10 Great Western Movies Perfect For Tombstone Fans

Tombstone might be a perfect western, but there are plenty of other great movies for fans to check out if they love the 1993 Kurt Russell classic. Released at a time when the western was on the upswing, Tombstone helped make the genre popular again in the 1990s. It combined the style of the spaghetti western with modern grit.

Perhaps best remembered for its stellar cast, Tombstone brought together one of cinema's most memorable ensembles. Besides Kurt Russell, stars like Val Kilmer and Sam Elliott left their mark on the screen. Since its release, Tombstone's legend has only grown. Even viewers who don't particularly like westerns often have a soft spot for Tombstone.

Though it's in a league of its own, there are several westerns that match the tone of Tombstone, and are a must-watch for die-hard fans. Since it's a quintessential western, many films like Tombstone are also excellent examples of the genre. Nearly every generation of cinema produced at least one movie that could be considered comparable to the 1993 film.

Whether they retell the Wyatt Earp story or simply have a similar visual style, this list of westerns captures the essence of Tombstone's greatness. They come from several different eras and even come from several different countries as well. Even though no movie will ever replace Tombstone, these flicks are an excellent substitute.

The Quick And The Dead (1995)

The Quick and the Dead is one of the many films released in the wake of Tombstone's success, and it's a fitting successor. Sam Raimi's hyper-stylized western concerns gunslingers in a tournament organized by a town's crooked mayor. Though it's far from an authentic replication of the Old West, The Quick and the Dead is a wild ride.

Sam Raimi's direction makes the film flow with a unique pace and exaggerated tone, and in that way it's a lot like Tombstone. Both films put a strong Hollywood spin on the story, and eschew the purity of accuracy in favor of entertainment value. With Gene Hackman playing the mustache-twirling villain, The Quick and the Dead is quintessential popcorn fun.

Wyatt Earp (1994)

Kevin Costner's Wyatt Earp is seen as direct competition to Tombstone because the two films were produced simultaneously. Instead of focusing on Earp's exploits in Tombstone exclusively, the film serves as an epic biography of the legendary Old West figure. Costner is the right man for the job, but Wyatt Earp is second to Tombstone for good reason.

It's lack of focus is where the movie suffers most, but Wyatt Earp is still a valuable watch for Tombstone fans. It's a decent and underrated '90s western that hits all the right notes in the long run. If it wasn't for the fact that Tombstone is simply better, Wyatt Earp would likely be remembered as a much better film.

Young Guns (1988)

Though it's seen as standard Hollywood fare, Young Guns is a fun little western with a lot of entertainment value. After their mentor is gunned down, a band of young gunslingers head out to exact their revenge against his killer. The movie hinges on its recognizable cast of young stars, and it succeeds for the same reason.

Like Tombstone, Young Guns is an ensemble affair that shines because of the chemistry between its lead actors. Emilio Estevez, Kiefer Sutherland, and Charlie Sheen headline, but the rest of the cast can't be missed. Young Guns illustrates the flexibility of the western, much in the same way that Tombstone also expands the genre's conventions.

3:10 To Yuma (2007)

The original version of the movie is also a classic, but the remake of 3:10 to Yuma more closely aligns with the style of Tombstone. A notorious desperado is apprehended by the law, and a downtrodden rancher must escort him to his date with destiny. The 2007 version ups the action while maintaining the original's cerebral plot.

Fans of Tombstone will enjoy the action of 3:10 to Yuma, but the characters are where the movie really shines. It's essentially a two-man show throughout, which allows Russell Crowe and Christian Bale to really dig into their roles. It examines the concept of justice in minute detail, going deeper than Tombstone does with its own themes.

My Darling Clementine (1946)

There are tons of movies about Wyatt Earp, but few are as good as My Darling Clementine. The 1940s hidden gem humanizes the Old West lawman and zeroes in on his time in Tombstone. Part western and part romance, Henry Fonda's performance as Earp is one of the finest of his career because of its effortlessness.

Tombstone certainly beats My Darling Clementine on the action front, but that's not the point of the latter film. Lovers of the 1993 hit will enjoy another view of Earp, and a cinematic interpretation that is quite distinct. John Ford is arguably the best director in the history of westerns, and My Darling Clementine further illustrates that point.

The Gunfighter (1950)

Gregory Peck's westerns are noted for their grit and psychological stories, and The Gunfighter is Peck's best trip to the Old West. He plays Jimmy Ringo, a well-known gunslinger who tries to put his violent past behind him. Unfortunately, violence always returns. Peck is electric, and The Gunfighter is nothing like most Old Hollywood westerns.

Tombstone is bombastic and celebrates its own over-the-top violence, while The Gunfighter showcases the antithesis of that philosophy. They make for a great double feature simply because of how differently they approach their subject. Tombstone is a perfect entry into westerns, and The Gunfighter goes deeper.

High Noon (1952)

Controversial in its day, High Noon is now one of the great westerns of Hollywood's Golden Age. Gary Cooper stars as a small town Marshall who must prepare for the return of an old foe who is coming to get revenge. Instead of playing a stoic hero, Cooper's Will Kane is understandably scared for his life.

High Noon is a product of its day, and is an early example of resistance in mainstream cinema. It eschews Hollywood idealism in favor of complexity. Tombstone fans won't see much of their favorite movie in High Noon, but it's still a must-watch for western aficionados. Much in the same way Tombstone pushes westerns forward, so too does High Noon.

Unforgiven (1992)

Tombstone is often credited for launching the western revival, but Unforgiven deserves just as much credit. Clint Eastwood pulls double duty as director and star in the story of an aging gunslinger who takes one last job to get revenge. Unforgiven is unflinching and harrowing, and is a natural continuation of the western genre's evolution.

While Tombstone is so certain of its heroism, Unforgiven intentionally muddies the waters. It asks: is justice ever truly possible in a time of vigilantism? But it doesn't really give a solid answer. It explores similar themes as Tombstone, but challenges the viewer to come to their own conclusions.

Once Upon A Time In The West (1968)

It's possible to draw a direct line between Tombstone and Once Upon a Time in the West, and the spaghetti western is a clear influence. Sergio Leone's epic concerns a tract of land in the Old West that becomes a hot-spot for a variety of conflicting interests. The 1968 classic illustrates the differences between American and Italian westerns.

Leone's playbook is lovingly borrowed for Tombstone, including the exaggerated camera and larger-than-life characters. Once Upon a Time in the West isn't particularly complex, and in that way, it reflects the same free-spirited energy as Tombstone. Both films are a celebration of the western genre's pure entertainment value.

Dances With Wolves (1990)

The winner of seven Oscars, including Best Picture, Dances with Wolves is the most critically successful western of all time. The Kevin Costner-directed hit concerns a Union soldier who joins a Lakota tribe and helps them defend their land from the encroaching army. What the film does so well is tell a complex personal story on an epic scale.

Though it opts for emotional realism, Dances with Wolves is no less stylized than Tombstone, and even employs a similar visual approach. It has aged somewhat poorly in the last 36 years, but Dances with Wolves is still a must-watch for fans of Tombstone. In a lot of ways, it's a must-watch for anyone who likes Hollywood cinema.