and its action. The show was nominated for several Canadian Screen Awards, including for Momoa's performance.

14 Song Of The Bandits (2023-)

K-Dramas Meet Westerns In This Acclaimed Netflix Show

South Korean Netflix content includes some of the platform's most popular show, and the country has its own Western entry as well. Song of the Bandits serves partially as a historical drama, taking place during the Japanese occupation of the 1920s. With a number of Koreans fleeing to parts of China, they develop a lawless community. The new series has received critical acclaim for its action and well-rounded characters that fill out this epic story.

13 The Electric Horseman (1979)

Robert Redford And Jane Fonda Lead This Rodeo Romance

Robert Redford is a legend of the Western genre with movies like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and Jerimiah Johnson, but fans might not be aware of The Electric Horseman as one of his Western projects. The movie stars Redford as a rodeo star who is hired to be a spokesman for a cereal company. However, when he learns the horse being used for the advertisement is being abused, he rescues the animal and goes on the run. The Sydney Pollack-directed film was praised as a sweet and fun movie with an odd yet effective romance at its center with the star pairing of Redford and Jane Fonda.

12 Wynonna Earp

The Western Horror That Brings The Supernatural To The Wild West

Another Western project that has a lot of fun bringing in other genre elements is the series Wynonna Earp. Based on a comic book series, the show follows a descendant of legendary Western lawman Wyatt Earp who is tasked with fighting off the resurrected outlaws and criminals that Earp killed in the Old West. The Western-horror series was praised as one of the best new shows on television when it premiered in 2017. It makes for a fun and silly supernatural adventure that shares a spiritual kinship with shows like Supernatural and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

11 Concrete Cowboy (2020)

A Coming-Of-Age Western Starring Idris Elba

Though the modern Western genre is a way of keeping the genre feeling fresh, Concrete Cowboy takes a unique approach to this kind of story. Stranger Things' Caleb McLaughlin stars as a rebellious teen who is sent to live with his estranged father in Philadelphia where he finds kinship within the city's community of Black cowboys. Though a lesser-known Idris Elba movie, the actor is great as the boy's father and the movie itself is a charming coming-of-age story with a Western twist.

10 Silverado (1985)

One Of The Last Classic Westerns Lives On Through Netflix

By the 1980s, the Western genre had been fading in Hollywood, with Silverado being one of the bright spots before the genre underwent a much-needed change. Written and directed by legendary Hollywood figure Lawrence Kasdan, Silverado follows a band of misfits who join forces to protect a small town from injustices. The fun sense of humor and great action is elevated further by a star-studded cast that includes Kevin Kline, Jeff Goldblum, and Kevin Costner, all shining in their standout roles.

9 Legends Of The Fall (1994)

The Emotionally Heavy Western That Helped Launch Brad Pitt's Career

Legends of the Fall combines a family drama, an epic romance, and a Western tale all into one ambitious movie. Directed by Edward Zwick, Legends of the Fall is set in Montana and stars Anthony Hopkins as a colonel who lives in the wilderness with his three sons. When one of the sons dies in combat, a love triangle forms between his brothers and his widow. The movie helped solidify Brad Pitt as a Hollywood A-Lister with his charismatic performance as the middle child Tristan. It effectively balances its large story with an emotional center, more than earning it a place as one of the best Western movies on Netflix.

8 The Harder They Fall (2021)

The Star-Studded Netflix Original Western Movie

The best Western movies on Netflix aren't just existing titles the streaming platform acquired the rights to, as they've made plenty of their own forays into the genre. The Netflix original Western The Harder They Fall is a star-studded action adventure that feels like an homage to Sergio Leone. Idris Elba once again steps into the Western genre as a vicious villain whose ambitious plans for the future leave a trail of bodies in his wake while the movie's heroes led by Jonathan Majors seek to take him down. The cast also includes Regina King, LaKeith Stanfield, and Delroy Lindo. It was a big hit with audiences and the ending sets up The Harder They Fall 2 in an exciting way.

7 Desperado (1995)

Rober Rodriguez's Prequel To Once Upon A Time In Mexico

After making his debut with the influential low-budget indie movie El Mariachi, Robert Rodriguez was given a bigger budget and studio backing to take another approach to the story. Antonio Banderas stars in Desperado as a gunslinger who disguises himself as a musician as he travels from town to town, taking out anyone who works for the crime lord who killed his wife. Rodriguez infuses the movie with a kinetic energy and fun sense of humor while Banderas cements himself as a new action star with his charismatic performance. It eventually spawned the star-studded 2003 sequel, Once Upon a Time in Mexico.

6 Longmire (2012-2017)

The Long-Running Western Show Netflix Acquired From A&E

Subscribers who enjoy modern Western shows like Justified will likely also enjoy Longmire on Netflix. The series follows Sheriff Walt Longmire, a dedicated lawman and recent widower who is trying to put his life back together while keeping his community safe. Robert Taylor brings a lot of charm and dry wit to the lead role, making for a great modern Western hero. The show also has a nice supporting role from The Mandalorian's Katee Sackhoff as Longmire's loyal deputy. The Western series Longmire was so engaging that it ran for six seasons, with the latter three being produced by Netflix themselves after rights were acquired from A&E.