Best Marshal Westerns
1. Rio Bravo (1959)
A small-town sheriff must keep a powerful rancher’s brother in jail with only a ragtag group of allies.
Why it’s great:
- John Wayne‘s iconic performance as Sheriff John T. Chance
- Howard Hawks’ masterful direction
- Strong supporting cast including Dean Martin and Angie Dickinson
2. The Tin Star (1957)
A bounty hunter reluctantly mentors an inexperienced sheriff in this Anthony Mann Western.
Why it’s great:
- Henry Fonda’s nuanced performance as Morg Hickman
- Anthony Perkins as the young sheriff Ben Owens
- Exploration of law and justice on the frontier
3. Lawman (1971)
A marshal pursues a group of cowboys who accidentally killed an old man in a drunken spree.
Why it’s great:
- Burt Lancaster’s steely performance as Marshal Jered Maddox
- Examination of the costs of strict adherence to the law
- Gritty, revisionist take on the marshal archetype
4. Dodge City (1939)
Errol Flynn stars as a cattle rancher who reluctantly becomes marshal of the lawless Dodge City.
Why it’s great:
- Flynn’s charismatic performance as Wade Hatton
- Spectacular Technicolor cinematography
- Exciting action sequences, including a memorable saloon brawl
5. Support Your Local Sheriff! (1969)
This comedy follows a cleverdrifter who becomes sheriff of a lawless gold rush town.
Why it’s great:
- James Garner‘s charming, deadpan performance
- Clever script poking fun at Western clichés
- Strong supporting cast including Walter Brennan and Jack Elam.