The tropes and character types associated with Western films work well within the framework of a thriller, resulting in some truly captivating movies. The actions of an outlaw or bounty hunter in several Westerns make for a thrilling chase that keeps audiences on their toes. In many of these films, the protagonist is neither good nor bad, blurring the lines for audiences and creating a more suspenseful viewing experience, as seen in Unforgiven with Clint Eastwood's William Munny.

modern Westerns have told darker stories, included more ruthless acts of violence, and featured heightened thrills.

10 The Stalking Moon (1968)

Directed By Robert Mulligan

Some of Gregory Peck's best movies are the Westerns he starred in, and though The Stalking Moon may not rank high among his more notable work, it is still a compelling film. Peck plays Sam Varner, a scout from the Army. Based on T. V. Olsen's novel of the same name, the film sees Sam come across an Apache reservation where he finds a woman and her son and chooses to rescue them after learning she was taken captive years ago.

Unlike a few other thrillers that incorporate action sequences in their suspense-filled narratives, The Stalking Moon opts to build an eerie atmosphere instead.

Unlike a few other thrillers that incorporate action sequences in their suspense-filled narratives, The Stalking Moon opts to build an eerie atmosphere instead, concealing the identity of the mysterious antagonist for much of the film. The lack of action in the film is fittingly swapped out with a palpable tension that gradually builds to a thrilling, though somewhat predictable, final battle.

9 The Missing (2003)

Directed By Ron Howard

One of the more notable Western movie stars in recent years is Tommy Lee Jones, who had roles in films like No Country for Old Men and The Homesman. Jones also led The Missing in the early 2000s alongside Cate Blanchett. The two actors star in the film as an estranged father-daughter duo, Samuel and Maggie, who team up to find those responsible for the kidnapping of the latter's daughter.

The Missing isn't among the best Western films of all time, but its story builds up a substantial amount of suspense, deftly balancing the reconciliation between Samuel and Maggie with the thrills of the rescue mission they're on. Jones and Blanchett are a solid on-screen pairing and deliver compelling performances that have gone overlooked in their respective careers. Additionally, The Missing is committed to its authenticity, from the look of the film to the use of Apache language as well.

8 The Shooting (1966)

Directed By Monte Hellman

On paper, the story unfolding in The Shooting appears to be a slow burn and one that isn't worthy of being mentioned among the other Western thrillers. However, it's the characters within the film that make up for the simple narrative. The Shooting follows a former bounty hunter, Willet (Warren Oates), and his friend, Coley (Will Hutchins), being approached by a mysterious woman (Millie Perkins) who asks them to travel with her through the desert.

The Shooting has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Though the woman doesn't offer an explanation as to why, the men travel with her anyway. During their journey, they're ed by a gunslinger, Billy (Jack Nicholson), who harbors a dark secret. Much of the film's thrill comes from the mystery surrounding each character. Though the ending isn't as definitive as most audiences would prefer, it's thought-provoking and unlike many other Western films released around the same time.

7 The Professionals (1966)

Directed By Richard Brooks

It's safe to assume many of the best Western thrillers can be defined by their unique and absorbing stories, but that isn't always the case. The simple setup in The Professionals provides a solid and familiar foundation for the film's thrilling mix of plot twists and stylish adventures. In the film, a group of gunslingers— Lee Marvin, Woody Strode, Burt Lancaster, and Robert Ryan—are hired by a wealthy rancher to rescue his wife from a bandit.

However, after finding the rancher's wife, it's clear she's not in the sort of danger her husband had assumed she was in. The cast is a well-matched group, though Marvin is a particular standout as the group's leader. The Professionals moves at a swift pace and features the beloved tropes fans of the Western genre are familiar with, resulting in a fun viewing experience.

6 3:10 To Yuma (2007)

Directed By James Mangold

The answer as to which version of 3:10 to Yuma is better varies from person to person. The original from 1957 is a significant film within the Western genre, but the 2007 remake is just as special. The latter stars Russell Crowe and Christian Bale, each delivering one of the best performances of their careers. The film follows outlaw Ben Wade (Crowe) after he's captured and is transported to trial by a rancher, Dan Evans (Bale), aboard the titular train.

On the train, the men hope to evade the rest of Wade's gang, who are desperate for revenge against his captors. Crowe and Bale are convincing in their performances, as their characters learn to respect one another through their tense conversations. Such scenes are an appreciated contrast to the film's riveting thrills and action sequences. Remakes of classic films, like the original 3:10 to Yuma, aren't always necessary or celebrated by audiences, but James Mangold's is a rare exception.

5 The Hateful Eight (2015)

Directed By Quentin Tarantino

Though it's slightly less impressive than Quentin Tarantino's prior venture into the Western genre with Django Unchained, The Hateful Eight is still a gripping story worthy of praise. The film has an impressive ensemble cast featuring Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, and Walton Goggins, and follows a group of strangers sheltering together in a stagecoach stopover as a blizzard es by. The Hateful Eight's timeline is nonlinear and provides a complex, yet rewarding viewing experience as bits of each character's past are gradually revealed.

Despite having a longer runtime than most deem necessary, the film still boasts elements of a solid thriller due to its use of Tarantino trademarks. Ennio Morricone's eerie Oscar-winning score sets the ideal tone for the movie, and The Hateful Eight's despicable characters and unforgiving acts of violence create potent tension. These factors combined keep audiences engaged and on the edge of their seats.

4 The Proposition (2005)

Directed By John Hillcoat

Differing from the other Westerns listed, The Proposition is set in 1880s Australia and follows Guy Pearce's Charlie Burns, who is offered the chance to save his younger brother from being executed. The catch is that the only way for Charlie's younger brother to be saved is if he kills his older brother, who is wanted for more heinous crimes. The vast landscape adds to the film's bleak tone, and there's a bit of a slow burn as the tension within the family presents itself.

Still, the film never loses the audience's attention. The Proposition is undoubtedly one of the best Australian Westerns due to its pitiless nature and authentic depiction of the Indigenous Australian culture. The latter isn't always a guaranteed aspect of Western films, but The Proposition's cast and crew were considerate in their attention to detail and Indigenous Australian actors were also featured in ing roles.

3 Bone Tomahawk (2015)

Directed By S. Craig Zahler

Kurt Russell is no stranger to the Western genre, as he got his start in acting by playing the titular role in The Travels of Jaimie Mheeters at a young age. One of Russell's more famous Westerns is Bone Tomahawk, in which he plays a sheriff leading a rescue mission to save three people who've been captured by a group of cannibals. While it has its thrills, Bone Tomahawk is ittedly different from the other Westerns mentioned.

Westerns are known for their gritty stories and action-packed shootouts, but most aren't as intense as Bone Tomahawk, which takes these darker elements to another level.

Bone Tomahawk has a bit of a slow burn, but the pacing is deliberate as suspense and tension increasingly build, securing audiences' full attention by the time the film's horror elements are introduced. The film has been praised largely because of its ability to blend traditional elements of Western films with the creatively terrifying inclusion of the Troglodyte characters. Westerns are known for their gritty stories and action-packed shootouts, but most aren't as intense as Bone Tomahawk, which takes these darker elements to another level.

2 No Country For Old Men (2007)

Directed By Joel and Ethan Coen

No Country for Old Men has one of the best villains in the Western genre in Javier Bardem's Anton Chigurh. Bardem delivers a fully realized performance as the menacing figure, making it equally frustrating and fascinating to see where his character winds up by the end of the film. Based on the 2005 novel of the same name, the film depicts a sort of cat-and-mouse game between Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin), a man who comes across a briefcase full of cash after a drug deal goes wrong, and Anton, the hitman hired to retrieve the money.

The film presents the harsh reality of a bleak world with Llewelyn and Anton playing opposite sides in the changing world Tommy Lee Jones' Sheriff Ed Tom Bell is left grappling with in No Country for Old Men's ending. The unexpected ending, while confusing and divisive for some, is the ideal way to tie in the film's themes and wrap up Anton's thrilling pursuit.

1 Unforgiven (1992)

Directed By Clint Eastwood

Throughout his career, Clint Eastwood has directed numerous films, winning Best Director at the Academy Awards for his 1992 Western, Unforgiven. The film is regarded as one of the best modern Westerns and one of the best in Eastwood's filmography. Eastwood stars in the film as retired outlaw William Munny. Now living on a farm, Will is brought back into action when a reward is posted for the murder of two cowboys.

Eastwood's film has no shortage of thrills or violence, especially during its final moments, and is an equal parts tribute to and dismantling of the genre's most well-known tropes. The film is covered in moral ambiguity and subverts the expectations audiences have of a Western narrative. Unforgiven's story is engrossing due to its unexpected themes and strong performances from its cast, including Gene Hackman as Bill Daggett, the corrupt sheriff.