10 Best Roy Rogers Westerns, Ranked

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Roy Rogers stands next to his horse Trigger in a stable with two other people in My Pal Trigger.

Roy Rogers, often referred to as the "King of the Cowboys," was one of the most popular Western stars of the 1940s and '50s. He was probably the most famous of the singing cowboys, earning legions of fans thanks to his blend of musical numbers, Western action, and impressive horsemanship. He and his trusty steed Trigger made for a dynamic duo, lending their talents to dozens of movies over the years.

Rogers had a straightforward and wholesome image, which was well-suited to what audiences wanted at the time. He tended to be the honorable hero standing up for nature and the oppressed. However, his later collaborations with director William Whitney got a little grittier, a little more complex. Obviously, most of Rogers's movies are pretty dated now, even the Whitney projects, but they remain a fun snapshot of a bygone cinematic era. Fans of the genre should find something to enjoy in them. With this in mind, here are the star's ten best Westerns, ranked.

10 'Sunset in El Dorado' (1945)

Directed by Frank McDonald

Roy Rodgers in a cowboy hat talks to two women in vintage dresses in a western town in Sunset in El Dorado.

Sunset in El Dorado alternates between two timelines: in the present, the young Lucille (Dale Evans) dreams about her grandmother's life, including her romance with a singing cowboy (Rogers). She has all kinds of adventures in the ghost town of El Dorado, involving baddies, passion, and gunfights aplenty. Rogers appears in both timelines, with the flashback sequences serving to shed light on the present-day tensions in El Dorado.

This all adds up to a modest but enjoyable movie. The pacing is uneven, and the dual narrative approach doesn't always work, though the charismatic performers go a long way toward compensating, including Margaret Dumont and Gabby Hayes in the supporting cast. Overall, Sunset in El Dorado is definitely dated, but a certain kind of nostalgic Western fan is sure to get a kick out of it. It breezes by at just 65 minutes long, jam-packed with action, vocal harmonies, and horses performing impressive tricks.

Sunset in El Dorado

Cast George 'Gabby' Hayes , Roy Rogers , Dale Evans , Trigger , Hardie Albright , Margaret Dumont , Roy Barcroft , Tom London , Stanley Price , Robert J. Wilke , Ed Cassidy , Dorothy Granger , Bob Nolan , Jack Rice , Hank Bell , Fred Howard , George Barton , Tex Terry , Franklin Parker , Jack Kirk , Bert Moorhouse , Jack O'Shea , Sayre Dearing , Bud Osborne , Edmund Cobb

Runtime 65 minutes

Release Date September 29, 1945

Director Frank McDonald

Character(s) Gabby , Roy Rogers , Lucille Wiley , Trigger , Cecil Phelps / Cyril Earle , Aunt Dolly / Aunt Arabella , Buster Welch , Sheriff Gridley , Lyle Fish , Curley Roberts , US Marshal , Maisie , Bob , Mr. Hollingsworth , Hank, stage driver , Mr. Haines , Bus Driver , Buckboard Driver , Conductor , Bill, bartender , Croupier , Prospector

Writers John K. Butler

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9 'Trail of Robin Hood' (1950)

Directed by William Witney

In Trail of Robin Hood, Roy Rogers takes on a unique challenge: saving Christmas. He teams up with Jack Holt, a retired actor turned tree farmer, to stop a greedy lumber baron from seizing control of the Christmas tree market. As the bad guys try to intimidate the farmers into selling their land, Rogers and his allies, including his trusty horse Trigger, step in to protect the community and preserve the holiday spirit.

This movie is quirky and pretty random; it has nothing to do with Robin Hood, for example. What it does offer is a festive backdrop, some solid chase scenes, enjoyable musical interludes, and an uplifting message. Rogers's trusty horse Trigger is also on top form here, showing off his agility and smarts. Not for nothing, Trigger quickly became the most famous horse of the day, at least in the entertainment industry, even receiving his own comic book fictionalizing his adventures.

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Trail of Robin Hood

Cast Roy Rogers , Trigger , Penny Edwards , Gordon Jones , Emory Parnell , Rex Allen , Jack Holt , Monte Hale , Kermit Maynard , Tom Tyler , Ray Corrigan , Tom Keene , Clifton Young , Carol Nugent , William Farnum , George Chesebro

Runtime 67 minutes

Release Date December 15, 1950

Director William Witney

Character(s) Roy Rogers , Trigger The Smartest Horse in the West , Toby Aldridge , Splinters McGonigle , J. Corwin Aldridge , Rex Allen , Jack Holt , Monte Hale , Kermit Maynard , Tom Tyler , Crash Corrigan , Tom Keene , Mitch McCall , Sis McGonigle , Bill Franum , George Chesebro

Writers Gerald Geraghty

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8 'The Ranger and the Lady' (1940)

Directed by Joseph Kane

In this one, Rogers plays a Texas Ranger tasked with protecting a wagon train carrying vital supplies through dangerous territory. Along the way, he encounters the spirited wagon train owner Letty Morgan (Julie Bishop). The two join forces to confront a corrupt land baron scheming to take control of the region. As they face bandits, ambushes, and treachery, Rogers must balance his duty as a Ranger with his growing affection for Letty.

It's a sweet setup, but there are some flaws in The Ranger and the Lady, mostly in the sluggish pacing and underwhelming action sequences. The plot had potential, but the execution is uninspired. There's also not that much chemistry between Rogers and Bishop, especially compared to the dynamic between the cowboy and his usual co-star Dale Evans (whom he would later marry). Still, Rogers does a lot of heavy lifting here, with his effortless charm holding the viewer's attention even when the story doesn't.

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7 'Don’t Fence Me In' (1945)

Directed by John English

Roy Rogers and costars talk about a weapon in a poster for Don't Fence Me In.

Don’t Fence Me In is a more modern Western, set in a then-contemporary 1945. It's about rancher Roy Rogers and his pal Gabby Whittaker (Gabby Hayes), who turns out to be the legendary outlaw Wildcat Kelly, long presumed to be dead. Big-city reporter Toni Ames (Dale Evans) reveals the truth of Gabby's identity, leading to a manhunt and causing all sorts of baddies to come crawling out of the woodwork.

Although made as a B-Western, Don't Fence Me In is unusually charming, cramming a lot of drama, action, and intrigue into its lean runtime. The story of Wildcat Kelly faking his own death to start over a new, law-abiding life is gripping. Acting-wise, Rogers is on his A-game. The music is also enjoyable, particularly Rogers's rendition of Cole Porter's "Don't Fence Me In" with Evans and his musical group, the Sons of the Pioneers. For all these reasons, Don't Fence Me In was a big hit on release and is still an engaging slice of singing cowboy entertainment.

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Cast Roy Rogers , Trigger , George 'Gabby' Hayes , Dale Evans , Robert Livingston , Moroni Olsen , Marc Lawrence , Lucile Gleason , Andrew Tombes , Paul Harvey , Tom London , Douglas Fowley , Steve Barclay , Edgar Dearing , Bob Nolan

Runtime 74 minutes

Writers Dorrell McGowan , Stuart E. McGowan

Release Date October 20, 1945

Director John English

Main Genre Western

Character(s) Roy Rogers , Trigger , Gabby Whittaker , Toni Ames , Jack Chandler , Henry Bennett , Clifford Anson , Mrs. Prentiss , Cartwright , Governor Thomas , Ben Duncan , Jack Gordon , Tracy , Chief of Police , Bob

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6 'Man from Cheyenne' (1942)

Directed by Joseph Kane

A closeup of Roy Rogers in a cowboy hat looking off camera in 'Man From Cheyenne' (1942).

In Man from Cheyenne, Rogers plays a government agent assigned to investigate cattle rustling in a small town. Disguised as a wandering cowboy, he uncovers a web of deceit involving a powerful rancher (Lynne Carver) and her corrupt allies. As tensions rise, Rogers must use his wits, courage, and six-shooter to bring the villains to justice and restore order to the community. Naturally, it all culminates in a massive shootout.

Overall, this movie is a well-balanced mix of singing, fighting, and romance, with a welcome dash of mystery and plot twists. The plot is fairly generic, but it does spice things up a little for the time by casting a woman as the arch-villain. Carver is great in her role as rancher Marian Hardy, who is statuesque, deceptive, and inscrutable throughout. She's a great foil to the earnest, straightforward Rogers. All told, Man from Cheyenne may not have broken much new ground, but it's a solid example of why Rogers became such an enduring Western star.

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Man from Cheyenne

Cast Gale Storm , Roy Rogers , George 'Gabby' Hayes , Lynne Carver , William Haade , Bob Nolan , Sally Payne , Pat Brady , Lloyd Perryman , Hugh Farr , Karl Farr , Tim Spencer , Ivan Miller , James Seay , Jack Ingram , Guy Usher , Jack Kirk , Fred Burns , Trigger , Lynton Brent , Tommy Coats , Art Dillard , Chick Hannan , Fox O'Callahan , Joe Yrigoyen

Runtime 60 minutes

Writers Winston Miller

Release Date January 16, 1942

Director Joseph Kane

Character(s) Judy Evans , Roy Rogers , Gabby Whittaker , Marian Hardy , Ed , Ranch Hand Bob Nolan , Sally Evans , Red , Bass Player Lloyd , Ranch Hand Hugh Farr , Ranch Hand Karl Farr , Ranch Hand Tim Spencer , Mr. Edwards, Dept. of Commerce agent , Rancher Jim , Henchman Chuck , Head of the Cattlemen's Association , Rancher Bill , Rancher Harry , Roy's Horse , Henchman

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5 'My Pal Trigger' (1946)

Directed by Frank McDonald

My Pal Trigger is one of Rogers' most heartfelt stories, exploring the bond between a cowboy and his horse. The plot revolves around Roy's desire to breed his mare with a prized stallion, Golden Sovereign, owned by rancher Gabby Kendrick (Hayes). When Sovereign is killed under mysterious circumstances, Roy is wrongly accused and must clear his name while raising the horse’s colt, Trigger.

The songs in this one aren't that memorable, but Roger's acting is good, the story is a little more interesting than usual, and the horsemanship is top-tier. Plus, the gentle humor, likable characters, and melodic interludes make it an easy watch. Most importantly, Rogers and Trigger have such a storied history, so it's nice to see a movie delving into their relationship, even if it's fictional. The star's genuine affection for the horse is very much on display. This probably explains why My Pal Trigger was reportedly one of Rogers's favorites among his own movies.

My Pal Trigger

Cast Roy Rogers , Trigger , George 'Gabby' Hayes , Dale Evans , Jack Holt , LeRoy Mason , Roy Barcroft , Sam Flint , Kenne Duncan , Ralph Sanford , Francis McDonald , Harlan Briggs , William Haade , Bob Nolan

Runtime 79 minutes

Writers Jack Townley

Release Date July 10, 1946

Director Frank McDonald

Character(s) Roy Rogers , Trigger, Smartest Horse in the Movies , Gabby Kendrick , Susan Kendrick , Brett Scoville , Henchman Carson , Henchman Hunter , Sheriff , Croupier , Auctioneer Al , Storekeeper , Dr. Bentley , Davis , Bob Nolan

Producers Armand Schaefer

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4 'The Golden Stallion' (1949)

Directed by William Witney

A cowboy rides a horse and rears up in The Golden Stallion.

In The Golden Stallion, a bunch of smugglers have hidden diamonds in a horse's shoe and are using it to get the jewels across the Mexican border. They scheme to get rid of Rogers, landing him in jail and putting Trigger to work in their smuggling operation. It's up to the singing cowboy to set things right. He has to foil the bandits and prove his innocence, with Trigger his only ally.

This is one of the more complex Roy Rogers Westerns, mostly due to the influence of director William Whitney. He tried to make the star appear more realistic and gritty, upping the violence and making the action more explosive. It's an approach that paid off, with the result that The Golden Stallion has aged better than most of the star's projects. Quentin Tarantino has even sung the film's praises, saying to The New York Times, "William Witney is the greatest director when it comes to working with animals."

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The Golden Stallion

Cast Roy Rogers , Trigger , Dale Evans , Estelita Rodriguez , Pat Brady , Douglas Evans , Frank Fenton , Greg McClure , Dale Van Sickel , Clarence Straight , Jack Sparks , Chester Conklin , Foy Willing

Runtime 67 minutes

Writers Sloan Nibley

Release Date November 15, 1949

Director William Witney

Character(s) Roy Rogers , Trigger - Roy's Horse , Stormy Billings , Pepé Valdez , Sparrow Biffle , Jeff Middleton, Owner of Oro City Hotel , Oro City Sheriff , Henchman Ben , Henchman Ed Hart , Bartender Spud , Guard , Old Man , Foy

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3 'Springtime in the Sierras' (1947)

Directed by William Witney

Roy Rogers and two costars talk inside a building in Springtime in the Sierras (1947).

Another Whitney/Rogers collaboration, Springtime in the Sierras, finds Rogers taking on a ruthless gang of poachers who are decimating the local wildlife. Though slight in plot, the movie benefits from Witney’s seasoned direction, which adds vigor to even the simplest of scenes. Once again, he also makes fantastic use of Trigger, with scenes that follow the horse as he goes off on his own and gets up to his own adventures before returning to Rogers.

The movie is also notable for its memorable climactic fight scene, where Rogers confronts the gang leader and the pair have a scuffle inside a freezer. Whitney shoots all these scenes with a ton of skill, especially in his elaborate camera moves. The cinematography is kinetic and full of energy, going above and beyond what's required. The film's themes around conservation and respecting nature are also welcome. The only real criticism is that a few of the musical numbers aren't that great.

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Springtime in the Sierras

Cast Jane Frazee , Roy Rogers , Andy Devine , Stephanie Bachelor , Harold Landon , Harry Cheshire , Roy Barcroft , Chester Conklin , Hank Patterson , Whitey Christy , Pascale Perry , Bob Nolan , Trigger

Runtime 75 minutes

Writers Sloan Nibley

Release Date July 15, 1947

Director William Witney

Character(s) Taffy Baker , Roy Rogers , Cookie Bullfincher , Jean Loring , Bert Baker , Cap Foster , Matt Wilkes , Old-Timer , Henchman , Bob Nolan , Trigger - Roy's Horse

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2 'Dark Command' (1940)

Directed by Raoul Walsh

Roy Rogers, Walter Pidgeon and John Wayne standing next to each other in Dark Command (1940)

Dark Command memorably brings together Roy Rogers and the legendary John Wayne, two very different kinds of Western heroes. It's set during the Civil War, with Rogers playing a local deputy who aids Wayne's character in opposing a corrupt sheriff (Walter Pidgeon). The movie was directed by actor and filmmaker Raoul Walsh, probably most famous for the gangster classic White Heat.

The result is an entertainingly sinister story, populated by characters with shadowy motives and selfish ambitions. Republic Pictures tended to make low-budget B-movies, but they supplied Dark Command with an unusually large budget of $750, 000, which shows through in the heightened production values. The impressive sets and visuals, along with the strong acting, went down well with audiences. Dark Command was a box office success and even earned two Oscar nominations. While not all that typical of Rogers's movies, it's still a decent starting point for those curious about his filmography.

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Dark Command

Cast Claire Trevor , John Wayne , Walter Pidgeon , Roy Rogers , George 'Gabby' Hayes , Porter Hall , Marjorie Main , Raymond Walburn , Joe Sawyer , Helen MacKellar , J. Farrell MacDonald , Trevor Bardette , Ernie Adams , Richard Alexander , Earl Askam , Hank Bell , Ray Bennett , Stanley Blystone , Ed Brady , Al Bridge , Roy Bucko , Nora Bush , Budd Buster , Yakima Canutt , Bob Card

Runtime 94 minutes

Character(s) Miss Mary McCloud , Bob Seton , William 'Will' Cantrell , Fletcher 'Fletch' McCloud , Andrew 'Doc' Grunch , Angus McCloud , Mrs. Cantrell / Mrs. Adams , Judge Buckner , Bushropp , Mrs. Hale , Dave , Mr. Hale , Townsman , Phil - Guerrilla Guarding Seton , Guerrilla , Tough , Juror , Slave Trader , Brawler , Townswoman , Townsman on Balcony

Writers F. Hugh Herbert , Grover Jones

Release Date April 15, 1940

Director Raoul Walsh

Producers Sol C. Siegel

1 'Son of Paleface' (1952)

Directed by Frank Tashlin

Roy Rogers and Jane Russell pose with a horse in Son of Paleface.

Claiming the top spot on this list is Son of Paleface, the sequel to 1948's The Paleface with Bob Hope and Jane Russell. These stars return, joined by Rogers in a prominent supporting role. Hope plays Junior Potter, the bumbling son of a wealthy prospector, who arrives in the West to claim his inheritance. Rogers is a straight-shooting cowboy who becomes entangled in Potter's misadventures, leading to a series of hilarious and action-packed encounters.

It's a fun mix of slapstick, musical numbers, and Western action. There are sight gags aplenty and a ton of witty banter. The film revels in absurdity, from over-the-top stunts to witty, self-aware dialogue, making it more of a comic spectacle than a straightforward Western. In this regard, Son of Paleface is a good showcase for Rogers' versatility. His easygoing cowboy charm adds some much-needed warmth, while Trigger too gets some standout moments, adding to the playfulness. All these elements make Son of Paleface an early '50s Western gem.

Son of Paleface

Cast Bob Hope , Jane Russell , Roy Rogers , Bill Williams , Lloyd Corrigan , Paul E. Burns , Douglass Dumbrille , Harry von Zell , Iron Eyes Cody , Trigger , William 'Wee Willie' Davis , Charles Cooley , Oliver Blake , Chester Conklin , Bing Crosby , Cecil B. DeMille , Jonathan Hale , Sylvia Lewis , Jerry Mathers , John George

Runtime 95 minutes

Writers Joseph Quillan

Release Date July 14, 1952

Director Frank Tashlin

Character(s) Peter Potter Jr. , Mike 'The Torch' Delroy , Roy Barton , Kirk , Doc Lovejoy , Ebenezer Hawkins , Sheriff McIntyre , Mr. Stoner , Chief Yellow Cloud , Trigger , Blacksmith , Charley , Telegraph Clerk (uncredited) , Bartender #2 (uncredited) , Driver (uncredited) , Photographer (uncredited) , Governor Freeman (uncredited) , Saloon Dancer (uncredited) , Child at Finale (uncredited) , Johnny (uncredited)

Son of Paleface is not currently available for streaming in the US.

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