The sands and grassy plains of the frontier will soon be covered with sprinkles of snow and endless strings of colorful lights. The holiday season is nearly upon us, marking the time we band together to watch family-friendly classics in front of a crackling fire.Tubicertainly won’t disappoint in this department, as it’s bringing over one of its biggest batches of varied content yet to ring in the month of December. Surprisingly, alongside festive films and cherished specials, you’ll even be able to find a new influx ofWesterntitles in the mix as well.
That’s right: despite the change in season, Tubi is delivering quality Western titles throughout the entirety of December. We’ve opted to highlight a select few titles that especially deserve your attention. Each film presented here will be available to watch from as early as December 1 unless stated otherwise.
Cowboys & Aliens (2011)
Streaming Dec. 1
Cowboys & Aliens
Cowboys & Aliens: a perfectly straightforward title for a perfectly straightforward film. This 2011 Western was directed by Jon Favreau and features the likes of Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Olivia Wilde, and Sam Rockwell in an experimental take on the American frontier. We follow an outlaw,played by Daniel Craig, who awakens in the middle of the desert with a metal bracelet attached to his arm. After a series of disturbing revelations, it turns out that the lone town of Absolution may be at the center of an extraterrestrial attack. The film is based on the titular graphic novel by Scott Mitchell Rosenberg, albeit with some cinematic alterations.
What Makes It Great?
ThoughCowboys & Aliensinitially saw mixed critical reception, it’s worth noting that Favreau successfully converted this eclectic story’s source material into something original and exciting. There’s a genuine effort to maintain a Western veneer throughout, with numerous critics praising the film’s impressive VFX and individual performances.
Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003)
Once Upon a Time in Mexico
The concluding film inRobert Rodriguez’s Mexico Trilogycertainly goes out with a bang.Once Upon a Time in Mexico, which originally debuted in 2003, is a neo-Western film that prioritizes action above all else. Antonio Banderas reprises his role as El Mariachi, a gun-toting musician who hides his expansive arsenal in his guitar case. When El Mariachi is enlisted by a skilled CIA agent, Sheldon Sands (Johnny Depp), he is thrown into the dusty world of revenge once more as he attempts to take down a corrupt Mexican general. Salma Hayek, Mickey Rourke, Danny Trejo, Cheech Marin, Willem Dafoe, and Enrique Iglesias appear in supporting roles.
Like the other films in the Mexico Trilogy,Once Upon a Time in Mexicois a gloriously violent action flick that takes heavy inspiration from famous westerns likeThe Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. Depp puts on a terrific performance in his major role here, and portions of the film’s tense score were even composed by Robert Rodriguez himself.
23 Best Westerns on Tubi to Watch Right Now
It’s time to saddle up, partners. These are the best Westerns available for free on Tubi to watch right now.
The Big Country (1958)
The Big Countryis, appropriately enough, a gargantuan Western epic. Based on Donald Hamilton’sAmbush at Blanco Canyon,The Big Countryfollows James McKay (Gregory Peck) as he retires from a life at sea to the vastness of the American West. In a bid to marry his fiancée, Patricia Terrill (Carroll Baker), McKay inadvertently draws the ire of Major Henry Terrill (Charles Bickford) and Rufus Hannassey (Burl Ives) during a ruthless conflict over water rights. Jean Simmons, Alfonso Bedoya, Chuck Hayward, and Charlton Heston appear in supporting roles.
The Big Country’s cinematography and score would be a notable point of praise shared between critics, painting a breathtaking depiction of the Texas landscape. Burl Ives even snags a Golden Globe andAcademy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Last Shoot Out (2021)
You’d be surprised at how manylesser-known Westernsare available on Tubi. Case in point, we haveLast Shoot Out, which was originally released in 2021. This Michael Feifer film sees a bride on the run after her husband-to-be has her father murdered. Shortly after her escape, she receives the assistance of a lone gunman who attempts to fight off an ensuing series of violent advances. Jay Pickett, Michael Welch, Skylar Witte, Bruce Dern, and Cam Gigandet make up the film’s main cast.
This clean-cut Western flick takes a simple premise and crafts a genuinely compelling story around it. The score, curated by Feifer himself and Robert Arzola, makes for a tense soundscape that accompanies the drawn-out tension and climactic gunfights.
15 Greatest Acid Western Movies of All Time
The acid Western is one of the most bizarre subgenres ever created and the following movies are the best ones in the category.
The Longest Drive (1976)
The Longest Drive– akaThe Quest: The Longest Drive– is a strange enigma when it comes to Westerns. Originally a made-for-TV film,The Longest Drivesees the Beaudine brothers teaming up with a certified motley crew in order to guide a huge herd of cattle across the frontier. As simple a premise as it is,The Longest Driveholds a few surprises. Specifically, the film’s biggest surprise is its casting. Kurt Russell, Tim Matheson, Dan O’Herlihy, Keenan Wynn, Woody Strode, Erik Estrada, Gary Lockwood, and more fill out the cast, with Bernard McEveety directing.
This Longest Driveis a fascinating time capsule.Kurt Russell famously turned down a roleinStar Warsto be inThe Longest Drive, Tim Matheson would star inThe Longest Drivea short while beforeAnimal House, and even Erik Estrada would appear inThe Longest Drivebefore climbing to fame withCHiPS. It’s interesting to see these famous talents unite for a comparatively simple Western, with Russell shining the brightest out of the bunch.
Though this may cover most of the Westerns arriving at Tubi throughout December, plenty of other exciting titles are coming throughout the rest of the month. If you’re curious about what else is coming throughout December, there’s an easy way to see what exactly is coming to Tubi and when. All you have to do isclick here to seeevery upcoming movie and television show coming to Tubi, all provided by the free-to-use streamer itself.
If you love Westerns, check out our top 5 Westerns of all time below.
