Great Horror Westerns

By RodneyHatfieldJr for Movies

I have been on a western kick as of lately. I go through spells where I watch certain genres, be it Comedy, Drama, Noir, or Documentaries. Anyway, I was thinking about what to write about as I was watching John Wayne on TCM. It hit me. Horror Westerns. 

First that particular sub-genre is extremely small, but it also sports some great films. And that is what we are going to list today. Naturally none of these films are in any order except for how they come out of my memory. Yes I will forget a few, but that is natural. Hopefully it will inform someone of a movie they haven’t watched. Which is usually the purpose of these lists.

So sit back, grab a whiskey sour(or pint of moonshine), and let's go over a few of the best western horror films.


Dead Birds (2004)


This follows a group of Confederate deserters, a runaway slave and a nurse hiding out following a daring bank robbery. The group hides out in an abandoned house in the middle of a cornfield. There are ghosts of farmers and slaves along with a horrific creature. 

So if you are either a paranormal or monster fan, you shouldn’t be disappointed.


Ravenous (1999)


When this came out I was split. When I saw Guy Pearce, David Arquette, Jeremy Davies and Jeffrey Jones starring, I knew it would be good or bad. Films that have no hype and just come out usually are one or the other. And since it is on the list, you get which it is.

The film takes place in California during the 1840s. When a mysterious stranger shows up at a remote Army outpost with a horrifying story. While the soldiers investigate his claim, we get a tale of betrayal, rogue military officers and a healthy dose of cannibalism. Plus you also get some quirky humor to enjoy.


Bone Tomahawk (2015)


This film knocked me out of my seat. It is a solid western, it has Kurt Russell, and one of the most brutal kills ever. And it also has Sid Haig. Win-Win.

This movie also centers around cannibals in a desolate region. The story is set in the 1890s, and Kurt Russell plays the small-town sheriff tracking down the cannibals. It’s like Sawney Bean meets The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly. 


The Burrowers (2008)


Set in 1879, a rescue party is going through an unexplored territory, and this creates palpable tension with the Native Americans in the area. They have little choice, however, as they’re searching for a missing family. There’s something strange going on with the disappearance of the family. Before you know it, the rescue party is soon in need of rescuing itself. 


The Wind (2018)


A melding of western legend and cabin-in-the-woods horror.

The story takes place some time in the late 19th century. A tough frontierswoman and her husband are on a remote stretch of land, but the wife has an increasing sense of dread. This only intensifies when a newlywed couple show up.


Share this article on: