The 10 top-rated Westerns of all time - including a 1966 Clint Eastwood masterpiece

With so many films to choose from, it can be tough to know where to start, especially now that the clocks have gone back and it's the perfect time to settle in for a cosy movie night. While many Westerns have come and gone, some have earned lasting acclaim for their storytelling, performances, and cinematic innovation. From the early classics that defined the genre to modern reinterpretations that give it new life, these films have left an indelible mark on both Hollywood and how we imagine American history.

While the genre has thousands of films to choose from and has evolved over time, a select few Westerns have remained iconic, continuing to captivate both critics and audiences. According to Rotten Tomatoes' 100 Best Western Movies of All Time, these ten films stand above the rest. They range from early classics like Stagecoach to modern reiterations like Hell or High Water, and of course, include the legendary 1966 Clint Eastwood masterpiece, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

One viewer wrote: "An absolute masterpiece. Quite possibly the best western ever made."

Another added: "One of the most acclaimed films from one of the most acclaimed filmmakers who ever set foot on a movie set, The Searchers is a gorgeously shot and absorbing story that is, on the surface, about rescuing an abducted woman from her kidnappers, but deep down it's an examination of America's ugly racial history, highlighting the fact that, for its relatively short modern existence, it's a country that's almost always been at war with itself."

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"With an unforgettable ensemble cast led by John Wayne, Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson, and Angie Dickinson, Rio Bravo is a cinematic triumph that has stood the test of time."

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"This is beautifully offset by Walter Houston's performance as a man in love with the Mexican people and a lifesaver in a stunning piece of cinematic storytelling when he aids a family to try and save their son. The end result still brings tears to my eyes. The film is a quirky masterpiece of early cinema but timeless in its storytelling."

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The film follows three men, Blondie (Clint Eastwood), Tuco (Eli Wallach), and Angel Eyes (Lee Van Cleef), as they race to locate hidden gold amid the chaos of the Civil War. With sweeping cinematography, a legendary musical score by Ennio Morricone, and richly drawn characters, it stands as a must-watch for any Western fan.

One of the most iconic moments in the film and perhaps in all of Western cinema is the climactic three-way standoff in a deserted cemetery. Known for its tension and dramatic pacing, this scene features a prolonged stare-down between "The Good," "The Bad," and "The Ugly," amplified by Morricone's unforgettable score. For many, it remains Clint Eastwood's most iconic scene.

One person wrote on Rotten Tomatoes: "When you have to shoot, shoot, don't talk!" This line alone represents everything this movie stands for, and I'm all for it. Master Leone's vision of the American West comes full circle in this powerful epic that delivers everything you could ask from a masterpiece: amazing performances; stellar direction and cinematography; great action; marvellous production design; an intelligent story; and last but far from least: the single most powerful soundtrack to ever be conceived."

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