Best Comedy Westerns
1. Blazing Saddles (1974)
Mel Brooks‘ outrageous satire follows a black sheriff in an all-white town.
Why it’s great:
- Hilarious send-up of Western tropes and racial stereotypes
- Memorable performances from Cleavon Little and Gene Wilder
- Groundbreaking blend of anachronistic and fourth-wall-breaking humor
2. Support Your Local Sheriff! (1969)
James Garner stars as a cleverdrifter who becomes sheriff of a lawless gold rush town.
Why it’s great:
- Garner’s charming, deadpan performance
- Clever script poking fun at Western clichés
- Strong supporting cast including Walter Brennan and Jack Elam
3. Cat Ballou (1965)
This musical comedy follows a schoolteacher turned outlaw seeking revenge for her father’s murder.
Why it’s great:
- Lee Marvin‘s Oscar-winning dual performance as Kid Shelleen and Tim Strawn
- Jane Fonda’s star-making turn as Cat Ballou
- Unique blend of Western, comedy, and musical elements
4. The Paleface (1948)
Bob Hope stars as a cowardly dentist who becomes involved with a sharpshooting female agent in the Old West.
Why it’s great:
- Hope’s trademark cowardly persona applied to the Western genre
- Jane Russell’s tough, capable performance as Calamity Jane
- Catchy musical numbers, including the Oscar-winning “Buttons and Bows”
5. Shanghai Noon (2000)
Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson star in this East-meets-West action comedy.
Why it’s great:
- Chan’s impressive martial arts choreography blended with Western elements
- Wilson’s laid-back charm contrasting with Chan’s fish-out-of-water character
- Clever subversion of both Western and martial arts film tropes.