7 Lesser-Known Westerns to Watch on Netflix in December 2023

Cowboys are cool. It's a simple, irrefutable fact of life. And that's why we love Westerns.

If you're looking for some lesser-known Westerns to expand your repertoire when it comes to the genre, here are seven you can watch right now:

The Harder They Fall (2021)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%

When Rufus Buck (Idris Elba) is released from prison, Nat Love (Jonathon Majors) rounds up his gang. Seeking revenge on the man who killed his father, Love has a plan to bring Buck true justice.

This movie fits neatly into the Western box and doesn't push the boundaries of the genre. But it has a great cast and is superbly shot, making it a top-class picture that delivers what you expect from it.

The Electric Horseman (1979)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 64%

It's Robert Redford as a cowboy. Surely that's the epitome of cool? In this Western comedy, he stars opposite Jane Fonda as a former rodeo champion turned breakfast cereal advertiser. When he lands a big contract, he decides to ride his electric horse into the sunset taking the bumper payout with him.

The film wasn't exactly loved by critics on release, but fans flocked to see it, and it became the 11th highest-grossing film of 1979, taking in $62 million.

The Power of the Dog (2021)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%

Who knew Benedict Cumberbatch could do Westerns? But this is not your average Western. The setting and background of the story are traditional. But if you're looking for gun fights and bar brawls, you won't find them here.

This is a Western that tackles modern-day issues such as toxic masculinity, complex families and self-discovery. It's a slow burner, but the payoff is worth it.

Montford: The Chickasaw Rancher (2021)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 71%

The true story of Montford T. Johnson, a Chickasaw who ended up as a respected entrepreneur. Montford faced hardship throughout his life, but his determination to succeed led him to build a ranching empire along the cattle highway.

Martin Sensmeier puts in a stellar performance as the title character and there's plenty of action to carry the story along.

The Ballad of Lefty Brown (2017)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%

Lefty Brown is a man of principle with a strong moral code. But when his partner is killed, he vows revenge and promises the widow that he will bring the culprit to justice.

This is an action-packed, modern Western that embraces all the traditions of the genre and does so superbly. A tale of friendship, loyalty and the desire to keep a promise and right a wrong.

The Furnace (2020)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%

An Australian Western set during the 1890s gold rushes. The film follows the lives of cameleers known as 'Afghans' who actually came from all over the Middle East, Persia and India to support those looking for gold in the Outback.

Hanif and Jundah are looking for a furnace to melt two gold bars Hanif took from a dead man, while trying to evade the Gold Squad. During the journey, they bond with a young Aborigine.

R.I.P.D 2: Rise of the Damned (2022)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 26%

A 26% score on Rotten Tomatoes might suggest that this is a movie to avoid. But not all the critics hated it.

If judged purely as a Western, it's easy to see why this wouldn't tickle the fancy of purist moviegoers. But it's a cacophony of Western, sci-fi, fantasy and comedy that should be judged on its ability to put a smile on your face.

In an effort to revisit home after his death and find out who killed him, Sheriff Roy Pulsipher joins the Rest in Peace Department (RIPD) and heads back to the Wild West. But it's even Wilder than he remembers it.