For some, nothing beats a classicWestern, especially when it is made by a fantastic director with iconic actors. For this reason, the 1950s and the 1960s produced some of the best films in the genre, likeHigh Noon,Rio Bravo,The Good, The Bad & The Ugly, andOnce Upon a Time in the West.
Despite breakthroughs in technology, many Westerns lack the allure of the classics, but some excellent films have been released in the last decade. So, whether you’ve always been a huge fan of the Western genre or are just getting started, having a reliable streaming platform can be a game changer. In this regard,Tubi, the ad-supported platform, features a large collection of growing Westerns. In addition to offeringsome great Westerns, such asLone Star,Broken Arrow, andThe Mercenary, the streaming service adds new ones monthly, which leads us to the main question: What Westerns are premiering on Tubu in August 2024?
Banjo Hackett: Roamin' Free (1976)
Streaming Aug. 1
A Western would be incomplete without a game of cat and mouse between a cowboy and a bounty hunter.Banjo Hackett: Roamin' Free, starring Don Meredith, is one such Western film that tells the story of a traveling horse trader who journeys through the West in search of his nephew’s Arabian horse, which has been stolen by a wicked bounty hunter named Sam Ivory (Chuck Connors). While it isn’t the best Western out there, it does have captivating storytelling that is worth highlighting.Banjo Hackett: Roamin' Freewill beavailable to stream on Tubion Aug. 1.
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Cowboy (1958)
If you’ve ever dreamed of being a cowboy living during the height of the Wild West,Cowboy, starring Glenn Ford and Jack Lemmon, perfectly illustrates that a cowboy’s life isn’t as glamorous as one may assume.
In the film, Chicago hotel clerk Frank Harris convinces a tough trail boss named Tom Reese to let him join the ride and earn a fortune in the cattle business. However, he soon realizes that being a cowboy isn’t for the tender-hearted and demands a lot of patience and fortitude.Cowboywill be available on Tubi starting Aug. 1.
Dances with Wolves (1990)
Dances with Wolves, starring anddirected by Kevin Costner, is one of the greatest Westerns of all time, and if you haven’t watched it yet, you should. Lt. John Dunbar, who led his Union troops to victory in the Civil War, leaves his former life behind after falling in love with a beautiful woman from the Lakota tribe. However, when the army advances on the plains, he is forced to make a difficult decision that will have severe consequences for his people.Dances with Wolveswill be available for streaming beginning Aug. 1.
Open Range (2003)
Open Rangeis another epic Western film by Kevin Costner coming to Tubi this August. The film takes place on a ranch where four cowboys, Boss Spearman (Robert Duvall), Charley Waite (Kevin Costner), Button (Diego Luna), and Mose Harrison (Abraham Benrubi), raise a cattle herd.
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However, when a corrupt lawman from a neighboring town threatens their livelihood, they are forced to fight against the impending tyranny and bloodshed. Meanwhile, Waite, the ex-gunslinger, falls in love with a spinster, which brings many problems for the brothers. This spectacular and riveting Westernwill be available on Tubi on Aug. 1, so be sure you watch it at least once if you haven’t already.
Hostiles (Aug. 21)
Streaming Aug. 21
Hostiles, co-written anddirected by Scott Cooper, is a slow-burn Western film with fleshed-out characters and outstanding performances that give many classics a run for their money. The filmstars Christian Baleas Joseph J. Blocker, a US Cavalry Captain about to retire in 1892 but is ordered to complete a crucial mission he absolutely despises.
Joe, who has spent his whole life protecting pioneering families in the Wild West, has developed animosity towards the Apache tribe. When he goes on a mission to escort the dying Cheyenne war chief, Yellow Hawk, and his four family members, he meets Rosalee Quaid, a widower who lost her family in the Comanche War. As they journey through the West, Joe’s allegiance begins to take a spin as he bonds with the Cheyenne warrior and Rosalee, who show him the situation from a different perspective.
As complicated as the premise sounds, the film finds the right balance between sophisticated plotlines and action sequences, making it an underrated Western. That being said, the film requires some patience from the audience, as things take time to unfold and only get rewarding once you get past the more tedious sequences.Hostileswill be available for streaming on Tubi beginning Aug. 21.
Western Film on Tubi
Streaming Date
Banjo Hackett: Roamin' Free
Streaming on Aug. 1
Dances with Wolves
Open Range
Streaming on Aug. 21
