If anyone ever tells you that Westerns can’t be big or broadly appealing, tell them that’s just their opinion. Westerns have ruled the box office in the past and still occasionally become blockbusters today. The timeline of their popularity is a bit uncertain.

Most of these Westerns performed well at the box office, although some are old enough that reliable earnings data is scarce. The older films were either popular or have endured as classics. The more recent ones are included here due to their critical and commercial success. To qualify as a “blockbuster,” a movie must be significant in scale, popular, profitable, and well-received. With that in mind, these are arguably the greatest of the Western blockbusters.

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‘True Grit’ (2010)

It is sometimes labeled as a remake, but it’s more accurate to say that True Grit (2010) is another adaptation of a novel first adapted in 1969. The story revolves around a young girl seeking revenge with the help of an aging lawman to track down and kill her father’s murderer.

True Grit (2010) is one of the more accessible Coen Brothers films, as its vengeance-driven narrative is engaging, it maintains a good pace, and features memorable characters. You could even call it a crowd-pleaser, and indeed, crowds were pleased since True Grit grossed over $250 million for a modern-day Western (even more when adjusted for inflation).

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‘Dances with Wolves’ (1990)

While not all movies winning Best Picture at the Academy Awards are exceptional, Dances with Wolves stands out as one of the more popular winners from its era. Although some argue that Goodfellas deserved the award more, it’s clear why Dances with Wolves won, as it was not overshadowed by any inferior films.

The film was monumental in 1990 and may be the highest-grossing Western of all time when adjusted for inflation. Its epic length—over three hours for its theatrical cut—contributes to its grandeur. With its spectacle, emotional narrative, and crowd appeal, it is undoubtedly a quintessential Western blockbuster.

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‘Tombstone’ (1993)

Tombstone is one of the most robust Westerns ever made. It’s a macho, action-packed film centered around Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, and the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, featuring an impressive cast.

This straightforward commentary reflects the film’s bluntness and overall quality. It’s an unpretentious epic with a substantial runtime and numerous characters. While it may not have been an enormous box office success initially, it has maintained a loyal fanbase over the years.

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‘The Searchers’ (1956)

The box office information for The Searchers, given its age, is somewhat limited but does not appear impressive by current standards. However, despite not feeling like a blockbuster financially upon its release in 1956, it has always been regarded as an ambitious Western that has earned acclaim over time, often considered one of the greatest Westerns ever made.

This film follows a prolonged search for a young woman that proves both physically and psychologically taxing for John Wayne’s character. Thematically rich, it delivers spectacular visuals and concludes with one of cinema’s most striking final images.

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‘Django Unchained’ (2012)
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A couple of years after True Grit, Django Unchained became another popular and critically acclaimed Western about revenge, though this story also involved a classic rescue mission alongside revenge. Narratively simple for Quentin Tarantino, even Kill Bill had more to offer once you reached its second volume.

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Django Unchained is what you’d expect from Tarantino—stylish with memorable characters and cathartic action scenes.

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‘The Revenant’ (2015)
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The Revenant features Leonardo DiCaprio as he seeks revenge after being left for dead in wilderness following an attack by a grizzly bear. His quest for vengeance intensifies after one of his attackers kills his son.

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This adventure film is grand in scale but not particularly lighthearted. It possesses raw intensity while also being visually stunning. Ultimately, The Revenant proved to be commercially successful, grossing over $500 million worldwide against an estimated budget of $135 million.

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‘Unforgiven’ (1992)
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The best Western directed by Clint Eastwood is arguably“Unforgiven.”This film follows an effectively retired outlaw who returns to violence for what could be redemptive reasons while hunting down two men involved in an attack on a prostitute.

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This narrative explores themes of justice and injustice while remaining engaging both narratively and emotionally.

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Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
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You’d hope that a movie titled“Once Upon a Time in the West”would feel grand and defining for its genre—and it succeeds on both fronts. AnotherSergio LeoneWestern from this decade may even surpass it regarding blockbuster expectations.

This film tells the story of a widowed woman defending her land against a ruthless killer with assistance from two mysterious men—one having ties to her adversary. However, this plot only scratches the surface of what“Once Upon a Time in the West”offers—it’s evident from start to finish that you’re witnessing something special.