10 Must-Watch Gay Western Films

Description: While not explicitly about gay relationships, the film explores themes of male friendship and loyalty, which can be interpreted with a queer subtext.

Fact: This film was one of John Wayne's last major roles and is often cited for its exploration of myth versus reality in the West.

Description: While not explicitly about gay relationships, this Blaxploitation Western features themes of male bonding and homoeroticism.

Fact: The film was one of the first to feature an all-black cast in a Western setting.

Description: Although not directly about gay relationships, the film includes a subplot with strong male bonding themes, which can be interpreted through a queer lens.

Fact: Clint Eastwood directed and starred in this film, which was his first Western as a director.

Description: This iconic film tells the story of two cowboys who fall in love while working on a sheep farm in Wyoming. It's a poignant exploration of forbidden love in a time and place where such relationships were not only taboo but dangerous.

Fact: The film was nominated for eight Academy Awards, winning three, including Best Director for Ang Lee. It was also the first film with a gay relationship at its core to win the Golden Globe for Best Picture.

Description: This film delves into the complex relationship between Jesse James and Robert Ford, with strong homoerotic undertones.

Fact: The film was shot in Canada, with many scenes filmed in the same locations as "Brokeback Mountain."

Description: This Danish Western features a subplot involving a character with a hidden past, suggesting a same-sex relationship.

Fact: The film was shot in South Africa, standing in for the American West.

Description: This film explores the bond between two brothers in the Old West, with subtle hints of a deeper, possibly romantic connection.

Fact: The film was adapted from Patrick deWitt's novel of the same name and features a unique blend of dark comedy and Western drama.

Description: This film features a woman who disguises herself as a man to survive in the harsh environment of the Old West, with hints of a same-sex relationship.

Fact: The film was inspired by the real-life story of Josephine Monaghan, who lived as a man in the 19th century.

Description: Set in 1925 Montana, this film delves into the complex dynamics between two brothers and the widow of one of them, with underlying themes of repressed sexuality and power struggles.

Fact: Jane Campion became the third woman to win the Academy Award for Best Director for this film. It was also adapted from a novel by Thomas Savage, published in

Description: Directed by Andy Warhol, this experimental film explores the homoerotic undertones of a group of cowboys in the American West.

Fact: The film was part of Warhol's "Cowboy Trilogy" and was banned in several cities for its explicit content.