5 Best Western Movie Sequels Of All Time, Ranked

If a movie is successful, it's highly likely that studios will be keen to make sequels and capitalize on its name until the cows come home. Be that as it may, Westerns aren't known for producing follow-ups at the same rate as other genres. Broadly speaking, horse operas boast self-contained stories, with their gunslingers dying or riding off into the sunset at the end. Still, there are exceptions to the rule, and some have continued their characters' journeys in compelling and entertaining ways.

"Django," "Sabata," and "The Magnificent Seven," and the "Dollars" saga are among the most notable Western film series out there. However, some Westerns sequels fly under the radar or have since been forgotten due to the passing of time. Either way, this list will look at the best genre follow-ups out there — ranging from all-time classics to forgotten gems — and celebrate their triumphs. So, put on your stetson, climb onto your horse, and scream "yeehaw" as we revisit some blasts from the past.

There are countless great Western movies about the adventures of Billy the Kid, but very few are as entertaining as the "Young Guns" flicks. The first is a cult classic with an outstanding cast of '80s faves, like Emilio Estevez, Kiefer Sutherland, Lou Diamond Phillips, Charlie Sheen, and others. The sequel, "Young Guns II," isn't as highly regarded, but it's still a rollicking good time if you like your horse operas action-packed and full of affection for the genre.

The story follows Billy the Kid (Estevez) and his band of outlaws as they make for the Mexican border while trying to evade Pat Garrett (William Petersen) and his posse. It's a standard premise for a Western, albeit one that supplies plenty of chase sequences, brawls, and shootouts — and what more do you need?

"Young Guns II" is also reminiscent of Sam Peckinpah's "Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid," one of the best '70s Westerns that still hold up today. Both stories see the eponymous characters on a collision course with each other, and "Young Guns II" is loaded with the slow-motion action scenes Peckinpah was fond of. That said, "Young Guns II" is by no means derivative, as the sequel boasts more than enough style to stand out on its own terms.

Most of the films on this list contain sprinklings of humor, but "Trinity Is Still My Name" is all about making viewers laugh until their sides split. A sequel to 1970's must-see "They Call Me Trinity," the story follows the titular character (Terrence Hill) as he attempts to become an outlaw. He is aided by his half-brother Bambino (Bud Spencer), but the pair fail at becoming true bad boys as they're prone to helping people.

"Trinity Is Still My Name" is arguably the best spoof of spaghetti Westerns to grace the screen, and it's bound to appeal to viewers who can appreciate fart jokes and slap fights in saloons. The plot plays second fiddle to comedic vignettes aimed at lampooning Western tropes, so don't expect a complicated story. But if you've ever watched a horse opera and wished it had more slapstick humor, this is the film for you. Even people who don't like Westerns will have fun with this one.

The "True Grit" franchise has produced four films (including a reboot), but "Rooster Cogburn" holds the distinction of being John Wayne's final outing as the eponymous U.S. Marshal. "Rooster Cogburn" has been overshadowed by Wayne's more renowned movies, but it's a charming Western that allows the Duke to showcase his undeniable chemistry with Katharine Hepburn. 

In this one, the aging Cogburn finds himself tracking down an outlaw gang who've stolen some explosives. Stopping them is the only way he can get his badge back, which has been suspended because the lawman is too much of a loose cannon to be trusted. Hepburn plays Eula, who has her own issues with the gang at the heart of the chaos.

"Rooster Cogburn" pales in comparison to its predecessor, but the performances are so enjoyable that it doesn't matter. The plot is entirely serviceable, allowing Wayne to do what he did best — dole out justice, fire guns, and act all grizzled. The film also marked one of the actor's final Western roles, and it's a reminder that very few were as great at playing cowboys as he was.

A one-man warrior walks into a town and gets into a dust-up with some bad people. However, it just so happens that the mystery man is quick on the draw and isn't willing to be messed with. This set-up has informed countless genre flicks, and Robert Rodriguez's "Desperado" is a neo-Western take on the age-old story — with some revenge thrown in for good measure.

A sequel to "El Mariachi," "Desperado" sees Antonio Banderas play a musician who arrives in a desert town with a guitar case full of guns. He's there to avenge his old flame's death, but the crime kingpin responsible for killing her has an army of henchmen with itchy trigger fingers in their own right. Cue the mayhem.

"Desperado" is a brilliant actioner that's full of style, atmosphere, and sudden bursts of violence. It's clear that Rodriguez was inspired by the Westerns films of Sergio Leone, but the action sequences embrace Hong Kong-style gun-fu to create a kinetic mix of styles. Banderas oozes cool as our gunslinger, and the supporting cast of Steve Buscemi, Salma Hayek, Cheech Marin, Danny Trejo, and Joaquim de Almeida deliver charismatic performances. This entire series is worth checking out, but "Desperado" is its crown jewel.

When it comes to the best Western sequels of all time, look no further than "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly." Sergio Leone's entire "Dollars" trilogy is worth seeing, and "For a Few Dollars More" would also be on this list if we didn't want to spotlight other directors and their work. However, "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" is the bunch of the bunch — and one of the Westerns you must see before you die.

The story follows The Man with No Name, aka Blondie (Clint Eastwood), as he embarks on a quest to find treasure. However, he keeps bumping into two other gunslingers (played by Lee Van Cleef and Eli Wallach) who have the same intentions, meaning that it's only a matter of time until chaos ensues.

"The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" is a deconstruction of traditional Westerns. Leone's characters are antiheroes who are driven by greed, unlike the heroic cowboys actors like John Wayne were known to play. The film is very funny at times, but it's also loaded with suspense and the final stand-off is as intense as any scene you're ever likely to see. Throw in a legendary score by Ennio Morricone, and the end result is one of the greatest films ever made, regardless of genre.