John Wayne is one of cinema’s greatest stars, with his face the first many associate with the Golden Age of Hollywood. From his breakout role in 1939’s Stagecoach to his shining role as a Civil War veteran whose niece has been abducted in The Searchers, Wayne’s impact on cinema is difficult to rival. For many decades, the chance to see one of Wayne’s performances was limited to expensive home media and the hope that a film would appear in the revolving door of network scheduling. Thankfully, streamers now hold some of Wayne’s best ready and waiting at the click of a fan’s button. So, without further ado, here’s a look at the greatest John Wayne movies currently available on Prime Video.
Want to try something else? Why not check out the Best Robert Downey Jr. Movies on Prime or perhaps the Best Movies on Prime Video Right Now?
‘Hondo’ (1953)
Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 7.0/10
This classic Western from director John Farrow follows Wayne as the titular Hondo Lane, an army scout who discovers a woman and her son who think they are living in safety under a treaty. With Hondo knowing that the treaty was recently broken, he must walk the line and choose which side of the fight his loyalties lie. Mixing drama and romance with action and Western tropes, Hondo is deserving of all the enormous praise it has received. Back in 1954, the movie was the recipient of two Academy Award nominations, one for Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Geraldine Page) and one for Best Writing in a Motion Picture Story. – Jake Hodges
‘Stagecoach’ (1939)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 7.8/10
One of the most famous Westerns of all time — and one of Wayne’s most celebrated early roles — Stagecoach follows a group of strangers (including a drunk doctor and Wayne’s Ringo Kidd) as they set off on a stagecoach journey. However, their simple trip is made complicated when they find themselves in the line of danger. A wonderfully crafted ensemble of characters makes for a Western that is still as immersive today as it ever was. An edge-of-your-seat journey across the desert sets the scene for some of the finest Western storytelling of all time, culminating in two Academy Award wins for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Thomas Mitchell) and Best Music, among seven total nominations and a perfect Rotten Tomatoes critics’ score. – Jake Hodges
‘Brannigan’ (1975)
Rotten Tomatoes: 48% | IMDb: 6.1/10
- Release Date
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March 21, 1975
- Runtime
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111 Minutes
- Director
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Douglas Hickox
- Writers
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Michael Butler, William P. McGivern, William W. Norton, Christopher Trumbo
A later movie in the storied career of Wayne, Brannigan follows The Duke as the titular Chicago Police Lieutenant as he embarks on a routine mission to the UK to bring a crime boss back to the US. Little does Brannigan know that the crime boss and his hit men are waiting to cause chaos. Directed by Douglas Hickox, this crime thriller sees Wayne swap his cowboy britches for a police badge as he travels internationally in an unforgettable addition to his late career catalog. Both an action-packed romp and a great advert for London, Brannigan is enormous fun from start to finish. – Jake Hodges
‘McLintock!’ (1963)
Rotten Tomatoes: 50% | IMDb: 7.1/10
- Release Date
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November 13, 1963
- Director
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Andrew V. McLaglen
- Writers
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James Edward Grant
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George Washington McLintock
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Maureen O’Hara
Katherine Gilhooley McLintock
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Patrick Wayne
Devlin Warren
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Stefanie Powers
Becky McLintock
Wayne could do action, drama, and comedy, as illustrated in this 1963 Andrew V. McLaglen film. In a community divided by status and overseen by corrupt law enforcement, it is up to Wayne’s G. W. McLintock, a rich rancher, to try and toe the line and keep the peace, often culminating in plenty of slapstick fun. A farcical comedy with sheer joy at its heart, Wayne’s performance as the titular McLintock is soaked in the charisma of a Hollywood legend enjoying every beat. Packed with action and a host of memorable performances, including a stand-out turn from Maureen O’Hara, McLintock! is not to be missed. – Jake Hodges
‘The Lucky Texan’ (1934)
Rotten Tomatoes: 32% | IMDb: 5.5/10
The Lucky Texan
- Release Date
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January 22, 1934
- Runtime
-
54 minutes
- Writers
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Robert N. Bradbury
- Producers
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Paul Malvern
Cast
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Barbara Sheldon
Betty Benson
-
-
-
George ‘Gabby’ Hayes
Jake ‘Grandy’ Benson
Perhaps one of the more underrated entries in Wayne’s early catalog, The Lucky Texan might only be five minutes short of an hour, but it certainly packs a punch. The film follows Wayne as young Texan Jerry Mason, who, along with an old rancher, strikes it rich with a gold mine, sending their lives into the stratosphere. However, thanks to some less-than-pleasant adversaries and a case of mistaken identity, the pair come crashing back down to Earth. Sure, Robert N. Bradbury‘s The Lucky Texan might not have aged as well as some of Wayne’s other work, but it’s still an important entry in The Duke’s career that any fan should watch once. – Jake Hodges
‘Legend of the Lost’ (1957)
Rotten Tomatoes: 37% | IMDb: 6.1/10
- Release Date
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December 17, 1957
- Runtime
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109 minutes
- Director
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Henry Hathaway
- Writers
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Ben Hecht
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-
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Rossano Brazzi
Paul Bonnard
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Kurt Kasznar
Prefect Dukas
Directed by Henry Hathaway from a script by Robert Presnell Jr. and Ben Hecht, Legend of the Lost follows an unlikely trio, headed by Wayne’s Joe January, as they head on a desert adventure to the ruins of a lost city on the hunt for priceless treasure. A rare 1950s epic adventure that sits under two hours long, Legend of the Lost features a central quest with elements that will always prove timeless. From unlikely love and friendship to the desperate hunt for immortal wealth, this is an adventure many in cinema have been on both before and after. – Jake Hodges
‘Winds of the Wasteland’ (1936)
Rotten Tomatoes: 39% | IMDb: 6.0/10
- Release Date
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July 6, 1936
- Runtime
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54 minutes
- Director
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Mack V. Wright
-
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Phyllis Fraser
Barbara Forsythe
-
-
Douglas Cosgrove
Cal Drake
When Pony Express riders John Blair (Wayne) and his friend Larry Adams (Lane Chandler) find themselves out of a job after the arrival of the telegraph, one race will decide their future. A swashbuckling Western adventure featuring Wayne and Chandler at their best, Winds of the Wasteland is another in The Duke’s early filmography that time hasn’t done justice to but is still worth a Sunday afternoon viewing. A fun Western time with all the trimmings, Wayne fans might not have sampled Winds of the Wasteland yet and won’t regret doing so on Prime Video. – Jake Hodges
‘Blue Steel’ (1934)
Rotten Tomatoes: 35% | IMDb: 5.3/10
Blue Steel
- Release Date
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May 10, 1934
- Runtime
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59 minutes
- Writers
-
Robert N. Bradbury
Cast
-
-
-
George ‘Gabby’ Hayes
Sheriff Jake Withers
-
Not to be confused with the 1990 Jamie Lee Curtis movie, Blue Steel sees Wayne team up with writer/director Bradbury once again, following the story of US Marshal John Carruthers (Wayne), who becomes suspect number one after witnessing a robbery. With all eyes on the innocent, the guilty are free to plan their biggest crime yet. A beautifully shot Western that is one of the better entries in the catalog of Lone Star Wayne movies, Blue Steel is fun from start to finish and features a scene-stealing villainous performance from Edward Peil Sr. as Malgrove. – Jake Hodges