Though the genre might be overlooked at times, the best Netflix Westerns offer a wide range of brilliant movies and shows. The Western is one of the oldest genres in Hollywood. Tales of outlaws and lawmen fighting for survival in a dangerous land have been among some of the best films and TV shows of all time. While Westerns might not be as popular as they once were, there are still plenty of titles in the genre to enjoy. Among all streaming platforms, the lineup of Westerns on Netflix is incredibly strong.

While some may dismiss Westerns as simple stories of heroic cowboys and vicious outlaws, these various movies and shows give a glimpse at how versatile the genre can be. Modern Westerns might not be the guaranteed box-office smashes they were in the days of John Wayne, but many of the best Westerns on Netflix prove the genre can even exist outside the Old West timeline, using the Western style and tropes to create modern versions of these stories.

25 Django (2023)

Matthias Schoeneart's Taken On The Classic Gritty Hero

While Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained may have brought the name to the mainstream, Django is a Western hero who has been around since his debut in the 1966 movie Django. The 2023 Western series on Netflix reimagines that story with Matthias Schoenaerts starring as the gunslinger who seeks out his long-lost daughter in an idyllic town where she fears his reputation will bring trouble. While the Django series on Netflix wasn't hugely successful with critics, the return of the character in a new violent adventure makes for a solid Western.

24 Time Hustler (2022)

Quirky Brazilian Comedy That Brings Many Genres To The Western Setting

The mix of wacky comedy and the Western setting has made for some hilarious classics, most notably with Blazing Saddles. However, the Brazilian comedy Time Hustler attempts to strike that tricky balance in television form with this seven-episode series.

The various genre mash-ups happening can be off-putting, but it is also fun to see a show take a chance at the Western comedy format.

The show follows a loving but struggling father in modern times who suddenly wakes up in 1927 and is mistaken for a legendary bandit. The various genre mash-ups happening can be off-putting, but it is also fun to see a show take a chance at the Western comedy format.

23 El Camino Christmas (2017)

A Neo-Western Crime Comedy

Finding a Western with a holiday twist is a rare enough occurrence that it makes El Camino Christmas instantly intriguing among the Westerns on Netflix (or anywhere else). Yellowstone actor Luke Grimes stars as a young man ing through the small desert town of El Camino where he is harassed by police, leading to a hostage situation at a small liquor store with the local police out of their depth in dealing with the situation.

Though it failed to get much notice as a quirky Christmas movie or a modern Western, the talented ensemble, which includes Vincent D'Onofrio, Jessica Alba, and Tim Allen, adds a lot of fun.

22 The Ridiculous 6 (2015)

Adam Sandler's Western Spoof

Yet another comedic take on the genre, The Ridiculous 6 marked the first collaboration between Adam Sandler and Netflix. The star-studded satire follows Sandler's brave hero, who was raised by a native tribe and meets his five half-brothers, and together they all work to save their father.

The movie is not one of Sandler's best comedies and caused controversy for some of its offensive depictions. However, the cast has great comedic chemistry, and there are some hilarious gags, such as the band of outlaws meeting Abner Doubleday (John Turturro), who attempts to teach them his new confusing game of baseball.

21 The Killer (2017)

The Gritty Western From Brazil About A Boy Raised As A Bandit

Another Western movie from Brazil shows the country has a surprising output from the genre. The Killer tells the story of a young child named Shaggy (Diogo Morgado) who was abandoned as a baby and raised in isolation by a bandit. As an adult, Shaggy finally has to travel into civilization when his surrogate father goes missing.

With an interesting protagonist and a different setting for a Western story, The Killer is an overlooked Western on Netflix that's worth seeking out by subscribers looking for something new in the genre.

20 Thar (2022)

Bollywood's Taken On Neo-Westerns

Though many Netflix subscribers who are self-professed Western fans will find the classics they know and love, the platform provides a glimpse at entries in the genre from other countries. Thar is an Indian movie starring international superstar Anil Kapoor in a neo-Western tale.

Set in 1985, the movie follows a mysterious drifter who comes across a desert town where he crosses paths with an inspector investigating a series of murders. The tense crime thriller mixed with a Western vibe makes for an exciting genre mash-up, even if there is a predictable story at its center.

19 Montford: The Chickasaw Rancher (2021)

The True Story Of America's Greatest Cattle Ranch

There are plenty of true stories to be told in the Western genre, from the iconic legends to the lesser-known tales. Montford: The Chickasaw Rancher falls into the latter category as it is inspired by the story of Montford T. Johnson, a cattleman who overcame attacks and hardships in order to build one of the greatest ranching empires in America. It is an interesting new approach to the genre with an inspiring underdog story instead of one featuring gunslingers and shootouts.

18 The Ranch (2016-2020)

Ashton Kutcher Learns The Old West Isn't Dead

Though set in modern days, The Ranch is a sitcom that takes a look at how the Old West cowboy ways have yet to die away in certain parts of the country. Ashton Kutcher stars in the show as a former football star whose injury ends his career, sending him back home to help run the cattle ranch owned by his father (Sam Elliott). While the series was never critically acclaimed, its Western cinematography earned it several Emmy nominations, while Elliott's performance was seen as a bright spot.

17 White Fang (2018)

The Classic Tale Reanimated

Based on the book by Jack London, White Fang is a Western adventure that has been adapted several times. One of the best adaptations is the 2018 French animated take on the story of a free-spirited wolfhound who meets and forms various bonds throughout his fight for survival in the Alaskan wilderness.

Though it is a familiar story for many, the beautiful animation is enough to make it a worthwhile retelling of the tale of White Fang. The English version also features voice roles by Nick Offerman, Rashida Jones, and Paul Giamatti.

16 Frontier (2016-2018)

The Canadian Fur Trader Drama Starring Jason Momoa

Jason Momoa seems like the kind of action hero who fits perfectly in the wilderness setting, and the Netflix Western Frontier shows exactly why. Frontier is a Canadian adventure series and historical drama centering on the fur trade of the early 1800s.

Momoa stars as a Canadian outlaw who fights against the corruption of the Hudson Bay Company's fur trade in his land. He gives a powerful performance in the lead role, elevating the series and its action. The show was nominated for several Canadian Screen Awards, including one for Momoa's performance.