The 40 most popular 1980s western movies, ranked. Click any film for ratings, reviews, trailers, and where to watch.


Young Guns
1988 · 1h 47m
country: United States
A group of young gunmen, led by Billy the Kid, become deputies to avenge the murder of the rancher who became their benefactor. But when Billy takes their authority too far, they become the hunted.


Pale Rider
1985 · 1h 55m
country: United States
A mysterious preacher protects a humble prospector village from a greedy mining company trying to encroach on their land.


Silverado
1985 · 2h 13m
country: United States
Four unwitting heroes cross paths on their journey to the sleepy town of Silverado. Little do they know the town where their family and friends reside has been taken over by a corrupt sheriff and a murderous posse. It's up to the sharp-shooting foursome to save the day, but first they have to break each other out of jail, and learn who their real friends are.


Heaven's Gate
1980 · 3h 37m
country: United States
Harvard graduate James Averill serves as the sheriff of prosperous Jackson County, Wyoming, standing at the center of a conflict between impoverished immigrants and affluent cattle farmers. Politically connected ranchers enlist mercenary Nathan Champion—who is also vying for the affections of local madam Ella Watson—to combat the immigrant uprising. As tensions escalate, both Averill and Champion start to question their decisions.


Outland
1981 · 1h 50m
country: United Kingdom
On the sunless moon Io, Marshall William T. O’Niel goes toe-to-toe with the corrupt manager of a mining colony and his gang of roughnecks while investigating a rash of worker suicides.


The Man from Snowy River
1982 · 1h 44m
country: Australia
Jim Craig has lived his first 18 years in the mountains of Australia on his father's farm. The death of his father forces him to go to the lowlands to earn enough money to get the farm back on its feet.


¡Three Amigos!
1986 · 1h 43m
country: United States
A trio of unemployed silent film actors are mistaken for real heroes by a small Mexican village in search of someone to stop a malevolent bandit.


The Long Riders
1980 · 1h 40m
country: United States
The origins, exploits and the ultimate fate of the James gang is told in a sympathetic portrayal of the bank robbers made up of brothers who begin their legendary bank raids because of revenge.


Death Hunt
1981 · 1h 37m
country: Hong Kong
Yukon Territory, Canada, November 1931. Albert Johnson, a trapper who lives alone in the mountains, buys a dog almost dead after a brutal dogfight, a good deed that will put him in trouble.


Red Bells Part I: Mexico in Flames
1982 · 2h 15m
country: Italy
American journalist John Reed travels to Mexico during the Mexican Revolution and interviews Francisco Villa. At the same time, we learn about his relationship with his lover Mabel Dodge, his participation in the Patterson strike, and his work as a reporter during World War I.


Zorro, The Gay Blade
1981 · 1h 33m
country: Mexico
In 19th century Mexico, legendary swordsman Zorro has passed on his weapon and his sense of duty to his noble son, Diego, a dashing swashbuckler like his father. But after an injury sidelines Diego, he is forced to hand the mask over to his twin, Ramon.


The Mountain Men
1980 · 1h 42m
country: United States
The story concerns two grizzled mountain men -- Bill Tyler and Henry Frapp -- during the dying days of the fur-trapping era. The plot begins when Running Moon runs away from her abusive husband Heavy Eagle and comes across the two seedy fur trappers. The mountain men take her in, unaware that Heavy Eagle has dispatched an army of Indian braves to reclaim her.


The Legend of the Lone Ranger
1981 · 1h 38m
country: United States
When the young Texas Ranger, John Reid, is the sole survivor of an ambush arranged by the militaristic outlaw leader, Butch Cavendich, he is rescued by an old childhood Comanche friend, Tonto. When he recovers from his wounds, he dedicates his life to fighting the evil that Cavendich represents. To this end, John Reid becomes the great masked western hero, The Lone Ranger. With the help of Tonto, the pair go to rescue President Grant when Cavendich takes him hostage.


Extreme Prejudice
1987 · 1h 45m
country: United States
Lean, mean Texas Ranger Jack Benteen locks horns with a former friend, Cash Bailey, now a ruthless drug kingpin. Though they're on opposite sides of the law, they share a love interest in the sensual Sarita. When a crew of rogue soldiers descends upon the border town for an off-the-books mission, all roads lead to a bloody, to-the-death showdown, as loyalties shift and the lines between good and evil are blurred.


Buddy Goes West
1981 · 1h 30m
country: Italy
Outlaw drifter Buddy is mistaken for a doctor after his Indian companion inadvertently steals a bag of surgical instruments.


The Gambler: The Legend Continues
1987 · 3h 10m
country: United States
Brady Hawkes and Billy Montana join forces once again in this new adventure. This time around their goal is to help the Sioux fight the government and get the supplies they need. They also uncover corruption within a government outpost and find themselves in a dangerous position.


Lucky Luke: Daltons on the Loose
1983 · 1h 22m
country: France
The cowboy Lucky Luke tracks the Dalton brothers who escaped from prison and are seeking refuge in Canada.


The Quick and the Dead
1987 · 1h 30m
country: United States
In 1876 Wyoming, the gun is the only law. And for Duncan and Suzanna McKaskel, newly arrived settlers beset by outlaws, rugged frontiersman Con Vallian is the only hope.


The Gunfighter
1983
country: Unknown
Official entry to the first Metro Manila Film Festival in 1983 directed by Romy Suzara and starred Lito Lapid, Connie Angeles, Chuck Biller, Cole Mackay, Paul Jones, Marlene Chavez, Brad Fletcher.


Minnamurra
1989 · 1h 33m
country: Australia
Underrated leading man Jeff Fahey carries most of the dramatic weight of the Australian Wrangler. Fahey plays a handsome, athletic businessman who vies for the hand of rancher's daughter Tushika Bergen. Our hero must not only contend with his romantic rival, a dashing but dangerous cattleman, but also with a villainous creditor who craves the land left to Bergen by her late father. By nature of its plotline and setting, Wrangler can't help but invite comparisons to the popular The Man From Snowy River. Still, the stars and director Ian Barry keep up the appearances of freshness and originality


Sunset
1988 · 1h 47m
country: Italy
Tom Mix and Wyatt Earp team up to solve a murder at the Academy Awards in 1929 Hollywood.


Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge
1987 · 1h 40m
country: United States
Will Mannon, "product of the Devil's loins", is released from a frontier prison and promptly goes in search of the people who put him there around twelve years ago, Marshal Matt Dillon and Miss Kitty Russell.


Stagecoach
1986 · 1h 40m
country: United States
Story follows a stagecoach ride through Old West Apache territory. On board are a cavalry man's pregnant wife, a prostitute with a broken heart, a Marshal taking in his prisoner Johnny Ringo, a crooked gambler, and the infamous Doc Holliday


Cattle Annie and Little Britches
1981 · 1h 37m
country: Mexico
In nineteenth century Oklahoma, two teen girls, fans of stories about outlaws, are on a quest to meet and join up with them. They find a shadow of a former gang and although disappointed, still try to help them escape from a vigorous Marshal.


Urban Cowboy
1980 · 2h 12m
country: United States
After moving to Pasadena, Texas, country boy Bud Davis starts hanging around a bar called Gilley's, where he falls in love with Sissy, a cowgirl who believes the sexes are equal. They eventually marry, but their relationship is turbulent due to Bud's traditional view of gender roles. Jealousy over his rival leads to their separation, but Bud attempts to win Sissy back by triumphing at Gilley's mechanical bull-riding competition.


Barbarosa
1982 · 1h 30m
country: United Kingdom
Karl Westover, an inexperienced farm boy, runs away after unintentionally killing a neighbor, whose family pursues him for vengeance. He meets Barbarosa, a gunman of near-mythical proportions, who is himself in danger from his father-in-law Don Braulio, a wealthy Mexican rancher. Don Braulio wants Barbarosa dead for marrying his daughter against the father's will. Barbarosa reluctantly takes the clumsy Karl on as a partner, as both of them look to survive the forces lining up against them.


The Shadow Riders
1982 · 1h 36m
country: United States
After starring in "The Sacketts", Tom Selleck and Sam Elliott team up again but this time as Mac and Dal Traven, in a movie based on a classic Louis L'Amour novel. They are brothers, who meet up at the end of the Civil War fighting on opposite sides. They go home only to find their family in dire need and their sisters and brother kidnapped by ruthless raiders. They set out to rescue their family.


The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez
1983 · 1h 46m
country: United States
In 1901, Mexican American farmer Gregorio Cortez is forced on the run from Texas Rangers, evading a massive manhunt on horseback for days following a heated misunderstanding leads to the death of a lawman.


Tom Horn
1980 · 1h 34m
country: United States
A renowned former army scout is hired by ranchers to hunt down rustlers but finds himself on trial for the murder of a boy when he carries out his job too well. Tom Horn finds that the simple skills he knows are of no help in dealing with the ambitions of ranchers and corrupt officials as progress marches over him and the old west.


Dudes
1987 · 1h 30m
country: United States
Two punks from the big city, traveling across the country in a Volkswagen bug, embrace the western ethos when they must take revenge against a group of rednecks for killing their friend in this lighthearted road movie. Along the way, they enlist the help of a young woman who runs a wrecking service.


Renegade
1987 · 1h 32m
country: Italy
While on his travel across the Southwestern United States, with his Jeep CJ Renegade and his chestnut colt named Joe Brown, Luke meets Matt, son of a friend of his, Moose, who is in jail. Moose asks Luke to take care of Matt, and to help him to take possession of a piece of land. So starts their travel, full of adventures...


The Man From Snowy River II
1988 · 1h 50m
country: Australia
After a few years trying to earn money to marry Jessica Harrison, Jim Craig returns to Snowy River. But he finds that a lot of things have changed.


The Alamo: Thirteen Days to Glory
1987 · 2h 20m
country: United States
Against orders and with no help of relief Texas patriots led by William Travis, Jim Bowie, and Davy Crockett defend the Alamo against overwhelming Mexican forces.


Draw!
1984 · 1h 38m
country: Canada
In the final days of the Old West, a former desperado faces down a now drunken ex-sheriff, who was his long time nemesis.


Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann
1982 · 1h 33m
country: United States
Lyle Swann is a successful off-road racer who mistakenly gets sent back in time 100 years. When a band of outlaws robs Swann of his motorcycle, he's forced to outfox the gangsters and give in to the seductions of a gorgeous local lady. With only his smarts and a map from an Exxon station, Lyle must try to make it out of the Old West alive and find a way back to modern times.


Django Strikes Again
1987 · 1h 36m
country: Italy
Former gunfighter Django has become a monk and abandoned his violent former ways. His daughter is kidnapped by rogue Hungarian soldiers using slave labor to run a silver mine. Django casts off his habit and digs up his machine gun to practice a little liberation theology.


Ghost Town
1988 · 1h 25m
country: United States
Deputy Langley tracks a kidnapped girl to an abandoned ghost town. However, the town is not abandoned, but haunted by the spirits of an outlaw, Devlin, and his gang, who hold the equally deceased townspeople hostage until the outlaws can be killed by a lawman.


Triumphs of a Man Called Horse
1983 · 1h 26m
country: Spain
Shunka Wakan, formerly Lord John, helps his Dakota son defend their tribe against gold rushers.


The Good, the Bad and Huckleberry Hound
1988 · 1h 33m
country: United States
It's the gold rush era in the Wild West. A mysterious stranger (Huckleberry Hound) arrives in a small desert town carrying a huge golden nugget. The notorious Dalton brothers steal it. The town asks "the stranger" to go after them.


Charrito
1984 · 1h 30m
country: Mexico
Charrito is the villain actor in a movie, which is filmed in a town, that only produces headaches to the director, for being extremely distracted
The 1980s codified the blockbuster — high concept, wide release, heavy merchandising — while home video quietly built a second life for films that flopped in theaters. Practical effects hit their peak just before CGI arrived.
The Western built the visual language of American cinema, then spent decades dismantling its own myths. Its influence runs global — the Italian Spaghetti Western and the Japanese samurai film borrowed from it and fed straight back in.