Every Netflix Western Movie, Ranked

Netflixhas unleashed thousands of original feature films and TV shows since its rise to popularity as a streaming service, with some of their greatest original movies being Westerns. The humble Western once dominated cinema, being to pop culture of the past what the superhero movie is today. Despite the success of the best 21st century Westerns, most studios have been hesitant to explore new stories in this seemingly worn-out genre. However, thanks to their deep pockets and impressive resources, Netflix has been a driving force in keeping the Western alive.

Admittedly, when it comes to raw numbers, Netflix actually ranks among the bottom streaming services in terms of its sheer numbers of Westerns available. That being said, the original Westerns it does contribute are easily some of the greatest entries in the Old West genre to come out of the streaming age, with highs of quality that outrank all but a select number of similar films made in the modern era. While not every Netflix original Western is perfect, some of Netflix’s best original work in general takes place in the romantic windswept landscapes of the Wild West.

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8 The Ridiculous 6

The Film was Released in 2015

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The Ridiculous 6 PG-13

Happy Madison returns with The Ridiculous 6, a Western comedy movie that sees a group of men united after they all learn they share the same father – a bank robber with a massive fortune he has hidden away. The group sets off on a quest to find him while facing bandits hunting for the same stash of money.

Director Frank Coraci Release Date December 11, 2015 Studio(s) Happy Madison Productions Distributor(s) Netflix Writers Tim Herlihy , Adam Sandler Cast Adam Sandler , Terry Crews , Jorge Garcia , Taylor Lautner , Rob Schneider , Luke Wilson Expand

A stark outlier in quality when lined up with the rest of Netflix’s Western offerings, The Ridiculous 6 is not only a terrible Western, but one of the most critically panned original streaming service releases in the history of cinema. Not to be confused with the Western hall-of-fame classic The Magnificent 7 nor Quentin Tarantino’s modern pulp thriller The Hateful Eight, The Ridiculous 6 takes the comedic stylings of one Adam Sandler to the old West. Sandler stars as a cowboy who meets up with his estranged step-siblings in order to track their outlaw father’s return to the desolate countryside.

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Not only is The Ridiculous 6 hands-down the worst original Western to come out of Netflix’s studios, but it’s also one of the worst comedies of Adam Sandler’s career, which is truly saying something lows Sandler’s filmography reaches. Even Sandler’s signature sense of humor isn’t enough to save the awkward ensemble comedy that is constantly at odds with itself, never hardly able to squeeze a laugh out of even the comedian’s most die-hard fans. The Ridiculous 6 is mired in awkward stereotypes, questionably problematic humor, and unrefined gags that crumble upon impact with the viewer.

7 Paradox

The Film was Released in 2018

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Paradox ActionCrimeAdventureThriller

Paradox is a 2017 Hong Kong-Chinese action film directed by Wilson Yip and stars Louis Koo as Hong Kong police negotiator Lee Chung-chi. During a mission to find his missing daughter in Thailand, Lee collaborates with local detectives and uncovers a complex conspiracy. The film also features action choreography by Sammo Hung and supporting roles by Wu Yue, Tony Jaa, and Gordon Lam.

Director Wilson Yip Writers Jill Leung Lai-Yin , Nick Cheuk Cast Louis Koo , Yue Wu , Lam Ka-tung , Chris Collins , tony jaa , Jacky Cai , Ken Lo , Hanna Chan Character(s) Lee Chung-Chi , Chui Kit , Cheng Hon-Sau , Sacha , Tak , Sui Man , Ban , Lee Wing-Chi Runtime 101 Minutes

Compared to the rest of Netflix’s cowboy repertoire, Paradox almost hardly counts as a feature film at all, let alone a true Western. Conversely to this point, the movie (as much as it can be called one) centers around a posse of outlaws who find themselves on the run from the law, hiding away in some isolated mountains. As they pass the time away hunting for treasures along the mountain range, they swap revelries, music, and stories by the light of the full moon. The film is heavily colored by performances of songs from Neil Young’s eponymous album, Paradox.

As a piece of media, Paradox is essentially the neat little bonus feature of a studio album masquerading as a full-length movie. In truth, the entire experience is more like an extended music video, with the loose narrative and framing being a thin excuse to engage with the cutting edge of Neil Young’s discography. Releasing around the same time as the album it shares a name with, a given viewer’s enjoyment of Paradox will largely depend on their affinity for the artist it celebrates, with all but die-hard fans getting little out of the experience.

6 The Killer

The Film was Released in 2017

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The Killer (2017)

The Killer is a Brazilian Western directed by Marcelo Galvão. Set in the early 1940s, the film follows the journey of Cabeleira, a feared assassin in the state of Pernambuco, who seeks to uncover the truth about his outlaw father. As he navigates a brutal landscape filled with violence and corruption, Cabeleira’s story unfolds against the backdrop of a lawless society.

Director Marcelo Galvão Release Date November 10, 2017 Cast Diogo Morgado , Nill Marcondes , Deto Montenegro , Maria de Medeiros , Étienne Chicot Runtime 99 Minutes

One of Netflix’s few Westerns produced overseas, The Killer is a fascinating delve into a non-American culture’s understanding of the Wild West on a level that hasn’t been since the great spaghetti Westerns of old. The film follows a reclusive outlander named Shaggy living by himself on the edge of tamed society. Looking to uncover the truth behind his adoptive father’s disappearance, Shaggy enters civilization for the first time in his life, becoming a feared gunslinger during his journey.

It’s not long before the feral child gains a reputation as the most fearsome gun in the West.

The Killer isn’t only made in Brazil, but takes place there as well, examining the lawless state of Pernambuco in the early-to-mid 20th century. The film demonstrates a fierce understanding of what makes a typical revenge Western work while injecting its own uniquely Brazilian flair into the mix. Diogo Morgado gives a thrilling performance as the bestial Shaggy, conveying the fierce tenacity of a being raised outside the watchful eye of human society. Though it may be a tad generic for a Western, The Killer is as steady as Shaggy’s aim with a rifle.

5 Thar

The Film was Released in 2022

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Thar

Thar is a 2022 neo-noir thriller set in a remote Rajasthani village. Directed by Raj Singh Chaudhary, the film features Anil Kapoor as a local police officer investigating a series of gruesome crimes. It intertwines the lives of villagers and a mysterious newcomer, played by Harshvardhan Kapoor, as dark secrets unravel in the arid landscape, blending elements of grit and mystery.

Director Raj Singh Chaudhary Release Date May 6, 2022 Cast Anil Kapoor , Harshvardhan Kapoor , Fatima Sana Shaikh , Mukti Mohan , Akshay Oberoi Runtime 108 Minutes

Netflix’s second international take on a typical Western, Thar spices up the typical formula of the genre quite a bit by simultaneously being an Indian crime thriller. A Neo-Western taking place in the modern day, the film centers on Siddharth, a lonesome city-slicker who finds himself at the center of a deadly investigation in a remote Indian village on the edge of the Thar Desert, from which the film gets its title. Siddharth teams up with the local police officer, Surekha Singh, to quell a mysterious string of murders before the case can spiral out of control.

The film bears all the trappings of a great Neo-Western, slowly chipping away at a driving mystery that keeps the narrative engaging.

One of Netflix’s best Indian action thrillers, Thar also provides the platform with one of its better Westerns despite not actually taking place in the American West. The film bears all the trappings of a great Neo-Western, slowly chipping away at a driving mystery that keeps the narrative engaging. That being said, Thar is carried by its compelling character dynamics and the great performance of Anil Kapoor as Inspector Surekha Singh, with the actual narrative being thinly stretched across the bleak horizon of the Thar desert itself.

4 Concrete Cowboy

The Film was Released in 2020

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Concrete Cowboy

Inspired by the real the Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club, Concrete Cowboy follows a troubled teen sent to live with his estranged father in North Philadelphia, where he discovers Philadelphia’s urban cowboy subculture. Caleb McLaughlin and Idris Elba star in the 2020 adaptation of Greg Neri’s novel Ghetto Cowboy.

Director Ricky Staub Release Date April 2, 2021 Studio(s) Netflix Distributor(s) Netflix Writers Dan Walser , Ricky Staub Cast Idris Elba , Caleb McLaughlin , Byron Bowers , Lorraine Toussaint , Jharrel Jerome Expand

Not every Western necessarily needs to be as filled with blood, guts, and lead on the same level of films like Thar, as proven by Concrete Cowboy. A thoughtful, tender coming-of-age story, Concrete Cowboy stars Idris Elba as Harp, an African-American cowboy living in a unique Western culture nestled in Philadelphia. Harp is visited by his estranged son, Cole, for the summer, ingratiating him into his unique community while providing some valuable lessons about responsibility and inner strength.

Between its more urban setting and relative lack of violence, Concrete Cowboy doesn’t seem like it should be so effective as a Western on paper. However, the stark drama of Harp and his relationship with his son make for a quietly brilliant atmosphere with which the film can enrich itself with. Elba is a great as ever, but Caleb McLaughlin also revels in a rare chance to shine outside of Stranger Things. Concrete Cowboy may strain the lines of what a Western truly is, but its compelling drama makes up for its iffy place on the lines of the genre.

3 The Power Of The Dog

The Film was Released in 2021

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8/10 7.7/10 The Power of the Dog R

The Power of the Dog is a Western drama film adapted from the novel by Thomas Savage. When a widow and her son move into a ranch, she captures the attention of a kindly gentleman named George, much to the chagrin of his brother, Phil. After they marry, Phil’s temper begins to flare, and he begins to torment the two – but his behavior may spell disaster when his new nephew’s darker side comes to light.

Director Jane Campion Release Date November 17, 2021 Studio(s) Netflix Distributor(s) Netflix Cast Frances Conroy , Jesse Plemons , Kirsten Dunst , Thomasin McKenzie , Peter Carroll , Adam Beach , Kodi Smit-McPhee , Keith Carradine , Benedict Cumberbatch Runtime 126 minutes Expand

While the profound dialogue of Brokeback Mountain might forever cement its fame as the single greatest Western to dissect LGBT themes, it has a real modern contender in The Power of the Dog. Showing off brilliant performances, the film posits Benedict Cumberbatch as Phil Burbank, a hardened rancher whose brother, played by Jesse Plemons, brings home a new wife and step-son. Phil is relentlessly abrasive towards the new influences in his life, though his rough exterior eventually gives way for a rare chance at tender romance with his new step-nephew.

Unlike most Netflix originals, The Power of the Dog is critically acclaimed, earning a staggering 12 Academy Award nominations and even earning director Jane Campion. From the performances to the powerful themes seldom discussed in movies in general, let alone a Western, it’s easy to see why the film has struck such a chord in the hearts of many. That being said, The Power of the Dog is perhaps a tad over-rated by academic appraisers, laden predictable plot twists, glacial pacing, and eye-rollingly obvious visual metaphors that aren’t as clever as the film thinks they are.

2 The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs

The Film was Released in 2018

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6/10 9/10 The Ballad of Buster Scruggs

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs is a Western anthology film by the Coen Brothers that comprises six distinct stories. Each vignette explores themes of the American frontier, blending humor and tragedy. With a richly detailed setting, the film delves into various aspects of frontier life, showcasing a range of characters from singing cowboys to intrepid prospectors. The distinctive narrative style and evocative cinematography create a compelling portrait of the Old West.

Director Joel Coen , Ethan Coen Release Date November 9, 2018 Studio(s) Netflix Distributor(s) Netflix Writers Ethan Coen , Joel Coen , Jack London Cast Tim Blake Nelson , Willie Watson , Clancy Brown , Danny McCarthy , David Krumholtz , Liam Neeson , Harry Melling , Ralph Ineson , Thomas Wingate , Tim DeZarn , E.E. Bell , Alejandro Patiño , Tom Proctor , Clinton Roberts , Matthew Willig , Jesse Youngblood , J.J. Dashnaw , Stephen Root , Mike Watson , Brian Brown , ryan brown , Richard Bucher , Jesse Luken , Michael Cullen , Austin Rising , James Augare , Brendan Gleeson Expand

One of the most recent outings by the legendary cinematic duo, the Coen brothers, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs breaks new ground for what the Western genre is capable of accomplishing. A rare Western anthology film, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs is made up of a handful of short tales, each bearing their own quirky brand of dark comedy, meditative contemplation of human nature, or exciting gunfights. More often than not, the macabre tales weave together all three, particularly the first short, which follows the Bugs Bunny-esque adventure of the titular legendary gunslinger, Buster Scruggs.

The film represents some of the Coen brothers’ best comedic instincts while retaining their penchant for downer tales filled with misery, death, and suffering. As different as each vignette is, they all maintain a cohesive thematic throughline that maintains a well-defined tone throughout the entire experience, with its cast of hardened trailhands, cheery prospectors, and unlucky criminals all feeling like they belong in more-or-less the same world. That being said, like any anthology, some of the stories are stronger than others, making for an uneven experience compared to Netflix’s best original Western.

1 The Harder They Fall

The Film was Released in 2021

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8/10 The Harder They Fall R

After Rufus Buck (Idris Elba) is released from prison, Nat Love (Jonathan Majors) brings his gang back together to defeat his enemy. Starring alongside Majors and Elba in The Harder They Fall are Zazie Beetz, Edi Gathegi, R.J. Cyler, Regina King, and LaKeith Stanfield. The Western was released in select theaters on October 22, 2021, and released on Netflix on November 3, 2021.

Director Jeymes Samuel Release Date November 3, 2021 Studio(s) Netflix Distributor(s) Netflix Writers Boaz Yakin , Jeymes Samuel Cast Jonathan Majors , Idris Elba , Delroy Lindo , Danielle Deadwyler , Regina King , Edi Gathegi , r.j. cyler , Damon Wayans Jr. , Zazie Beetz , Deon Cole , LaKeith Stanfield Runtime 139 Minutes Expand

As far as traditional Western movies go, it’s hard to find a better representative in the 2020s than The Harder They Fall. A revenge story typical to the genre, the movie follows the adventures of Jonathan Majors’ Nat Love, an outlaw who scours the West with an iron trigger finger. When he discovers the man who killed his parents, Rufus Black (portrayed by Idris Elba), is freed from prison, he gets his old gang back together to exact his vengeance.

The Harder They Fall might be a fairly standard Western as far as the set-up to the story goes, but it manages to beautifully describe why stories such as itself are still worth telling even in the modern age. From Majors’ Nat Love to Elba’s Rufus Black and Zazie Beetz’s Stagecoach Mary, the cast is positively stacked with hard hitters, resonating with one another to convey a grandiose finished project that can stand with the best revenge movies around. With the sheer kineticism of Jeymes Samuel’s careful direction, The Harder They Fall easily tops Netflix’s Western library.

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Category: Entertainment