Greatest Acid Western Movies of All Time

Ever since legendary film critic Pauline Kael came up with the term in her review of Alejandro Jodorowsky’s film El Topo back in the ‘70s, the Acid Western has come to classify some Westerns outside the norm. The Acid Western offers great diversity, as the genre was born out of the counterculture of the ’60s and ’70s, and its ‘acid’ namesake comes from the implied use of psychedelics in crafting the stories and experiences of its characters. This ties all these films together, with many of them further offering a similar chaotic and introspective narrative.

The Acid Western can offer up quite the ‘trip,’ drawing in viewers with a mix of sensationalism, absurdity, or darker introspective views on life. Here are the 15 greatest Acid Westerns of all time to highlight this complex subgenre and celebrate its endless creativity.

15 Straight to Hell (1987)

From director Alex Cox of Repo Man fame, Straight To Hell brought together Icons of pop and outsider cinema music, to create a punk-rock-infused Western where Elvis reigns as a patron saint. The plot follows a group of bank robbers having to hide their bounty when their car breaks down in the desert. They happen upon a town seemingly lost in time, full of vigilantes addicted to black coffee and violence.

A Punk Rock Acid Western

Straight To Hell offers a wonderful mix of crass humor and ultra-violence to deliver a one-of-a-kind Western experience headed by the likes of Joe Strummer of The Clash, Courtney Love, and cult-favorite Sy Richardson (Strummer and Richardson would go on to appear in another Acid Western in this list, Walker). In true punk fashion, the plot is less about pushing a story with the allure of riches, only acting as a way to draw in a plethora of eccentric characters. Still, its dark themes, a mix of old and new, and bouts of extreme violence that break up the dark comedic elements make Straight To Hell a welcome addition to the Acid Western genre. Stream on Tubi.

14 Lucky Luke (2009)

Based on the famed Belgian comic series, Lucky Luke brings the protagonist, a half-Native American cowboy, back to his hometown of Daisy Town where his parents were killed some decades earlier, as it is now being ruled by a cruel businessman, Pat Poker. In order to evict the crook, he will have to band up with some former foes whom he has put in jail several times: Calamity Jane, Jesse James, and Billy the Kid. He will also rekindle with his childhood sweetheart, Belle, now a performer at the local saloon.

Right Into the Magician’s Trap

A modern take on the acid Western, Lucky Luke plays with the viewer’s perception by dunking them into Pat Poker’s universe, a villain who always thinks two steps ahead. His literal house of cards plunges Luke into madness as he tries to discern illusion from reality, and the people he trusts all disappear one by one. While Lucky Luke was praised for its daring cinematography, the reactions to the script were lukewarm, with some distasteful humor. R ent on Apple TV and Amazon Video.

13 Django Kill… If You Live, Shoot! (1967)

Gold and greed are the sources of violence and mayhem in Django Kill… If You Live, Shoot! The movie is unrelated to the Django film series, rather it capitalizes on “Djangosploitation” carrying the namesake of the popular Western vigilante. Still, the production stands out independently of others in the franchise by taking a more dark and disturbing approach. The mayhem begins when several bandits arrive at a town to purchase food and horses using the gold they robbed. Unfortunately, for them, the townsfolk aren’t welcoming and soon try to claim the riches for themselves.

Django Goes Acid

Django Kill… If You Live, Shoot! has plenty of scenes for those who love to squirm under confrontational imagery, with scenes of crucifixion and scalping among the gritty and violent sequences within. This is just the start, and those looking for a more extreme and dark Acid Western will likely dig this ghastly gem from Italy, especially as it crosses over with the more popular spaghetti Western genre. Stream on MUBI, VUDU Free, and Tubi.

12 Greaser’s Palace (1972)

Robert Downey Sr. may have been overshadowed by his son in the industry, with many only being aware of his works through Netflix’s biographical documentary on their relationship, simply titled Sr. Still, his works as a director, which were consistently surreal and bizarre drug-fueled comedies and dramas, did reach the realm of Acid Western with 1972’s Greaser’s Palace.

An Absurdist Acid Western Comedy by Robert Downey Sr.

While the film is more a series of absurdist pieces with a Christ-like figure bringing attention to himself in a small town, the lack of a cohesive plot works well with Robert Downey Sr.’s bizarre approach to cinema. This includes some strange monologs from the long-time star of his productions, Alan Arbus, trying to warn the residents of the monster from “Skagg Mountain in the Valley of Pain,” who carries the baffling name of “Bingo Gas Station Motel Cheeseburger With A Side Of Aircraft Noise And You’ll Be Gary Indiana.”

Greaser’s Palace is the Acid Western at its most absurd and comedic, with the darker themes slightly toned down in favor of abstract concepts and storytelling devices. It’s certainly worth checking out for something different within an already creative genre. Stream on Prime Video, Peacock, The Roku Channel, Tubi, and Freevee.

11 Bad Company (1972)

Bad Company is a rare film with no heroes or villains, where the protagonists are ruled by their terrible desires. The young boys at the center of the action, specifically, make questionable choices. They each do their best to avoid getting conscripted during the American Civil War, but after achieving their goal, they become bandits. To them, it’s unclear which occupation is more dangerous between soldier and criminal, but the allure of freedom pushes them toward the wrong side of the law.

Growing Up During the Civil War

Bad Company excels by constantly highlighting the immaturity of the boys. They are out of their depth in most of the things they do, so they often take drastic, bizarre actions. Events ultimately end in an inconclusive yet satisfactory manner via a freeze-frame that brings back memories of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. The movie also stars a young Jeff Bridges, for those looking to see more of the works of the beloved actor. Stream on Hoopla.

10 Zachariah (1971)

Zachariah follows two young friends, Zachariah and Mathew. After the former orders a gun, he accidentally kills a man, and the pair become gunslingers. However, as they rampage through the West, they eventually grow to resent each other, in a mix of jealousy, diverging values, and some homoeroticism as well. Inspired by the novel Siddhartha, Zachariah is a mystical Western where South-East Asian stories intertwine with an American point of view — and a lot of rock music.

The First Electric Western

Dubbed “the first electric Western,” a title that the film wears proudly on its sleeve, Zachariah is a truly unique piece of cinema. Taking inspiration from the time’s budding subcultures, including interests in Buddhism and cults, the film’s main focus remains on music. It stars several musicians and bands from the ’70s, including the James Gang, New York Rock & Roll Ensemble, Country Joe and the Fish, Fiddler Doug Kershaw, and Elvin Jones. The lot meet in a psychedelic dive of its time, transposing those undefinable emotions onto a loosely plotted film. Currently unavailable to stream.

9 Dust Devil (1992)

Dust Devil has a complex premise. The main character is Hitch (Robert Burke), a mysterious man striding in the Namibian desert. He is running away from the police in relation to the murder of a woman whose blood was used in a ritual. On his journey, he meets Wendy (Chelsea Field), who is being chased by her husband. Meanwhile, some local tribes are also becoming interested in Hitch, as they believe him to be a “dust devil,” a creature who can shapeshift.

African Stories and the Western Man

Dust Devil is a controversial work. First, it encountered many difficulties getting released, going through a slew of edits. Some love it, others hate it, like many masterpieces. Dust Devil was critiqued for a messy, unfocused script, while some viewers loved its code-breaking approach to filmmaking. No matter what, this movie has a deserved spot on the list, as its characters seem to wander aimlessly, never truly making connections.

Moreover, the filmography is very interesting, making a point to obscure the viewer’s field of view by having sand blow everywhere throughout most of the work. The costumes are also well thought through, giving a coat with some sort of spine to Hitch and a dress that is really not suitable for its environment to Wendy. Then there is the whole mystique of the sangoma, those South African traditional healers, and what may be their relationship to the story.

8 The Shooting (1966)

Monte Hellman’s The Shooting is considered the first ever Acid Western, and it sure lays the foundation by maintaining a sense of ambiguity and delivering a bloody ending. The film’s central character is the mysterious “Woman with no Name,” a female and evil version of Clint Eastwood’s “Man with no Name.” She offers two gunslingers a job to escort her across the desert but never explains where she is heading and what she will do. Despite the uncertainty and the woman’s cold attitude, they sign up for the gig because each has a proper incentive. One loves money, and the other thinks she is beautiful.

The First Acid Western

The Shooting keeps audiences on the edge by packing in many unanswered questions. This includes a gunslinger played by a young Jack Nicholson who suddenly appears and begins trailing them. The woman seems to know him, but again, she never tells the other two men who he is. The visuals are also stunning, mainly because the film was shot using XL (existing light) and the entire proceedings occur in the sun-baked desert. As disturbingly violent as some of the scenes are, viewers would be advised to stick around for the mind-blowing climax. Stream on Prime Video, Max, Criterion Channel, The Roku Channel, Tubi, and Freevee.

7 The Hired Hand (1971)

Peter Fonda never reached the same heights as his father, Henry Fonda, but he left his fans with a few classics, such as Easy Rider and the Acid Western The Hired Hand. Here, he plays a man who grows tired after wandering in the South West for seven years and decides to return to his wife. To his surprise, she receives him coldly and only agrees to accept him as a hired hand rather than her husband.

One of the Best Scripted Acid Westerns

Unlike other productions in this subgenre, The Hired Hand isn’t heavy on action. Its appeal mainly stems from the dialogue, with the interactions between Harry Collings (Peter Fonda) and his wife Hanna (Verna Bloom). Like everyone watching, she cannot help but wonder what would make him think he is entitled to her love and loyalty after disappearing for several years. The two manage to patch up their differences, but just as they look to settle down, disaster strikes in a rather brutal climatic scene. Stream on Plex.

6 Walker (1987)

Walker’s protagonist, the gunslinger William Walker (Ed Harris), suffers from the “Che Guevera complex.” Unable to achieve much in his own homeland, he sets out to liberate Nicaragua from tyranny. He successfully incites an insurrection and becomes the head of state, but as a leader, he turns out worse than his predecessor, including an attempt to bring about slavery as a way to appeal to the Southern American Confederate states. These actions led to his eventual downfall at the hands of the people he was attempting to appease.

The Rise and Fall of a Tyrant

The movie fully immerses itself in the Acid Western genre by incorporating postmodern anachronisms. For example, there are helicopters, yet this is the year 1853 (the Wright brothers flew the first ever plane in 1903, and Igor Sikorsky built the first practical helicopter in 1939). The characters also drink Diet Coke, which was first launched in 1982. This offers an interesting juxtaposition of the past and modernity that favors the film’s atmosphere. Currently unavailable to stream.

5 Ride in the Whirlwind (1966)

Ride in the Whirlwind isn’t widely known, but quality-wise, it’s one of Jack Nicholson’s best movies. Here, he is part of a trio of cowboys who show up at the right place at the wrong time. They pass by a stagecoach just after it has been robbed and when a no-nonsense sheriff arrives, he mistakes them for the outlaws. Unable to convince him otherwise, they are forced to flee as they defend themselves with all they have.

A Doomed Trio of Travelers

Ride in the Whirlwind is one of the few instances where Jack Nicholson starred and wrote the script; an underappreciated talent of the famed actor. This is especially true when approaching Ride the Whirlwind and its largely dialogue-free approach that wonderfully magnifies the sense of dread and hopelessness. As hard as the cowboys fight, they often seem overwhelmed, leading to a final climax that sees only the strongest surviving. Stream on Tubi, Freevee, and The Roku Channel.

4 Captain Apache (1971)

Lee Van Cleef starred in so many iconic Westerns and Captain Apache is one of those that count as essential viewing for fans of the actor with him in the lead role. In the film, he plays a Native American Cavalry officer who tries to figure out the meaning of “April morning” — a commissioner’s last words. He soon learns that this is the name of a railroad car that will be transporting President Grant and that there is an assassination plot.

A Lee Van Cleef Led Acid Western

Overall, Captain Apache has a deep, labyrinthine plot, and that’s all because it was adapted from a book by one of the greatest Western fiction authors, Sidney Edgerton Whitman. Some of the subplots are symbolic, and it’s implied that the things that the captain sees, after being given a drug by a medicine woman, are hallucinations, not real events. This gives the whole production a sense of uncertainty about the events as they unfold, but due to the strong script, this adds intrigue and makes Captain Apache unique in the Western genre. Stream Prime Video and Tubi.

3 Dead Man (1995)

Dead Man is one of the most underrated Westerns. In it, fate keeps throwing curveballs at accountant William Blake (Johnny Depp). First, he heads to a tiny Ohio town to take up a new job he had been offered only for the company owner to chase him away with a gun. Besides that, the locals are shown to be extremely hostile towards him. Things escalate after a fling turns violent, and he is wrongfully pinned as the killer, finding himself on the run from three bounty hunters.

Exploring the West in Monochrome

The monochrome color scheme helps accentuate the gloomy nature of the proceedings. Dead Man also does an exceptional job at keeping the audience guessing, including a memorable scene where Blake meets a mysterious man who takes him on a spiritual journey that adds some surrealism to the production. Including English and indigenous languages such as Siksika and Cree is also appreciated in attempting to create authenticity in the Western genre.

2 Blueberry (2004)

Adapted from the Franco-Belgian comic of the same name, Blueberry follows Mike Donovan, who is now the lawman in charge of his town. This comes years after an old foe drove him out because they were competing for the love of the same woman. Donovan’s main task includes maintaining peace between the Indigenous and white populations. However, when his former adversary shows up, the peaceful existence he carved for himself begins to crumble.

A Western That Looks Inward and Explores the Nature of Man

There are plenty of great performances in Jan Kounen’s Blueberry that make it an instant standout. This includes Vincent Cassell in the lead, Juliette Lewis as the romantic interest, and Michael Madsen as one of the genre’s more memorable villains. Though the plot is simple, the film makes itself look richer by evoking mysticism from the indigenous people; interjecting visions that compliment the darker realism that dominates most of the film. Additionally, the dialogue leans into the contemplative and psychological, giving viewers a more introspective and thought-provoking Western.

1 El Topo (1970)

Made by infamous art-house director Alejandro Jodorowsky, El Topo tells two stories. One is that of a hardened traveler looking to overcome his sense of self by defeating different masters representing different ideologies, and the other tells that of his son who was abandoned as a young child to find his own route and abandon his past in order to be born anew. Eventually, their paths cross, with the two being drastically different people than they originally were, with the titular Mole (El Topo translates to The Mole) finding love and giving up violence. The son, meanwhile, embraces religion as a means to explore the world and find the father who abandoned him.

Zen and Philosophical Musings in a Lifetime Spanning Western

El Topo was one of the movies that helped spark the midnight movie craze in New York. Despite being the quintessential Acid Western, the work also defies genre in many ways, incorporating fantasy, comedy, action, and surrealism in an inventive and visually unique way that has yet to be matched. El Topo is also a deep philosophical exploration, with the work being inspired by the literary works Thus Spoke Zarathustra, and Buddhist works, including the collection of Zen teachings and reflections, Zen Flesh Zen Bones. Rented on Prime Video.