Iconic movie characters are timeless. The film world does an incredible job of immersing us in worlds that we could never reach otherwise. One of the “classics” in terms of genres isa good western. Western films established a universal character in the movie cowboy that we recognize in entertainment today. Whether it be saving a damsel in distress or saving a town from a rival gang, the cowboy is a beloved kind of character that has been redone and reinvented throughout film history.
Of course, we all know the image of a cowboy as a stand-up man or woman with the signature bots, hat, holster, and a handy weapon. Creating a movie cowboy that stands out among others is not easy with such a deep history behind it. We have curated a list of our best 10 movie cowboys that might spark your nostalgia or even inspire you to check out some classics. Check them out!
10Ethan Edwards — The Searchers
Thelegendary John Wayneis one of those names that any movie lover will recognize. In the 1956 Western epicThe Searchers, Wayne played the ever so vindictive movie cowboy, Ethan Edwards.The Searchershas pretty much everything you could want in a cowboy movie. In the film, Ethan Edwards comes home to find that his entire family has been killed or taken. Overflowing with the desire to enact his revenge, Ethan goes on a journey to locate his niece and nephew. Ethan Edwards is a movie cowboy that is determined, lethal, and dedicated, traits that we cannot ignore.
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9Wyatt Earp — Wyatt Earp
The idea of cowboys in movies has to come from somewhere. The biographical western dramaWyatt Earpis a film that chronicles the life of a dedicated and family-driven lawman, Wyatt Earp. In a team effort with his brothers and a very familiar name in Doc Holliday, Earp goes head-to-head with two gangs.Wyatt Earpcame out in 1994 and stars Kevin Costner as Wyatt Earp and Dennis Quaid as Doc Holliday.
8Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid — Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Robert LeRoy Parker also known as gang leader and criminal Butch Cassidy is next up on our list. 1969 gave us the western drama movieButch Cassidy and the Sundance Kidstarring Robert Redford as The Sundance Kid, Paul Newman as Butch Cassidy, and Katherine Ross as Etta Place. We love a dynamic duo in movies and nothing measures up to Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. This film follows the true story of friendship, companionship, bank robberies, and standoffs involving a frontier outlaw and his right-hand man. If you haven’t already, this one is a must-watch.
7Shane — Shane
Cowboys are known for being on the go. The mysterious, slightly ominous entrance of a stranger in a small town will definitely raise some eyebrows. The story of Shane is just that and then some. The 1953 filmShanefollows a man’s desire to settle down into a more quiet life with some land. However, drama in the town and the complications of blooming attractions and love can threaten the peace. In this film, Shane is played by Alan Ladd.
6Woody — Toy Story
What hasn’t Disney done, really? The only animated movie cowboy on this list is the one and only Sheriff Woody from Disney Pixar’sToy Storyfranchise. Woody is voiced by the icon Tom Hanks. The first time audiences were introduced to Woody is all the way back in 1995 when the firstToy Storyfilm came out. Since then, Woody has been front and center throughout this entire franchise, going through ever adventure a toy could possibly go through alongside Buzz Lightyear, Rex, Bo Peep, Jessie, and Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head. This unforgettable movie cowboy brings about the perfect amount of nostalgia that has stood the test of time. Also, how could we not behyped forToy Story 5?
5Marshal Reuben J. Cogburn — True Grit
Marshal Reuben J. Cogburn first made his appearance in 1968 in Charles Portis’s novel,True Grit. Since then, the popular character has appeared in the film world, and for good reason. Also known as Rooster Cogburn, this movie cowboy appeared in the 1969 filmTrue Grit, the 1975 filmRooster Cogburn, the 1978 WesternTrue Grit: A Further Adventure, and the 2010 Western drama, also titledTrue Grit. If you were looking for a defining trait for this one, Cogburn is the cowboy with one eye and a badass eyepatch.
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4Harmonica — Once Upon a Time in the West
Harmonica is one of the most known cowboys in the spaghetti Western movie genre. 1968’sOnce Upon a Time in the Westis such an iconic western that it is practically impossible to not have Harmonica on this list. In the 1968 film, there is murder, gun fights, rivalries, all the makings of a classic western. In a very intense scene, Harmonica is in a standoff when the iconic “Harmonica Song” is played.
3Django — Django Unchained
Next up on this list is the one and only Django . Django is the undebatable talk of the town if we want to be in the conversation ofSpaghetti Western films. In films like this, there is bound to be action, violence, and morally gray main characters that we as an audience can’t help but root for. Django himself has been the highlight of many films throughout history. Franco Nero was the first man to bring this movie cowboy to life in 1966’sDjango. In our more recent memory, however, we probably remember Jamie Foxx bringing the character to life in 2012’sDjango Unchained.
2Doc Holliday — Tombstone
Doc Holliday is definitely a well-known movie cowboy. However, did you know he was also a real person? Holliday was a dentist (weirdly enough), a gambler, and handy with a gun. In the movie world, the action western filmTombstoneis probably his most well-known project. In this film, Doc Holliday is played by Val Kilmer, and Wyatt Earp is played by Kurt Russell. The Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday team is in the spotlight again. Wyatt and his brothers are looking to find quiet lives inTombstonewhen they get on the wrong side of a Cowboy gang. They then recruit Doc Holliday to join in their fight.
1The Man With No Name — Sergio Leone’s Dollars Trilogy
Italian Spaghetti Westerns are a must on this list because they create characters that are just too hard to forget. Topping off our list is Clint Eastwood’sThe Man With No Namein Sergio Leone’s “Dollars Trilogy.” The Man With No Name is inA Fistful of Dollars(1964),For a Few Dollars More(1965),The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly(1966), andMy Name Is Nobody(1973). When you picture a movie cowboy, this character definitely checks out a lot of boxes. You’ve got the brown cowboy hat and boots, the iconic poncho, and his silence.
