Modern Western backdrop

Modern Western movies

Frontier themes in a contemporary setting: local justice, borderland crime, and survival pressure.

The Revenant

1. The Revenant

Western Drama Adventure Modern Western Historical Drama
8.0
20152h 37min

Overview

A seasoned frontiersman who knows every rule of the wild is crushed, broken, and left for dead in a wilderness that suddenly obeys none of them. Stripped of his weapons, allies, and power, he must crawl through the frozen frontier as both nature and man hunt him down.

Themes

Trust under duress, Loyalty under pressure, Moral ambiguity, Revenge and violence, Nature as adversary, Survival under betrayal

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Forsaken

2. Forsaken

Western Action Drama Modern Western Family Drama
6.4
20151h 30min

Overview

John Henry returns to his hometown in hopes of repairing his relationship with his estranged father, but a local gang is terrorizing the town. John Henry is the only one who can stop them, however he has abandoned both his gun and reputation as a fearless quick-draw killer.

Themes

Loyalty under threat, War memory shaping identity, Duty to town vs family, Reputation restoration through violence, Land ownership pressure, Community fear and coercion

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Young Ones

3. Young Ones

Western Action Drama Science Fiction Dystopian Sci-Fi
5.8
20141h 40min

Overview

In a future where water is scarce, a farmer defends his land and hopes to rejuvenate his parched soil. However, his daughter's boyfriend schemes to steal the land for himself.

Themes

Economic desperation and survival, Resource scarcity under monopoly, Land defense under threat, Deception and manipulation under duress, Intergenerational conflict over land, Technology versus labor in crisis

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
fuboTV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Warrior's Way

4. The Warrior's Way

Adventure Fantasy Action Western Thriller
6.3
20101h 40min

Overview

A warrior-assassin is forced to hide in a small town in the American Badlands after refusing a mission.

Themes

Frontier justice, Deception and disguise, Cycles of violence, Loyalty versus survival, Revenge without closure, Protecting the vulnerable

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Legend of Zorro

5. The Legend of Zorro

Action Adventure Western Epic Action Adventure Epic
6.0
20052h 9min

Overview

Despite trying to keep his swashbuckling to a minimum, a threat to California's pending statehood causes the adventure-loving Don Alejandro de la Vega and his wife, Elena, to take action.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Secrecy vs exposure, Political manipulation, Personal life vs public duty, Land disputes and expansion, Betrayal and mistrust

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Don't Come Knocking

6. Don't Come Knocking

Drama Western Entertainment Industry Drama Modern Western
6.6
20052h 3min

Overview

Howard Spence has seen better days. Once a big Western movie star, he now drowns his disgust for his selfish and failed life with alcohol, drugs and young women. If he were to die now, nobody would shed a tear over him, that's the sad truth. Until one day Howard learns that he might have a child somewhere out there...

Themes

Loyalty under strain, Absent mother obligation, Fading fame isolation, Past consequences memory, Family reunion tension, Pursuit and coercion

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Hidalgo

7. Hidalgo

Western Adventure Globetrotting Adventure Modern Western
6.7
20042h 16min

Overview

Set in 1890, this is the story of a Pony Express courier who travels to Arabia to compete with his horse, Hidalgo, in a dangerous race for a massive contest prize, in an adventure that sends the pair around the world...

Themes

Trust and betrayal, Guilt over violence, Cultural clash in competition, Endurance as test, Rivalry across cultures, Legacy and belonging

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Manitou's Shoe

8. Manitou's Shoe

Western Comedy Adventure Modern Western Parody
6.7
20011h 25min

Overview

Abahachi, Chief of the Apache Indians, and his blood brother Ranger maintain peace and justice in the Wild West. One day, Abahachi needs to take up a credit from the Shoshone Indians to finance his tribe's new saloon. Unfortunately Santa Maria, who sold the saloon, betrays Abahachi, takes the money and leaves. Soon, the Shoshones are on the warpath to get their money back, and Abahachi is forced to organize it quickly.

Themes

Deception and betrayal, Loyalty under pressure, Treasure motive, Disguises and misdirection, Alliances and rivalries, Frontier conflict

Available on

Amazon Video
blue TV
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Shanghai Noon

9. Shanghai Noon

Adventure Action Comedy Western Globetrotting Adventure
6.6
20001h 50min

Overview

Chon Wang, a clumsy imperial guard, trails Princess Pei Pei when she's kidnapped from the Forbidden City and transported to America. Wang follows her captors to Nevada, where he teams up with an unlikely partner, outcast outlaw Roy O'Bannon, and tries to spring the princess from her imprisonment.

Themes

Frontier justice, Duty vs desire, Belonging and loyalty, Cross-cultural alliance, Honor among outlaws, Power and autonomy

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.