6. The Quick and the Dead (1995)
Sam Raimi’s The Quick and the Dead is a stylish, fast-paced Western that remains Raimi’s only sojourn into the genre. With a cast that includes Sharon Stone, Gene Hackman, Russell Crowe, and Leonardo DiCaprio, the film offers a fresh take on the classic gunfighter story.
Set in a dusty frontier town, the plot centres around a deadly quick-draw competition where the best gunslingers come to test their mettle against the best. Stone plays Ellen, a mysterious woman seeking revenge on the ruthless town boss, Herod (Hackman), who rules with an iron fist. The Quick and the Dead manages to balance action with psychological complexity, and Raimi, better known for his horror output, infuses the film with a sense of urgency and excitement, while still allowing for moments of character introspection.
Although The Quick and the Dead at first glance might seem like your average Western with a great guest list, it throws out many of the usual tropes in favour of a more thoughtful methodology. Sharon Stone delivers a standout performance, bringing both grit and vulnerability to her role (much like her performance in Scorcese’s Casino the same year), while Hackman’s portrayal of Herod is chilling in its quiet menace. While Raimi’s over-the-top style may not be for everyone, The Quick and the Dead is a fun, genre-bending piece that stands out as one of the more unique Westerns of the 1990s, and whose nuances are often lost in the dust.
7. Lone Star (1996)
Directed by John Sayles, Lone Star is set in a small Texas border town, where the discovery of a long-buried skeleton sparks a series of revelations about the town’s history and its residents. As Sheriff Sam Deeds (Chris Cooper) investigates the mystery, he uncovers a tangled web of racial tensions, family secrets, and old wounds that have shaped the community.
The film is utterly compelling in the way it balances the ideas of frontier justice with a troublesome yet accurate portrayal of modern-day issues. Sayles also tackles the complicated relationship between the U.S. and Mexico, touching on themes of immigration, prejudice, and the lingering effects of the past.
Although it provides an intoxicating sense of setting, the film exists within its characters, with an outstanding performance from Cooper, who’s more than ably supported by Matthew McConaughey and Kris Kristofferson.
Lone Star provides a low-key contemplation on political and racial themes but also finds space for a touching love story which contributes a more intimate addition to the narrative, resulting in a slow-burn mystery that rewards patience and provides a fresh perspective on the Western genre.
8. The Shooter (1997)
The Shooter (also known as Deadly Shooter) is a lesser known but highly enjoyable action-packed Western, directed by Fred Olen Ray. The film follows a skilled sharpshooter, known simply as the Shooter (Ted Prior), who is hired by a local lawman to track down and eliminate a group of bandits terrorizing the land.
Although clearly not an original set-up, Ray’s film knows exactly what it is. Shooter becomes entangled in a battle of wits and bullets, navigating betrayal, redemption, and his own personal demons.
Ted Prior brings a surprising authenticity to his role as the lone gunslinger, and the film’s simple premise and straightforward direction keep the pace fast and engaging. The story is possibly as far from groundbreaking as you can get in this genre, but it manages to tap into the core themes of the Western: justice, vengeance, and the tension between civilization and the lawless frontier.
What The Shooter may lack in complexity and nuance, it makes up for with sheer entertainment value, and while it’s certainly not a grand, sweeping epic, it offers plenty of thrilling moments and enjoyable action that result in a rather entertaining entry in the Western genre (even if it is essentially a B-movie) and one that is unfairly dismissed.
9. The Hi-Lo Country (1998)
Directed by Stephen Frears, The Hi-Lo Country is an atmospheric Western that offers a subtle look at friendship, love, and loyalty in the rugged terrain of New Mexico.
Set in the years following World War II, the film stars Billy Crudup and Woody Harrelson as two cowboys who struggle to maintain their way of life as they’re forced to adjust to the changing times.
The film’s slow, deliberate pacing allows for a deep exploration of its characters and the cultural shifts of post-war America. The relationship between Harrelson’s Pete and Crudup’s Big Boy is the heart of the film, and their contrasting personalities—Pete’s rebellious, rugged nature versus Big Boy’s more contemplative, sensitive side—give us a dynamic which drives the feature and gives it a real sense of purpose.
Lovingly shot with heart-felt performances from the impressive cast as their characters face the inevitable passage of time, The Hi-Lo Country was met with hugely mixed reviews upon its release; but it’s a Western that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll, providing a bittersweet reflection on the end of an era.
10. The Newton Boys (1998)
The Newton Boys is a more frolicsome, stylish take on the Western genre, focusing on the true-life exploits of a gang of bank robbers. Directed by Richard Linklater of all people, this feels about as far from something like the Before Trilogy (1995-2013) or Boyhood (2014) as it’s possible to get.
Based on the story of the Newton family in the early 20th century, the film follows the Newton brothers, a group of good-natured and highly skilled criminals who commit a series of daring heists, becoming notorious for being among the most successful bank robbers in American history.
What makes The Newton Boys stand out is its tone—while it deals with crime and lawlessness, it’s not a dark, brooding affair- like for example, Michael Mann’s Public Enemies (2009) or John Milius’s Dillinger (1974). Instead, it’s a fun, light-hearted adventure that blends action with moments of humour and camaraderie. The film’s cast, including Matthew McConaughey, Linklater regular Ethan Hawke, and Skeet Ulrich, bring charm and energy to their roles, creating a sense of jovial freneticism that keeps the film buoyant throughout.
The Newton brothers are portrayed as likable antiheroes, rather than villains in what sometimes feels like a larger-than-life adventure, often calling to mind Bugsy Malone (1976). While many have slated the film for its carefree attitude towards the real-life criminal activity and violence of the gang, Linklater’s approach successfully merges a blend of crime and comedy, producing a film that is far better than it’s given credit for.