Best of the Best Lists
Best Gunfighter Movies
1. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
Sergio Leone‘s epic follows three gunslingers competing to find buried Confederate gold.
Why it’s great:
- Iconic performances from Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, and Eli Wallach
- Ennio Morricone’s legendary score
- Leone’s masterful direction and cinematography
2. Unforgiven (1992)
Clint Eastwood‘s revisionist Western follows an aging gunfighter taking on one last job.
Why it’s great:
- Eastwood’s nuanced performance as William Munny
- Thoughtful deconstruction of Western myths
- Gene Hackman‘s Oscar-winning turn as Little Bill Daggett
3. The Magnificent Seven (1960)
Seven gunfighters are hired to protect a Mexican village from bandits.
Why it’s great:
- Stellar ensemble cast including Yul Brynner and Steve McQueen
- Elmer Bernstein’s iconic score
- Influential on subsequent Western and action films
4. Shane (1953)
A mysterious gunfighter defends a homestead family from a ruthless cattle baron.
Why it’s great:
- Alan Ladd’s iconic performance as Shane
- Exploration of the gunfighter’s role in civilizing the West
- Stunning Technicolor cinematography by Loyal Griggs
5. The Shootist (1976)
John Wayne’s final film follows an aging gunfighter dying of cancer in 1901Carson City.
Why it’s great:
- Wayne’s poignant performance as J.B. Books
- Meditation on the end of the Old West
- Strong supporting cast including Lauren Bacall and James Stewart.