6 Scariest Westerns of the Last 20 Years, Ranked

Western movies often depict the American Old West – a time of outlaws, danger, and courageous cowboys. But within this genre, there are many different types of stories, all known for their great narratives and acting. From the classic films featuring stars like Clint Eastwood to more recent successes such as Hell or High Water, westerns continue to captivate audiences.

Horror Westerns are a particularly exciting type of movie, focusing on the fear and danger of life in the Old West. Classics like Bone Tomahawk define the genre, while recent films like Sinners are gaining recognition as great examples. Over the past twenty years, this subgenre has really delivered some truly terrifying and thrilling Western horror movies.

The Pale Door Is an Unusual Revisionist Horror

The Pale Door is a thrilling Western horror film about two brothers, Duncan and Jake, who team up with a group of outlaws to rob a train. But after the heist, they stumble into a terrifying trap – a hideout filled with dangerous witches. As members of the gang start disappearing, Duncan and Jake must battle for their lives and try to escape the supernatural threat.

The Pale Door is a captivating Western with a surprisingly dark edge. While it doesn’t stick to historical facts and presents a heightened version of the Wild West, the story is enjoyable and the acting is strong. The villains are somewhat over-the-top, but the talented actresses deliver compelling performances that really draw you in.

Often dismissed due to its mixed reviews and low critical score, The Pale Door is a surprisingly fun Western horror film. While not flawless, it offers enjoyable twists for fans of the genre.

The Burrowers Is an Unexpected Creature Feature

The film The Burrowers opens with a brutal attack on a family, leaving some dead and others vanished. A rescue team, headed by ex-soldier Henry Victor, initially believes a local Indigenous group is to blame. But the team quickly discovers the true culprits are terrifying creatures living beneath the surface, and they are the ones responsible for the horrific events.

This film is surprisingly gripping and unsettling, successfully blending elements of classics like Bone Tomahawk and Tremors. It reveals just enough about the creatures to be truly frightening, while still maintaining a sense of mystery that lingers after the credits roll. The Burrowers is a standout creature feature from the 2000s, despite not getting the attention it deserves.

A subtle but important part of The Burrowers is its commentary on how early settlers often unfairly blamed Native Americans for problems and crimes. The film portrays the creatures as clever and hard to find, but it also makes it clear that the people hunting them are the real antagonists.

Viewers are Left Wondering in The Wind

The Wind tells the story of Lizzy, a woman battling a form of mental illness called prairie madness. She believes supernatural forces are haunting her and her husband, Issac, as they live on their isolated farm. Issac worries about Lizzy’s growing paranoia and hopes that a new couple moving nearby will help her feel better. But when unsettling events keep occurring, Lizzy becomes increasingly convinced that demons are present on the frontier.

The Wind is a Western film that stands out because it doesn’t romanticize the typical Wild West tropes of gunslingers and outlaws. Instead, it focuses on the harsh realities faced by people trying to survive on the lonely frontier. The movie creates a sense of unease by leaving viewers wondering if strange events are caused by a supernatural force or the main character’s deteriorating mental state. Either way, it powerfully portrays the fear and psychological toll experienced by those isolated on the prairie.

Despite revealing its ending, the movie The Wind maintains a surprising amount of suspense thanks to its focused story.

Bone Tomahawk Has Defined Horror Westerns

Set in the Old West of the late 1800s, Bone Tomahawk follows Sheriff Franklin Hunt as he organizes a dangerous rescue mission. Several townspeople have been kidnapped by a savage tribe, and Hunt and his team venture into perilous territory to save them. The journey becomes increasingly brutal and violent as they close in on the cannibalistic tribe.

Many consider Bone Tomahawk to be the best Western horror film ever created, largely due to Kurt Russell’s compelling portrayal of Sheriff Hunt. The movie is notorious for its incredibly disturbing scenes, which can be very difficult to watch, even for experienced horror fans. While the shocking moments are what truly grab your attention, the film is also admired for its gripping story.

While generally well-regarded, Bone Tomahawk has faced justified criticism for its portrayal of the ‘troglodytes,’ which relies on damaging stereotypes about Indigenous people. The film does try to distinguish between these ‘troglodytes’ and other Indigenous groups, and it accurately depicts the racism common among white settlers in the Old West. Though not flawless, Bone Tomahawk has become a benchmark for contemporary horror westerns.

Genres are Perfectly Blended in Jordan Peele’s Nope

Jordan Peele’s movie Nope tells the story of siblings OJ and Emerald, who are trying to save their family’s horse-training ranch after their father passes away. When a UFO appears on their land, they see a chance to make money by filming it. But the alien, nicknamed “Jean Jacket,” proves to be much more dangerous than they expected.

Nope starts as a classic Western, reminiscent of old Hollywood films, but quickly transforms into a scary and suspenseful horror story with a supernatural twist. The movie is visually impressive, capturing both the iconic style of Westerns and a shocking, otherworldly reveal. While it might not be what viewers anticipate, Nope offers a fresh and intriguing take on both supernatural horror and alien invasion themes.

Jordan Peele’s film Nope is a standout example of his distinctive and effective storytelling, consistently delivering strong visuals and captivating performances. While it might not be the first Western horror film people think of, Nope is a hidden gem that skillfully blends classic Hollywood Western tropes with a modern perspective on the film industry.

Vampires Take on the South in Sinners

The film Sinners was a huge success, both in theaters and on streaming platforms, becoming one of the biggest hits of 2025. The story follows twin brothers, Smoke and Stack, as they return to their Mississippi hometown to create a community space—a juke joint—for Black residents. Despite a white supremacist scheme to sabotage their efforts, it’s a group of vampires who ultimately cause trouble when the juke joint opens.

I have a feeling Sinners is going to become a classic, and honestly, it’s already shaken things up. It’s a really overlooked Western horror film, but it gets what that genre is all about – the dread of being stranded somewhere remote, and how brutal people can be. The vampires in it? They’re basically the outlaws and villains you’d expect in any good Old West story, just with fangs!

This movie is a huge success, and for good reason! It’s incredibly creative, well-acted – especially by Michael B. Jordan, who brilliantly portrays both lead roles – and genuinely frightening. Many consider Sinners the scariest modern western, and it’s quickly becoming known as one of the best horror films in years.

2026-01-09 19:11