20 best John Wayne movies to stream right now: From El Dorado to Rio Bravo

Right from El Dorado and McLintock! to Rio Bravo and True Grit, here is a list of the best John Wayne movies you must watch right away.

By Ayushi Balani

Updated on Jul 24, 2023 | 12:26 PM IST | 6.2M

The best John Wayne movies you must watch right away

When it comes to classic Hollywood hits, nothing beats the best Western movies featuring the iconic John Wayne. With a massively phenomenal career that spanned multiple decades, John Wayne has been one of the biggest Hollywood stars of all time and has been universally recognized for his brilliant roles in a number of movies, including Rio Bravo, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, El Dorado, and The Shootist. Over the years, he has delivered numerous non-Western roles as well, representing tough and masculine characters that truly stood out. That is precisely why we have scoured through John Wayne’s exceptional filmography and enlisted only the best ones.

So, what are you waiting for, go on, dive into the extensively curated list of best John Wayne movies along with their IMDb ratings and more.

From El Dorado to Rio Bravo: The best John Wayne movies of all time with their IMDb ratings

1. El Dorado (1966)

Movie Genre: Drama, Romance, Western
Running Time: 126 min
Movie Star Cast: John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, James Caan, Charlene Holt
Director: Howard Hawks
Writers: Leigh Brackett, Harry Brown
Year of release: 1966
Where to Watch/OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10

Starring stars like Robert Mitchum, James Caan, and Charlene Holt, along with John Wayne, this 1966 drama features the best of romance and cowboys. The movie is directed by Howard Hawks, while it is written by Leigh Brackett and Harry Brown. When it comes to the plot, it revolves around the tale of Cole Thornton, who is a gunfighter. Watch the movie to witness how he meets his old friend, J.P. Hara, who is also a Sheriff.

2. McLintock! (1963)

Movie Genre: Comedy, Western
Running Time: 126 min
Movie Star Cast: John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Patrick Wayne, Stefanie Powers
Director: Andrew V. McLaglen
Writer: James Edward Grant
Year of release: 1963
Where to Watch/OTT Platform: The Roku Channel
IMDb Rating: 7.1/10

Another John Wayne-starred Western drama we highly recommend is McLintock! The 1936 drama is directed by Andrew V. McLaglen and written by James Edward Grant. The highly-rated classic flick is available on The Roku Channel to stream and revolves around an affluent rancher named G. W. McLintock. Watch the movie to witness how he uses his dominion and power to achieve peace in the life of local farmers, ranchers, and corrupt officials.

3. Rio Bravo (1959)

Movie Genre: Drama, Western
Running Time: 141 min
Movie Star Cast: John Wayne, Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson, Angie Dickinson
Director: Howard Hawks
Writers: Jules Furthman, Leigh Brackett, B.H. McCampbell
Year of release: 1959
Where to Watch/OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video
IMDb Rating: 8 /10

We highly recommend watching Rio Bravo if you want to see one of the best John Wayne movies. This 1959 Western drama features not only Wayne but also outstanding performances by Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson, and Angie Dickinson. Directed by Howard Hawks and written by Jules Furthman, Leigh Brackett, and B.H. McCampbell, this highly-rated drama is set in the American West and revolves around a local sheriff who is both generous and helpful.

4. The Longest Day (1962)

The Longest Day (1962)

Movie Genre: Action, Drama, History
Running Time: 178 min
Movie Star Cast: John Wayne, Robert Ryan, Richard Burton, Henry Fonda
Director: Ken Annakin, Andrew Marton, Gerd Oswald, Bernhard Wicki, Darryl F. Zanuck
Writer: Cornelius Ryan, Romain Gary, James Jones
Year of release: 1962
Where to Watch/OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video, Vudu
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10

This historical action drama features the best of John Wayne, Robert Ryan, Richard Burton, and Henry Fonda among several others. The movie is directed by multiple directors including Ken Annakin, Andrew Marton, Gerd Oswald, Bernhard Wicki, and Darryl F. Zanuck. The plot of the movie is written by Cornelius Ryan, Romain Gary, along with James Jones. This iconic black-and-white docu-drama is the depiction of D-Day on the 6th of June 1944.

5. True Grit (1969)

Movie Genre: Adventure, Drama, Western
Running Time: 128 min
Movie Star Cast: John Wayne, Kim Darby, Glen Campbell, Jeremy Slate
Director: Henry Hathaway
Writer: Charles Portis, Marguerite Roberts
Year of release: 1969
Where to Watch/OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video, The Roku Channel, Vudu
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10

Directed by Henry Hathaway, this movie stars the best of John Wayne, along with Kim Darby, Glen Campbell, and Jeremy Slate. The plot of the adventure drama is written by Charles Portis and Marguerite Roberts. The storyline revolves around a drunken U.S. Marshal and a Ranger from Texas. Watch the movie to witness how a teenager tracks down her dad’s killer.

6. The Searchers (1956)

Movie Genre: Adventure, Drama, Western
Running Time: 119 min
Movie Star Cast: John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles, Ward Bond
Director: John Ford
Writer: Frank S. Nugent, Alan Le May
Year of release: 1956
Where to Watch/OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10

Featuring the best of John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles, and Ward Bond, this Western movie has everything from adventure to action. The 1956 drama is directed by John Ford and written by Frank S. Nugent and Alan Le May. Watch this highly-rated motion picture on Amazon Prime Video to witness an American Civil War veteran and how he saves his niece.

7. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)

Movie Genre: Drama, Western
Running Time: 123 min
Movie Star Cast: James Stewart, John Wayne, Vera Miles, Lee Marvin
Director: John Ford
Writer: James Warner Bellah, Willis Goldbeck, Dorothy M. Johnson
Year of release: 1962
Where to Watch/OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is directed by John Ford and written by James Warner Bellah, Willis Goldbeck, along with Dorothy M. Johnson. The highly-rated John Wayne movie features actors like James Stewart, Vera Miles, and Lee Marvin. When it comes to the plot, the Western drama features the story of a senator who revisits a Western town for an old pal’s funeral. It is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

8. Hatari! (1962)

Movie Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
Running Time: 157 min
Movie Star Cast: John Wayne, Elsa Martinelli, Hardy Krüger, Red Buttons
Director: Howard Hawks
Writer: Leigh Brackett, Harry Kurnitz
Year of release: 1962
Where to Watch/OTT Platform: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 7.1/10

Another highly acclaimed movie we highly recommend watching is John Wayne’s Hatari! This action drama features the best of adventure and comedy. The 1962 film features the best actors Elsa Martinelli, Hardy Krüger, Red Buttons along with John Wayne. It is directed by Howard Hawks and written by Leigh Brackett and Harry Kurnitz. The plot of the motion picture revolves around a group of guys who trap wild animals from Africa and trade them with zoos until a wildlife photographer threatens them for their cruel actions.

9. Stagecoach (1939)

Movie Genre: Adventure, Drama, Western
Running Time: 96 min
Movie Star Cast: John Wayne, Claire Trevor, Andy Devine, John Carradine
Director: John Ford
Writer: Ernest Haycox, Dudley Nichols, Ben Hecht
Year of release: 1939
Where to Watch/OTT Platform: Plex TV
IMDb Rating: 7.8/10

This Western drama features the best of John Wayne along with actors including Claire Trevor, Andy Devine, and John Carradine among several others. The John Ford movie is written by Ernest Haycox, Dudley Nichols, and Ben Hecht. The storyline of the movie revolves around a bunch of people who travel on a stagecoach. Watch the movie on Plex TV to witness how their journey is threatened by Geronimo.

10. The Quiet Man (1952)

Movie Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Running Time: 129 min
Movie Star Cast: John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Barry Fitzgerald, Ward Bond
Director: John Ford
Writer: Frank S. Nugent, Maurice Walsh, John Ford
Year of release: 1952
Where to Watch/OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10

This 1952 movie is directed and written by John Ford along with other writers like Frank S. Nugent, and Maurice Walsh. When it comes to the plot it revolves around the story of a retired boxer from America who revisits his place of birth in Ireland. Watch the movie on Amazon Prime Video to witness the best of actors including John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Barry Fitzgerald, and Ward Bond.

11. How the West Was Won (1962)

Movie Genre: Drama, Romance, War
Running Time: 164 min
Movie Star Cast: James Stewart, John Wayne, Gregory Peck, Henry Fonda
Director: John Ford, Henry Hathaway, George Marshall, Richard Thorpe
Writers: James R. Webb, John Gay
Year of release: 1962
Where to Watch/OTT Platform: Fawesome, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Redbox, or Vudu
IMDb Rating: 7/10

Featuring the best of James Stewart, John Wayne, Gregory Peck, and Henry Fonda, this war drama is full of romance and drama. The highly acclaimed movie is directed by John Ford, Henry Hathaway, George Marshall, and Richard Thorpe while the plot is written by James R. Webb and John Gay. The 1962 movie revolves around a decade-long family drama set in the 19th century.

12. Angel and the Badman (1947)

Movie Genre: Drama, Romance, Western
Running Time: 100 min
Movie Star Cast: John Wayne, Gail Russell, Harry Carey, Bruce Cabot
Director: James Edward Grant
Writer: James Edward Grant
Year of release: 1947
Where to Watch/OTT Platform: Plex TV
IMDb Rating: 6.8/10

Written and directed by James Edward Grant, this John Wayne movie features the best of other talented actors including Gail Russell, Harry Carey, and Bruce Cabot. The 1947 Western drama is full of romance and drama and revolves around Quirt Evans, who is the opposite of a good boy. Watch the movie to witness how he is pursued by Penelope Worth who is a Quaker girl.

13. McQ (1974)

Movie Genre: Action, Crime, Drama
Running Time: 111 min
Movie Star Cast: John Wayne, Eddie Albert, Diana Muldaur, Colleen Dewhurst
Director: John Sturges
Writer: Lawrence Roman
Year of release: 1974
Where to Watch/OTT Platform: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video
IMDb Rating: 6.2/10

Featuring the best of action crime and drama, this movie stars John Wayne along with other actors that include, Eddie Albert, Diana Muldaur, and Colleen Dewhurst. Directed by John Sturges, the 1974 movie is written by Lawrence Roman. The plot of the movie revolves around a Seattle cop who is stuck in a corrupt police force. Watch the movie to witness how the cop makes it his mission to make things right.

14. The Big Trail (1930)

The Big Trail (1930)

Movie Genre: Adventure, Drama, Romance
Running Time: 125 min
Movie Star Cast: John Wayne, Marguerite Churchill, El Brendel, Tully Marshall
Director: Raoul Walsh, Louis R. Loeffler
Writers: Hal G. Evarts, Marie Boyle, Jack Peabody
Year of release: 1930
Where to Watch/OTT Platform: Westerns, Prime Video, Vudu, or Apple TV
IMDb Rating: 7.1/10

Directed by Raoul Walsh and Louis R. Loeffler, this movie is written by Hal G. Evarts, Marie Boyle, and Jack Peabody. This highly-rated drama is filled with adventure and romance and features the best of John Wayne, Marguerite Churchill, El Brendel, and Tully Marshall. When it comes to the plot it revolves around a character called Breck Coleman. Watch the movie to witness how he helps a number of settlers from Mississippi to find their destiny.

15. Arizona (1931)

Arizona (1931)

Movie Genre: Drama, Romance
Running Time: 70 min
Movie Star Cast: Laura La Plante, John Wayne, June Clyde, Forrest Stanley
Director: George B. Seitz
Writer: Robert Riskin, Augustus Thomas
Year of release: 1931
Where to Watch/OTT Platform: Roku Channel, Tubi - Free Movies & TV, Redbox., Apple TV, Prime Video, or Vudu
IMDb Rating: 5.7/10

Arizona is another underrated John Wayne movie that we recommend you must watch. The movie features the best of actors that include Laura La Plante, John Wayne, June Clyde, and Forrest Stanley among several others. The plot of the movie revolves around a character named Bob. The interesting movie takes a huge turn when he refuses to marry his girlfriend and leaves her. She marries his close friend out of revenge.

16. The Range Feud (1931)

Movie Genre: Drama, Mystery, Western
Running Time: 64 min
Movie Star Cast: Buck Jones, John Wayne, Susan Fleming, Edward LeSaint
Director: D. Ross Lederman
Writer: Milton Krims
Year of release: 1931
Where to Watch/OTT Platform: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 5.6/10

This 1931 Western drama features the best of mystery and drama. Directed by D. Ross Lederman and written by Milton Krims, this movie features the best of Buck Jones, John Wayne, Susan Fleming, and Edward LeSaint. When it comes to the plot, it revolves around a character named Clint Turner. Watch the movie to find out how he gets arrested for his girlfriend’s father’s murder.

17. The Shadow of the Eagle (1932)

The Shadow of the Eagle (1932)

Movie Genre: Crime, Drama, Family
Running Time: 218 min
Movie Star Cast: John Wayne, Dorothy Gulliver, Walter Miller, Kenneth Harlan
Director: Ford Beebe, B. Reeves Eason
Writer: Ford Beebe, Colbert Clark, Wyndham Gittens
Year of release: 1932
Where to Watch/OTT Platform: Classic FilmTime, Xumo Play, Local Now, or Film Noir Network
IMDb Rating: 5.5/10

The Shadow of the Eagle might be an underrated John Wayne movie, but it has an amazing plot that involves Eagle and Nathan Gregory on an adventure. This family crime drama features John Wayne's amazing performance alongside other actors including Dorothy Gulliver, Walter Miller, and Kenneth Harlan.

18. Texas Cyclone (1932)

Movie Genre: Drama, Western
Running Time: 63 min
Movie Star Cast: Tim McCoy, Shirley Grey, Wheeler Oakman, John Wayne
Director: D. Ross Lederman
Writers: Randall Faye, William Colt MacDonald
Year of release: 1932
Where to Watch/OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video
IMDb Rating: 5.8/10

Directed by D. Ross Lederman and written by Randall Faye, along with William Colt MacDonald, this 1932 John Wayne movie might be an old movie but it is definitely worth watching. Watch the movie to witness a story of how Pecos Grant visits a strange town where everybody presumes him as a dead man named Rawlins including Rawlins’ wife. You have got to watch the movie to witness how Pecos solves the mystery.

19. The High and the Mighty (1954)

The High and the Mighty (1954)

Movie Genre: Adventure, Drama, Drama
Running Time: 147 min
Movie Star Cast: John Wayne, Claire Trevor, Laraine Day, Robert Stack
Director: William A. Wellman
Writer: Ernest K. Gann
Year of release: 1954
Where to Watch/OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video
IMDb Rating: 6.7/10

This 1954 classic features a young John Wayne alongside Claire Trevor, Laraine Day, and Robert Stack. Directed by D. Ross Lederman and William Colt MacDonald, the movie features a tale about a commercial airliner and how it is up to him to land the plane safely.

20. Rio Lobo (1970)

Rio Lobo (1970)

Movie Genre: Drama, War, Western
Running Time: 114 min
Movie Star Cast: John Wayne, Jorge Rivero, Jennifer O'Neill, Jack Elam
Director: Howard Hawks
Writer: Burton Wohl, Leigh Brackett
Year of release: 1970
Where to Watch / OTT Platform: MX Player
IMDb Rating: 6.7/10

Directed by Howard Hawks and written by Burton Wohl along with Leigh Brackett, this 1970 Western drama features the best of John Wayne, Jorge Rivero, Jennifer O'Neill, and Jack Elam. The movie is available on MX Player to stream and revolves around a plot that’s set in Civil War. Watch the movie to witness, how Cord McNally find two traitors that caused McNally's unit loss.

Famous for delivering the best of Western dramas, Marion Robert Morrison famously known as John Wayne has been one of the biggest male stars of classic American cinema. Over the years, Wayne was nicknamed The Duke or Duke Wayne for his extraordinary leading roles. Right from famous Westerns to under-rated non-Westerns the above list is the perfect assortment of the best John Wayne movies you should never miss out on.

ALSO READ: 20 best Westerns on Netflix right now: The Harder They Fall to The Power of the Dog