Top John Wayne Movies

From John Ford, starring James Stewart, John Wayne, Vera Miles, Lee Marvin
Rated Approved

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is a 1962 western film directed by John Ford, starring John Wayne and James Stewart. Set in the small town of Shinbone, the film follows Ransom Stoddard (James Stewart), a lawyer and one of the town’s most respected citizens, and Liberty Valance (Lee Marvin), a notorious outlaw. Stoddard arrives in town to practice law, but finds that Liberty and his gang are terrorizing the town. After an altercation between the two men, Stoddard is forced to shoot Liberty in self-defense. However, the town’s legend has it that Tom Doniphon (John Wayne) was the one who actually shot Liberty. The story follows Stoddard and Doniphon’s friendship as they confront the violence and corruption that Liberty Valance brought to the town. The film is a classic exploration of the themes of justice, honor, and the power of legends.

From Howard Hawks, starring John Wayne, Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson, Angie Dickinson
Rated Passed

Rio Bravo is a classic western directed by Howard Hawks and starring John Wayne, Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson and Walter Brennan. Set in the small town of Rio Bravo, Texas, the film follows Sheriff John T. Chance (Wayne) as he and his loyal deputies, Dude (Martin), Stumpy (Brennan) and Colorado (Nelson) face off against the powerful gang of Joe Burdette (Claude Akins) and his hired guns. With the help of an unlikely ally in the form of an old drunk named "Dangerman" (Angie Dickinson), Chance and his deputies must protect the town from Burdette's threats and attempts to break his brother out of jail. In the end, Chance and his deputies prevail, but not without sacrifice and struggle.

From John Ford, starring John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles, Ward Bond
Rated Passed

The Searchers is a 1956 Western directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne as Ethan Edwards, a Civil War veteran who embarks on a five-year quest to find his niece, Debbie (Natalie Wood), who was kidnapped by Comanche Native Americans. Along the way, he is joined by Martin Pawley (Jeffrey Hunter), a young man whose parents were killed by the Comanches. As he searches, Ethan grapples with his feelings of hatred and revenge towards the Native Americans, and his growing understanding of their culture and way of life. As the search progresses, Ethan and Martin come to realize that Debbie may have been assimilated into the Comanche tribe, and they must ultimately decide whether to bring her back or let her remain with her new family.

From John Ford, starring John Wayne, Claire Trevor, Andy Devine, John Carradine
Rated Passed

Stagecoach is a 1939 American Western film directed by John Ford and starring Claire Trevor and John Wayne. The story follows a group of strangers who are forced to join forces when their stagecoach is threatened by Geronimo's raiding party. Along the way, they form unlikely friendships as they work together to survive while attempting to remain safe in the harsh environment of the Old West. The film is widely considered to be one of the best ever made, and is credited with making John Wayne a major star.

From John Ford, starring John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Barry Fitzgerald, Ward Bond
Rated Passed

The Quiet Man is a 1952 romantic comedy-drama directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara and Barry Fitzgerald. The movie tells the story of Sean Thornton (Wayne), an American who returns to the Emerald Isle to reclaim his family’s land and build a new life. He meets and falls in love with the fiery Mary Kate Danaher (O'Hara), but her brother (Fitzgerald) objects to their union – leading to a series of comic and romantic complications. With the help of his friend Michaleen (Ward Bond), Thornton eventually wins over Mary Kate’s heart and the two are married. The movie is known for its breathtakingly beautiful Irish landscapes and its memorable score. It won two Academy Awards, including Best Director for John Ford.

From Don Siegel, starring John Wayne, Lauren Bacall, Ron Howard, James Stewart
Rated PG

The Shootist is a 1976 American western film starring John Wayne in his final screen performance. Directed by Don Siegel, the film is based on a 1975 novel of the same name by Glendon Swarthout. In the film, Wayne plays a terminally ill gunfighter, John Bernard Books, who is determined to die with dignity, rather than die slowly from cancer. He settles into a small town, where he meets a young boy and a widow with whom he forms a bond. When a group of young gunslingers attempt to force him out of town, Books must decide whether to leave or fight one last time. The film is ultimately a tale of courage, friendship, and dignity in the face of death.

From Howard Hawks, starring John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, James Caan, Charlene Holt
Rated Passed

El Dorado is a 1966 Western directed by Howard Hawks and starring John Wayne and Robert Mitchum. The film follows a seasoned gunfighter, Cole Thornton (Wayne), and a drunken sheriff, J.P. Harrah (Mitchum), as they team up to help cattle baron Bart Jason (Edward Asner) protect his ranch from a ruthless cattle rustler, McGavin (Christopher George). Thornton and Harrah must battle McGavin’s minions, who are controlled by a corrupt banker, and a hidden enemy who is determined to take over Jason’s ranch. In the end, Thornton and Harrah succeed in driving off McGavin and his gang and saving Jason’s ranch. Along the way, they also find friendship, courage, and a sense of camaraderie. The film is filled with classic Western scenes, as well as wonderful performances and plenty of action.

From Henry Hathaway, starring John Wayne, Kim Darby, Glen Campbell, Jeremy Slate
Rated G

From Mark Rydell, starring John Wayne, Roscoe Lee Browne, Bruce Dern, Colleen Dewhurst
Rated GP

From John Ford, starring John Wayne, Joanne Dru, John Agar, Ben Johnson
Rated Passed

From Directors: George Sherman, John Wayne, starring John Wayne, Richard Boone, Maureen O'Hara, Patrick Wayne
Rated PG-13

From Henry Hathaway, starring John Wayne, Dean Martin, Martha Hyer, Michael Anderson Jr.
Rated Passed

From John Ford, starring John Wayne, Pedro Armendáriz, Harry Carey Jr., Ward Bond
Rated Passed

From John Farrow, starring John Wayne, Geraldine Page, Ward Bond, Michael Pate
Rated PG

From Allan Dwan, starring John Wayne, John Agar, Adele Mara, Forrest Tucker
Rated Approved

From Directors: Michael Curtiz, John Wayne, starring John Wayne, Stuart Whitman, Ina Balin, Nehemiah Persoff
Rated Approved

From Howard Hawks, starring John Wayne, Jorge Rivero, Jennifer O'Neill, Jack Elam
Rated G

From Andrew V. McLaglen, starring John Wayne, George Kennedy, Gary Grimes, Neville Brand
Rated PG

From Nicholas Ray, starring John Wayne, Robert Ryan, Don Taylor, Janis Carter
Rated Approved

From Douglas Hickox, starring John Wayne, Richard Attenborough, Judy Geeson, Mel Ferrer
Rated PG