Best of the Best Lists
Best Science-Fiction Westerns
Science-Fiction Westerns blend the tropes and aesthetics of the Western genre with elements of science fiction, creating unique and often thought-provoking narratives.
- “Westworld” (1973) – While not strictly a Western, this film set in a futuristic Western-themed amusement park where robots malfunction and begin killing guests, perfectly blends sci-fi concepts with Western aesthetics.
- “Back to the Future Part III” (1990) – The final installment of the beloved time-travel trilogy sends Marty McFly to the Old West. It cleverly combines Western tropes with sci-fi elements, creating a fun and unique entry in both genres.
- “Cowboys & Aliens” (2011) – This film literally pits cowboys against aliens in an Old West setting. While it received mixed reviews, it’s a prime example of the sci-fi Western subgenre, blending classic Western elements with an alien invasion plot.
These science-fiction Westerns demonstrate the flexibility of the Western genre, showing how its themes and aesthetics can be adapted to create innovative and speculative narratives.