The Western horror genre is often referred to as one of the rarest and most unusual in the film industry. These unique films mix the classic horror movie tropes with the traditional western movie setting, making for a sometimes creepy, sometimes campy but always entertaining mix. Here are the best western horror movies of all time, ranked.
10 vibrations
A cult classic in both the horror and western genres, vibrations follows a group of survivors in a small town who are confronted by giant, man-eating worms that have suddenly appeared underground. With the help of an eccentric seismologist, they must find a way to destroy the creatures before they eat everyone in town.
With Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward, vibrations is a perfect example of how fun and entertaining a western horror movie can be. Create over-the-top effects and sensitivities for B-movies vibrations a vibrant film that still stands today.
9 The Burrowers
Located in 1879, JT Petty’s The Burrowers tells the story of a group of settlers who disappeared without a trace in the Dakota Territory. When a search party is dispatched to find them, they soon discover that the missing settlers have been kidnapped by underground creatures known as ‘Burrowers’.
This film really dares to be different with its original take on the genre, mixing the classic western setting with a more modern twist. Petty’s atmospheric direction and the creatures’ designs and effects are excellent, making The Burrowers a great western watch for any horror fan.
8 The Devil’s Rejections
Rob Zombies The Devil’s Rejections is a sequel to his 2003 film House of 1000 corpses. This episode follows the Firefly family – a group of psychopathic criminals – as they rampage in a rampage of murder and mayhem across Texas.
While The Devil’s Rejections isn’t technically a western, it has many of the same tropes and settings. Zombie’s signature style is on full display here, with numerous nods to The wild forest, Bonnie and Clyde, and other classic crime films with western influences. Often with mixed reactions, The Devil’s Rejections is a love-it-or-hate-it type of movie that fans will discuss.
7 dead birds
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Alex Turner’s 2004 dead birds is an intense and atmospheric film that follows a group of Confederate soldiers who rob a bank and take refuge in an abandoned plantation house. They soon realize that the house is haunted by the ghosts of previously enslaved people, and they must fight for their lives against the ghosts.
dead birds is another excellent example of a western horror film that takes a unique approach to the genre. There are standout performances from a talented cast, and a slow-burning sense of dread makes some scenes really unsettling as they develop into terrifying jump scares.
6 John Carpenter’s Vampires
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As one of John Carpenter’s most underrated films, vampires is a great example of a western horror film not getting the attention it deserves. The film follows a group of vampire hunters hired by the Catholic Church to eliminate a nest of vampires in New Mexico.
Carpenter’s directing is top-notch and the film features some excellent action sequences and special effects. The cast is also great, with James Woods leading the way as the vampire hunter Jack Crow. The film has an unmistakably Western feel, and the New Mexico setting is the perfect backdrop for a vampire story.
5 silent tongue
silent tongue is a 1993 western horror film directed by Sam Shepard. One of the last movies with River Phoenix, silent tongue tells a story set in 1873 about a man mourning the death of his wife. He tries to guard her corpse in an attempt to prevent her soul from going to the afterlife and goes mad in the process.
One of the more unusual and initially hard-to-digest movies here, silent tongue is a western horror film that requires multiple viewings. Every actor puts in a stellar performance, but it’s Phoenix who really shines in this role, bringing Shepard’s typically excellent dialogue to life.
4 Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat
Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat is a 1989 western horror comedy film directed by Anthony Hickox. Set in the small town of Purgatory, the film follows a group of vampires who lead strangely normal lives using SPF 100 sunscreen and a human blood substitute, Necktarine. Essentially, this movie is a parody of the vampire genre that makes fun of some of the more ridiculous aspects of lore.
With an excellent cast including Bruce Campbell and David Carridine, Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat is a must-see for fans of horror comedies. It’s campy, over-the-top and a lot of fun.
3 The hills have eyes
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Another entry that is less western and more post-apocalyptic horror set in the desert, Wes Craven’s The hills have eyes is another classic film with elements of both genres. A family on vacation is targeted by a group of cannibals living in the hills, and they must fight for their lives against the sadistic killers. The desert environment of Nevada provides a unique and eerie backdrop to the events of the film.
As one of Craven’s first films, The hills have eyess is an important item in both the horror and western genres. Even today, it’s an impressive and horrifying feat in filmmaking, with great practical effects and a disturbing story.
2 The wind
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The wind is a 2018 supernatural western horror film directed by Emma Tammi. The film follows a young couple who move to rural New Mexico in hopes of establishing a settlement. Soon, the main characters begin to realize that the land is haunted by a demonic presence, causing several twists and turns that make this one of the most unique films on this list.
The wind is a beautiful and gripping film with a non-linear story that leaves the viewer guessing until the very end. The 19th century setting is one of the most underused periods in horror, and this film does a great job of exploiting it to the fullest.
1 Bone Tomahawk
Bone Tomahawk is a 2015 western horror film directed by S. Craig Zahler starring Kurt Russell and Patrick Wilson. This slow-burn film follows a group of cowboys who set out to rescue several kidnapped settlers from a tribe of violent cannibals.
Although it’s not for everyone, Bone Tomahawk is an excellent film that masterfully combines the western and horror genres. Compared to most of the movies on this list, there’s quite a bit of gore, violence, and horrific scenes. The first half of the film is a drawn-out, straight-forward western, but the second half escalates in a horrifying direction. Each character is well developed and the acting is top notch. Horror fans should definitely check this one out for its unique take on the genre; that seems to be the paradoxical appeal of many horror westerns – most of them are downright unique. The western horror genre isn’t explored very often, but it can deliver some really eccentric and enjoyable experiences.