John Wayne is an American icon, a legendary actor who starred in over 170 films across five decades. Known for his distinctive voice, walk and height, Wayne came to epitomize the American West and the masculine ideal. He is best known for his Western films, where he often played a rugged cowboy or gunfighter, but also excelled in war movies, biopics, and romantic comedies.
Narrowing down Wayne’s immense filmography to his 25 best movies is no easy feat. This list focuses on the films that best represent his acting abilities, screen presence, and enduring legacy. From his early breakthrough roles to his final film, these are the essential John Wayne movies that every fan should see.
25. The Comancheros (1961)
In this Western adventure, Wayne plays a Texas Ranger who goes undercover to infiltrate a gang of arms dealers led by a charming but ruthless man named Crow, played by Lee Marvin. The film is notable for its action scenes, humor, and the chemistry between Wayne and Marvin. It was also the final film directed by Michael Curtiz, the legendary filmmaker behind Casablanca.
24. Hondo (1953)
Based on a short story by Louis L’Amour, Hondo stars Wayne as a cavalry rider who comes to the aid of a woman and her son living in hostile Apache territory. The film is a classic Western with Wayne as the reluctant hero, similar to his later role in The Searchers. Hondo was filmed in 3D, adding visual depth to the stunning desert landscapes.
23. The Wings of Eagles (1957)
In this biographical war drama, Wayne plays Frank “Spig” Wead, a real-life naval aviator who became a screenwriter after being paralyzed in an accident. The film follows Wead’s career from the early days of naval aviation through World War II. Wayne gives a strong performance as a man who refuses to be defined by his disability.
22. McQ (1974)
McQ was part of a trend in the 1970s of casting aging Western stars like Wayne and Clint Eastwood in contemporary crime thrillers. Wayne plays the title role, a detective who investigates police corruption in Seattle. The film is notable for its gritty urban setting and Wayne’s willingness to play against type as a morally ambiguous character.
21. The Train Robbers (1973)
The Train Robbers is a light-hearted Western heist movie starring Wayne as a gunslinger hired by a widow to recover gold stolen by her late husband. The film has an old-fashioned feel, with Wayne supported by familiar faces like Ben Johnson and Rod Taylor. It’s not a major entry in the Wayne filmography but still an entertaining adventure.
20. The Three Godfathers (1948)
In this Western with strong religious overtones, Wayne plays one of three outlaws who discover a dying woman and her infant child in the desert. With the posse on their tail, the three men vow to protect the child and get it to safety. The film is a remake of a 1916 Western, and has been remade several times since, including a Japanese anime called Tokyo Godfathers.
19. The Sons of Katie Elder (1965)
After their mother dies, four grown brothers reunite in their Texas hometown to attend her funeral and investigate their father’s death years earlier. Wayne plays the eldest brother John, and is joined by Dean Martin, Earl Holliman, and Michael Anderson Jr. as his siblings. The Sons of Katie Elder is a solid Western drama with themes of family loyalty and justice.
18. Sands of Iwo Jima (1949)
Sands of Iwo Jima is one of Wayne’s best war films, a gritty and realistic portrayal of the World War II battle for the Japanese island. Wayne plays a tough Marine sergeant who must earn the respect of his men as they face the horrors of war. The film features actual combat footage from the battle, adding to its authenticity. Wayne received his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his performance.
17. The Shootist (1976)
In his final film role, Wayne plays J.B. Books, an aging gunfighter diagnosed with cancer who comes to a small Nevada town to live out his final days in peace. But his reputation draws various characters who want to challenge him. The Shootist is a poignant and fitting swan song for Wayne, who was battling cancer in real life as well. He gives a moving performance as a man reckoning with his own mortality.
16. The Longest Day (1962)
The Longest Day is an epic war film about the D-Day invasion of Normandy that features an all-star international cast. Wayne plays a lieutenant colonel leading his men in the Normandy landings. While not the sole star of the film, Wayne has some memorable moments, including a scene where he rallies his troops with a stirring speech. The film won two Academy Awards for its cinematography and special effects.
15. True Grit (1969)
True Grit stars Wayne as Rooster Cogburn, a drunken, eye-patch-wearing U.S. Marshal hired by a young girl to track down her father’s killer. Wayne won his only Academy Award for his larger-than-life performance in the film. True Grit was a box office hit and spawned a sequel, Rooster Cogburn, which co-starred Katharine Hepburn. The film was remade in 2010 by the Coen Brothers, with Jeff Bridges taking on the Cogburn role.
14. Fort Apache (1948)
The first of John Ford’s “cavalry trilogy”, Fort Apache stars Wayne as a cavalry captain caught between his by-the-book commanding officer (Henry Fonda) and the Apache warriors they are fighting. The film explores themes of honor, duty, and the complex relationships between Native Americans and the U.S. military. Fort Apache features stunning black-and-white cinematography of Monument Valley and a stirring score by Richard Hageman.
13. She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949)
The second film in Ford’s trilogy, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon stars Wayne as a cavalry officer on the verge of retirement who must lead his men on one final mission against a coalition of Native American tribes. The film is notable for its Technicolor cinematography, which vividly captures the red rock buttes of Monument Valley. Wayne gives one of his most iconic performances as a weathered but wise commander.
12. Rio Grande (1950)
Rio Grande concludes Ford’s cavalry trilogy and stars Wayne as a lieutenant colonel posted to a remote outpost on the Mexican border, with Maureen O’Hara as his estranged wife. As the threat of Apache attack looms, the couple must reconcile their differences. The film features exciting action sequences and a strong supporting cast that includes Ben Johnson and Harry Carey Jr.
11. Red River (1948)
In this classic Western, Wayne plays a stubborn rancher who feuds with his adopted son (Montgomery Clift) during a cattle drive from Texas to Kansas. Red River is an epic tale of the old West, with sweeping vistas and memorable supporting turns by Walter Brennan and John Ireland. Wayne and Clift have great chemistry as two men struggling for dominance.
10. The Quiet Man (1952)
The Quiet Man is a departure from Wayne’s typical Western and war movie roles. He plays an American boxer who returns to his ancestral home in Ireland, where he falls in love with a fiery redhead played by Maureen O’Hara. The film is a charming romantic comedy that makes great use of its lush Irish locations. Wayne and O’Hara have palpable chemistry, and the film’s climactic fistfight is a classic brawl.
9. Sands of Iwo Jima (1949)
Sands of Iwo Jima is a classic World War II film that stars Wayne as a tough Marine sergeant preparing his men for the invasion of the Japanese island. The film is notable for its gritty realism and use of actual combat footage. Wayne gives one of his best performances as a hardened veteran who must earn the respect of his squad. The film’s themes of sacrifice and heroism still resonate today.
8. Rio Bravo (1959)
In this Western classic, Wayne plays a small-town sheriff who must keep a murderer in jail until the U.S. Marshal arrives, with the help of a ragtag group of allies. Rio Bravo is notable for its strong ensemble cast, which includes Dean Martin as a drunken deputy and Angie Dickinson as a gambler who takes a shine to Wayne. Director Howard Hawks keeps the tension high throughout, building to an explosive climax.
7. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is a complex Western that explores themes of myth-making and the taming of the West. Wayne plays Tom Doniphon, a gunslinger who may or may not have shot the notorious outlaw Liberty Valance. The film is more interested in the power of legend than the truth, and features strong performances by James Stewart and Lee Marvin. Wayne’s presence looms large even though he’s not the main character.
6. Stagecoach (1939)
Stagecoach is the film that made Wayne a star and established his screen persona as the rugged, laconic cowboy. He plays the Ringo Kid, an outlaw who joins a group of passengers on a dangerous stagecoach ride through Apache territory. Director John Ford makes great use of the stunning Monument Valley locations, and the film’s exciting action sequences still hold up today. Stagecoach was a major critical and commercial success and paved the way for the Western genre’s golden age in the 1940s and 50s.
5. Red River (1948)
Red River is an epic Western that spans years and miles, as Wayne’s character leads a massive cattle drive from Texas to Kansas. Wayne gives one of his best performances as a stubborn and sometimes ruthless trail boss, with Montgomery Clift as his adopted son and rival. The film features stunning vistas of the American Southwest and a memorable score by Dimitri Tiomkin. Red River is a classic tale of the old West, with themes of masculinity, leadership, and the passing of an era.
4. The Quiet Man (1952)
The Quiet Man is a departure from Wayne’s typical Western roles, but showcases his versatility as an actor. He plays an American boxer who returns to his ancestral home in Ireland, where he falls in love with a fiery redhead played by Maureen O’Hara. The film is a charming romantic comedy that makes great use of its lush Irish locations and features a memorable supporting cast, including Barry Fitzgerald and Ward Bond. Wayne and O’Hara have palpable chemistry, and the film’s climactic fistfight is a classic brawl.
3. Rio Bravo (1959)
Rio Bravo is a classic Western that stars Wayne as a small-town sheriff who must keep a murderer in jail with the help of a ragtag group of allies, including Dean Martin as a drunken deputy and Angie Dickinson as a gambler who takes a shine to Wayne. Director Howard Hawks keeps the tension high throughout, building to an explosive climax. The film is notable for its strong ensemble cast and memorable dialogue, with Wayne delivering some of his most iconic lines. Rio Bravo was a major influence on later filmmakers like John Carpenter and Quentin Tarantino.
2. The Searchers (1956)
The Searchers is widely regarded as one of the greatest Westerns ever made, and features Wayne in one of his most complex and challenging roles. He plays Ethan Edwards, a Civil War veteran who embarks on a years-long quest to find his niece, who was kidnapped by Comanches. Wayne’s character is a deeply flawed and prejudiced man, and the film doesn’t shy away from the darker aspects of his personality. Director John Ford uses the stunning Monument Valley locations to great effect, and the film’s themes of obsession and racism still resonate today. The Searchers is a masterpiece of American cinema.
1. True Grit (1969)
True Grit is the film that won Wayne his only Academy Award for Best Actor, and it’s easy to see why. He plays Rooster Cogburn, a drunken, eye-patch-wearing U.S. Marshal hired by a young girl to track down her father’s killer. Wayne brings his signature swagger and charm to the role, but also imbues Cogburn with a sense of world-weariness and vulnerability. The film is a classic Western adventure, with memorable supporting turns by Glen Campbell and Robert Duvall. True Grit was a box office hit and spawned a sequel, Rooster Cogburn, which co-starred Katharine Hepburn. The film was remade in 2010 by the Coen Brothers, with Jeff Bridges taking on the Cogburn role, but Wayne’s performance remains definitive.
John Wayne‘s legacy as an actor and cultural icon is secure, and these 25 films represent the best of his long and storied career. From his early breakthrough roles in Stagecoach and Red River to his late-career triumphs in True Grit and The Shootist, Wayne remained a commanding presence on screen and a symbol of American masculinity and individualism. His influence can still be felt in modern Westerns and action movies, and his performances continue to entertain and inspire new generations of moviegoers. These are the essential John Wayne movies that every film buff should see.
