It’s funny to think that long before expansive superhero cinematic universes and relentless franchise spin-offs dominated Hollywood, the Western was once the most compelling way to deliver an epic, larger-than-life story. Hollywood is certainly not what it once was. And while these endless sequels, remakes, and reboots try to recapture the blitz that these bankable franchises once had, fatigue is settling over audiences. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m a true blue comic book nerd. Just ask my wife how she feels about my shelves of graphic novels, long boxes of comics, and collection of Batman, Superman, and Deadpool paraphernalia. But I too have been tired of the Marvel movies for a long time.
But you know what doesn’t get tired? A good old-fashioned Western. There is an unlikely purity in the stripped-down, simplistic profile of a time or place where good and evil were distinct, people lived on the land and made their own way, and taking a stand was about something deeper and more human than being a hero. These stories are unstable and unburdened by the notion of making great connections or dropping countless Easter eggs. Some modern, or neo-Western, still sometimes get the picture; like the recent Bob Odenkirk-led film Normal. While the superhero or umpteenth Star Wars movie or streaming series-of-the-month might be the talk of the moment, Westerns will endure for generations. Fortunately, there are some incredible Western movies available for the low, low price of free. You just need to know which services carry the goods, and I’m here to point you to some of the good ones. These all happened on Tubi, a great service with a love for Westerns, apparently.
Silverado (1985)
A band of four unlikely gunmen pack the border together
Hot off the two best Star Wars films in the entire history of the franchise, writer and director Lawrence Kasdan directed this Western blockbuster. The film has an A-list cast including Kevin Kline, Scott Glenn, Kevin Costner, Jeff Goldblum, Danny Glover, John Cleese, and more, who chew the scenery in all the best ways. The film follows a gang of four misfits and total strangers who come together under difficult circumstances on the road. During their travels, they encounter aliens who threaten the livelihood of good, innocent people. They eventually find themselves in the titular town of Silverado, and most argue with the corrupt and rich who terrorize the community. It’s a solid adventure filled with shootouts, great character chemistry, and a classic Western vibe that will keep you entertained until the very end. You can check this out for yourself on Tubi.
Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
One of the greatest Spaghetti Westerns ever made
Every true Western fan knows that director Sergio Leone is truly one of the greats. Known for such hits as The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and A Fistful of Dollars, the Italian filmmaker made his mark as a premier Spaghetti Western director. Once Upon a Time in the West is perhaps one of his best works. Starring Claudia Cardinale, Henry Fonda, Jason Robards, and Charles Bronson, this film centers around an out-of-control aristocrat, Mr. Morton, who tries to gain control of Sweetwater, a ranch that holds the only water source outside the western town of Flagstone. He uses an enforcer to intimidate the ranch owner, but fatal consequences follow. Meanwhile, things get messier when another stranger named Harmonica enters the picture, seeking revenge against Morton’s enforcer for an entirely separate matter. It’s a great piece of classic western action and suspense. You can also find this one available through Tubi.
Bone Tomahawk (2015)
Kurt Russell leads a terrifying rescue mission
Let me get that out of the way now. Bone Tomahawk, while a great modern Western, also has highly disturbing scenes of violence and decay. If you prefer to keep your Western-style violence to shootouts only and avoid grotesque, bloody imagery, this might not be your bag. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. This Western film is a rather unconventional journey into the heart of darkness for its leading heroes. Starring Kurt Russel, Matthew Fox, Patrick Wilson and Richard Jenkins, the film focuses on a group of men who find the inhabitants of their small town, who were taken captive in the night. It’s a simple assumption. They embark on a rescue mission, but what they find out in the desert is not something they will soon forget, or you as a viewer, for that matter. Although this film is highly rated and is indeed a western, it is also a bit of a genre hybrid with “horror-like” elements. If you waited for my warnings and are still all in on this adventure, you can also find this movie on Tubi.
Open Range (2003)
This Western is a great slow burn with a solid payoff
Kevin Costner is no stranger to the Western genre. He also recently starred in his own epic film in the genre, Horizon: An American Saga (Chapter 1). And while Chapter 2 is long overdue and even screened at several film festivals, it has yet to receive a wide theatrical release. Horizon has been Costner’s brainchild for decades, and he finally began making a serious effort to make it after the release of another Western he directed in 2003, Open Range. This excellent film stars Kevin Costner and Robert Duvall as two cowboys and cattlemen who find themselves in conflict with a rich and corrupt rancher. The film is a slow burn but strongly character-focused. And believe me, the build-up pays off in the end. Like all the other greats on this list, you can find Open Range via Tubi.
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