The 40 Best Westerns of All Time, Ranked by Collider

"The Western genre has been a defining hallmark of cinema ever since it first rose to prominence as far back as the 30s. Reaching its pinnacle in the 50s & 60s, it became emblematic of American film, with screen icons like John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart, & Gary Cooper being prolific stars of the genre. With the advent of Italy's spaghetti Westerns, which surged in popularity through the 60s, the Western has become a cherished pillar of cinema's identity on the global stage. One of the strengths of the Western, & the reason for its evergreen timelessness, has been its willingness to constantly evolve, with each new generation of filmmakers able to re-align the genre to contemporary sensitivities. As such, the Westerns' greatest films span across the better part of a century. From pioneering classics of the 30s & 40s to modern-day iterations of the genre, & everything in between, the 25 best Westerns of all time make up some of cinema's most iconic and enduring achievements." - collider.com