The Western genre has captured the hearts and minds of audiences for many decades. The tales of cowboys embarking on an adventure in rugged landscapes full of lawlessness and gun smoke have become some of the most endearing movies ever made. Many Westerns, such as Sergio Leone's Dollars Trilogy, are entirely fictional, many are actually based on real-life events and experiences, adding a greater sense of realism to the movies.

These movies draw on the real-life experiences of historical figures, whether they are outlaws, revolutionaries, or Native Americans, providing audiences with a greater sense of the historical context at the time. By blending fact with just the right amount of dramatization, these Westerns offer a more authentic glimpse into different time periods, whether that's the Texan Revolution or a more contemporary tale of bank robberies. From feuding families to a survivalist epic, these Westerns have left an indelible mark on the genre.

10 Free State Of Jones (2016)

Based On The Life Of Newton Knight

Matthew McConaughey is a superb actor, and brought his A-game to his portrayal of Newton Knight in Free State of Jones. Knight was a combat medic in the Confederate Army during the US Civil War, who deserted the army after growing more and more disenchanted with the Confederacy's project.

He eventually leads a group of farmers and escaped slaves to Jones County, Mississippi, declaring it a free state. Free State of Jones was also praised for its historical accuracy. Free State of Jones pays tribute to the life of Newton Knight while being very careful not to whitewash the brutal history of enslaved people in the South.

By exploring themes of class structure, social dynamics, patriotism, and race, Free State of Jones manages to capture the true essence of Knight's rebellion and his complex relationship with the South during the Civil War

By exploring themes of class structure, social dynamics, patriotism, and race, Free State of Jones manages to capture the true essence of Knight's rebellion and his complex relationship with the South during the Civil War. It's an incredible, true story, and also explores Knight's actions after the War, as he attempted to play his part in the Reconstruction of a divided US.

9 Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

Based On The Real Lives Of The Titular Characters

One of the most iconic and beloved Westerns of all time, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid tells the true story of the legendary outlaws who are on the run from a posse. Cassidy is played by Paul Newman, while Harry Longabaugh (the "Sundance Kid") is played by Robert Redford, two actors who have made this movie so iconic. The movie follows the pair as they flee to Bolivia, where they continue to be outlaws until they are killed in a shootout.

While Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid certainly fictionalizes many aspects of their real lives, it gets the broad strokes correct. Even then, this lack of accuracy does not detract from the Western's entertainment in any way. The relationship between the titular characters has cemented this movie as one of the greatest Westerns ever, and has contributed to Butch Cassidy himself being one of the most mythologized men in American history, while propelling the careers of Newman and Redford further upwards.

8 True History of the Kelly Gang (2019)

Based On The Life Of Ned Kelly

One of the most famous bushrangers of all time, Ned Kelly is brought back to life by a superb performance from George Mackay in True History of the Kelly Gang. Kelly is well-known for his use of bulletproof armor during a shootout with police, and led the titular gang for over two years when they performed a series of robberies in Victoria and New South Wales (via Britannica). A divisive figure, Kelly is seen by some as a freedom fighter for oppressed workers and by others just as another criminal.

True History of the Kelly Gang is a raw and gritty take on Kelly's life from his childhood until his death, with Mackay's performance being one of the standouts. It offers a deeper insight into the socioeconomic context of Kelly's criminality, where survival was a matter of being tougher than the other guy. While it is a highly fictionalized of Kelly and his gang, it is nevertheless an entertaining and compelling look at a bygone age of the reign of Australian bushrangers.

7 The Alamo (1960)

Based On The Battle Of The Alamo

The 1836 Battle of the Alamo was a crucial part of the Texas Revolution, which saw freedom fighters revolt against the increasingly authoritarian and centralized Mexican government. The battle saw Mexican troops reclaim the Alamo Mission after a 13-day siege, leaving very few rebels alive, and ended up pushing more against the Mexican government for their brutality.

The Alamo starring John Wayne as US folk hero Davy Crockett, brings this story to the big screen, full to the brim with excitement while maintaining the upmost respect for those who died during the battle. A true legend of the Western genre, Wayne brings his larger-than-life persona to The Alamo in a way that few actors truly could.

It is slightly lacking in its historical accuracy, a problem that has tried to be amended by various remakes, though these have never truly reached the same cultural significance as the 1960 original. The Alamo's sweeping cinematography, intense action sequences, and themes of sacrifice and valor ensure this movie's place as a must-watch for any fan of Westerns.

6 The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

Based On The Betrayal Of Jesse James

Any movie with Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck in starring roles is sure to be a good one, and Andrew Dominik's The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is not an exception to this rule. It is a dramatized of the events leading to infamous outlaw Jesse James' (Pitt) betrayal and death at the hands of Robert Ford (Affleck), in case the title wasn't obvious enough.

A slow-paced, but nevertheless compelling story is at the heart of this Western, buttressed by incredible performances by both Pitt and Affleck. James was a legendary figure in the Wild West, and led a gang, of which Ford was a new recruit when he shot him.

The movie certainly takes some historical liberties in its ing of their relationship, but, given that James himself has reached an almost Robin Hood-esque status in Wild West mythology, these liberties do not inhibit the movie's impact in any way. It is a vast, yet uniquely intimate tale about the frustrations of living in someone's shadow, all the while punctuated by the iconic landscapes and violence that have come to define the Western genre.

5 The Last Manhunt (2022)

Based On The Manhunt For Willie Boy

The Last Manhunt tells the true story of Willie Boy (Martin Sensmeier), a young Chemhuevi who falls in love with Carlotta (Mainei Kinimaka). Their love was considered highly inappropriate, and when Willie Boy went to ask Carlotta's father for her hand in marriage, he refused. Shortly after this confrontation, Carlotta's father was found dead from a bullet wound through his left eye, sparking one of the final posse-led manhunts in American history to try and track Willie Boy and Carlotta down.

The Last Manhunt stands apart from other Western movies by telling the story from the perspective of Native Americans

The Last Manhunt stands apart from other Western movies by telling the story from the perspective of Native Americans, shedding new light on the tensions and conflict between indigenous people and Western settlers. While the movie certainly romanticizes the manhunt to some extent, it nevertheless succeeds in telling a compelling story about the oppression faced by Native Americans at the hands of settlers, as they fought for survival in a world that was rapidly erasing their way of life. While less action-packed than other Westerns, The Last Manhunt is nevertheless a must-watch.

4 Tombstone (1993)

Based On The Life Of Wyatt Earp

Tombstone is one of the most exciting Westerns ever made, basing its plot around events that took place in Arizona in the 1880s, particularly the famous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Kurt Russell stars as Wyatt Earp, one of the most famous lawmen in American history, while performances from Val Kilmer as his associate, Doc Holliday, and Sam Elliott as his brother, Virgil, are also incredible.

The movie follows Earp and his companions as they try and establish law and order in the town of Tombstone, against the notorious outlaws, the Cowboys. Tombstone is heavily dramatized, leaning strongly into the mythology of Earp, yet manages to maintain a strong attachment to the truth.

The movie also manages to balance an intimately gritty and raw feel for the Wild West with intense action sequences, particularly the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. The emotional beats of this movie are spot on, and appear to capture the sheer brutality of the West, and particularly the anger that fueled Wyatt Earp's hunt for vengeance after the death of his brother.

3 Hell Or High Water (2016)

Based On The Experiences of Screenwriter Taylor Sheridan

Hell or High Water is one of the greatest neo-Westerns of modern times, telling the 21st century story of two brothers, Toby (Chris Pine) and Tanner (Ben Foster) who rob a chain of banks in order to save their ranch from foreclosure. While not based upon a specific true story, Hell or High Water's storyline was heavily derived from the real-life experiences of screenwriter Taylor Sheridan, who grew up on a ranch in Cranfills Gap, Texas (via Texas Highways).

Sheridan was able to infuse the script with a deep understanding of the contemporary hardships faced by rural Americans while telling an incredible story. Unlike traditional Westerns, the enemy whom Toby and Tanner have to defend their ranch from isn't power-crazy lawmen, or ruthless bandits, but a financial institution.

The story of the two brothers in Hell or High Water may not be specifically true, but is also likely to be very relevant for many farmers and ranchers in the US today, who have been left behind by rapid economic progress. This contemporary twist on Westerns, along with strong themes of family, loyalty, and justice, make Hell or High Water a damning assessment of the American Dream and a movie worthy of the genre.

2 The Revenant (2015)

Based Upon The True Story Of Hugh Glass

The movie that finally won Leonardo DiCaprio an Academy Award, The Revenant tells the true story of Hugh Glass, a 19th-century frontiersman. Glass, played by DiCaprio, is left for dead by his companions after being mauled by a grizzly bear while on a trapping expedition in the Dakotas in 1823.

Glass' true story of survival has become the stuff of legend, a staple of American folklore, and The Revenant brings it to the big screen in an incredible way. The Revenant does deviate from historical accuracy in one main way, and that is in portraying Glass as a man embarking on a mission of vengeance.

In reality, it is said that Glass forgave those who left him to die, which may have made the movie more compelling, but this does not detract from the story in any way. The stunning cinematography of The Revenant brings a true sense of realism to the screen, allowing viewers to fully immerse themselves in the brutality of the frontier. It's a remarkable survival story brought to life through a remarkable movie.

1 Killers Of The Flower Moon (2023)

Based On The Osage Murders

Perhaps the most harrowing Western on this list, Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon is based upon one of the darkest chapters in American history. In Oklahoma in the 1920s, the indigenous Osage people became very wealthy by discovering oil on their land. This wealth made the Native Americans targets for a systematic campaign of oppression, exploitation, and murder.

White settlers, fueled by greed, racism, and corruption, murdered at least 60 people across a 13-year period (via The New York Times). Killers of the Flower Moon centers around settler Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his wife, Mollie (Lily Gladstone), a member of the Osage nation.

It breaks free from the traditional confines of the Western genre, with its 206 minute runtime being more than justified to shed light on the murders.

Through Scorsese's masterful direction, and a particularly standout performance from Gladstone, Killers of the Flower Moon manages to serve as a sobering reminder of the true horrors that the US has been built upon. It breaks free from the traditional confines of the Western genre, with its 206-minute runtime being more than justified to shed light on the murders.

Sources: The New York Times, Texas Highways.