Although not as popular as it once was, the Western genre has been a brilliant source of adventure, whether through sprawling John Wayne epics or Clint Eastwood Spaghetti Westerns. Ranging from quests for revenge to treasure hunts, the Wild West has always been ripe for exploration. This has been particularly true during the modern era of the genre, with a slew of iconic ’80s and ’90s movies reigniting a passion in audiences for the Old West.

The Western genre has delivered audiences some of the best adventure stories of all time, even if the genre continues to go under-appreciated in the 21st century. With justice, revenge, and treasure often serving as the primary fuel for these stories, seeing everyone from lawmen to outlaws ride their way through the frontier rarely fails to bring audiences the adventure they crave.

10 Young Guns Capitalized On ’80s Youth Icons

Young Guns tells the story of a group of young gunfighters, including Billy the Kid, who get taken in by a kindhearted mentor, John Tunstall. However, when a rival rancher, Murphy, has the man killed, his young wards get deputized, forming a bang of lawmen dubbed the Regulators. Heading out across the state with a warrant for their mentor’s killer, their adventure culminates in the famous Lincoln County War.

Young Guns capitalized on some of the biggest young Hollywood stars of the ’80s, counting Charlie Sheen, Emilio Estevez, Lou Diamond Phillips, and Kiefer Sutherland among its all-star cast. The film turns the West into a teen-friendly action story, serving almost as much of a coming-of-age story as an epic quest for revenge.

9 Silverado Is An ’80s Classic

Silverado follows a small group of gunfighters who, through happenstance, become companions, eventually stepping up to defend the nearby town of Silverado. Along the way, they incur the wrath of a crooked and brutal land baron, McKendrick, who uses a corrupt sheriff on his payroll to target the heroes. As his violence against them escalates, the protagonists prepare for their final confrontation.

Silverado was the film that put Kevin Costner on the map for many moviegoers, turning him into a new leading star of the Western genre going forward. The film doesn’t hold back in its depiction of the West, and following the four heroes as they ride through the stunning American landscape makes for a brilliant adventure.

8 The Lone Ranger Revived A Treasured Hero

The Lone Ranger tells the story of John Reid, a lawyer who, after learning of the murder of his brother at the hand of an outlaw named Butch Cavendish, dons a mask and becomes a hero. Aided by an outcast Native American named Tonto, he sets out to bring the men responsible for his brother’s killing to justice, culminating in one of the most epic action sequences of the last two decades.

Based on the classic Lone Ranger radio serials, the film excelled at bringing its hero to life for modern audiences, but its oversized budget tanked its box office potential. For audiences who just want a piece of escapist Western adventure, seeing the origins of the Ranger and his quest for justice is the place to go.

7 The Outlaw Josey Wales Is A Darker Adventure

The Outlaw Josey Wales opens with the protagonist burying his family, who were murdered by Union militiamen, the Redlegs. Fueled by a thirst for vengeance, he joins the Confederacy, serving on a guerrilla militia force throughout the Civil War. However, as the conflict comes to an end, the team is betrayed by one of its members, who negotiates a fake surrender with the Union. After seeing most of his friends get gunned down, Wales flees into the West, with the Redlegs in hot pursuit. Along the way, he meets and befriends a growing group of companions, who aid him in a last stand against their hunters.

The Outlaw Josey Wales is a darker spin on a Western adventure, with the shadow of tragedy looming over its story. However, as Josey befriends other dispossessed travelers, his quest for reprieve from the Redlegs turns epic, and it ends with one of the best shootouts of the genre.

6 Open Range Is A Love Letter To Western Romance Novels

Open Range focuses on a small group of cattle drivers, led by the seasoned Boss and Civil War veteran Charley. When the friends are attacked by a ruthless cattle baron, who has a small town in his grasp, Boss and Charley seek revenge. With one of their friends dead and another gravely injured, they prepare to take on the petty tyrant and rid the town of its corruption.

Open Range is a love letter to old Western romance novels, and its story is a fantastic example of the Old West’s allure to moviegoers. The story sees its protagonists go from nomads of the open plains of America to finding people to care about, stepping up as heroes when needed, and beginning a new chapter of their lives at the end.

5 Tombstone Captivated A New Generation of Western Fans

Tombstone focuses on Wyatt Earp who, along with his brothers, becomes a lawman in Tombstone, Arizona. However, after meeting up with his old friend, Doc Holiday, Wyatt and his brothers soon cross paths with the Cochise County Cowboys, a gang of violent outlaws. As their feud grows, the protagonists enforce a town ordnance against public carrying of firearms, culminating in the infamous shootout at the OK Corral. When the Cowboys seek retribution against the Earps by killing one of the brothers and wounding another, Wyatt and Doc form a posse to ride out and rid the territory of the outlaws once and for all.

Alongside 1992’s Unforgiven, Tombstone helped reel in a new generation of moviegoers to the Western genre, thanks to its iconic script and fast-paced action sequences. Once Wyatt and Doc head out on the warpath, the film changes from period drama to action/adventure, following the heroes as they travel across the region to bring down their enemies.

4 The Magnificent Seven Borrowed From An Akira Kurosawa Classic

The Magnificent Seven tells the story of a band of gunfighters who come together to take a job in a small village to defend them against bandits. Once the group comes together, they begin their defense of the villagers, with their presence only daring the bandits to escalate their attacks. The film builds towards its epic last stand, as the heroes take on dozens of hired guns — and not all of them walk away from the battle.

The Magnificent Seven remains a classic of its genre, with a great 2016 remake that follows many of the same themes. Both versions feature an ensemble cast of A-list stars, from Yul Brynner and Steve McQueen in the 1960 film to Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt. Both films build up the mythos of the Western hero, focusing on hired guns who are each revealed to be men of courage.

3 Back to the Future Part III Concludes A Perfect Trilogy

After the second film ends with Doc Brown being trapped in 1885, Back to the Future Part III picks up right where it left off. Despite a warning from 1985 Doc to leave him in the past, Marty teams up with the 1955 version of the scientist to head back to the Old West and bring his friend home. However, when he arrives in the West, he crosses paths with Buford “Mad Dog” Tannen, a violent outlaw who is destined to shoot Brown over a matter of $80. As the scientist falls in love with a teacher, Clara Clayton, Marty begins to realize that he may not be able to convince him to come back.

Back to the Future Part III blends elements of steampunk science fiction with classic Western adventure, following Doc and Marty as they navigate the dangers of 1885 Hill Valley. Culminating in a brilliant chase sequence as the heroes catch up to a train, the movie pokes fun at its genre, while simultaneously honoring it.

2 True Grit Uses Revenge As A Vehicle For Adventure

True Grit follows the story of Mattie Ross, a teen girl who travels to Fort Smith, Arkansas, seeking vengeance against the man who murdered her father. She finds an aging marshal, Rooster Cogburn, who has a reputation for leaving few of his fugitives alive. With a Texas Ranger, LaBoeuf, tagging along, the heroes head out into Indian territory to find their target: Tom Chaney. Along the way, the characters clash as Mattie begins to question whether the legend of her protector is true.

While many have a nostalgic fondness for the John Wayne version of the film, the 2010 adaptation of Charles Portis’ novel captures the spirit of the story even better. The film is a great adventure into the heart of the Old West, making its heroes the heart and soul of the story as they begin to respect each other — and close in on Chaney.

1 The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Is Peak Western Adventure

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly follows “Blondie” (the Man With No Name) as he breaks off a lucrative scam with an outlaw, Tuco. However, when his disgruntled ex-partner gets the drop on him, he marches him out to his death in the desert. When the pair come across a stagecoach carrying a dying Confederate soldier, they each learn half the location of a buried stash of gold — Tuco knows the name of the graveyard it’s buried in, Blondie the name of the grave. Now, with each man depending on the other to get rich, they ride across a war-torn New Mexico in search of treasure — but incur the wrath of Angel Eyes, a mercenary who wants the gold for himself.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly follows Blondie and Tuco on a veritable odyssey across New Mexico, taking on rival gunfighters, military units, and each other along the way. The film’s epic quest is made all the better by Ennio Morricone’s fantastic score, which has since become synonymous with the very word adventure.