13 Best Western Movies & Series to Stream on Netflix Right Now
Netflix might not have the deepest Western library, but it does offer refreshing takes on some of the West’s most essential themes and settings.
Franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Star Wars may dominate the streaming wars, but platforms like Netflix are still saving a spot for a classic American film genre.
In fact, over the last few years, Netflix has released a handful of Western originals—films and series—that add new perspectives to what can often be well-worn, clichéd storylines.
The Western may be far removed from its cultural popularity in the 1960s, but Netflix is helping keep the genre alive and well with their offering of Western films and series as of December 2024—many of which are influenced by the best Spaghetti Westerns of decades past.
1. The Harder They Fall (2021)
Streaming stats: 2h 19m, rated R for strong violence and language
Three words fill the screen before The Harder They Fall begins: “These. People. Existed.”
It’s a fictional tale, but one that portrays real-life black historical figures like Rufus Buck (Idris Elba), Nat Love (Jonathan Majors), Jim Beckwourth (RJ Cyler), Stagecoach Mary (Zazie Beetz), Bass Reeves (Delroy Lindo), Cherokee Bill (LaKeith Stanfield), and Bill Pickett (Edi Gathegi).
The takeaway is clear: history may well remember the Wyatt Earps and Wild Bills of the West, but black cowboys, lawmen and outlaws often go unnoticed, particularly in Western films and books.
Director Jeymes Samuel is out to change that.
“If you take away the narrow, white-male-centric stories we were given,” Samuel said in a podcast interview, “then that means you have a whole universe of stories with women of actual dominance, with people of color, all races. You have a whole genre.”
Samuel’s vision of the West is bold and violent, containing all the trappings of a typical Western—gunfights on horseback, steely-eyed showdowns, exploding buildings—against a social backdrop that touches on race, generational trauma and naturally, revenge.
The film’s highly stylized cinematography may not work for all viewers, but smart dialogue, a dope soundtrack, and the natural charisma of its cast makes The Harder They Fall a welcome departure from the status quo in more ways than one.
2. Bone Tomahawk (2015)
Streaming stats: 2h 11m, rated TV-MA for gore, nudity, smoking, violence
Half horror and half classic Western, Bone Tomahawk is a unique blend of classic western grit and macabre intensity, making it stand out as one of the most distinctive westerns available on Netflix.
Directed by S. Craig Zahler, the film tells the story of a small-town sheriff, played by Kurt Russell, who leads a group of men on a rescue mission deep into hostile territory.
With a strong cast, including Richard Jenkins, Patrick Wilson, and Matthew Fox, Bone Tomahawk offers top-tier performances that ground the story in compelling character dynamics.
What sets this film apart is its careful balance of western conventions—dusty towns, vast open landscapes, and tense standoffs—combined with unexpected elements of horror.
The pacing is purposely slow—building suspense and atmosphere before erupting into brutal, edge-of-your-seat action. The film’s raw and gritty tone, paired with its thought-provoking exploration of courage, survival, and loyalty, makes it a standout for fans of both genres.
3. The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018)
Streaming stats: 2h 13m, rated R for strong violence
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs opens to a fictional book of the same name, a collection of six tales from the frontier published in 1873. It feels like something stodgy your grandpa would watch while falling asleep, except this Netflix original was directed by the Coen brothers, so all is not as it appears.
The film’s six vignettes, which the brothers wrote over the span of some 20 years, tackle various aspects of life in the West, but all focus on the brutality and inevitably of death. In the title story, Buster Scruggs—the “the San Saba Songbird” played by Tim Blake Nelson—sets the tone early: the only rule in the West is that there are no rules.
Each story varies in length and depth; some come with quick, violent payoffs, and others burn slow while showcasing the brothers’ dark comedic efforts. Tom Waits is particularly memorable as an old prospector in “All Gold Canyon,” a tale based on Jack London’s 1904 story.
In The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, death is around every corner, but not always in the way you’d expect, making it one of the more refreshing Westerns on Netflix—or anywhere.
4. The Hateful Eight (2015)
The film tackles post-Civil War tensions in a rustic Wyoming stagecoach stop during a blizzard, and although the outside scenery sets the tone, most of the film is an indoors, stage-style narrative driven by crisp dialogue and slowly unraveling secrets.
The hateful eight are various characters brought to Minnie’s Haberdashery, including Major Marquis Warren (Samuel L. Jackson), John Ruth (Kurt Russell), Daisy Domergue (Jennifer Jason Leigh) and Chris Mannix (Walton Goggins). Though it can feel slow compared to traditional Westerns, the film builds momentum toward a graphic and anarchic resolution typical of Tarantino’s work.
The Hateful Eight‘s Spaghetti Western influences are most obvious in the score—composed by Ennio Morricone, who wrote the music for Sergio Leone‘s legendary Dollars Trilogy—and the way it was filmed in Ultra Panavision 70, lending it a grittiness reminiscent of Leone’s films.
On Netflix, an extended version of The Hateful Eight is available as a 4-part series: it’s worth a watch whether you’ve seen the original cut or not, and breaking up such a long film into episodes makes it easier to digest.
Related read: 20 Wild West Towns Where You Can Still Experience the Frontier
5. 3:10 to Yuma (2007)
Streaming stats: 2h 2m, rated R for violence and language
Director James Mangold’s 3:10 to Yuma is a modern retelling of a classic western, blending intense action with deep character development.
The film stars Russell Crowe as the charismatic but ruthless outlaw Ben Wade, and Christian Bale as Dan Evans, a struggling rancher who volunteers to escort Wade to justice. The film captures the tension and grit of the Old West, with breathtaking cinematography that brings the harsh landscapes to life.
What makes 3:10 to Yuma stand out is its focus on moral dilemmas and the complex relationship between its two leads. Crowe and Bale deliver powerful performances, crafting a tense, ever-evolving dynamic between the lawman and the outlaw.
The movie is filled with thrilling shootouts and nail-biting suspense, but it also explores themes of honor, sacrifice, and redemption, making it more than just a traditional western.
With its strong character-driven narrative and heart-pounding action, 3:10 to Yuma is one of the best westerns you can stream on Netflix, offering a perfect blend of action and emotional depth.
6. Godless (2017)
Streaming stats: 7 episodes, rated TV-MA for language, nudity, smoking, violence
The seven episodes that make up Godless allow series creator and director Scott Frank to explore archetypal Western themes with a depth that most two-hour films simply can’t swing.
In an interview with NPR’s Terry Gross, Frank admits he wanted to “embrace every single cliché” of the West, but frame them in his own way. And he did just that: Godless is in many ways a traditional Western, complete with gunfights and trainwrecks, but it centers on the community of La Belle, New Mexico, where a mining accident killed just about all the town’s men.
7. The Power of the Dog (2021)
Streaming stats: 2h 8m, rated R for sexual content, nudity
The Power of the Dog is based on a Thomas Savage novel from 1967 that later influenced Annie Proulx’s Brokeback Mountain. Savage’s book wasn’t all that popular at the time, but it made for an excellent adaptation in the hands of director Jane Campion, who hadn’t directed a feature film since 2009’s Bright Star.
Her comeback was successful: The Power of the Dog racked up 12 Academy Award nominations, and audiences enjoyed the subtle power struggle between brothers played by Benedict Cumberbatch and Jesse Plemons. The film takes place on a 1925 ranch in Montana, and though that sounds rugged, The Power of the Dog highlights how masculinity and loneliness in such a setting can do more harm than good.
It’s a slow Western with just enough action to keep the plot moving, but it’s a psychological drama more than anything. If you’re looking for shoot ’em up showdowns, head elsewhere.
Related read: 10 Blood Meridian Quotes That Define Cormac McCarthy’s West
8. The Quick and the Dead (1995)
Streaming stats: 1hr 45m, rated R for violence
Dances with Wolves, Unforgiven, and Tombstone all came out in the years before The Quick and the Dead, so it’s not surprising this predictable but fun Western fell flat in the box office: there were big boots to fill back then.
From the start, the film pays homage to Sergio Leone’s Dollars Trilogy—the mysterious Lady (Sharon Stone) even rolls into town with squinted eyes and a teeth-clenched cigarillo—and its mix of close-ups and wide-angle shots completes the throwback Western feel.
The premise isn’t spectacular—the movie’s essentially a gunslingin’ tournament—and by the end, it starts to feel like Groundhog Day in the West. Still, a young Leonardo DiCaprio and up-and-coming Russell Crowe makes The Quick and the Dead enjoyable, as does Gene Hackman’s portrayal of the classic “I run this town” villain.
It’s a caricaturized version of the west, complete with biblical themes of revenge and redemption (also the name of the town), but its cast and occasional biting lines of dialogue make it a worthwhile watch.
9. Montford: The Chickasaw Rancher (2021)
Streaming stats: 1h 36m, rated TV-14 for smoking
Montford: The Chickasaw Rancher is inspired by the true story of Montford T. Johnson, a 19th century Chickasaw cattleman who built an impressive spread in present day Oklahoma—what was then considered Indian Territory.
Johnson grapples with common problems of the day: rustlers, racism and Civil War conflicts that spill into tribal relations. It wasn’t an easy road for Johnson, but his is a story of perseverance if nothing else.
Montford was produced by Chickasaw Nation Productions, a platform created both to entertain and educate modern-day audiences on the history and culture of the Chickasaw Nation.
The acting and dialogue can be stilted, and at times the story lacks a strong direction, but as a way to introduce more viewers to the inspirational story of Montford Johnson and the struggles of Native Americans in that period, it’s a worthy endeavor.
Related read: I’m Your Huckleberry: The Real Meaning of Doc Holliday’s Iconic Line
10. My Heroes Were Cowboys (2021)
Streaming stats: 22m, rated PG for smoking
My Heroes Were Cowboys isn’t a Western, but it is a documentary about the bond between Robin Wiltshire and the horses he trains, and it’d be a disservice to leave the enigmatic short off the list.
The story focuses on Wiltshire’s journey of pursuing his dreams as a horse trainer, and today he works on the Turtle Ranch in Montana training horses and other animals for films and TV series. It’s a wholesome, aspirational short film that says as much about fortitude as it does horse training.
My Heroes Were Cowboys clocks in at a quick 23 minutes — enough to bring the story full circle, though more than reviewer said they could’ve easily taken in a full-length feature on Wiltshire’s story.
Related read: Oregon Trail Stories: True & Inspiring Tales of Prairie Pioneers
11. Longmire (2012-2017)
12. Wyatt Earp and the Cowboy Wars (2024)
Streaming stats: 6 episodes, rated TV-14 for language, smoking, violence
Wyatt Earp and the Cowboy Wars is a gripping nonfiction series on Netflix that dives into the life of one of the West’s most legendary lawmen, Wyatt Earp, and his infamous clashes with the outlaw Cowboys.
Through a mix of expert interviews, dramatic reenactments, and historical footage, the series brings the turbulent era of the late 1800s to life, offering a closer look at the events leading up to the iconic Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.
What sets this series apart is its detailed exploration of both the personal and political tensions that defined the conflict. Rather than simply glorifying Earp as a western hero, it examines the complex, often morally ambiguous nature of frontier justice and Earp’s controversial role in shaping the lawless town of Tombstone.
Each episode breaks down key moments in the Cowboy Wars, from the rise of the Earp family’s power to the simmering hostilities with the Cowboys that eventually exploded into violence.
For fans of true western history, Wyatt Earp and the Cowboy Wars offers a fascinating, in-depth portrayal of one of the most famous feuds of the American West. It’s a must-watch for anyone interested in the real stories behind the legends.
13. The Sisters Brothers
Streaming stats: 2h 2m, rated R for for violence, language, sexual content
The Sisters Brothers is a fresh and darkly comedic take on the Western genre, blending gritty action with surprising emotional depth.
Directed by Jacques Audiard and based on Patrick deWitt’s acclaimed novel, the film follows the misadventures of Eli and Charlie Sisters (John C. Reilly and Joaquin Phoenix), two hitmen in the 1850s tasked with hunting down a prospector (Riz Ahmed) who’s developed a revolutionary method for gold mining.
Set against the rugged backdrop of the Oregon Trail, the film delves into themes of brotherhood, loyalty, and the search for a better life, offering a nuanced portrait of its morally conflicted protagonists. Reilly and Phoenix bring a raw authenticity to their roles, with Reilly’s Eli emerging as the heart of the story—torn between his violent profession and a longing for peace.
What sets The Sisters Brothers apart is its unpredictable tone, seamlessly shifting from moments of brutal action to surprisingly tender and introspective scenes. Alexandre Desplat’s haunting score and Benoît Debie’s stunning cinematography elevate the film, capturing both the beauty and brutality of the Old West.
D.T. Christensen is the founder and editor of OldWest.org, a history website committed to sharing and preserving stories of the American West. He was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, studied journalism at Northern Arizona University, and lives in Massachusetts with his wife and kids.
Oh please… just lose the idiotic ‘woke’ mentality and give us a legitimate list. Enough pandering to pop culture mores, already.
I know, right? I thought I’d found a good website to feed my old west addiction until I saw this psycho-babble list of “best Western movies and shows.”