5 Perfect Westerns That Were Set and Filmed in Texas

We say Western, we think Texas. That's just the way it works. Texas has long been a defining backdrop for the genre, and it’s not surprising at all. Its wide landscapes serve as the perfect setting for stories of rugged individualism, moral ambiguity, and frontier justice.

The Lone Star State provides an authentic framework for filmmakers and gives them a chance to explore the heart of America. Here are 5 iconic Western films set and shot in Texas, equally amazing but so unique in atmosphere they reveal.

1. No Country for Old Men (2007)

No way this four-time Oscar winner wouldn’t be the first movie in this list. No Country for Old Men centers on a man who steals millions of dollars from the scene of a desert shoot-out, and it has the best trio of actors playing main characters.

Not all shots were shot in Texas, but those that were made a bold statement in the film and became a kind of character. Locations like Marfa, known for its unique desert landscape, and Sanderson, with its wide open spaces, were important for the movie's dark, haunting atmosphere.

2. Lone Star (1996)

Filmed in the Texas border towns of Del Rio, Laredo, and especially Eagle Pass, Lone Star has been considered director John Sayles' masterpiece. It has been praised for its accuracy in capturing the spirit of the 90's as well as the culture of life on the Texas border at that time.

The film tells the story of a sheriff in Frontera who uncovers a long-ago murder - and a history of racial tension – when he stumbles upon a skull in the desert. The movie has a 91% Rotten Tomatoes score and is still one of the most beloved Westerns of late 90s.

3. Urban Cowboy (1980)

Are you a John Travolta fan? Well, he gave an incredible performance in this 1980 movie, playing a cowboy with a heartbreaking story. While not a traditional Western, Urban Cowboy is a contemporary take on Western themes that captures the gritty spirit of Texas in the late 1970s and early '80s.

Filmed in and around Houston, Texas, the film includes scenes at the famous Gilley's nightclub, a cornerstone of the city's country music and cowboy culture. The gritty urban backdrop of Houston, combined with the rodeo scenes and honky-tonk settings, is a perfect example of the cultural conflict between tradition and contemporary life in Texas.

4. Tender Mercies (1983)

Tender Mercies is a deeply personal and introspective film, with Robert Duvall delivering one of his best performances as Mac Sledge, a washed-up country singer who has hit rock bottom and is trying to rebuild his life in Texas.

Filmed in the rural towns of Greenville and surrounding areas, Tender Mercies captures the sprawling Texas landscape in its simplest forms like dusty roads, flat fields, and small-town charm. The land somehow mirrors the inner landscape of the characters, with its quiet expanses reflecting the characters' emotional journeys toward healing.

5. All the Pretty Horses (2000)

It's a shame that this movie was so poorly received by critics, but it still has a huge following, mostly because of the excellent work done by Matt Damon and Penélope Cruz in their roles. It was produced and directed by Billy Bob Thornton, but the director's cut never made it out into the world.

The film was shot in Texas, especially in the western and central parts of the state. Key locations included the vast desert landscapes of Big Bend National Park and the surrounding areas of West Texas, capturing the rugged nature of the film's setting.