For 50 years, actor John Wayne stood out as an icon of the Western movie genre, and now, modern audiences can get a taste of his career via five of his movies currently streaming on Prime Video. Born in 1907, Wayne’s acting career essentially began by accident, after a young Wayne lost his football scholarship. Earning a new job at Fox Film Corporation, Wayne started taking on minor parts in B films, mostly Westerns. It wasn’t until 1939 that Wayne had his breakout, which led him to appear in a whopping total of 142 movies.

Considering the general volume of Wayne’s body of work, it would be unrealistic if every single one of his movies was available on streaming. However, some of his best films are accessible to certain viewers on a number of different services. When it comes to Prime Video, in particular, there are several Wayne Western movies that are available to rent, but five free movies that are truly worth checking out. These picks are especially great for those who are interested in Wayne, Westerns, or Hollywood history.

5

The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965)

A Star-Studded Epic

One particularly grand Wayne movie that is free to watch for Prime Video subscribers is The Greatest Story Ever Told. Released in 1965, this movie is a retelling of the story of Jesus of Nazreth, starting with the Nativity through his Ascension. Notably, the movie is filled with mᴀssive stars from the 20th century. Alongside Wayne, the movie includes Max von Sydow, Dorothy McGuire, Charles Heston, Sidney Poitier, Pat Boone, and more. Wayne has quite a minor role as a Roman Centurion, though his big scene is quite iconic.

To be fair, this may not be the best movie to watch for those seeking out more Wayne content, but that should not deter audiences from checking it out anyway. If anything, this is a very iconic movie that has largely been forgotten. The Greatest Story Ever Told has a 4 hour and 20 minute runtime, and is a perfect snapsH๏τ of Hollywood during the mid-20th century. Though its 42% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes seems unappetizing, its 64% audience score hints that there may be something to love about this unique film.

4

McLintock! (1963)

A Rancher Faces A Comedy Of Errors

For something a bit more Western, Prime Video viewers can also check out McLintock! This Western comedy stars Wayne as an aging rancher named George Washington McLintock, who is frustrated by all the people in his life who are trying to steal a piece of his land, from government officials to his own sons. Matters only grow worse when McLintock’s estranged wife returns to town, not to rekindle their love, but to get custody of their daughter. Maureen O’Hara and Patrick Wayne also star.

McLintock! is a great example of Wayne’s strong work later in life. Although the cowboy had aged significantly since when he first hit the big screen, he still had the charisma to take audiences for an enjoyable ride. The movie also denotes a turning point for Wayne, who began infusing his films with his own ideas about family values and tradition. Though modern audiences may not agree with everything within McLintock!, it still makes for an entertaining viewing.

3

Angel & The Badman (1947)

A Cowboy Learns A New Way Of Life

A movie that goes back a bit further back in Wayne’s career is Angel & The Badman. In this film, Wayne plays Quirt Evans, a cowboy on the run who finds himself gravely injured on the land of a Quaker family. They kindly take him in and nurse him back to health, leading Quirt to fall in love with their sweet daughter, Penelope. As Quirt learns more about the Quakers’ peaceful way of life, he realizes that his life of crime may not be what he truly wants out of life.

Angel & The Badman is another significant release for Wayne because it was the first movie he both starred in and produced. In this way, the movie shows the actor at a time when his acting chops were leading him towards bigger opportunities behind the camera. Furthermore, Angel & The Badman is a bit unusual for its time, as it argues against the usual violence of Westerns, and instead, centers on love. All in all, this could melt the hearts of even present-day viewers.

2

Hondo (1953)

A Soldier Protects A Woman & Her Son

One Wayne movie that boasts impressive critical ratings to this day is Hondo. The 1953 Western centers on Angie, a homesteader who is abandoned by her husband during a violent Apache attack. As a result, Angie and her son are left vulnerable and frightened. Soon enough, a solider known as Hondo arrives, determined to protect the pair, despite their protests. Over time, the trio begins to bond, forming a newfound family.

Hondo has an impressive 90% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, with many claiming that this is one of Wayne’s best Westerns by far. Audiences mostly felt the same way, lauding the film for its unique premise that goes beyond just the typical Western. Plus, Wayne gives a strong performance as the cowboy, Hondo. Overall, this is the ideal film to get a sense of what Wayne was doing in his prime.

1

Stagecoach (1939)

An Ensemble Cast On A Speeding Train

Finally, the best Wayne movie Prime Video viewers can watch is Stagecoach. First released in 1939, this is the movie that launched Wayne’s career and put him on the map as a Western star. It was also a landmark project for director John Ford, who ended up being a frequent collaborator with Wayne. Stagecoach follows an ensemble cast of characters who are all on the Overland stagecoach bound for New Mexico when an escaped outlaw threatens their peace.

It is no coincidence that Stagecoach has a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. This movie is action-packed and full of fun. Every character brings their own unique personality, and the stakes feel like they are at a constant high. Wayne himself is a true star in the role of Ringo Kid. In the end, Stagecoach is the perfect movie for those who want to get a taste of John Wayne at his best and most impressive.