When answering a question as expansive as the top 5 John Wayne movies ever, it’s important to note that the man is on of the most well-known actors in history and has appeared in hundreds of movie over the course of his career. Recognized for his iconic walk and mannerisms, the hard-a$$ed, Mr-tough-guy, embodies his many characters both on- and off-screen.
Think American Cowboy, and there you have John Wayne standing tall, moody…one tough nut to crack. To look back at the career of pure awesome that spanned decades, is both heartbreaking and testosterone arousing.
Without delving in any more masochism, here is the…
Top 5 John Wayne Movies
#5 Stagecoach (1939)
Stagecoach has us looking at an old, crotchety and gruff John Wayne. This is the movie that got the actor recognized for the very first time. One watch and it’s abundantly clear to everybody why 1939 was indeed the year for the entire America to meet John Wayne. It’s easy to see while watching his performance how this film made him a star, and thus warrants inclusion in our list of the top 5 movies featuring the legendary actor.
The movie tells the story of a simple stagecoach trip that is complicated by the fact that Geronimo is on the warpath. The passengers on the coach include a drunken doctor, two women, a bank manager who has taken off with his client’s money, and the famous Ringo Kid, among others.
#4 Rio Bravo (1959)
Rio Bravo is everything a good western should be, with elements of everything adrenaline pumping including: good guys in white hats, bad guys in black hats, townsfolk who have no intentions to participate, and the perfect setting for the quintessential western climax of a battle fought between the outlaws and the sheriff. Oh and of course there’s a woman to make things more like the typical western.
When you’re talking about the best movies featuring the actor, not including Rio Bravo is a shot in the buttocks – that’s how good it is.
#3 The Quiet Man (1952)
The Quiet Man was an instant classic back in its day. It is the Irish village version of Shakespeare’s play, The Taming Of The Shrew. The tamer here is played by ex-pugilist Sean Thornton (Wayne’s character), who retires the the land of his fathers. It is here that he purchases ”that little place across the brook, that humble cottage.” This romance is a film to watch, even if you’re interested in this this list just for the westerns.
#2 True Grit (1969)
How can we not include the movie that got him the Oscar and the Golden Globe in our list of the best movies featuring the actor? Wayne’s portrayal of Rooster Cogburn, a U.S. Marshall asked to hunt down a murderer in this 1969 movie, got him what many consider to be a nomination to commemorate the ending of the great actor’s career due to the removal of a lung from cancer.
#1 The Searchers (1956)
Without any acknowledgement from the Academy Awards, this 1956 film has now been recognized as the greatest western of all time, and 12th best movie of all time by the American Film Institute. Easily taking the top spot on this list, here the actor portrayed a civil war veteran named Ethan Edwards who is looking for his abducted relatives. Directed by the legendary director John Ford, Wayne and Ford were frequent collaborators on their efforts to capture the audience.
Here’s a link to a great box set featuring some of the best work of the great actor.
We hope you enjoyed reading through out list of the Top 5 John Wayne movies, but we must admit – watching them is a whole lot more awesome!
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