The Best Western Movies to Watch for Free on YouTube

As a film buff, I feel like we’re living in an amazing time for movies and TV, with so much available thanks to all the streaming services. But honestly, keeping up with them all can really hit your wallet! If you’re a Western fan like me, services like Netflix, Max, and Hulu do have some great options, but the catch is you have to pay for a subscription to actually watch them.

If you’re looking for free movies without a subscription, YouTube is a great option. While you’ll encounter some ads, it has a surprisingly good selection of classic Westerns – you just need to search a little. But who has the time? That’s why we’ve compiled a list of some of the best free classic Westerns available to watch on YouTube right now.

‘McLintock!’ (1963)

United Artists

The charming Western comedy McLintock! features the legendary John Wayne, known for his many classic Western roles. Interestingly, the film also stars Wayne’s son, Patrick Wayne, along with Maureen O’Hara and Stefanie Powers. Wayne plays G.W. McLintock, an older rancher whose wife leaves him to pursue a more glamorous life. He then faces both personal difficulties and threats to his land from those who want to take it.

Many John Wayne Westerns follow a similar pattern, and McLintock! is no exception. However, its focus on humor, rather than serious drama, makes it particularly enjoyable and memorable. While it occasionally leans into over-the-top comedy, the strong chemistry between the large cast – especially a fantastic performance by Maureen O’Hara – keeps everything grounded. It’s definitely worth a watch.

‘Johnny Guitar’ (1954)

Republic Pictures

Starring Joan Crawford, Johnny Guitar is a unique and memorable Western. Crawford plays Vienna, who runs a saloon and is constantly challenged by her enemy Emma, played by Mercedes McCambridge. The arrival of Vienna’s former partner, Johnny Guitar (Sterling Hayden), forces them to face both their shared history and the danger Emma poses.

Directed by Nicholas Ray, Johnny Guitar wasn’t immediately popular but has since become a favorite among critics and fans of the genre. Its striking use of color is visually appealing, but it’s Joan Crawford’s captivating performance that truly holds your attention. The film also cleverly explores themes of paranoia and groupthink, making it surprisingly relevant even today. You can watch it here.

‘Broken Arrow’ (1950)

20th Century Fox

Considered a classic Western from the 1950s, Broken Arrow tells the story of Tom Jeffords, played by James Stewart, a man trying to maintain peace between American settlers and the Apache tribe. Despite a fragile agreement between the two groups, ongoing prejudice threatens to destroy it, and Tom finds himself as the sole advocate for both peace and the Apache people.

Directed by Delmer Daves, Broken Arrow was a groundbreaking Western film that offered a more sympathetic portrayal of Native Americans, significantly influencing many subsequent Westerns. Beyond its importance as a turning point in Hollywood storytelling, Broken Arrow also features a fantastic performance by James Stewart in a truly captivating story. It’s a film worth watching.

‘The Man Who Shot Liberty Vance’

Paramount Pictures

Widely considered a classic Western, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance showcases legendary performances from both John Wayne and James Stewart. They play competing figures, each determined to track down the notorious outlaw Liberty Valance, portrayed by Lee Marvin.

John Ford’s film is widely considered a late-career triumph – a thoughtful Western that looks at how legends are created in the Old West and offers a fresh take on ideas of heroism and fairness. Its iconic line about “printing the legend” has become a guiding principle in filmmaking. The fact that you can watch this influential Western for free on YouTube shows the platform’s value as a source for classic films. Watch it here.

‘Hang Em High’ (1968)

Despite the fact that most of Clint Eastwood’s movies require a subscription to stream, you can currently watch one of his classic Westerns for free. Hang Em High, released after his hugely successful Dollars Trilogy, tells the story of Jed Cooper, a man who survives a lynching and sets out to get revenge.

Directed by Ted Post, a well-known figure in Westerns, Hang ’Em High truly established Clint Eastwood as a major star after his early successes with Sergio Leone’s Dollars Trilogy. The film uniquely combines the classic Western with the tension of a courtroom drama, offering a more thoughtful and somber take on the genre. It skillfully connects the grand scale of older Hollywood Westerns with the changing styles of the 1960s. You can watch it here.

‘From Hell to Texas’ (1958)

20th Century Fox

In “From Hell to Texas,” a powerful and unforgiving cattle baron, Hunter Boyd, is convinced a ranch hand named Tod killed his son. Boyd sends his men after Tod, relentlessly pursuing him despite Tod’s claims of innocence. They eventually catch up to him, leaving him badly wounded. After collapsing by a river, Tod is rescued by a generous rancher and his daughter, Juanita, who grows fond of him. However, the men hunting Tod soon bring danger to their peaceful home.

While not one of the most famous Westerns from its era, From Hell to Texas is a good, enjoyable film. It stars Don Murray and Diane Varsi, with Murray delivering a strong performance early in his career before he appeared in films like Kid Rodelo and The Plainsman. Interestingly, Dennis Hopper also appears in a very early role as Tom Boyd. As with other Westerns directed by Henry Hathaway, this film offers everything you’d expect from the genre – it’s a classic example. Watch it here.

‘Yuma’ (1971)

ABC

Originally shown as an ABC Movie of the Week, the film Yuma is still a good watch even though it wasn’t made with a large budget. It stars Clint Walker as Dave Harmon, a former Army lieutenant who becomes the new U.S. Marshal in Yuma. Harmon takes the job after his wife and son are tragically murdered, and he’s determined to find the killers. His only clue is that they were wearing army uniforms, leading him on a quest for revenge.

Directed by Ted Post, who helmed films like Hang ’em High and Magnum Force, this TV Western is surprisingly well-made – it’s better than you might expect. Clint Walker, best known as Cheyenne, delivers a strong performance as the tough but fair Marshal Dave Harmon. If you’re a Western fan and have seen the major films, this is a worthwhile, though unassuming, addition to the genre. You can watch it here.

‘Death Rides a Horse’ (1967)

United Artists

Giulio Petroni’s Death Rides a Horse is a classic, hard-edged revenge Western. The film follows Bill, a young boy who endures the horrific murder of his family by a violent gang. He spends the next fifteen years honing his skills as a gunslinger, meticulously remembering each man involved. Finally, he returns to seek justice and avenge his family’s deaths, one by one.

John Phillip Law and Lee Van Cleef deliver excellent performances as Bill and Ryan, enhanced by Ennio Morricone’s evocative score, which sets a distinct mood for the film. Mario Brega also appears, continuing his work from the famous Dollars Trilogy. If you’re a fan of Lee Van Cleef or enjoy classic, hard-edged revenge stories, this Western is well worth watching.

‘Something Big’ (1971)

National General Pictures

Dean Martin shines in the hilarious Western comedy, Something Big. He plays Joe Baker, an older outlaw eagerly awaiting his beautiful fiancée, Dover McBride. Joe decides to pull off one final, ambitious heist – he wants it to be truly “something big” – but he’s got his hands full dealing with his unpredictable crew.

With a ticking clock and a massive Gatling gun, Something Big is a fun and surprisingly funny Western directed by Andrew V. McLaglen, who also made McLintock!. Dean Martin clearly enjoys himself in every scene, and while it might not appeal to everyone today, it’s thoroughly entertaining on its own. Just keep in mind that it’s a lighthearted and goofy Western, different from some more serious films in the genre. You can watch it here.

‘Ride Lonesome’ (1959)

Columbia Pictures

Known for its beautiful widescreen visuals and vibrant color, the film Ride Lonesome follows Ben Brigade, a tough bounty hunter. While traveling with a prisoner towards Santa Cruz, Brigade finds himself protecting a small town. It’s revealed he has his own secret motives. After aiding the townspeople, a widow joins him on his journey. He hires two outlaws for help, but doesn’t realize they’re also keeping secrets.

As a movie fan, I’m always amazed by how much impact a film can have in a short amount of time, and Ride Lonesome is a perfect example. It’s one of the quickest movies in this set, clocking in at just 73 minutes, but it’s packed with really memorable characters and the actors have fantastic chemistry. What I especially loved is that instead of focusing on big, sweeping landscapes, the movie really shines because of its smart writing and keeps you hooked from beginning to end – honestly, it’s some of the best pacing I’ve seen in a Western. Director Budd Boetticher clearly knew how to get great performances out of a fantastic cast, including Randolph Scott, Karen Steele, Pernell Roberts, and the always-great Lee Van Cleef. Definitely worth checking out!

2026-02-27 23:05