Summary

• The best Westerns of the 1990s marked a revival of the genre, introducing new narratives and challenging traditional themes.
• Films like "Dances with Wolves" and "Unforgiven" explored cultural clashes and deconstructed the myth of the heroic cowboy.
• These '90s Westerns had a lasting impact on the genre, influencing contemporary storytelling and showcasing complex characters and narratives.

The best Westerns of the 1990s mark a crucial point in the genre's cinematic history. Westerns were most prevalent in the early and mid-1900s. While the genre saw a general decline since that era, Western films resurged in the '90s. From the epic scale of traditional Westerns to the gritty realism and moral ambiguity of neo, revisionist, and anti-Western films, these movies laid the foundations for the genre's continued evolution in contemporary cinema.

Directors like Clint Eastwood and Kevin Costner brought new narratives that challenge traditional Western themes - or examine old ones from a new lens. Considered one of the best Western movies ever made, Unforgiven deconstructed the myth of the heroic cowboy, reintroducing the anti-Western narrative to mainstream audiences at the turn of the century. Meanwhile, Costner's Dances With Wolves explored Native American perspectives, adding cultural depth to the most formative tropes in the genre. Notably, the influence of these '90s features can still be observed in 21st-century Westerns - a tribute to this era's impact on Western storytelling.

10 Dances with Wolves (1990)

Kevin Costner's Academy Award-winning directorial debut

Dances With Wolves is about Lieutenant Dunbar's (Kevin Costner) transformative journey into becoming the titular Sioux warrior. A return to form for the classic Western, the movie is known for its portrayal of cultural clashes. Over the years, opinions on the movie have varied. A notable Western movie criticized for accuracy and realism, Dances with Wolves has been slammed for incorrectly using the Lakota language and promoting harmful movie tropes like the white savior archetype. At the same time, with other Lakota groups celebrating the movie winning 7 out the 12 Oscars it was nominated for, it's undeniable that Dances with Wolves was crucial to the '90s Western revival.

9 Ride with the Devil (1999)

How the Civil War era shaped America's youth

A revisionist Western about the American Civil War, Ride with the Devil follows the story of Southern sympathizers known as Bushwhackers, guerilla fighters who the Confederacy. The movie centers on two Missouri youths - Jake Roedel (Tobey Maguire) and Jack Bull Chiles (Skeet Ulrich) - who the Bushwhackers out of a sense of duty. However, the pair are soon confronted with the complexities of loyalty, identity, and survival during a tumultuous time. With its focus on character development and the impact of conflicting ideologies, Ride with the Devil provides a thought-provoking and nuanced perspective on the Civil War era - undoubtedly one of the best Westerns of the 1990s.

Related: 5 Western Movies From The 1990s That Are Underrated (& 5 That Are Overrated)

8 The Ballad of Little Jo (1993)

Underrated true story-inspired feminist anti-Western drama

The dramatization of a true Old West story, The Ballad of Little Jo follows Josephine Monaghan (Suzy Amis), a woman who disguises herself as a man - "Jo" - to escape social expectations. Set in the late 19th century, Jo navigates the challenges of the American frontier, grappling with issues of identity and independence. Early in the '90s, The Ballad of Little Jo deftly tackled gender roles and the harsh realities faced by those who defied social norms. The Ballad of Little Jo stands out for its poignant storytelling, strong character development, and its examination of the complexities surrounding gender and identity in the Old West.

7 Desperado (1995)

The best movie in Robert Rodriguez's Mexico trilogy

One of the best Robert Rodriguez movies, Desperado - the sequel to El Mariachi - is a stylish action movie that was pivotal to the '90s Western revival. As the new El Mariachi, Banderas is a brooding and guitar-case-toting gunslinger seeking revenge for the death of his lover. The film's kinetic energy is fueled by intense shootouts, choreographed with Rodriguez's signature creative violence. Moreover, Salma Hayek's Carolina adds depth as El Mariachi's love interest in this neo-Western tale of vengeance, which is essentially a Hollywood-budgeted remake of El Mariachi. Desperado is celebrated for its visual creativity, blending elements of traditional Westerns with a contemporary, almost comic book-like sensibility.

6 Wild Bill (1995)

Biographical acid Western about one of the fastest guns in the West

Wild Bill explores the final days of the legendary gunslinger Wild Bill Hickok. Jeff Bridges delivers a compelling version of Wild Bill, a frontier lawman haunted by his past and faced with his own mortality. The film weaves together elements of historical accuracy with artistic interpretation, capturing the gritty and violent atmosphere of the real frontier and traditional Western films alike - resulting in a poignant reflection on the turbulent life of one of the West's most iconic figures. Portraying Hickok not just as a mythic figure, but as a flawed and human protagonist, the film stands out for its unconventional narrative structure and Bridges' nuanced performance.

Related: 10 Fastest Guns In The West (In Film & Television)

5 The Hi-Lo Country (1998)

Underrated traditional Western with a stellar cast

The Hi-Lo Country is a Western drama set in post-World War II New Mexico. The film explores the changing dynamics of friendship and loyalty between two cowboys, Big Boy Matson (Woody Harrelson) and Pete Calder (Billy Crudup), as they navigate the challenges of a changing frontier. Adapted from Max Evans' novel of the same name, the movie delves into the complexities of love and relationships amid the struggle to maintain traditional ways in the face of modernization. With its atmospheric cinematography and strong performances, The Hi-Lo Country captures the essence of a fading era and examines the personal costs of holding on to a rapidly vanishing way of life.

4 The Quick and the Dead (1995)

Horror legend Sam Raimi's only Western film

This unique Western blends elements of the genre with the stylized, almost surreal atmosphere that only director Sam Raimi can bring to the screen. The Quick and the Dead is focused on The Lady (Sharon Stone), who enters a deadly quick-draw tournament in a frontier town ruled by the ruthless John Herod (Gene Hackman). The film combines classic Western tropes with Raimi's trademark visual flair, creating a tense and visually dynamic experience filled with elegantly brutal surprises. From The Quick and the Dead's awesome duel tournament setting to the film having one of the most shocking endings in Sam Raimi's movies, this revisionist Western is a '90s time capsule.

3 Tombstone (1993)

Classic cult Western about a legendary real-life gunfight

Tombstone chronicles the memorable events surrounding the gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Kurt Russell stars as Wyatt Earp, leading a stellar ensemble cast that includes Val Kilmer as the iconic Doc Holliday. The film captures the lawlessness and tensions of the Old West as Earp and his allies confront the notorious Cowboys gang. With intense gunfights, memorable one-liners, and Kilmer's standout performance, Tombstone has become a cult classic within the Western genre. A balanced blend of historical accuracy and cinematic flair, Tombstone delivers a gripping portrayal of friendship, justice, and the challenges faced by those who sought to tame the frontier.

Related: Tombstone: Doc Holliday's 20 Best One-Liners

2 Lone Star (1996)

Underrated modern-day Western and murder mystery

Lone Star is a neo-Western that centers on an unsolved murder in Rio County, Texas. The movie is told from the perspective of local sheriff Sam Deeds (Chris Cooper), who unravels a decades-old mystery involving his father Buddy (Matthew McConaughey), the legendary former sheriff of the same town. Lone Star stands out for its nuanced characters and layered storytelling, tackling issues of historical injustice and cultural diversity as the mystery unfolds. The film weaves together past and present narratives, delivering a thoughtful examination of the evolving landscape of the American Southwest, making Lone Star a memorable and resonant entry in the Western genre.

1 Unforgiven (1992)

Blurs the line between classic, revisionist, and anti-Western films

Why is Unforgiven a revisionist Western when it's also considered one of the best traditional Western movies of all time? The answer lies in how Unforgiven uses the most foundational Western tropes to deconstruct the myth of the noble gunslinger. Clint Eastwood stars as William Munny, a retired and remorseful outlaw, drawn back into violence for one last job. Gene Hackman delivers a powerful performance as the morally ambiguous Sheriff Little Bill Daggett. Both arcs elegantly examine the brutal consequences of a life of violence. Earning Eastwood the Oscar for Best Picture, Unforgiven is largely regarded to be the best Western movie from the '90s.