Western films will always be associated with John Wayne. Known as “The Duke,” he was one of the top box office draws for three decades during Hollywood’s Golden Age of cinema. He appeared in over 150 movies during his career. He was brilliant in every role, whether he was playing a cowboy, a colonel, or a marshal. “The Duke” was always the hero.
Wayne’s legacy continues today, even 40 years past his death in 1979. Fans still love his films as he starred in some of the best Western movies of all time. Let’s take a look at some of his best movies, ranked according to IMDb.
Updated on February 26th, 2022 by Colin McCormick: Few actors in the history of movies have reached the kind of iconic status as John Wayne. He helped define a certain type of hero in movies in his era and there is still a certain influence from Wayne that can be found in modern movies. With a career spanning many decades, Wayne has starred in so many classics as well as some underrated projects. Even those who may not be a fan of the actor may be interested in how the best John Wayne movies have helped shape cinema in general.
20 Big Jake (1971) – 7.1
- Available to stream on The Roku Channel, Tubi, and Pluto TV.
Even as Wayne entered the final decade of his career before his death, he continued to shine in the kinds of roles fans had always enjoyed seeing him in. Big Jake was one of his final hit movies and played to those strengths.
The movie follows the kidnapping of a young boy by a gang of outlaws who demand a ransom. Wayne plays the titular hero and the one man who stands a chance of rescuing the boy.
19 McLintock! (1963) – 7.2
- Available to stream on Prime Video, Hulu, Paramount+, Epix, The Roku Channel, Hoopla, Vudu, Tubi, Kanopy, DIRECTV, Fandor, Pluto TV, Classix, Spectrum on Demand, and Plex.
McLintock is a bit of a unique Western movie not only in terms of the best John Wayne movies but the actor’s career in general. Instead of being the usual action-oriented Western adventure, it is focused on a daily story with Wayne playing a hero who is attempting to reconcile with his wife and daughter.
In the Western, Wayne plays the titular land baron who is a respected man in the lands. He uses the influence he has in an attempt to keep peace among the various rivals and enemies while also dealing with his own family issues.
18 The Sons Of Katie Elder (1965) – 7.2
- Available to stream on Hulu, Paramount+, Epix, DIRECTV, and Spectrum on Demand.
As big of a star as Wayne is, it is fun to see him sharing the screen with other notable actors of the time. In the Western revenge story The Sons of Katie Elder, Wayne and Dean Martin make for a fun team playing brothers in the story.
The movie follows four brothers who return to their family home for their father’s funeral only to find a conman is attempting to take the home from their mother. Wayne plays the eldest brother and a gunfighter.
17 Hatari! (1962) – 7.2
- Available to stream on Kanopy and Pluto TV.
Many fans would likely have a hard time picturing Wayne in a comedy, but the adventure movie Hatari! does have a more comedic edge than most of his more famous roles. The movie tells the story of a group of men who make a living trapping wild animals in Africa and selling them to zoos.
Modern audiences might not be too keen to cheer for a protagonist like this even if Wayne brings his typical gruffness to the character. But the adventure aspects might offer enough fun to distract from the things that have aged poorly.
16 The Horse Soldiers (1959) – 7.2
- Available to stream on Prime Video and Pluto TV.
John Wayne stars in this Western war epic set during the American Civil War. Colonel John Marlowe (Wayne) is a Union soldier sent on a mission to attack behind Confederate lines.
Along with the various fights and skirmishes shown between the Union and Confederate soldiers, there is another storyline between Colonel Marlowe and Major Henry Kendall (William Holden) as the Major is on the medical staff and is struggling to reckon with the horrors of war.
15 She Wore A Yellow Ribbon (1949) – 7.3
- Available to stream on IndieFlix.
John Wayne stars in this Western movie set in the late 1800s after the end of the American Civil War as a Calvary Captain who is tasked with safely escorting two women out of the enemy territory.
Captain Brittles (Wayne) is about to retire but he goes on this one last mission to help out the commanding officer of his unit. Various troops fall for Olivia Dandridge (Joanne Dru) as Brittles tries to escort her safely and protect her as she wears a yellow ribbon signaling she’s already in a relationship.
14 In Harm’s Way (1965) – 7.3
- Available to stream on Kanopy and Shout TV.
In Harm’s Way is a realistic view of American Naval Officers during Pearl Harbor and in the years after America became fully involved in World War II after the event.
John Wayne stars as a disgraced Naval Captain who is removed from his command after he didn’t follow the rules of combat or orders when in pursuit of the Japanese after Pearl Harbor. Captain Torrey (Wayne) is given a second chance to redeem himself in this war epic.
13 The Cowboys (1972) – 7.4
- Available to stream on Kanopy.
By the 1970s, Wayne’s career was slowly dwindling as movie viewers were growing less interested in Western films. However, his 1972 film, The Cowboys, still remains one of his best performances. The film focuses on veteran cattle rancher Wil Andersen (Wayne). He is about to embark on a big cattle drive when his crew unexpectedly quits to join in on the historic California Gold Rush.
Needing workers, Wil enlists the help of local schoolboys. At first, Wil is grumpy and frustrated with the teen boys. However, a bond forms between Wil and the boys as they become their own family.
12 True Grit (1969) – 7.4
- Available to stream on Hulu, Paramount+, Epix, DIRECTV, and Spectrum on Demand.
The 1969 film True Grit is undeniably one of the best John Wayne movies and one of the most memorable films to come out of his entire career. After hired hand Tom Chaney (Jeff Corey) murders the father of 14-year-old Mattie Ross (Kim Darby), she hires U.S. Marshal “Rooster” Cogburn (Wayne) to seek vengeance. He is a man of “true grit” and he teams up with Texas Ranger La Boeuf (Glen Campbell) in his manhunt.
The film earned Wayne his first and only Academy Award for Best Actor. To this day, the film is regarded as a truly iconic film of the Western genre. While the 21-century remake is excellent, True Grit stands as perhaps Wayne’s most iconic role.
11 Fort Apache (1948) – 7.5
- Available to stream on DIRECTV and TCM.
Captain Kirby York (Wayne) is an American Civil War veteran who was in line to take command at a Union cavalry post, Fort Apache, but the job is given to another veteran Lieutenant Colonel Thursday (Henry Fonda). Lt. Col. Thursday is qualified for the position, but he is arrogant and egotistical and most all of the soldiers at the post wanted Captain York in command.
There are subplots of the Apache Native American tribes becoming upset and the soldiers not working with them or respecting them and another romantic plot with Thursday’s daughter and a soldier.
10 Baby Face (1933) – 7.6
- Available to rent on Apple TV.
John Wayne only has a small supporting role in this movie especially compared to the rest of the movies on this list where he is in a leading role. Baby Face follows Lily Powers (Barbara Stanwyck), a young woman who has been sexually exploited by her father her entire life.
Powers decides to use this to her advantage and manipulate the men at a bank to gain power and status within the company. Jimmy McCoy Jr. (Wayne) is one of the men she has a relationship with to have him select her for a promotion.
9 El Dorado (1966) – 7.6
- Available to stream on Hulu, Paramount+, Epix, DIRECTV, and Spectrum on Demand.
The 1966 film El Dorado is a collaboration between Wayne and another memorable Western movie star, Robert Mitchum. The film centers on gunslinger Cole Thorton (Wayne), who returns to the town of El Dorado to work for a heartless landowner, Bart Jason (Ed Asner). However, he realizes he will have to fight his old friend, J.P. Harrah (Mitchum). So, he turns down the offer.
Instead, he teams up with J.P. to protect the citizens of El Dorado from Bart. At the same time, he helps J.P. with his alcoholism. A story about friendship with plenty of gunfights, El Dorado is a Western fans don’t want to miss.
8 The Shootist (1976) – 7.6
- Available to stream on Hulu, Paramount+, Epix, DIRECTV, Tubi, and Spectrum on Demand.
1976’s The Shootist was Wayne’s final film role, and it was one of his most memorable performances. He plays J.B. Books, an aging gunfighter who was recently diagnosed with cancer. He travels to Nevada at the turn of the 20th century for one last gunfight. He rents a room from the widowed Bond Rogers (Lauren Bacall) and her son, Gillom (Ron Howard).
Books is puzzled by many citizens in the town like a man who wants to avenge his brother’s death. Others are looking to make a profit off of Books’ notoriety. Knowing his time is running up, Books devises one last gunfight to end his life with a, well, bang.
7 Red River (1948) – 7.8
- Available to stream on Hoopla, DIRECTV, and TCM.
John Wayne was always the hero, but that wasn’t the case in the 1948 film, Red River. He starred as Thomas Dunson, a tyrannical cattle rancher who works with a faithful trail hand, Groot (Walter Brennan), and his protégé and adopted son, Matt Garth (Montgomery Clift). They lead a cattle drive to Missouri following the Civil War.
This journey isn’t easy, and Thomas becomes a dictator. This causes Matt to rebel against him, and they wonder if they’ll ever be a “family.” Those who are used to watching Wayne as a hero might find it difficult to watch his behavior in this movie, but it’s a stand-out performance.
6 The Quiet Man (1952) – 7.8
- Available to stream on Hulu, Paramount+, Epix, DIRECTV, and Spectrum on Demand.
The 1952 comedy-drama The Quiet Man is one of the rare times Wayne didn’t star in a Western. Instead, he teamed up with Maureen O’Hara, his co-star in four other popular romantic films. The Quiet Man is the best movie they made together.
After accidentally killing an opponent in the ring, boxer Sean Thornton (Wayne) flees to Ireland to buy his family’s homestead. While doing so, he meets and falls in love with Mary Kate Danaher (O’Hara). Their romance seems perfect until Mary Kate’s brother wants to buy Sean’s property out from under him. Uh-oh!
5 The Longest Day (1962) – 7.8
- Available to stream on DIRECTV, TCM, and Spectrum on Demand.
As much as Wayne might be best remembered in the Western genre, he also appeared in a number of war movies. He was featured as one of the many cast members in the star-studded ensemble for The Longest Day.
The movie explores the D-Day invasion from the Allied troops against the German military in World War II. The movie focuses on many different stories and characters taking back in the historic operation, with Wayne joined by the likes of Henry Fonda, Robert Mitchum, and Sean Connery.
4 Stagecoach (1939) – 7.9
- Available to stream on Prime Video, Fubo TV, HBO Max, The Roku Channel, Hoopla, The Criterion Channel, Tubi, Fandor, Pluto TV, and Plex.
In the 1930s, Wayne mostly worked as an extra or had small roles in films. In 1939, he finally got his big break in showbusiness in Stagecoach, where he played Ringo Kid, a young outlaw who was seeking revenge for his father and brother’s deaths.
The film includes a diverse group of characters, including an alcoholic philosophizer (Thomas Mitchell), a woman with a poor reputation (Claire Trevor), a shy liquor salesman (Donald Meek), and many other travelers. They’re all aboard the same stagecoach and they must live with each other. The film set Wayne on a path to stardom.
3 The Searchers (1956) – 7.9
- Available to stream on HBO Max.
Wayne was best when he was starring in Westerns. In the 1956 film The Searchers, Ethan Edwards (Wayne) returns home to Texas following the Civil War. Several members of his brother’s family are killed and abducted by Comanches, so Ethan is on a hunt to track them down and bring them home.
He eventually finds out that his niece, Debbie (Natalie Wood), is alive and with her adopted brother, Martin (Jeffrey Hunter). This sends Ethan on a dangerous mission to find them. If anyone can find them, it’s “The Duke.”
2 Rio Bravo (1959) – 8.0
- Available to stream on HBO Max.
In the 1959 film Rio Bravo, gunslinger Joe Burdette (Claude Akins) kills a man in a saloon. This causes Sheriff John T. Chance (Wayne) to arrest him, along with the help of the town drunk, Dude (Dean Martin).
However, John soon finds himself in trouble when Joe’s brother, Nathan (John Russell), comes to town to bust his brother out of jail. John must stand his ground, but he’s tested on numerous occasions. It is a fun and thrilling Western that remain highly influential even after all these years.
1 The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) – 8.1
- Available to stream on Hulu, Paramount+, Epix, and DIRECTV.
The 1962 film The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance has everything fans want in a good Western: gang members, violence, and John Wayne. The film begins with Senator Ransom Stoddard (James Stewart) arriving in town to attend the funeral of rancher Tom Doniphon (Wayne). When he’s asked why he’s attending the funeral, the movie flashes back to 25 years prior.
When Ransom was visiting the town, he ran into a cruel gang led by Liberty Valance (Lee Marvin). Tom Doniphon came to the rescue and saved Ransom’s life. Tom repeatedly helps Ransom and the two become a competitive force against Liberty Valance. They’re just too good to be stopped.