Fortunately, as a great alternative to streaming platforms,YouTubeoffers a great range of free movies to watch. While the downside is that you may have to sit through a few ads, and the selection isn’t as expansive as Netflix’s, for example, there’s still plenty on offer from the tech giant. For some reason, YouTube doesn’t widely market this niche service of theirs, and it’s not easy to even find everything they have available, since there’s no way to filter by genre. However, it’s an open secret that you can watch free movies and series on YouTube.
A number of films can be found via YouTube’s official library, while some YouTube channels like Grjngo also offer fully licensed Western movies to watch as well. With plenty of great classic films from the genre available, here’s a list of great full-lengthWestern films you’re able to watch for free on YouTube.
14McLintock! (1963)
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A delightful classic Western comedy,McLintock!starred the great John Wayne, a legendary actor famous for his roles inmany iconic Westerns. As a great novelty, it also starred one of Wayne’s sons, Patrick Wayne, in addition to the likes of Maureen O’Hara and Stefanie Powers. Wayne plays G.W. McLintock in the film, an aging rancher whose wife abandoned him for a life of being a socialite. He also has a daughter away at college and, despite being self-made and wealthy, tries to live a quiet life. However, his land is often coveted by various groups of people, which leads to him having to deal with a host of personal and professional problems because of it.
A Classic John Wayne Western
If you’ve seen one John Wayne Western, it’s no stretch to suggest that you’ve seen them all. WhileMcLintock!does foray into some familiar territory, the emphasis on comedic elements over outright drama makesMcLintock!stands out as one of Wayne’s most memorable forays into the frontier. It almost borders on slapstick at points, but the chemistry shared between the expansive cast on-screen along with a marvelous performance from Maureen O’Hara provides a delicate balance.
The Best Western Movies According to Rotten Tomatoes
Saddle up! Rotten Tomatoes compiled the highest-rated Western movies of all time, and here the best of the best.
13From Hell to Texas (1958)
From Hell to Texassees a ruthless cattle baron named Hunter Boyd send his men out to capture a ranch hand named Tod, whom he believes murdered his son. Tod is mercilessly pursued, and despite protesting his innocence, is tracked down and gravely injured. After collapsing near a river, Tod is taken in by a kind rancher and his daughter, Juanita, who takes a liking to him. After providing him with food and shelter, the men pursuing Tod soon bring trouble to their home. Tod, facing a choice to keep running, decides to fight the men instead.
From Hell to Texas Deserves More Acclaim
Though not as acclaimed as other Westerns of its time,From Hell to Texaswas still a solid film. This one starred Don Murray and Diane Varsi as Tod and Juanita, respectively, with the former giving a compelling performance prior to his roles in films likeKid RodeloandThe Plainsman. Famously, Dennis Hopper would appear inFrom Hell to Texasin one of the earliest roles in his filmography, as he played the role of Tom Boyd.Like other Westerns directed by Henry Hathaway, you can expect a well-rounded encapsulation of the genre with all boxes checked.
12Yuma (1971)
A TV film that was once featured as ABC’s Movie of the Week,Yumawas no less enjoyable despite its smaller budget. It featured Clint Walker as Dave Harmon, a former U.S. Army lieutenant. Harmon is sent to the town of Yuma as its new U.S. Marshal after his wife was sexually assaulted, and she and his son were murdered. Baying for revenge, Harmon’s only lead on the perpetrators is that they were wearing army uniforms. After entering the town, he’s soon thrust into tussles with the local drunks and criminals. Harmon quickly realizes that, despite having a wealth of experience, he’s going to have his hands full.
Yuma Was Directed by Ted Post
Considering that Ted Post ofHang ‘em HighandMagnum Forcefame directed this made-for-television Western,you can expect a level of craft that surpasses the expectations that come with such a distinction. Clint Walker (Cheyenne) does a fine job playing the stoic Dave Harmon, balancing ruthlessness with compassion as any rugged Marshal should. It’s a modest Western that deserves your attention, if you’ve already breezed through all the classics of the genre.
11Death Rides a Horse (1967)
A gritty film by Italian director Giulio Petroni,Death Rides a Horseis aclassical revenge Western. It tells the story of a young boy named Bill, who witnesses his father, mother, and younger sister being brutalized before being killed by a ruthless gang of men. Bill bides his time for 15 years, learning to becomean expert gunmanin that time. After memorizing the specific traits of each man who slaughtered his family, he returns to exact revenge on each of them.
Death Rides a Horse Trades Drama for Realism
The film garnered praise for its realism among most Spaghetti Westerns of the timethat were considered more gimmicky. John Phillip Law and Lee Van Cleef both shine in their respective roles as Bill and Ryan, respectively, with the score by Ennio Morricone giving it some appropriate atmosphere when compared to its contemporaries. Mario Brega even plays a smaller role here as Paco, only a few years removed from his reoccurring appearances in the beloved Dollars Trilogy. This Western deserves your attention if you want to see Lee Van Cleef in his most intimidating performance yet, or simply want a gritty revenge film.
10Something Big (1971)
Another great Western comedy,Something Bigwas a film led by the legendary Dean Martin. A very cheeky film, it showcased all the comedic talents of Martin as he played an aging bandit named Joe Baker. Joe is awaiting the arrival of his fiancée,the beautiful Dover McBride. Determined to complete one last score, but wanting this one to be “something big,” Joe has his work cut out for him, since his own associates could be a handful. On the other hand, he also has to be careful since a hot-headed colonel is determined to take him down, while he also awaits the arrival of his wife before retirement. With time against him, Joe and his gang race to execute his last big heist.
Something Big Is Aptly Named
Featuring a race against time and a particularly large gatling gun,Something Bigis a surprisingly comedic effort from the same director ofMcLintock!, Andrew V. McLaglen.It’s easy to tell that Dean Martin is having a blast anytime he’s on-screen, and though it may draw some polarized contemporary responses, it’s more than entertaining based on its own merits. Just be aware that it’san inherently silly Westerncompared to some of the other films here.
9Ride Lonesome (1959)
A great film that was categorized by its CinemaScope widescreen production and lush color,Ride Lonesometells a gritty tale ofa bounty hunternamed Ben Brigade. Brigade gets swept up in defending a settlement that he and his prisoner take shelter in while he’s transporting the man to Santa Cruz. As things play out, it soon emerges that Brigade has a hidden agenda. After helping the residents at the settlement, a widow decides to accompany Brigade on his journey. Along the way, he commissions two outlaws to help him, unaware that the men are also hiding a secret of their own.
Ride Lonesome Has Incredible Characters
With one of the slimmest runtimes in this collection,Ride Lonesomemanages to cram in some incredible character interactions and chemistry in as little as 73 minutes.Instead of highlighting the grandiose nature of its setting,Ride Lonesomeopts to trade that for terrific writing and arguably some of the best pacing in the genre. Director Budd Boetticher brought the best out of this impressive cast, which features the likes of Randolph Scott, Karen Steele, Pernell Roberts, and, of course, Lee Van Cleef.
10 Best Westerns That Are Under 90 Minutes Long
From Taggart to High Noon, these are ideal movies for those in need of a quick fix of Old West stories.
8Day of Anger (1967)
Speaking of Lee Van Cleef, this film by director Tonino Valerii has Cleef starring alongside Giuliano Gemma.Day of Angerfeatures Cleef playing a composed gunman by the name of Frank Talby, who rides into the town of Clifton one fateful day. Upon meeting Scott (Gemma), a lowly street sweeper looked down upon by his peers, Talby opts to take Scott in as his protégé after shooting one of his bullies in cold blood. Unfortunately, this newfound life of shootouts and equestrianism comes with some moral boundaries that Scott refuses to cross, eventually putting the two men at odds with each other.
Day of Anger Is a Classic Spaghetti Western
Even ifDay of Angercan’t top the numerous films in the Dollars Trilogy, that’s not to suggest that it doesn’t reach a similar level of quality. Fascinatingly,Cleef is the star performer here, playing off of Giuliano Gemma in a way that’s utterly captivating to watch. It’s an impressive feat of storytelling, and when combined with a score by Riz Ortolani that mimics the qualities of Ennio Morricone’s famed compositions, you end up with one of themost underrated Westernsof the late 1960s.
7Santa Fe Passage (1954)
While not as famous as other classic Westerns from the period,Santa Fe Passageportrayed the tricky relations that stemmed from the conflicts between residents of frontier towns and Native American tribes. It starred John Payne as Kirby Randolph, an experienced scout who becomes heavily bigoted after his alliance with a local chief is broken, leading to the massacre of his men. After being commissioned to transport a couple and their cargo of guns and ammo through Native American territories, Randolph isn’t happy when a Native American woman is one of the passengers on the wagon train. But, he puts aside his bigotry as he becomes attracted to a young passenger named Aurelie. They encounter many dangers and Kirby ably protects everyone, while the film continually plays up the tension between his bravery and hateful attitude in a manner that made the filmahead of its time.
Santa Fe Passage Subverted Expectations
Director William Witney, who would cut his teeth on the Western genre with his work onThe Lone Rangeramong a prolific series of other projects, presents an intriguing premise carried by the performances of John Payne, Faith Domergue, and Slim Pickens. It’s a film whose presentation could use a little more grittiness, butits intriguing premise delivers a surprising subversion of typical Western tropes. This would be done a full year beforeThe Searcherswould attempt something similar in 1956.
6One-Eyed Jacks (1961)
Starring one of the all-time legends of cinema, the 1961 WesternOne-Eyed Jackssaw the legendary Marlon Brando as its lead. The actor also showcased his plethora of talents as he took the helm as the film’s director too. A classic tale of revenge replete with sharp dialogue, Brando played a bandit named Rio, who pulls off a bank heist in Mexico with his two partners. However, one of them, Dad Longworth, betrays his partners and makes off with the loot. Rio winds up in prison and languishes there for many years as he plots his revenge.
The Only Film Marlon Brando Directed
While not a commercial hit, the film came to be retroactively respected and was selected for preservation by the Library of Congress. The last film to be released in VistaVision, as well as one of the few Westerns to take place on a sandy shore instead of a sandy plain,One-Eyed Jacksamounted to a highly entertaining film despite its numerous production troubles.Marlon Brando shines as always, and when paired with the likes of Pina Pellicer and Karl Malden, the result is an influential Western that’s well-worth your time. The film would even securean Academy Award nominationfor Best Cinematography.
5A Bullet for the General (1967)
Revolutionary El Chucho and his gang attack a government munitions train, where they meet what they believe to be another outlaw and escaped prisoner in Bill Tate, bringing him onto the crew. However, Tate hides a secret, marked by the golden bullet he carries with him, and follows El Chucho and his gang, wreaking havoc, waiting for his opportunity to arise to carry out his real goal. When plans become revealed, and El Chucho realizes his supposed friend is at odds with his goals, the two become enemies.
A Cleverly Written Spaghetti Western
Like many other Spaghetti Westerns, A Bullet for the General brings the gritty realism, phenomenal performances, and a certain visual flair that made Italy the dominant purveyor of the genre throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Yet,what makesA Bullet for the GeneralStand Out is its political subtext, using its characters to explore the US involvement in South American politics. There is a complexity to the characters and a sharp script behind this one, making it exemplary of the best Italy had to offer in the genre.
