The the best Western characters, narratives, and everything else that makes up the classic, 'traditional' Western. Some filmmakers either turn some of these conventions on their heads or put their own spin on a dimension that takes the usual traditions and creates something else entirely.

These films all take the frontier style, deserted town location and breathe fresh life into the setting, with films The Good, The Bad, And The Weird, and Bone Tomahawk being excellent examples. The former subverts the usual expectations and uses a different country and its culture, and the latter puts an unexpected horror twist on what should have been a typical backdrop. Though many of these films honor the core ideals and themes of the best Western films, the unique or genre-bending location creates an epic new environment.

10 Ghost Town (1988)

Directed By Richard Governor

Ghost Town is a supernatural Western that blends into elements of horror with the old traditions of the genre to create a unique and entertaining combination. The film, directed by Richard Governor (Richard McCarthy), stars Franc Luz and Catherine Hickland and tells the story of an Arizona Sheriff who goes looking for a missing woman before entering a ghost town where he is visited by haunting apparitions. The film's eerie, paranormal setting takes it away from the traditional Western while keeping elements like the lone hero and shootouts that firmly keep it in the genre.

Based on a story by screenwriter David Schmoeller, the film is successful in balancing the two opposing genres and merging them into one seamless, engaging film. Though the acting, set pieces, and special effects are all brilliant and play a pivotal role in the film's enjoyment, the narrative has been criticized for being too straightforward with little room for surprise or shock, even inside a horror framework. Overall, the film accomplishes what it sets out to do, and the use of a ghost town to tell a mysterious story encapsulates the theme perfectly.

9 Dead Birds (2004)

Directed By Alex Turner

Dead Birds, directed by Alex Turner in his most recognized work, is a Western that, like Ghost Town, blends in elements of horror and the paranormal to make a blended genre unique to itself. The film's plot is set during the Civil War and follows a group of Confederate soldiers who deserted the war effort in search of fortune by committing a bank robbery. The movie takes a sinister twist when they decide to stop and hold up in an abandoned plantation, where the mansion and surrounding area reveal a host of supernatural creatures.

Dead Birds holds a score of 60% on film rating site Rotten Tomatoes.

A haunted, abandoned plantation isn't the typical Western setting, though it does still contain some of the old West frontier aesthetics, with the Civil War backdrop tying it all together. The cast includes actors like Henry Thomas, Nicki Aycox, and Isaiah Washington, who all do a solid job in their portrayals and give convincing performances even with the paranormal scenes taking center stage throughout the film. Overall, the Lovecraftian elements and intense atmosphere throughout create a unique Western in a surprisingly effective setting.

8 Dust Devil (1992)

Directed By Richard Stanley

Richard Stanley's Dust Devil sees a re-interpretation of the story of a serial killer from South Africa known as Nhadiep in this haunting British horror with Western elements and ideals. The film is set about as far away from the American frontier as possible, in Namibia, in South Africa, and follows the story of a mysterious, paranormal man (Robert Hitch) who wanders the desert in search of potential victims. The local villagers believe he is a 'Dust Devil' a being that sacrifices humans for supernatural ceremonies and can shape-shift into various forms.

The desolate and almost empty setting, combined with the ominous atmosphere, provides an incredibly chilling feel throughout the film. Far from the familiarity and sensibilities of the American landscape, the setting in Nambia is a stark contrast that provides a base for much of the narrative, with the very desert even anthropomorphizing to literally become a character. Overall, the film hits its objectives and puts a Western twist on an African folk horror tale, with the setting having just as much influence as the director and actors.

7 The Valley Of Gwangi (1969)

Directed By Jim O'Connolly

Science fiction Western The Valley Of Gwangi, directed by the underrated Jim O'Connolly, sees a group of cowboys discovering a valley that is inhabited by prehistoric dinosaurs. The overarching story is a combination of several influences, including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's book The Lost World, with added elements from King Kong by Willis O'Brien - who created the film's special effects. It combines many elements of classic Westerns like a squad of cowboys on a mission, to sci-fi elements with innovative filming techniques to create a beautiful amalgamation of worlds.

The story follows the gang as they enter the forbidden valley and get attacked by the dinosaurs and other prehistoric specimens, that are filmed using stop-motion animation effects. This unusual technique, combined with the authentic Western elements and the overall originality of the narrative creates a true spectacle of cinema that feels like it could be too much, but in fact, delivers across the board. The Valley Of Gwangi has become a firm cult classic in the Western genre, with Ray Harryhausen's epic special effects and expert character development throughout the narrative.

6 Rango (2011)

Directed By Gore Verbinski

In potentially the most unique and underrated Western in modern times, Rango is an animated film directed by Gore Verbinski about a charismatic chameleon voiced by Johnny Depp. The film follows Rango as he accidentally finds himself in the dusty Old West town of Dirt; taking on a hardened, tough-guy persona, he, extremely fortunately, wins a duel against a local outlaw and is briskly promoted to the town's sheriff. Rango then must deal with a multitude of issues, including stopping the crooked Mayor of a nearby town and resupplying Dirt with much-needed water supplies.

Though it could be classed as taking creative license, any Western film that is set in a town with talking animals that features a nine-banded armadillo called Roadkill that summons water through mystical means is definitely an unusual setting. The film features an ensemble cast of gifted actors who all voice their parts perfectly, with their impeccable delivery combined with beautiful animation and a narrative and characters that truly pay homage to Western trademarks. Rango is full of hilarious dialogue and stunning, surreal sequences, making it a true gem in the Western genre.

5 The Proud Rebel (1958)

Directed By Michael Curtiz

Michael Curtiz's The Proud Rebel is an emotionally captivating Western based on a short story by eminent author James Edward Grant. It follows the story of a Confederate veteran who has been recently widowed and moves further across the country to make a new life for himself and help for his son, who has turned mute with grief. Changing location doesn't immediately bring any relief as the Yankee townsfolk talk down to him, showing a generational prejudice for his past actions, with the film deftly exploring themes of politics, war, family, and redemption.

Though the setting isn't wildly different from the stereotypical Western, the journey to a different, more modernized town is a subtle yet stark difference from the usual frontier town with gunslingers and villains. The black-and-white ideals and tropes from the genre have been stripped back to characters with more nuance and development that sees the Western produce a quieter and more emotional narrative. Though the film has less action and a slower pace, it's this introspective look, combined with exceptional lead performances, that makes it such a top-quality film.

4 The Man From Snowy River (1982)

Directed By George T. Miller

Another film set far away from the Old West of the United States, The Man From Snowy River, directed by George T. Miller, is set in the Australian outback. The film follows a young male protagonist named Jim Craig (Tom Burlinson) who, after the untimely ing of his father, sets out to make his own way in life, looking to become a respect horse rancher. Though the more experienced cowboys make his life hard, he finds a spark with the Ranch owner's daughter and must overcome personal and professional obstacles in order to win her hand.

The Man From Snowy River is a film that leans into many traditional Western tropes, with cowboys, horse-riding, and one man's struggles against adversity, but rather than shy away from its Australian roots, it fully embraces them. The beautiful landscapes paired with Keith Wagstaff's cinematography create many stunning sequences, with the chemistry between the leads and the horse-riding action also elevating the film. The Australian outback is a perfect location for a Western, with a similar look and atmosphere while capturing something in its essence that is totally unique.

3 El Topo (1970)

Directed By Alejandro Jodorowsky

El Topo, directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky, is a Mexican acid western - a Western subgenre that combines traditional ideals with Spaghetti Western's larger-than-life elements with surrealist imagery and frequently with drug use. El Topo (The Mole) is a man who is traveling across the desert on horseback with his naked son, Hijo, who encounters a wild series of events, situations, and characters in a gunfighting spiritual journey. The film is set in a bizarre desert that provides the backdrop for his escapades, confronting gruesome beings and facing a myriad of existential nightmares.

There are many sequences that are deeply disturbing punctuated by moments of enlightenment and spiritual awakenings that make the whole film feel like a fever dream.

In one scene, El Topo awakes from a random cave in the desert to find himself being taken care of and loved by a tribe of deformed outcasts, which goes some way to explaining the crazed narrative and atmosphere of the film. There are many sequences that are deeply disturbing, punctuated by moments of enlightenment and spiritual awakenings that make the whole film feel like a fever dream. The film pulls out all the stops in every aspect, from the acting, characters, score, direction, and setting, it creates one of the most expansive Western experiences of all time.

2 Bone Tomahawk (2015)

Directed By S. Craig Zahler

S. Craig Zahler's Western horror Bone Tomahawk is one of the most different and original Westerns produced in recent memory. It stars Kurt Russell as the stern Sheriff Hunt, who leads a gang of men to rescue hostages from a tribe of Native American cannibals collectively known as 'Troglodytes' in incredibly hostile territory. As the group further ventures into the unknown, the Western elements peel back to reveal the true horror that awaits them, and the palpable fear and atmosphere rise to boiling point during the epic battle at the film's climax.

The brilliance of Bone Tomahawk lies in its subversion yet celebration of Western elements that make its horrific sequences and underlying terrifying premise so effective. It has the hard-nosed sheriff, the cowboys, and the posse looking to saddle up and take care of business, but its setting in a disturbed, sacred valley full of cannibalistic Native Americans make it a wholly unique proposition. The build-up and pacing throughout the film by Zahler is nothing short of masterful, with excellent performances and beautiful action sequences, it's a Western not to be missed.

1 The Good, The Bad, And The Weird (2008)

Directed By Kim Jee-Woon

The Good, The Bad, and The Weird is Kim Jee-woon's incredible reimagining of the legendary director Sergio Leone’s classic The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly - one of the most famous and acclaimed Westerns of all time. The film's premise is similar to the Spaghetti Western, with three various outlaws all coming together to form an unlikely partnership that sees an adventure of violence, theft, and riches and every combination thereof. The film pays a beautiful homage to Leone's groundbreaking film while also making incredible use of its 1930s Manchuria setting.

A Western set in the 'puppet state' of the Empire of Japan in Northern China before the start of World War II seems about as far removed from tradition as you can get. Its unique setting provides an excellent backdrop for the stunning cinematography and brutally violent action scenes, with innovative camera work and direction that make it stand apart from the original. The Good, The Bad, And The Weird is, in itself, a groundbreaking work that takes the Western genre and transports it to a new world, showing the ideals, tropes, and visuals can work in any location.