Western movies on youtube full movies

The age of streaming giants may mean we're lucky enough to be living in a golden age of film and TV, but it can also get pretty costly to keep up with them all. For lovers of the Western genre, the likes of Netflix, Max, Hulu, and all the others, do have a great selection of Westerns to watch — the caveat, of course, being that you have to be a paid subscriber to enjoy them.

Fortunately, as a great alternative to streaming platforms, YouTube offers a great range of free movies to watch. While the downside is that you may have to sit through a few ads, and the selection isn't as expansive as Netflix's, for example, there's still plenty on offer from the tech giant. For some reason, YouTube doesn't widely market this niche service of theirs, and it's not easy to even find everything they have available, since there's no way to filter by genre. However, it's an open secret that you can watch free movies and series on YouTube.

A number of films can be found via YouTube's official library, while some YouTube channels like Grjngo also offer fully licensed Western movies to watch as well. With plenty of great classic films from the genre available, here's a list of great full-length Western films you can watch for free on YouTube.

14 McLintock! (1963)

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A delightful classic Western comedy, McLintock! starred the great John Wayne, a legendary actor famous for his roles in many iconic Westerns. As a great novelty, it also starred one of Wayne's sons, Patrick Wayne, in addition to the likes of Maureen O'Hara and Stefanie Powers. Wayne plays G.W. McLintock in the film, an aging rancher whose wife abandoned him for a life of being a socialite. He also has a daughter away at college and, despite being self-made and wealthy, tries to live a quiet life. However, his land is often coveted by various groups of people, which leads to him having to deal with a host of personal and professional problems because of it.

A Classic John Wayne Western

If you've seen one John Wayne Western, it's no stretch to suggest that you've seen them all. While McLintock! does foray into some familiar territory, the emphasis on comedic elements over outright drama makes McLintock! stands out as one of Wayne's most memorable forays into the frontier. It almost borders on slapstick at points, but the chemistry shared between the expansive cast on-screen along with a marvelous performance from Maureen O'Hara provides a delicate balance.

13 From Hell to Texas (1958)

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From Hell to Texas sees a ruthless cattle baron named Hunter Boyd send his men out to capture a ranch hand named Tod, whom he believes murdered his son. Tod is mercilessly pursued, and despite protesting his innocence, is tracked down and gravely injured. After collapsing near a river, Tod is taken in by a kind rancher and his daughter, Juanita, who takes a liking to him. After providing him with food and shelter, the men pursuing Tod soon bring trouble to their home. Tod, facing a choice to keep running, decides to fight the men instead.

From Hell to Texas Deserves More Acclaim

Though not as acclaimed as other Westerns of its time, From Hell to Texas was still a solid film. This one starred Don Murray and Diane Varsi as Tod and Juanita, respectively, with the former giving a compelling performance prior to his roles in films like Kid Rodelo and The Plainsman. Famously, Dennis Hopper would appear in From Hell to Texas in one of the earliest roles in his filmography, as he played the role of Tom Boyd. Like other Westerns directed by Henry Hathaway, you can expect a well-rounded encapsulation of the genre with all boxes checked.

12 Yuma (1971)

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A TV film that was once featured as ABC's Movie of the Week, Yuma was no less enjoyable despite its smaller budget. It featured Clint Walker as Dave Harmon, a former U.S. Army lieutenant. Harmon is sent to the town of Yuma as its new U.S. Marshal after his wife was sexually assaulted, and she and his son were murdered. Baying for revenge, Harmon's only lead on the perpetrators is that they were wearing army uniforms. After entering the town, he's soon thrust into tussles with the local drunks and criminals. Harmon quickly realizes that, despite having a wealth of experience, he's going to have his hands full.

Yuma Was Directed by Ted Post

Considering that Ted Post of Hang 'em High and Magnum Force fame directed this made-for-television Western, you can expect a level of craft that surpasses the expectations that come with such a distinction. Clint Walker (Cheyenne) does a fine job playing the stoic Dave Harmon, balancing ruthlessness with compassion as any rugged Marshal should. It's a modest Western that deserves your attention, if you've already breezed through all the classics of the genre.

11 Death Rides a Horse (1967)

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A gritty film by Italian director Giulio Petroni, Death Rides a Horse is a classical revenge Western. It tells the story of a young boy named Bill, who witnesses his father, mother, and younger sister being brutalized before being killed by a ruthless gang of men. Bill bides his time for 15 years, learning to become an expert gunman in that time. After memorizing the specific traits of each man who slaughtered his family, he returns to exact revenge on each of them.

Death Rides a Horse Trades Drama for Realism

The film garnered praise for its realism among most Spaghetti Westerns of the time that were considered more gimmicky. John Phillip Law and Lee Van Cleef both shine in their respective roles as Bill and Ryan, respectively, with the score by Ennio Morricone giving it some appropriate atmosphere when compared to its contemporaries. Mario Brega even plays a smaller role here as Paco, only a few years removed from his reoccurring appearances in the beloved Dollars Trilogy. This Western deserves your attention if you want to see Lee Van Cleef in his most intimidating performance yet, or simply want a gritty revenge film.

10 Something Big (1971)

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Another great Western comedy, Something Big was a film led by the legendary Dean Martin. A very cheeky film, it showcased all the comedic talents of Martin as he played an aging bandit named Joe Baker. Joe is awaiting the arrival of his fiancée, the beautiful Dover McBride. Determined to complete one last score, but wanting this one to be "something big," Joe has his work cut out for him, since his own associates could be a handful. On the other hand, he also has to be careful since a hot-headed colonel is determined to take him down, while he also awaits the arrival of his wife before retirement. With time against him, Joe and his gang race to execute his last big heist.

Something Big Is Aptly Named

Featuring a race against time and a particularly large gatling gun, Something Big is a surprisingly comedic effort from the same director of McLintock!, Andrew V. McLaglen. It's easy to tell that Dean Martin is having a blast anytime he's on-screen, and though it may draw some polarized contemporary responses, it's more than entertaining based on its own merits. Just be aware that it's an inherently silly Western compared to some of the other films here.

9 Ride Lonesome (1959)

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A great film that was categorized by its CinemaScope widescreen production and lush color, Ride Lonesome tells a gritty tale of a bounty hunter named Ben Brigade. Brigade gets swept up in defending a settlement that he and his prisoner take shelter in while he's transporting the man to Santa Cruz. As things play out, it soon emerges that Brigade has a hidden agenda. After helping the residents at the settlement, a widow decides to accompany Brigade on his journey. Along the way, he commissions two outlaws to help him, unaware that the men are also hiding a secret of their own.

​Ride Lonesome Has Incredible Characters

With one of the slimmest runtimes in this collection, Ride Lonesome manages to cram in some incredible character interactions and chemistry in as little as 73 minutes. Instead of highlighting the grandiose nature of its setting, Ride Lonesome opts to trade that for terrific writing and arguably some of the best pacing in the genre. Director Budd Boetticher brought the best out of this impressive cast, which features the likes of Randolph Scott, Karen Steele, Pernell Roberts, and, of course, Lee Van Cleef.

8 Day of Anger (1967)

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Speaking of Lee Van Cleef, this film by director Tonino Valerii has Cleef starring alongside Giuliano Gemma. Day of Anger features Cleef playing a composed gunman by the name of Frank Talby, who rides into the town of Clifton one fateful day. Upon meeting Scott (Gemma), a lowly street sweeper looked down upon by his peers, Talby opts to take Scott in as his protégé after shooting one of his bullies in cold blood. Unfortunately, this newfound life of shootouts and equestrianism comes with some moral boundaries that Scott refuses to cross, eventually putting the two men at odds with each other.

Day of Anger Is a Classic Spaghetti Western

Even if Day of Anger can't top the numerous films in the Dollars Trilogy, that's not to suggest that it doesn't reach a similar level of quality. Fascinatingly, Cleef is the star performer here, playing off of Giuliano Gemma in a way that's utterly captivating to watch. It's an impressive feat of storytelling, and when combined with a score by Riz Ortolani that mimics the qualities of Ennio Morricone's famed compositions, you end up with one of the most underrated Westerns of the late 1960s.

7 Santa Fe Passage (1954)

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While not as famous as other classic Westerns from the period, Santa Fe Passage portrayed the tricky relations that stemmed from the conflicts between residents of frontier towns and Native American tribes. It starred John Payne as Kirby Randolph, an experienced scout who becomes heavily bigoted after his alliance with a local chief is broken, leading to the massacre of his men. After being commissioned to transport a couple and their cargo of guns and ammo through Native American territories, Randolph isn't happy when a Native American woman is one of the passengers on the wagon train. But, he puts aside his bigotry as he becomes attracted to a young passenger named Aurelie. They encounter many dangers and Kirby ably protects everyone, while the film continually plays up the tension between his bravery and hateful attitude in a manner that made the film ahead of its time.

Santa Fe Passage Subverted Expectations

Director William Witney, who would cut his teeth on the Western genre with his work on The Lone Ranger among a prolific series of other projects, presents an intriguing premise carried by the performances of John Payne, Faith Domergue, and Slim Pickens. It's a film whose presentation could use a little more grittiness, but its intriguing premise delivers a surprising subversion of typical Western tropes. This would be done a full year before The Searchers would attempt something similar in 1956.

6 One-Eyed Jacks (1961)

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Starring one of the all-time legends of cinema, the 1961 Western One-Eyed Jacks saw the legendary Marlon Brando as its lead. The actor also showcased his plethora of talents as he took the helm as the film's director too. A classic tale of revenge replete with sharp dialogue, Brando played a bandit named Rio, who pulls off a bank heist in Mexico with his two partners. However, one of them, Dad Longworth, betrays his partners and makes off with the loot. Rio winds up in prison and languishes there for many years as he plots his revenge.

The Only Film Marlon Brando Directed

While not a commercial hit, the film came to be retroactively respected and was selected for preservation by the Library of Congress. The last film to be released in VistaVision, as well as one of the few Westerns to take place on a sandy shore instead of a sandy plain, One-Eyed Jacks amounted to a highly entertaining film despite its numerous production troubles. Marlon Brando shines as always, and when paired with the likes of Pina Pellicer and Karl Malden, the result is an influential Western that's well-worth your time. The film would even secure an Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography.

5 A Bullet for the General (1967)

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Revolutionary El Chucho and his gang attack a government munitions train, where they meet what they believe to be another outlaw and escaped prisoner in Bill Tate, bringing him onto the crew. However, Tate hides a secret, marked by the golden bullet he carries with him, and follows El Chucho and his gang, wreaking havoc, waiting for his opportunity to arise to carry out his real goal. When plans become revealed, and El Chucho realizes his supposed friend is at odds with his goals, the two become enemies.

A Cleverly Written Spaghetti Western

Like many other Spaghetti Westerns, A Bullet for the General brings the gritty realism, phenomenal performances, and a certain visual flair that made Italy the dominant purveyor of the genre throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Yet, what makes A Bullet for the General Stand Out is its political subtext, using its characters to explore the US involvement in South American politics. There is a complexity to the characters and a sharp script behind this one, making it exemplary of the best Italy had to offer in the genre.

4 Hellgate (1952)

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Gilman S. Hanley, a veterinarian and former Civil War soldier, is falsely accused and convicted of a crime and sent to Hellgate prison, known for housing some of the worst prisoners. Here, he clashes with a violent outlaw who is also imprisoned and a ruthless guard. Things become complex for everyone when a disease breaks out at the prison, causing tension and paranoia among the prisoners and staff.

An Early Masterpiece from Charles Marquis Warren

Hellgate is an interesting mash-up of genres that would prove to be somewhat ahead of its time. Taking elements of prison drama and crossing them with Westerns, Hellgate is a smartly scripted work with some engaging performances. The cast does manage to keep the movie consistently engaging and dramatic, with some early icons in the genre, including Sterling Hayden, Joan Leslie, Ward Bond, and James Arness. Director Charles Marquis Warren would become a behemoth of Western TV, working on series like the longest-running Western TV show Rawhide and Gunsmoke​​​​​​.

3 The Ruthless Four (1968)

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After finally striking gold after years as a failed prospector, Sam Cooper finds his riches disappear before his eyes when his longtime partner double-crosses him. To get his revenge and get his bounty back, Sam hires a group of men with the promise of a share, including his adopted son Manolo, a fake priest, Brent, and an old acquaintance named Mason. However, paranoia slowly sets in as the four begin traveling together, turning one against the other.

Madness and Paranoia in the Old West

While The Ruthless Four is a bit slow-moving for a Spaghetti Western, its exploration of slow moral decay and paranoia among a group of men makes for a deeply engaging watch.The performances here are also phenomenal, with the ever-charismatic and generally insane Klaus Kinski giving one of the best performances of his career. Overall, it is a solid Western, focusing on exploring characters over action, which can be perfect for mixing things up.

2 Apache Rifles (1964)

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Captain Jeff Stanton, is sent to manage conflicts with Apaches in Arizona to ensure the safety of a group of miners. However, in a power play, Stanton kidnaps the chief's son. His time with the people, including a friendship with a half-indigenous missionary named Dawn Gillis, starts to make him sympathetic to the plight of the Apache people. When an entire school is massacred, Stanon seeks revenge, throwing away his military career away to do what he believes is right.

Audie Murphy Shines

While actor Audie Murphy was at his best in war films like The Red Badge of Courage, the American icon and war hero established himself just as heavily in the Western genre, starring in 34 films throughout his career. In Apache Rifles, Audie Murphy gives a phenomenal performance, tapping into his real-life experience to play the conflicted cavalry captain. William Witney's direction on the production also keeps the pace lively and engaging, making the most of its California location to create an immersive Western. The movie's exploration of racism towards Indigenous people, while still flawed by today's standards, was also seen as a positive step forward at the time.

1 Ride in the Whirlwind (1966)

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Wes, Vern, and Otis, end up being three cowboys in the wrong place when they are mistaken for criminals when they are cornered during a shootout. With their friend Otis dying, Wes and Vern head into hiding, taking refuge at a farmhouse where they hold a family captive. Yet, the law remains relentless on their trail, with the two fighting for survival, with only their loyalty keeping them afloat.

Changing the Western Landscape

An early vehicle of Jack Nicholson, paired with Cameron Mitchel at his best and an iconic performance from Harry Dean Staton, is just one aspect of this production that works so well. Offering a deconstruction of the romanticization of the Old West backed by flawless cinematography, Ride in the Whirlwind has received ample praise over the years; the movie would get the Criterion Treatment. Director Monte Hellman followed up with The Shooter the following year, considered a seminal work in shaping the Acid Western genre.