It’s funny to think that long before expansive superhero cinematic universes and relentless franchise spin-offs were dominating Hollywood, the Western was once the most compelling way to deliver an epic, larger-than-life tale. Hollywood is certainly not what it once was. And while these endless sequels, remakes, and reboots seek to recapture the lightning rod these bankable franchises once were, fatigue is settling in across audiences. I’m 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 even I’ve been tired of the Marvel movies for quite some time.
But you know what doesn’t get tiring? A good ol’ fashioned Western. There’s an unshakable 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 making a stand was about something deeper and more human than being a hero. These stories are unrestrained and unburdened by the notion of making grand connections or dropping countless Easter eggs. Some modern, or neo-Westerns, still occasionally get the picture; like the recent Bob Odenkirk-led film Normal. While the superhero or umpteenth Star Wars movie or streaming serial-of-the-month might be the talk of the moment, Westerns will endure for generations. Thankfully, there are several incredible Western films at our disposal for the low, low price of free. You just have to know what services carry the goods, and I’m here to point you to a few of the good ones. These all happen to be on Tubi, a great service with a fondness for Westerns, apparently.
Silverado (1985)
A band of four unlikely gunslingers tackles the frontier 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 boasted an A-list cast with Kevin Kline, Scott Glenn, Kevin Costner, Jeff Goldblum, Danny Glover, John Cleese, and more, chewing the scenery in all the best ways. The film follows a gang of four misfits and total strangers who come together under trying circumstances on the road. During their travels, they encounter outlaws who threaten the livelihoods of good, innocent folk. They eventually find themselves in the titular town of Silverado, and most contend with the corrupt and wealthy who terrorize the community. It’s a solid adventure that is rife with shootouts, great character chemistry, and a classic Western vibe that’ll thrill you to no end. You can check this one out for yourself on Tubi.
Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
One of the greatest Spaghetti Westerns ever made
Any true Western fan knows that director Sergio Leone is truly one of the greats. Famous for such hits as The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and A Fistful of Dollars, the Italian filmmaker made his mark as the premier Spaghetti Western director. Once Upon a Time in the West is, perhaps, among his best works. Starring Claudia Cardinale, Henry Fonda, Jason Robards, and Charles Bronson, this film is centered around an unchecked aristocrat, Mr. Morton, who attempts to gain control of Sweetwater, a ranch harboring the only water source outside of 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 who goes by the name Harmonica enters the picture looking to seek vengeance against Morton’s enforcer for a separate matter entirely. It’s a great piece of classic Western action and suspense. You can also find this one available over on Tubi.
Bone Tomahawk (2015)
Kurt Russell leads a harrowing rescue mission
Let me get this out of the way right now. Bone Tomahawk, while a great modern Western, also features highly disturbing scenes of violence and depravity. If you prefer your Western-style violence to stick only to shootouts and avoid grotesque, bloody imagery, this one 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 movie focuses on a group of men set on finding residents of their small town who have been taken captive into the night. It’s a simple premise. They embark on a rescue mission, but what they find out in the wilderness isn’t something they’ll soon forget, or you as the viewer, for that matter. While this film comes highly rated and is, indeed, a Western, it is also somewhat of a genre hybrid containing “horror-like” elements. If you heeded my warnings and are still all on in on this adventure, you can find this film over on Tubi, as well.
Open Range (2003)
This Western is a great slow-burn with a solid payoff
Kevin Costner is no stranger to the Western genre. Even recently, he starred in his own epic film within the genre, Horizon: An American Saga (Chapter 1). And while Chapter 2 has long been finished and even screened at multiple film festivals, it still has yet to receive a wide theatrical release. Horizon has been Costner’s brainchild for decades, and he eventually started making a serious effort to have it made following 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 a conflict with a wealthy and corrupt rancher. The film is a slow-burn but heavily character-focused. And believe me, the build-up does pay off in the end. Like all of the other greats on this list, you can find Open Range over on Tubi.
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