The Best Year For Western Movies In The 21st Century Happened 9 Years Ago

The 21st century has seen plenty of Western movies, yet there is one year in my opinion that stands out as the best for the genre. Throughout cinematic history, Westerns have been a staple of Hollywood. The stories of cowboys, gunslingers, and outlaws have risen and fallen depending on the period, but their legacy certainly remains. Certain Western tropes have permeated popular culture, and continue to be used today, not to mention all the stars born into this genre. However, I think Westerns truly reached their modern peak about nine years ago.

It may be surprising that there is one year specifically that does stick out among the rest. Admittedly, “best year for Westerns in the 21st century” is something difficult to define. Movies are often subjective, and what one viewer may love could be absolute torture for another. Yet, I loosely define the best year for Westerns in the 21st century as a year in which many critically acclaimed Westerns were released. Some of the best Western movies of the modern era were released in 2015 and were critically acclaimed and financially impressive.

2015 Was The Best Year For Western Movies This Century

How 2015’s Westerns Stand Out

From 2000 to 2024, the year that stands out the most to me for Western movies is 2015. In this year, many amazing Westerns premiered and, even after almost a decade, have managed to remain popular. Some of the most notable Westerns to come out of 2015 include Bone Tomahawk, The Hateful Eight, The Revenant, and Slow West. Even 2015’s less-than-stellar Westerns, like Forsaken and Jane Got A Gun, were not complete failures, as both movies earned fine Rotten Tomatoes scores in the 40% range.

I have to say that 2015 was an incredible year for Westerns not just in terms of quantity but quality as well. Notably, all four of the Westerns mentioned above have Rotten Tomatoes scores that never dip below 70%. The highest score is a 92%, while the lowest is a 75%. On top of that, two of the four films had fantastic box office performances. The Revenant earned $533 million, while The Hateful Eight garnered $156 million. Not to mention, The Revenant won big at the Academy Awards, earning Leonardo DiCaprio his first-ever Oscar for Best Actor.

What Was The Best Western Of 2015?

Bone Tomahawk Vs Slow West

When considering the best Western of 2015, I think it makes sense to look at critical reception. Though The Revenant brought in a shocking amount of money at the box office, it did not strike critics or audiences (or me) in the same way that its peers did. Bone Tomahawk and Slow West were the biggest winners in the critical category, earning 91% and 92% respectively on Rotten Tomatoes. However, when pitting these two movies against each other, it is easy to see that both films are doing vastly different things.

Bone Tomahawk and Slow West may have similar critical ratings, but they’re wildly different in terms of content. Bone Tomahawk earned its solid rating by being a tense, slow-burn that eventually explodes into a terrifying horror film. The movie’s climax is unforgettable. Meanwhile, Slow West also takes a slow-burn approach but offers a more absurdist ambiance that leaves viewers feeling reflective and thoughtful. Ultimately, it depends on what audiences are looking for, but Bone Tomahawk may come out slightly on top of Slow West due to its incredible pacing and successful mixing of genres.

2007 Comes Closest To 2015 For The Western Genre In The 21st Century

Are 2015’s Westerns Better Than 2007’s?

I think it’s important to note that a runner-up for the best year for Westerns in the 21st century would be 2007. In that year, two outstanding Western movies hit the scene: 3:10 to Yuma and No Country for Old Men. While 2007 doesn’t have the sheer number of amazing Westerns that 2015 does, these two films rank alongside the Westerns of 2015. 3:10 to Yuma grossed $71 million and earned an 89% on Rotten Tomatoes. No Country for Old Men earned $171 million, and has the highest Rotten Tomatoes score of all these films, at 93%.

Once again, picking the best movie is a subjective choice, but No Country for Old Men is definitely in the running. When discussing the most effective and notable Westerns of the 21st century, No Country for Old Men is certainly near the top of the list. Plus, it beats out Bone Tomahawk and Slow West in terms of popularity, as those two movies are much smaller than the Coen brothers movie. In this way, 2007 gives 2015 a run for its money, but regardless, I think the 21st century has been a great time for Westerns.