A Western movie doesn’t need to have a showdown to be good, but it often helps, right? It’s satisfying to have two (or more) characters at odds ultimately settle their differences through an impromptu or well-planned showdown, with it being inevitable that at least someone will perish by the time it’s over. It’s a reliable way to end almost any kind of movie (see Gladiator, The Last Duel, or just about anything directed by John Woo), and it’s particularly so for Westerns.

What follows is a rundown of the Western movies that have some of the best showdowns or duels in cinematic history, with such scenes usually – but not exclusively – taking place toward the end of each respective movie. There will therefore be some spoilers here, since showdowns are often climactic in nature, but plenty of these movies are fairly old, and also, a good many of the showdowns do end in the way you’d probably expect them to.

10

‘A Fistful of Dollars’ (1964)

Image via Unidis

You’re going to have to get used to seeing Sergio Leone films pop up in this ranking a fair bit, since he directed some of the best Westerns of all time, and pretty much all of them had at least one great showdown. With A Fistful of Dollars, said showdown was fairly simple, compared to what came later in Leone’s filmography, but it’s still great regardless.

Infamously, A Fistful of Dollars was an unofficial remake of Yojimbo, with both movies being about someone coming into a town and playing two warring factions within that town against each other. By the end of A Fistful of Dollars, the ruse is revealed, but by that point, Clint Eastwood’s character doesn’t run the risk of being properly outgunned (plenty of people have already been gunned down), and so he gets to finish things off himself, and in style.

9

‘Shane’ (1953)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Shane has proven to be an influential and enduring Western, being one of the better ones made in the 1950s, truth be told. The narrative here is also about as simple as the title, since Shane is about a mysterious gunfighter of that name who ends up serving as the protector of a family who are being pressured to move off from their farm, first with money, and later with intimidation.

It all naturally builds to a showdown in the way you’d expect, but the ambiguity after the showdown’s gone, well, down, and the bad guys are out of the picture, makes Shane’s ending feel a little more memorable. It’s definitely bittersweet, and depending on what you think is in store for the titular character’s future, it could be a little more sweet than bitter, or perhaps more bitter than sweet.

8

‘The Quick and the Dead’ (1995)

It might well be something akin to cheating to put The Quick and the Dead here, since the whole premise involves just a bunch of showdowns, effectively, but from another point of view, that makes it a necessary one to single out. The setting here is a town that’s hosting a quick draw competition, and various people show up to compete (some of them quirky and with their own dramatic backstories), and it doesn’t take long for the competition to become deadly.

People associate Sam Raimi mostly with the horror genre, or maybe the superhero one, thanks largely to his Spider-Man trilogy, but The Quick and the Dead also showed he had what it took to make a great Western, too. The cast here is also to die for, and speaking of dying, that’s what many of the characters played by said cast members do.

7

‘Tombstone’ (1993)

Image via Buena Vista Pictures

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An overall beefy and largely exciting Western, Tombstone packs a lot of bombast, drama, and entertainment value into a single movie, probably being the definitive film about the famed gunfight at the O.K. Corral. It’s partly about that, at least. Tombstone goes a little more epic in scope, having a narrative that continues beyond that particular showdown/battle.

It doesn’t go as sprawling as Wyatt Earp (1994), though, and that’s for the best, since that movie was a good deal messier and not as satisfying as Tombstone. Past the big gunfight, you’ve got some other tense one-on-one showdowns throughout Tombstone, so it’s a bit of a The Quick and the Dead situation, once more, since you’re spoiled for choice if you’re the kind of person who really likes watching Westerns mostly for such sequences.

6

‘Unforgiven’ (1992)

Image via Warner Bros.

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Since it’s very much a revisionist Western, you don’t get the typically dramatic or even cinematic showdown toward the end of Unforgiven, but you get something that still qualifies, since the protagonist does indeed confront the antagonist. It’s done in a realistic way, and it’s more focused on building tension than it is providing spectacle, since Unforgiven – for all its runtime – is pretty darn down-and-dirty, by Western movie standards.

Little Bill had it coming, and it’s a testament to how good Gene Hackman was in the role that you really feel catharsis when he’s finally gunned down… but not just catharsis, because the weight of the murder is still felt, and Little Bill, though awful, never felt cartoonishly evil. It’s hard to put into words why this finale is so good, and the fairly rambly last 130-ish words are testament to that, but if you’ve seen Unforgiven, you probably get it; you’ve seen the light and all.

5

‘For a Few Dollars More’ (1965)

Image via United Artists

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Each movie in the Dollars trilogy is better than the last, and as such, it’s not too surprising that each one has a subsequently better showdown at its end. And A Fistful of Dollars was already mentioned a few places ago, so For a Few Dollars More overall improves what was already really good. There’s a more personal revenge story that eventually emerges as the central one in For a Few Dollars More, but it takes time for all the pieces to fall into place.

Once they do, you kind of know what’s coming showdown-wise, but that doesn’t make the vengeance-fueled duel any less satisfying to see play out. Clint Eastwood is great here, but Lee Van Cleef’s character is the one who has far more personal reasons to go after the main bad guy here, so even if you’re the biggest Eastwood fan in the world, it’s in no way a disappointment to see his character essentially mediate the final duel (and that music… Ennio Morricone pretty much never disappoints).

4

‘High Noon’ (1952)

Image via United Artists

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Because of its structure, High Noon is more about the build-up to a showdown than it is about the showdown itself, with things very purposefully progressing toward noon (as the title suggests) in what’s pretty close to real time. There’s a sheriff who has to deal with the fact that a man he once imprisoned is heading to his town for revenge, and he spends much of the film trying to get help to defend himself.

He’s unsuccessful, and so has to pretty much go it alone, only getting a brief assist from his (usually) pacifist wife. It plays out in a way that feels very grounded for a film of its time, and that’s one reason why High Noon holds up so well, for a Western of its age, with the grittiness and intensity of the finale here feeling a little like the previously described one for Unforgiven.

3

‘The Mercenary’ (1968)

Image via United Artists

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You could accuse The Mercenary of borrowing a little too much from the showdown in For a Few Dollars More, so putting it ahead of that one is potentially questionable, but also, too bad, because it’s here. And it’s awesome. One of the participants in the showdown, in this instance, is dressed as a clown, and the music used is arguably even better than the music used in For a Few Dollars More.

Well, no, that feels like too bold a claim. Ennio Morricone’s contributions to both showdowns are equally amazing, and so maybe it’s just the clown factor that gives The Mercenary the edge. You’ve got someone mediating a high-stakes – and inevitable – final duel, and the tension is all built so well through the way it’s edited, acted, and scored. Also, if you’re watching it and the music sounds familiar to you, that’s possibly because Quentin Tarantino repurposed it quite effectively in Kill Bill: Vol. 2, for the sequence where the Bride punches her way out of a coffin after being buried underground.

2

‘Once Upon a Time in the West’ (1968)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Once Upon a Time in the West does something kind of similar to For a Few Dollars More, with it slowly taking its time to showcase just why one character wants revenge on another, and then the final duel involving the pair of them clashing. Maybe it’s the fact that it’s more drawn out here, and that the music used is even better, but Once Upon a Time in the West probably does it all even better than For a Few Dollars More.

You’re really spoiled here, because the opening scene of Once Upon a Time in the West is also an all-timer, and is technically another showdown. There are quite a few set pieces sprinkled throughout this slow-paced (but never boring) movie, and each of them could technically qualify as a great shootout or showdown. But it’s the final one – between Frank and Harmonica – that stands as the greatest in the overall movie, and up there among the very best of all time, too.

1

‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly’ (1966)

Image via Produzioni Europee Associati

The Mexican standoff to end all Mexican standoffs, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly expertly builds up to a massive three-way showdown between the three characters alluded to in the film’s title, and it’s immense. The first time you watch the movie, it’s one of the most suspenseful sequences you’ll ever experience, since it feels like there are so many ways a showdown of this kind can go, depending on who shoots first, and who each person chooses to target.

On a rewatch and in hindsight, it’s somewhat funny how suspenseful it is, since you learn that the game was rigged by “the Good,” and it was always going to a certain way, so long as “the Bad” didn’t shoot first. The showdown here works on both counts, as something undeniably thrilling initially and then darkly funny/silly if you revisit the film (but even then, it’s still easy to get swept up in – and blown away by – the editing, music, and flow of the sequence).

​​Tia Mowry is radiating a newfound sense of joy and peace as she steps into a fresh chapter of her personal life, and she’s not afraid to speak about it. 

Three years after her high-profile split, the actress is crediting the power of manifestation for the romantic happiness she is currently experiencing. 

Tia got married to Cory Hardrict in 2008. However, the two finalized their divorce in 2023.  

Tia Mowry Speaks On Manifesting Joy After Solitude

While attending a gala at the Beverly Hills Hotel on March 18, 2026, Tia revealed that her current relationship is the result of intentional manifestation. The 47-year-old star shared that she spent a significant amount of time in solitude following her split from Hardrict. 

This period allowed her to truly understand her own needs and desires, leading her to “speak into existence” the type of love she wanted. Tia explained that she utilized visualization and neuroscience-based positivity to shift her mindset away from the negative aspects of dating. 

“I will say that I’ve been in a place of solitude for a very long time,” the TV star said. “And there, I was really able to learn who I am, what it was that I wanted, and what it was that I needed. And I manifested this. I really did,” she told PEOPLE Magazine.

Although she confirmed she is “very happy,” she chose to keep her partner’s identity private to protect their budding relationship. Additionally, despite her new romance, the “Family Reunion” star remains focused on her primary responsibilities as a mother to her two children, Cree and Cairo. 

A major part of Tia’s healing process involved the support of her close-knit “tribe,” including her dear friend Gabrielle Union. She praised Union for being a non-judgmental mentor who understood exactly what she needed during her transition out of marriage. 

Tia Mowry Is ‘In Love’ With Her New Partner

This is not the first time Tia has gushed about her newfound love interest. The Blast previously reported that the 47-year-old actress confirmed that she has taken a massive leap forward in her personal life.

During a candid interview, she simply said, “I’m in love.” 

This romantic update is a far cry from where she stood just a year ago, when she openly navigated the complexities of being a single mother. In the past, the actress used her platform to speak candidly about the emotional weight and occasional shame of seeing her family structure shift away from the traditional norm. 

She admitted that it was difficult to break down those societal expectations while she held down her household and raised her two children, Cree and Cairo.

The Actress Had To Work On Her Boundaries Following Her Divorce

In addition to being candid about her newfound love interest, Tia also opened up about making certain changes in her private life. According to The Blast, after her divorce from Hardrict was finalized in April 2023, the 47-year-old actress developed a much stricter set of boundaries regarding what she chooses to disclose to the public. 

She now prioritizes her own internal security over the “noise” of outside opinions, only speaking on topics that she feels truly firm and settled in.

“I’ll create a boundary until I’m ready to. So yeah, it’s all about what I feel secure about, and also just [what I’m] passionate about, that I’m open to talk about,” she said. 

The Actress Addressed The Backlash She Received For Referring To Herself As A Single Mom

Tia didn’t just work on her boundaries, but she also boldly addressed the backlash she received for referring to herself as a “single mom.”

Through a detailed Instagram post, the movie producer explained that while she is co-parenting with her ex-husband, her day-to-day reality within her own home is that of a single parent, per The Blast. 

Tia emphasized that family structures can look different than what was once imagined while still remaining full of stability, love, and joy. She clarified that in her household, she is “holding it down for everyone” as the only parent present on a daily basis.

She also acknowledged that the traditional archetype of a single mother often implies the total absence of a father, but she argued that the term should allow for more nuance.

Tamera Mowry Opened Up About Her Feud With Tia 

While she is currently navigating a new romance and the complexities of single motherhood, she is no stranger to conflict, as she also has had her fair share of fights with her twin sister, Tamera.

Tamera recently shared that one of the most challenging periods of her life involved a time when the two sisters lived together and found themselves constantly at odds, as reported by The Blast.

She opened up about a period of intense feuding that occurred when the twins decided to share a home. After growing up in the public eye as a duo, living together as adults forced them to confront the fact that they were evolving into very different people. 

Eventually, the sisters reached a breakthrough, realizing that their differences were actually a superpower rather than a weakness. 

The highly anticipated fight between Dorit Kemsley, Kyle Richards and Erika Jayne is finally here.

The Thursday, March 26, episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills showed the three women reaching a breaking point during a cast trip to Italy. Kyle explained that she and Erika separated Dorit from the rest of the group for a “private” conversation to “get to the bottom of what’s going on with her.”

“As far as Dorit knows, we’re going to do a little sightseeing and have a little gelato,” she added.

Well, they did get gelato, but things quickly started to go downhill. Erika broke the literal silence because she felt “awkward” and wanted a reconciliation between Kyle and Dorit.

“I don’t like what’s going on between the two of you,” Erika said. Dorit, however, appeared to be unaware that there was an issue at all. (Kyle and Dorit have been experiencing ups and downs in their friendship since season 13 aired in 2024.)

Related: RHOBH’s Erika Jayne Reacts to Dorit Kemsley Showing Her Kyle Richards’ Text

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne is sharing her thoughts on Dorit Kemsley’s decision to share a text message from Kyle Richards during the season 13 reunion. “It’s a tough question because it’s personal and it sucks,” Erika, 52, exclusively told Us Weekly on Thursday, February 29, when asked whether Dorit, 47, […]

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“Honey, I didn’t know there was anything going on between the two of us,” Dorit said. “All I know is I’m being told that Kyle has these conversations saying that I’m acting erratic and brings up being late and spending.”

Kyle walked back her use of the word “erratic” when it comes to Dorit’s behavior. Erika, for her part, agreed that Dorit’s lateness has been “disrespectful” to the other women, causing Dorit to claim that people were “coming” at her.

“Erika’s now having an issue with me. You have an issue with me,” Dorit said to Kyle. Erika hit back, adding, “No, I’m having an honest conversation with you about my feelings.”

Dorit revealed that she doesn’t “trust” Kyle, and the women started airing all their grievances with each other.

“You know I’m going through a lot, you know I’m overwhelmed,” Dorit continued alluding to her ongoing divorce from PK Kemsley. “You just said yourself, it’s understandable. You can’t show me some grace, Kyle?”

Dorit claimed that Kyle has a “tough time” showing support. Kyle, meanwhile, argued Dorit “never” asks about updates on her relationship with estranged husband Mauricio Umansky.

Related: RHOBH’s Erika Jayne Reacts to Dorit Kemsley Showing Her Kyle Richards’ Text

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The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne is sharing her thoughts on Dorit Kemsley’s decision to share a text message from Kyle Richards during the season 13 reunion. “It’s a tough question because it’s personal and it sucks,” Erika, 52, exclusively told Us Weekly on Thursday, February 29, when asked whether Dorit, 47, […]

As Dorit and Kyle started yelling at each other again, Erika chimed in — but Dorit attempted to shut her down.

“Erika, please. Erika, I’m not doing this,” Dorit said. “I’m having a conversation with Kyle about issues that I have with Kyle.”

Erika said, “I’m not going to stop talking, Dorit. You’re not going to make me stop talking, ever.”

As things got heated, Dorit turned to leave and called the girls to go with her. Kyle and Erika stayed put as Dorit got into their van and went back to the villa, leaving them stranded.

“Go f*** yourselves,” Dorit said. During her confessional, Dorit called the conversation “a f***ing ambush.”

When Erika and Kyle got in their own car, they were baffled Dorit left them.

“She’s being unreasonable,” Erika said. “Everybody had better come correct and tell her exactly what they’ve been saying because that’s not going to work.”

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills airs on Bravo Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET and streams the next day on Peacock.

Cheryl Hines is finally speaking out after Chelsea Handler publicly claimed she was sold a “toxic” home, and she’s not holding back. The “Curb Your Enthusiasm” star is addressing the accusations head-on, questioning both the timing and the validity of Chelsea Handler’s claims, which have been making headlines following comments on her podcast.

Cheryl Hines Questions Timing Of Chelsea Handler’s Claims

Appearing in a preview clip from an upcoming episode of the “Tomi Lahren” podcast and obtained by PEOPLE, the actress pointed out that Handler waited years before speaking out. Handler “bought this house five years ago and she’s just now complaining about it, which is also, I don’t know that she’s getting a lot of sympathy from people.”

“She’s buying a $6 million house,” she continued, before adding that claims the house was “toxic” don’t “make sense.” “And talking about how she feels duped and that we tried to sell her a house that was, her word, ‘toxic,’ which also doesn’t make sense,” Hines added.

Hines Defends Herself With Personal Note Claim

According to Hines, her actions after the sale don’t line up with the accusations. The actress revealed she reached out to Handler personally after the purchase.

“I did write her a personal note when she moved in, just saying how much we love the house,” she said. “And I hope that she has a beautiful life in this house. And if you need anything, call me. And I left my number. So I don’t know. If we were trying to unload a toxic house on her, I wouldn’t have left my number.”

Hines didn’t stop there. She also questioned Handler’s motives.

Cheryl Hines Accuses Chelsea Handler Of Chasing Attention

The actress suggested the timing of the claims could be tied to attention or even an attempt to poke fun at her husband, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “So, what are you going to do? She’s trying to get a laugh, I guess, and some likes,” Hines expressed.

Kennedy currently serves as the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and is part of the MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) movement.

His tenure has also sparked significant controversy, with critics questioning his approach to public health policy. A recent review from Protect Our Care described his agenda as “a wrecking ball” for U.S. public health, warning that policy decisions, funding cuts, and the spread of misinformation could have serious consequences.

“In one year, RFK Jr. has made America sicker,” Brad Woodhouse, executive director of Protect Our Care, said during a news conference. “He’s undermined public trust…he’s wreaked havoc on our nation’s public health system.”

Chelsea Handler Doubles Down On ‘Toxic House’ Claims

Handler, however, has stood by her claims, detailing her experience during episodes of her “Dear Chelsea” podcast. “I bought RFK Jr.’s house in Los Angeles five years ago. I still have not lived in this house, that’s how f-cked up this house was,” she said.

Handler reportedly purchased the couple’s former Brentwood, Los Angeles home for $5.9 million, complete with five bedrooms, a pool, and, according to her, more than a few unexpected issues. “It was a disaster,” she claimed. “And I didn’t know it going in because everything was, you know, under wraps.”

Handler went on to describe issues with the home that were not disclosed during the inspection and said she later learned of more serious problems. “This house is the most toxic environment,” the comedian continued. “You cannot live here for at least two years.”

She also criticized the condition of the property, adding, “Now we have to remove his illegal bullsh-t from my property and I’m like, how did they not find this upon the first inspection?”

Chelsea Handler Claps Back At Cheryl Hines’ Note

After realizing the home she purchased came with far more problems than expected, Handler didn’t hold back when recalling one detail that stuck with her. According to the comedian, Hines left a note after the sale that read, “Let us know if there’s anything we can do for you, Chelsea.”

Handler admitted the message didn’t land the way it was likely intended. “I’m like, ‘Yeah, how about a f-cking foundation?’ That’s something you could do for me,” Handler retorted, clearly frustrated by the situation at the time.

Despite her strong reaction, Handler shared that she’s since moved on from the experience, noting she is no longer “angry” and has gotten over the ordeal.

Emmy Wright has internet users crackin’ UP over her reaction to Taina Williams and Asia Carter‘s toilet prank.

RELATED: Oop! Emmy Shares How She REALLY Feels About Taina Williams & G Herbo’s Engagement (WATCH)

Asia Carter Plays Toilet Prank On Taina Williams’ Daughter Emmy Wright

Earlier this week, Asia Carter took to TikTok to share a clip captioned, “Pranked Emmy 😂😂 My girl was disgusted 😭😭😭”

In the clip, Carter appears to be sitting on the toilet, and Williams is heard asking Wright to go in and give Carter a piece of tissue paper. As Emmy walks in, she appears hesitant, but she hands the paper over to Carter. Then, as Carter takes the piece, she pretends to wipe poo on Wright’s arm.

At that point, Wright’s reaction leaves her in tears.

Emmy Wright’s Reaction Has Internet Users Crackin’ UP

Social media users entered TSR’s comment section, crackin’ up over Emmy Wright’s reaction to Asia Carter’s prank.

Before Asia Carter’s Toilet Prank, Taina Williams Was Defending Her Daughter Against Trolls

Weeks before Asia Carter played her toilet prank on Emmy Wright, Taina Williams was defending her daughter against trolls. As The Shade Room previously reported, Williams shared footage of herself, G Herbo, Emmy, and her son Essex Wright in Louis Vuitton. Ultimately, Williams showed that her daughter had racked up a few bags, courtesy of G Herbo spoiling her “just because.” However, not everyone was a fan of Emmy Wright’s luxurious shopping trip, and Williams had to hop into TSR’s comment section, defending her baby girl.

RELATED: Taina Williams Claps Back After Trolls Drag G Herbo’s “Just Because” Gift For Emmy (VIDEO)

Trina has fans dropping heart-eye emojis after she gave a peek into her husband Benjamin Kearse Jr.’s birthday celebration. The vibes were so dreamy and romantic that folks online are calling the pair couple goals!

RELATED: Okay! Social Media Shares Reactions After Trina Poses In Rare Video Alongside Her Husband (WATCH)

Trina Shares Sweet Moments From Her Hubby’s Birthday Celebration

The Miami raptress has social media screaming “I know dat’s right!” after she gave a glimpse of her hubby Benjamin Kearse Jr.’s birthday festivities. Trina had the vibes on a 100, and the romance turned all the way up as she dropped photos on Instagram of her and Benjamin posing on the beach. One pic shows the duo posted up inside a tent with a candlelit dinner and fruit on deck. They kept it cozy for Benjamin’s special day, kicking back together and even low-key matching in cream outfits.

Trina Set The Vibe & Fans Are Livin’ For The Romance

Once Trina dropped the flicks of her and Benjamin, fans flooded her comment section with reactions. Some said they love seeing her in her soft era, while others said she and Benjamin complement each other so well.

Instagram user @miyonikamaiya wrote, “Trina so beautiful! They look good together literally ❤️” 

Instagram user @dominiquechinn wrote, “Love seeing people happy and in love ❤️❤️” 

While Instagram user @qweenskloset wrote, “Private couple is the best couple 😍” 

Then Instagram user @beautyana757 wrote, “You don’t hear about their business and I love that for them ❤️” 

Another Instagram user @bonitabillionaire wrote, “Love has been in the air so much lately I love that for the world 😍” 

Instagram user @glam_broker_ wrote, “They could NEVER make me hate Trina 😍” 

While another Instagram user @shamy_711_gk wrote, “She genuinely looks happy and I love that for her 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾” 

Then another Instagram user @cocomodel_ wrote, “Girl this man fine 😂 yas we’re here for it!” 

Finally, Instagram user @devoted2_b3auty wrote, “He better love her right 😍” 

More About Trina & Benjamin’s Relationship

Trina had fans shocked when VIBE revealed she and Benjamin tied the knot in May 2024. The couple reportedly held their ceremony in Miramar, Florida. While talking about her man, VIBE shared that she said Kearse’s love feels like “a breath of fresh air.” On top of her latest pics with Benjamin, she’s also dropped a video of him on social media before. In the clip, Trina cheeses hard while Benjamin poses behind her.

RELATED: What’s Tea? Trina Sparks Reactions On Social Media After Dropping THIS Cryptic Message