This year I’m sharing some of my favorite films in the Western Genre, counting down a new selection each Friday. Periodically throughout the year I’ll be sharing them in batches. First up is my No. 40 to No. 31 selections. They appear in ascending order. You can keep up with the countdown weekly on my blog.

No. 40: Hell or High Water (2016)
About: This is a modern western from writer Taylor Sheridan. The story of two brothers (Chris Pine and Ben Foster) pushed to robbing banks and the grizzled lawman (Jeff Bridges) sent to catch them. I enjoyed the heck out of this film, which is probably why it ended up a Best Picture nominee. This is worth seeking out.

No. 39: No Man’s Land (2020)
About: This was another film that got released during Covid and I am not sure a lot of people saw it. It’s an interesting story and independent film that finds a young American trapped in Mexico after a border patrol incident gone wrong. It was a unique perspective and a film that really worked for me.

No. 38: News of the World (2020)
About: Another 2020 release that flew somewhat under-the-radar, and that despite the presence of Tom Hanks. I liked what Paul Greengrass did with this post-Civil War tale. I also liked Hanks in the lead role. This moves at a decent pace and has a good story.

No. 37: The Power of the Dog (2021)
About: This probably isn’t a traditional western. This film, from writer/director Jane Campion, is more of a slow burn. But the performances are incredible, starting with Benedict Cumberbatch. The setting and the mood really work in this, too, even if the dower story can be something of a bummer. It’s an incredibly well-made film.

No. 36: City Slickers (1991)
About: This comedy has plenty of heart and a good western setting. I enjoy Billy Crystal and the rest of the cast here. If you’re looking for something a little more poignant and light-hearted, this is the western for you.

No. 35: Jeremiah Johnson (1972)
About: Robert Redford is a heck of an actor. He takes the lead and is the main focus in this sweeping epic film. Though it’s not always an easy story, I like what Sydney Pollack does here and I like the performance from Redford.

No. 34: Godless (2017)
About: I mentioned that there would be some different kind of entries on this list. That includes limited series and mini-series. This entry is a limited series from Scott Frank. This seven-episode epic is on Netflix, and I really enjoyed the story, the writing, and the way it all comes together. It’s worth the investment.

No. 33: Shane (1953)
About: This is an iconic western. The ending is probably what sits with people the most. It’s somewhat open-ended, allowing you to choose the ending you’d like. But the story is engaging, and the performances are strong. I really enjoyed the climax of this film as well.

No. 32: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (1966)
About: Clint Eastwood was a staple of the Western Genre. It was his collaboration with Segio Leone that probably stands out the most. This was arguably their most famous collaboration. It’s a clever film with a lot of interesting sequences. Eastwood is good here, too. This is a staple of the genre and a classic that everyone should make a point to see.

No. 31: El Dorado (1966)
About: John Wayne is probably the most iconic actor when it comes to westerns. He appeared in a number of films in the first part of this countdown, and now he’s back. I loved this pairing with Robert Mitchum and the story in this film. It has a good cast and moves at a good pace. It’s well worth checking out for fans of the genre.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.