Original title: Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo
Release date: December 29, 1967
Rating: R | Genre: Western, Adventure, Drama

First up, we’ve got the granddaddy of all westerns: “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.” Directed by the legendary Sergio Leone, this film stars Clint Eastwood as “The Good,” Lee Van Cleef as “The Bad,” and Eli Wallach as “The Ugly.” It’s a gritty, gunslinging tale of three outlaws in search of buried gold. With its iconic score by Ennio Morricone and epic showdowns, this movie is the gold standard of westerns. It’s a triple-threat you don’t wanna miss!

Release date: August 7, 1992
Rating: R | Genre: Western, Drama

Next, we tip our hats to Clint Eastwood again, but this time he’s wearing the director’s badge. “Unforgiven” is a somber, no-nonsense tale that rides into the darker side of the Wild West. Eastwood plays William Munny, a retired gunslinger who returns for one last job. With a star-studded cast including Gene Hackman and Morgan Freeman, this film is a gritty, powerful ode to the western genre. It’s a shootout of epic proportions!

Release date: July 4, 1969
Rating: R | Genre: Western, Action

Another Sergio Leone masterpiece, “Once Upon a Time in the West” is a sprawling epic that captures the mythic grandeur of the Old West. Charles Bronson stars as the mysterious “Harmonica,” who teams up with Jason Robards’ bandit and Claudia Cardinale’s widow to take down Henry Fonda’s ruthless villain. With sweeping landscapes and a haunting score, this film is as big and bold as the frontier itself.

Release date: December 25, 1993
Rating: R | Genre: Western, Action

Hold onto your Stetsons, ’cause “Tombstone” is rollin’ into town! This action-packed western stars Kurt Russell as the legendary Wyatt Earp and Val Kilmer as the quick-drawin’ Doc Holliday. The movie chronicles the infamous gunfight at the O.K. Corral and the events leading up to it. With snappy dialogue and unforgettable performances, “Tombstone” is a rip-roarin’ ride that’ll leave you hollerin’ “I’m your huckleberry!”

Release date: October 1, 2021
Rating: Not Rated | Genre: Western, Action

Last but certainly not least, we’ve got a modern gem that’s as fresh as a tumbleweed on a windy day: “Old Henry.” Directed by Potsy Ponciroli, this film stars Tim Blake Nelson as Henry, a farmer who takes in an injured man with a satchel of cash. When a posse comes looking for the loot, Henry’s past as a gunslinger comes to light in a thrilling showdown. With its tight storytelling and gritty realism, “Old Henry” proves that the western genre is still alive and kickin’.