20 Best Western Movies on Starz 2026
Browse westerns on Starz, from Hostiles and High Ground to classic frontier titles, plus horror and thriller crossovers for your next watch.
If you’re looking for the best western movies on Starz, this lineup gives you a wide range of moods, from grit and revenge to family journeys and supernatural suspense. You’ll find modern picks like Hostiles, High Ground, and Gone Are the Days alongside older titles such as McLintock!, Sitting Bull, and The Unforgiven. There’s also room for genre twists, including Dead Birds and The Burrowers, which blend western settings with horror and mystery. Whether you want a classic frontier story or something a little darker, these selections offer plenty to browse.
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01
Dead Birds
horror · mystery & thriller · western
Towards the end of the Civil War, a group of Confederate soldiers hole up on an abandoned plantation after robbing a bank, and find themselves at the mercy of supernatural forces.
Why watch: If you enjoy westerns with a horror edge, this one is a good fit because it blends Civil War-era tension with supernatural mystery. It may appeal to viewers who want something darker than a straight frontier drama.
Directed by Alex TurnerCast Henry Thomas, Patrick Fugit, Nicki Aycox, Michael Shannon, Muse WatsonStarzMore details on IMDb → -
02
Hostiles
drama · western
A legendary Native American-hating Army captain nearing retirement in 1892 is given one last assignment: to escort a Cheyenne chief and his family through dangerous territory back to his Montana reservation.
Why watch: If you like serious western dramas with conflict and travel through dangerous territory, this title stands out. Its focus on an Army captain and a Cheyenne chief gives it a strong historical and character-driven angle.
Directed by Scott CooperCast Scott Shepherd, Rosamund Pike, Ava Cooper, Stella Cooper, David MidthunderStarzMore details on IMDb → -
03
Gone Are the Days
drama · western
The story of notorious outlaw Taylon Flynn, a man hell-bent on exiting this life in a blaze of glory. His plans go awry upon the discovery of the sordid life his estranged daughter is forced to live. To save her, he must summon the inner demons he purged long ago, and finds that redemption is a hard road to travel.
Why watch: If you prefer redemption stories with outlaw energy, this may be the one to try. It leans into family conflict and a hard road toward change, which suits viewers who want western drama with emotional stakes.
Directed by Mark Landre GouldCast Lance Henriksen, Tom Berenger, Billy Lush, Meg Steedle, Steve RailsbackStarzMore details on IMDb → -
04
Across the Great Divide
adventure · drama · family · western
Two orphans set out to claim their inheritance - a 400 acre plot of land in Salem Oregon. To Do so they must cross the rugged snow covered Rocky Mountains in the year 1876.
Why watch: If you enjoy adventure-heavy westerns, this is a solid choice thanks to its journey across the Rocky Mountains. The family angle also makes it appealing if you want something broader than a gunslinger story.
Directed by Stewart RaffillCast Robert Logan, Heather Rattray, Mark Edward Hall, George 'Buck' Flower, Hal BokarStarzMore details on IMDb → -
05
High Ground
action · drama · thriller · western
In a remote corner of the wild country, a bloody war rages. Travis is a bounty hunter with one last hope of redemption. Gutjuk is a young Indigenous man trying to save the last of his family. Together they embark on a manhunt, which unravels a secret that ultimately pits them against each other.
Why watch: If you want a modern western with action and thriller elements, this title fits well. It may appeal to viewers interested in a redemption story that also centers on Indigenous history and a tense manhunt.
Directed by Stephen JohnsonCast Guruwuk Mununggurr, Wakarra Gondarra, Mark Garrawurra, Neville Namarnyilk, Jude Lami-LamiStarzMore details on IMDb →
Not quite it? Ask WattaWatch for western on Starz →
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06
The Burrowers
drama · horror · mystery · thriller · western
It is 1879 in the Dakota Territories, a band of men who set out to find and recover a family of settlers that has mysteriously vanished from their home. Expecting the offenders to be a band of fierce natives, but they soon discover that the real enemy stalks them from below.
Why watch: If you like westerns that turn into mystery or horror, this one is a natural pick. The search for missing settlers and the threat from below give it a more unsettling angle than a standard frontier story.
Directed by J.T. PettyCast Clancy Brown, David Busse, Harley Coriz, Jocelin Donahue, Alexandra EdmoStarzFreeveeMore details on IMDb → -
07
Terror in a Texas Town
drama · western
Armed with a harpoon, a Swedish whaler is out for revenge after the death of his father. A greedy oil man trying to buy up the Swede's land might be the guilty party.
Why watch: If you’re drawn to classic western drama with a revenge setup, this is worth a look. The unusual detail of a harpoon-armed lead gives it a memorable hook.
Directed by Joseph H. LewisCast Sterling Hayden, Sebastian Cabot, Carol Kelly, Eugene Mazzola, Nedrick YoungStarzMore details on IMDb → -
08
Damsel
comedy · drama · western
Oregon, a small town near the sea, around 1870. Henry, a grieving man who aspires to preach as a way to overcome his unfortunate past, reunites with eccentric pioneer Samuel Alabaster, who has hired him to officiate at his marriage to the precious Penelope. What Henry ignores is that both must embark on a dangerous journey through the inhospitable wilderness to meet her.
Why watch: If you enjoy westerns with comedy mixed into the drama, this title may be a good match. Its journey through the wilderness and eccentric characters give it a lighter, offbeat tone.
Directed by David Zellner, Nathan ZellnerCast Robert Pattinson, Mia Wasikowska, David Zellner, Nathan Zellner, Joseph BillingiereStarzMore details on IMDb → -
09
Outlaw Johnny Black
action · comedy · western
Hell bent on avenging the death of his father, Johnny Black vows to gun down Brett Clayton and becomes a wanted man in the process while posing as a preacher in a small mining town that's been taken over by a notorious Land Baron.
Why watch: If you want a western that mixes action and comedy, this one should suit you. The premise of a man posing as a preacher while seeking revenge adds a playful twist to the outlaw formula.
Directed by Michael Jai WhiteCast Michael Jai White, Anika Noni Rose, Erica Ash, Byron Minns, Chris BrowningStarzMore details on IMDb → -
10
The Unforgiven
drama · romance · western
The neighbors of a frontier family turn on them when it is suspected that their beloved adopted daughter was stolen from the Kiowa tribe.
Why watch: If you prefer classic western drama with a family-centered conflict, this film is a strong option. Its story about suspicion, belonging, and tribal tensions may appeal if you like more serious frontier material.
Directed by John HustonCast Burt Lancaster, Audrey Hepburn, Audie Murphy, John Saxon, Charles BickfordStarzMore details on IMDb → -
11
Green Flake
drama · western
A film about a Southern slave who trekked thousands of miles and rose to become a Western hero.
Why watch: If you want a western based on a true-life-style journey of resilience, this may interest you. It leans into drama and a hero’s rise rather than action-heavy spectacle.
Directed by Mauli Junior BonnerCast Dallyn Vail Bayles, Carleton Bluford, Oba Bonner, Yahosh Bonner, Alex BoyeStarzMore details on IMDb → -
12
Texas Terror
drama · western
Sheriff John Higgins quits and goes into prospecting after he thinks he has killed his best friend in shooting it out with robbers. He encounters his dead buddy's sister and helps her run her ranch. Then she finds out about his past.
Why watch: If you enjoy older westerns with straightforward drama and ranch-life stakes, this title is a good pick. It centers on guilt, a new start, and helping a rancher, which gives it a classic feel.
Directed by Robert N. BradburyCast John Wayne, Lucile Browne, LeRoy Mason, Fern Emmett, George 'Gabby' HayesStarzMore details on IMDb → -
13
McLintock!
comedy · western
Aging rancher and self-made man, George Washington McLintock is forced to deal with numerous personal and professional problems. Seemingly everyone wants a piece of his enormous farmstead, including high-ranking government men and nearby Native Americans. As McLintock tries to juggle his various adversaries, his wife—who left him two years previously—suddenly returns. But she isn't interested in George; she wants custody of their daughter.
Why watch: If you like western comedies, this is a strong choice. It combines ranch trouble, family issues, and a return from the past, so it works well for viewers who want humor with their frontier story.
Directed by Andrew V. McLaglenCast John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Patrick Wayne, Stefanie Powers, Jack KruschenStarzMore details on IMDb → -
14
Bad Man's River
comedy · drama · romance · western
Robber Roy King loses his wife, Alicia, to revolutionary Montero. Despite their rivalry they collaborate in an attempt to rob the Mexican government of one million dollars.
Why watch: If you enjoy westerns with romance and a criminal twist, this one may be for you. The mix of rivalry and a shared robbery plan gives it a more playful, unusual setup.
Directed by Eugenio MartínCast Lee Van Cleef, James Mason, Gina Lollobrigida, Simón Andreu, Diana LorysStarzMore details on IMDb → -
15
Sitting Bull
drama · western
Chief Sitting Bull of the Sioux tribe is forced by the Indian-hating General Custer to react with violence, resulting in the famous Last Stand at Little Bighorn. Parrish, a friend to the Sioux, tries to prevent the bloodshed, but is court- martialed for "collaborating" with the enemy. Sitting Bull, however, manages to intercede with President Grant on Parrish's behalf.
Why watch: If you’re interested in historical western drama, this title is a fit. Its focus on Sitting Bull, Custer, and the fallout after Little Bighorn makes it appealing to viewers who want a serious period story.
Directed by Sidney SalkowCast Dale Robertson, Mary Murphy, J. Carrol Naish, John Litel, Joel FluellenStarzMore details on IMDb → -
16
The Star Packer
action · drama · mystery · romance · western
John Travers and Yak, his faithful Indian sidekick, pick up where a murdered sheriff leaves off, and try to nab the mysterious Shadow.
Why watch: If you like early westerns with action, mystery, and romance, this is a good match. It has a classic quest to solve a murder and track down a hidden threat.
Directed by Robert N. BradburyCast John Wayne, Verna Hillie, George 'Gabby' Hayes, Yakima Canutt, Billy FraneyStarzMore details on IMDb → -
17
Border Badmen
drama · western
As a 32nd cousin of the recently deceased Silas Stockton, Fuzzy heads for the reading of the will. The bad guys are after the Stockton estate and plan to kidnap Helen Stockton, the primary heir, and replace her with a stooge. When the henchmen catch her she is with Billy and Fuzzy so they kidnap them also. But the three escape and Billy then heads out to find the culprits.
Why watch: If you enjoy older westerns built around a will, kidnappers, and an escape, this one offers a compact adventure. It should work for viewers who like simple, fast-moving frontier plots.
Directed by Sam NewfieldCast Buster Crabbe, Al St. John, Lorraine Miller, Charles King, Ray BennettStarzMore details on IMDb → -
18
The Lawless Frontier
drama · western
Tobin is after the bandit Zanti who killed his parents. He finds him just as Zanti is about to kill Dusty and kidnap Ruby. Saving the two, he goes after Zanti. He catches him but Zanti escapes the Sheriff's handcuff's and this time Tobin has to chase him into the desert.
Why watch: If you prefer classic revenge-driven westerns, this title fits that lane. The pursuit across the desert gives it a clean, old-school chase structure.
Directed by Robert N. BradburyCast John Wayne, Sheila Terry, Jack Rockwell, George 'Gabby' Hayes, Jay WilseyStarzMore details on IMDb → -
19
Blue Steel
action & adventure · western · drama
When Sheriff Jake sees a man at the safe and then finds the payroll gone, he trails him. Just as he is about to arrest him, the man saves his life. Still suspicious, he joins up with the man and later they learn that Melgrove, the towns leading citizen, is trying to take over the area's ranches by having his gang stop all incoming supply wagons. With the ranchers about to sell to Melgrove, the two newcomers say they will bring in provisions.
Why watch: If you want a 1930s western with action and a mystery angle, this is a fitting pick. The story of a sheriff, stolen payroll, and a ranch takeover keeps the stakes clear and familiar.
StarzMore details on IMDb → -
20
Riders of Destiny
music · romance · western
James Kincaid controls the local water supply and plans to do away with the other ranchers. Government agent Sandy Saunders arrives undercover to investigate Kincaid's land swindle scheme, and win the heart of one of his victims, Fay Denton.
Why watch: If you enjoy early westerns with music, romance, and land-scheme intrigue, this one may be appealing. It combines an undercover investigation with a love story, which gives it a classic, balanced setup.
Directed by Robert N. BradburyCast John Wayne, Cecilia Parker, Forrest Taylor, George 'Gabby' Hayes, Al St. JohnStarzMore details on IMDb →
Wrapping Up
This collection makes it easy to compare different kinds of westerns in one place, from traditional range stories to titles that mix in drama, comedy, horror, or thriller elements. If you’re planning what to watch next, bookmark this page and come back when you want a fresh option. We update the list regularly so you can keep checking for new picks and familiar favorites. It’s a simple way to narrow down the western movies worth your time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is this list updated?
We refresh this list regularly as titles are added or removed from streaming catalogs, so rankings and availability stay current.
Do I need a Starz subscription to watch these?
Yes. Every title on this list is currently available on Starz. Availability can change, so we recommend checking the streaming link on each title before you start watching.
How are these western movies ranked?
We rank by a combination of audience rating and current popularity, so you're seeing the western titles people are actually watching right now, not just an old fixed list.