Western: 81

Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 (2024) is an epic Western directed and produced by Kevin Costner. Co-written with Jon Baird, it’s based on a story by the pair and Mark Kasdan. In 1859, surveyors mark stakes in the San Pedro Valley to outline the borders of Horizon, a forthcoming frontier town. Soon after, Desmarais, a missionary, discovers the deceased surveying party and buries them before establishing Horizon. Four years later, an Apache raid led by Pionsenay strikes the now-flourishing town and kills ...

Martin Scorsese co-writes, produces, and directs the American epic western crime drama film, Killers of the Flower Moon (2023). Inspired by David Grann’s non-fiction book from 2017, Scorsese and Eric Roth bring the story to life. During the annual ‘flower moon’ phenomenon on their Oklahoma reservation, Osage Nation elders mourn their descendants’ assimilation into White American society while burying a ceremonial pipe. It is during this time that ...

In December 2022, Paramount+ premiered an American Western drama series titled 1923 (2022–2023). Serving as a prequel to Yellowstone and sequel to 1883, the show features Isabel May reprising her role as narrator Elsa Dutton. The series was renewed for a second season of eight episodes in February 2023. During the Nineteenth Century, several reform movements emerged in America with the goal of promoting social improvement. These efforts often had roots in Protestant churches and were accompanied by attempts to convert new members based on religious beliefs. Some denominations also sought government ...

The American Christian Western romance film, Redeeming Love (2022), directed by D.J. Caruso, is based on Francine Rivers’ novel of the same name. The story draws inspiration from the Biblical tale of Hosea and is set in the American Old West during the California Gold Rush. In this historical setting, a young woman named Angel works as a prostitute in Pair-a-Dice, enduring self-hatred and animosity while being desired by local men. Meanwhile, a farmer named Michael Hosea visits the town and prays for a spouse from God. Later that day, he sees Angel and immediately falls in love with her.

Jane Campion’s film, The Power of the Dog (2021), is a reimagined Western drama based on Thomas Savage’s novel of the same name. Set in 1925 Montana, the story follows wealthy rancher brothers Phil and George Burbank as they encounter Rose Gordon, a widow and innkeeper, during a cattle drive. While George is drawn to Rose’s kindness, Phil disapproves of her and views her as someone after his brother’s money. He also belittles Rose’s teenage son Peter, whom he sees as weak and effeminate. After George and Rose marry and she moves in with them ...

Cry Macho (2021), an American neo-Western drama film, follows the story of retired rodeo star Mike Milo. Due to a debilitating back injury, Mike has left his career behind in 1979. However, he is soon approached by his former boss Howard Polk, who asks him to bring Howard’s 15-year-old son Rafo from Mexico City to live with him on the ranch. Upon arriving in Mexico City, Mike meets Leta, Rafo’s mother and owner of several illegal businesses. Despite previous failed attempts by Howard to retrieve his son, Leta appears cooperative and reveals that Rafo has turned to crime and participates in cockfights with his rooster Macho. Mike discovers this when he ...

Premiering on December 19, 2021, on Paramount+, 1883 (2021–2022) is an American Western drama television miniseries created by Taylor Sheridan. It stars Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Sam Elliott, Isabel May, LaMonica Garrett, Marc Rissmann, Audie Rick, Eric Nelsen, and James Landry Hébert. Serving as the first of several prequels to

News of the World (2020) is an American Western film directed and co-written by Paul Greengrass. Based on Paulette Jiles’ 2016 novel of the same name, the story follows Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, a former Confederate officer. Kidd earns a modest living by traveling around Texas and reading newspaper stories to locals for a ten-cent fee. While journeying from Wichita Falls, he stumbles upon an overturned wagon on the road, with its driver, a freed black man, lynched. He also discovers a young white girl named Cicada, who speaks Kiowa and reveals herself to be Johanna Leonberger. Through her papers, Kidd learns ...

Let Him Go (2020) is an American neo-Western film, directed by Thomas Bezucha and based on the 2013 novel of the same name by Larry Watson. Starring Diane Lane and Kevin Costner, the story is set in Montana in 1961 and centers around retired sheriff George Blackledge, his wife Margaret, their son James, James’s wife Lorna, and infant son Jimmy. One day, while out on a walk, Margaret notices James’s horse wandering alone and becomes concerned. George goes to ...

Deputy (2020), an American procedural drama created by Will Beall, first began development in October 2018. After Fox’s put pilot commitment in January 2019, the series was ordered to air in May of the same year. It ran from January 2 to March 26, 2020 before being cancelled by Fox in April. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is one of the largest forces globally, but a rarely used rule in the county charter unexpectedly places Bill Hollister – a fifth-generation lawman and staunch supporter of justice – into the role of elected sheriff following a colleagues passing. Working alongside ...

Yellowstone (2018–2024), an American neo-Western drama TV show created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson, first aired on June 20, 2018, on Paramount Network. The series centers on the Dutton family, headed by John Dutton, who commands the largest contiguous ranch in the United States. The family constantly faces attacks from neighboring land developers, an Indian reservation, and America’s first National Park. It delves deeply into the violent reality of a world hidden from the media’s gaze – one where developers profit immensely from land grabs, and ...

In Scooby-Doo! Shaggy’s Showdown (2017), an animated western comedy mystery, the Mystery Gang is invited by Shaggy’s distant cousin Tawny to her ranch in Sorghum City. The town has been dealing with vandalism by someone believed to be the ghost of Dapper Jack Rogers, who happens to be Shaggy and Tawny’s ancestor. When the gang arrives, they are mistaken for Dapper Jack due to their similar appearance. Tawny and her neighbor Rafe show the gang a picture of Jack and share the legend surrounding him – a former horseman turned outlaw who wore bandanna masks while committing crimes. According to the legend, he was killed in the desert by Sheriff ...

The American Western film, The Ballad of Lefty Brown (2017), was both written and directed by Jared Moshe. It is set in 1889 Montana where a gunshot victim stumbles out of a saloon. Lawman Edward Johnson enters and instructs his partner, ‘Lefty’ Brown, to check the back of the building. The suspect unexpectedly jumps out of the window, surprising Lefty who fails to capture him. Ed emerges and catches the man, scolding Lefty for his error. Despite Lefty’s objections to the unlawful nature of their actions, Ed chooses hanging as their means of justice. Upon returning to his ranch with his wife Laura, Ed ...

Hostiles (2017) is an American western drama film written and directed by Scott Cooper, based on a story by Donald E. Stewart. Set in 1892, the movie follows the story of Rosalee Quaid, a settler who faces a brutal attack from a Comanche war group that results in the death of her husband and three children. In Fort Berringer, New Mexico, Captain Joseph Blocker receives orders from Colonel Abraham Biggs to escort Cheyenne war chief Yellow Hawk and his family back to their tribal lands in Montana. Despite his past with Yellow Hawk, which includes the loss of friends and ...

The Rider (2017), an American contemporary western film, was written, produced, and directed by Chloé Zhao. Brady Blackburn is a renowned rodeo bronc rider who learned all about horses and riding from his late parents, Wayne and Mari Blackburn. After suffering a skull fracture from a fall during a rodeo, Brady is determined to get back on the horse – both literally and figuratively – as quickly as possible. Being a cowboy is all he knows, but deep down he realizes that going back to the rodeo may not be wise. This is confirmed by his doctor, who warns him that another serious head injury could have severe ...

The Magnificent Seven (2016), directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by Nic Pizzolatto and Richard Wenk, is a modern retelling of the acclaimed 1960 film with the same title. Inspired by Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai, Fuqua brings his unique vision to this classic story. The town of Rose Creek is under the ruthless control of industrialist Bartholomew Bogue, and the desperate townspeople turn to seven outlaws, ...

In David Mackenzie’s film, Hell or High Water (2016), the Howard brothers take matters into their own hands in West Texas, robbing two branches of the Texas Midlands Bank. Despite their detailed plans, Tanner’s impulsive behavior constantly puts Toby on edge. The recent passing of their mother has left their ranch in debt due to a reverse mortgage given by the bank. This debt could lead to losing their property if not resolved. Meanwhile, Toby is determined to secure a better life for his estranged sons after oil is discovered on their land. Assigned to the case are two Texas Rangers, Marcus Hamilton and ...

Bone Tomahawk (2015) is a Western movie written and directed by S. Craig Zahler in his directorial debut. Set in the 1890s, outlaws Purvis and Buddy come across a Native American burial ground. While escaping an ambush, Buddy is killed and Purvis manages to reach the nearby town of Bright Hope. He hides his stolen goods and is caught by Deputy Chicory. Sheriff Franklin Hunt shoots Purvis, who calls himself Buddy, in the leg when he tries to run away. The sheriff then sends skilled gunslinger John Brooder to get the town’s doctor, but instead Brooder finds Samantha O’Dwyer, the doctor’s daughter and ...

The Hateful Eight (2015), an American Western film, was both written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. In the year 1877, Major Marquis Warren, a bounty hunter and Union Army veteran, makes his way to Red Rock, Wyoming with three dead bounties in tow. Stranded in a blizzard and with his horse out of commission, Warren hitches a ride on a stagecoach driven by O.B. Jackson. Also on board is John Ruth, known as ‘The Hangman’ for his profession as a bounty hunter, who has the fugitive ‘Crazy’ Daisy Domergue handcuffed to him for transport to her hanging in Red Rock. The two men had previously bonded ...

The Homesman (2014), a Western historical drama film directed by Tommy Lee Jones, takes place in 1850s Midwest. Mary Bee Cuddy, a 31-year-old unmarried teacher from New York seeking new opportunities, owns ample land and is financially secure in the small farming community of Loup in the Nebraska Territory. Despite her appearance of strength and independence, she battles depression and loneliness. When she asks her neighbor Bob Giffen to dinner and proposes marriage, he declines due to her plain looks and assertive nature. Disheartened, he sets off to find a bride elsewhere. As winter brings harsh conditions, three ...