Is there a more iconic American actor than Clint Eastwood? Indeed, his name has been at the forefront of many discussions of the most influential and iconic actors on the screen. His career spans decades of content curated to his strong persona and clear artistic direction when behind the camera. Still, one genre that Eastwood has become synonymous with is the Western; both the starting point and the final farewell of his career have been steeped in the genre.
We will examine Eastwood’s impact on the Western and outline how you can stream all of his movies in the genre online; what better way to celebrate the American icon?
How to Watch Every Clint Eastwood Western
The below lists every Western where Clint Eastwood had a prominent role. This excludes his early appearances in Star in the Dust and The First Traveling Saleslady, with an uncredited role in one and a minor part in the other. Those wanting to see every instance of Clint Eastwood on the screen may have difficulty finding either, as both films are unavailable to stream or rent. We have also included features considered hybrid Westerns, notably the musical Paint Your Wagon, the western comedyBronco Billy, and Clint Eastwood’s latest, Cry Macho.
Movie |
Year |
Director |
Where to Stream/Rent |
---|---|---|---|
Ambush at Cimarron Pass |
1958 |
Jodie Copelan |
Available for Free on YouTube |
Rawhide (TV series) |
1959-65 |
Created by Charles Marquis Warren |
Stream on Pluto TV |
A Fistful of Dollars |
1964 |
Sergio Leone |
Stream on Prime, Max, AMC+, Watch TCM Rent on Apple TV, Amazon |
For a Few Dollars More |
1965 |
Sergio Leone |
Stream on Prime, Max, AMC+, Watch TCM Rent on Apple TV, Amazon |
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly |
1966 |
Sergio Leone |
Stream on Prime, Max, AMC+, Watch TCM Rent on Apple TV, Amazon |
Hang ‘Em High |
1968 |
Ted Post |
Stream on Prime, AMC+, Watch TCM, Kanopy Rent Apple TV, Amazon |
Paint Your Wagon |
1969 |
Joshua Logan |
Rent on Apple TV, Amazon, Vudu |
Two Mules for Sister Sara |
1970 |
Don Siegel |
Stream on Starz Rent on Apple TV, Amazon, Vudu |
Joe Kidd |
1972 |
John Sturges |
Stream on Starz Rent on Apple TV, Amazon, Vudu |
High Plains Drifter |
1973 |
Clint Eastwood |
Rent on Apple TV, Amazon, Vudu |
The Outlaw Josey Wales |
1976 |
Clint Eastwood |
Rent on Apple TV, Amazon, Vudu |
Bronco Billy |
1980 |
Clint Eastwood |
Rent on Apple TV, Amazon, Vudu |
Pale Rider |
1985 |
Clint Eastwood |
Rent on Apple TV, Amazon, Vudu |
Unforgiven |
1992 |
Clint Eastwood |
Rent on Apple TV, Amazon, Vudu |
Cry Macho |
2021 |
Clint Eastwood |
Stream on Hulu, Max Rent on Apple TV, Amazon, Vudu |
Clint Eastwood’s Legacy in the Western Genre
Summarizing Clint Eastwood’s impact on the Western genre can be challenging. One can point to his iconic breakout role in the Man with No Name Trilogy, which saw him duel it out with other bandits and scoundrels in A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, and The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. However, the actor had also already become a familiar face to the American people outside the beloved spaghetti western, having starred in the hit TV show Rawhide.
“One of the earliest films in America was a western: The Great Train Robbery. If you consider film an art form, as some people do, then the Western would be a truly American art form, much as jazz is.” Clint Eastwood (
Via Rolling Stone
)
Of course, Clint Eastwood’s transition to director may make the strongest statement about his impact on Westerns. Films like Unforgiven are considered modern classics for deconstructing the Western and the character that Eastwood himself had spent decades defined by. Eastwood would even approach the genre in his 90s as an actor and director, once again pushing the boundaries of the genre and offering another insightful, provoking analogy of Western tropes in 2021’s Cry Macho.
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Of course, Clint Eastwood’s best movies extend beyond the Western, including his work on the iconic Dirty Harry character, and there are plenty of other options to explore the skills of one of America’s most iconic creatives. Still, with how ingrained the image of Eastwood has become with the Western, many have asked for a complete list of all of Eastwood’s work in the genre and where to watch every movie.
What Is Clint Eastwood’s Best Western?
Much like examining Eastwood’s impact on the genre, there is no clear answer regarding his best Western. However, those who are looking to explore his work for the first time may want to jump in at a few key points with the Dollars Trilogy (A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly) as an essential starting point. These movies solidify the image of Clint Eastwood as a bad-ass of the format and being able to embody the gruff meanness of the conflict-heavy period of the Wild West.
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Don’t just stop there, though, as Unforgiven should be given equal importance when looking to experience the best Westerns from the iconic actor/director. After seeing both, you can jump to all the other films in the list above. Those who are not huge musical fans may want to overlook Paint Your Wagon, and the comedic nature of Bronco Billy may not hold the same appeal as others. In addition, Ambush at Cimarron Pass is passable but is notable mainly for the early inclusion of Clint Eastwood in a prominent role. Still, you can’t go wrong with any Clint Eastwood Western; all are worth your time.