The 10 Best Westerns Of The 21st Century, Ranked According To Letterboxd

Many of the best Westerns ever made were released before the 21st century. The Golden Age of the Western seemed to be the ’40s and ’50s, at a time when movie stars like John Wayne reigned supreme and dominated the box office. But beginning in the mid 20th century, the Western started to fall out of favor and was no longer the box office phenomenon it once was.

However, many great Westerns are still being made to this day, and many classic entries in the genre have been released throughout the 21st century.

10 Bone Tomahawk (2015): 3.6

Featuring an ingenious genre movie mash-up, Bone Tomahawk perfectly blends elements of horror and Western. A group of people – including the local sheriff – venture out into the Western wilderness in search of the town’s doctor, who has been taken prisoner by a band of violent cannibals.

The movie has earned significant praise for its acting and makeup effects work, with many taking note of its horrifically realistic gore effects. Bone Tomahawk is certainly one of the most unique Westerns of the modern era.

9 3:10 To Yuma (2007): 3.6

A fantastic remake of the 1957 original, 3:10 to Yuma stars Russell Crowe and Christian Bale in the lead roles. Crowe plays a notorious outlaw named Ben Wade, and Bale a local rancher named Dan Evans who is tasked with putting Wade on the titular 3:10 to Yuma train.

The movie has continued to earn praise for its performances and filmmaking. In fact, it’s the rare Western to earn Oscar nominations. At the 80th Academy Awards, 3:10 to Yuma was recognized with two nominations for Best Sound Mixing and Best Original Score.

8 The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs (2018): 3.6

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs is one of the best Coen brothers movies, and certainly one of the best Westerns in some years. An anthology movie, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs contains six mini-movies, each of varying length and quality.

Some are obviously better and more memorable than others, but it’s the good ones that have helped The Ballad of Buster Scruggs become a modern-day classic. Its quality was rewarded with three Oscar nominations, including Best Adapted Screenplay.

7 The Power Of The Dog (2021): 3.7

While filmed in the desert of New Zealand, The Power of the Dog is a quintessential American Western taking place in 1920s Montana. Written and directed by Jane Campion (arguably one of the finest filmmakers working today), the movie earned universal acclaim for nearly every aspect of its production.

It was easily one of 2021’s best movies and commanded the 2022 awards season. In fact, it received the most nominations at the 94th Academy Awards, with 12. As of writing, The Power of the Dog has won over 200 industry awards, making it 2021’s most acclaimed film.

6 True Grit (2010): 3.7

It was hard to top the iconic 1969 original, but the Coen brothers managed to do it with their 2010 classic. Starring Jeff Bridges as U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn, True Grit is arguably one of the greatest movie remakes of all time.

Featuring stellar performances and some of the Coens’ strongest directing, True Grit became a favorite of the 2011 awards season. It earned 10 Academy Award nominations (but failed to win any) and is now regarded as a modern-day Western classic.

5 The Hateful Eight (2015): 3.8

Throughout much of the 2010s, Quentin Tarantino focused his efforts on making Westerns. The second Western he released was The Hateful Eight, an incredibly violent and claustrophobic movie taking place in the snowy mountains of Wyoming.

The movie wasn’t as much of a critical darling as Tarantino’s other movies, earning “just” 74% on Rotten Tomatoes. However, it still managed to win the Oscar for Best Original Score and has a strong 3.8/5 rating on Letterboxd.

4 Hell Or High Water (2016): 3.9

A modern neo-Western, Hell or High Water was widely regarded as one of 2016’s best films. Starring an incredible cast composed of Jeff Bridges, Chris Pine, and Ben Foster, Hell or High Water is a modern Western about a Texas Ranger pursuing two bank robbers.

The movie was praised for single-handedly reviving the entire Western genre and earned four Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor for Jeff Bridges. This was his seventh Oscar nomination.

3 The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford (2007): 3.9

While released to a lukewarm commercial reception, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is now considered a modern-day Western classic. An epic Western spanning 160 minutes, the movie details the personal relationship between the historic frontiersmen Jesse James and Robert Ford.

The latter is portrayed by Casey Affleck, who earned considerable praise and an Oscar nomination for his performance. It was one of the movie’s two nominations – the other being for Best Cinematography.

2 Django Unchained (2012): 4.2

Quentin Tarantino’s first foray into the Western genre is also arguably his best. Released in 2012, Django Unchained may be the director’s most acclaimed work outside of Pulp Fiction. It has an incredible score of 4.2/5 on Letterboxd, made well over $400 million at the box office, and earned five Oscar nominations and two wins.

Christoph Waltz was highly decorated for his work as King Schultz, and Tarantino won his second Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. Many fans feel that Django Unchained is one of the finest Westerns of the 2010s.

1 No Country For Old Men (2007): 4.3

Perhaps the greatest modern Western of this age, No Country for Old Men is a bonafide classic of cinema. A violent film that subverts many elements of the classic genre, it is a thrilling and smart Western about a hunt for some money.

The performances and filmmaking are equally impeccable, and the script is full of fantastic lines. Furthermore, Javier Bardem’s turn as Anton Chigurh is arguably one of the finest performances in recent memory. Both he and Chigurh have firmly established their place in movie history.

About The Author

Nathan Sharp
(852 Articles Published)

Nathan Sharp is a writer from outside Toronto, Ontario. He has a love of movies and television, having enjoyed them for more than twenty years. His preferences include drama, action, and horror, with the former being a particular point of interest and fascination.

He also has a love of video games, particularly those of Rockstar.

Whether it be about film, television, or video games, Nathan loves a good discussion and has written hundreds of articles for Screen Rant.

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