John Wayne has definitely starred in his share of great old classic movies. Almost any moving starring John Wayne is worth watching, but some take the cake.This top ten list of classic John Wayne movies gives you ten of the best John Wayne movies to watch. Watch them on Netflix, or go buy them at Walmart! Here are ten top John Wayne classic movies.
1. Hatari (1962). This was the first John Wayne movie I ever watched. I never had an interest in John Wayne movies before this, believe it or not! To my surprise, I actually enjoyed the movie immensely. I liked his style and his suave way of acting. Now, don’t get me wrong, I don’t think he’s the sexiest actor ever born like some women do, but I will admit he has a way of capturing his audience and intriguing one to want to watch more. Hatari is a classic movie about capturing wild animals to be sold to zoos. I really enjoyed the scenery of the movie as it is filmed in Tanzania.
2. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962). Two movies in one year for John Wayne! This is at the top of my list of John Wayne movies because it also stars another great classic actor James Stewart. James Stewart plays the cowardly lawyer turned cook in this movie and John Wayne is the one who has the girl and the courage. However, will things stay this way? Can an awkward chef take charge and turn things around for himself in this small town where taking a back seat just doesn’t cut it when the going gets tough? Watch and find out, to see if John Wayne’s character keeps the lead in the town or gets taken over by another.
3. The Quiet Man (1952). John Wayne certainly steals the show when he returns to Ireland to claim land left to him in a relative’s will and captures the heart of the adjacent landowner’s sister. The brother had wanted the land John Wayne inherits, so he won’t agree to the marriage of the sister and Wayne’s character. So, she doesn’t get her dowry. She wants Wayne to step up and claim it for her, but a quiet man does just that: stays quiet. This causes problems in the marriage. What does it take to be a real man? Is it a peaceful coexistence, or does it mean a drop down, drag out fight to get what’s supposed to be yours?
4. McLintock! (1963). McLintock, played by John Wayne, also seems to be a peaceful character. He lives on his ranch and does what he needs to do to make a living. His wife left him, thinking that he had committed adultery. However, she returns to the ranch to claim her daughter, and McLintock doesn’t want to let her go. You can imagine the antics that ensue as McLintock tries to keep his daughter, deal with his estranged wife, and keep his ranch in order. HIs drinking doesn’t help matters any, but it might not hurt them either!
5 Donovan’s Reef (1963). John Wayne put out two movies in 1963 as well! In Donovan’s Reef, John Wayne and Lee Marvin share the same birthday, and they have an actual physical fight each year on their birthday. The problem with this birthday is that John Wayne’s character Donovan happens to be watching out for three young ladies. This comedic classic John Wayne movie involves all kinds of action when the two birthday guys go at their fight, and the three young ladies turn out to be more than Wayne’s character ever bargained for.
6. The Searchers (1956). Check out this western movie with John Wayne. Wayne’s character is trying to find his niece who was abducted in a scheme, with the help of his nephew.
7. North to Alaska (1960). I really enjoyed watching North to Alaska as one of John Wayne’s best movies of all time. He plays the part of Sam McCord, who goes to Alaska to retrieve the fiance’ of his partner George Pratt. Unfortunately, the girl is already married when he arrives. So, Sam decides to bring back a prostitute he meets there to take her place, since she is also beautiful like George’s fiance’. Too bad, however, that a passion begins to develop between Sam and the prostitute, so it may turn out that Sam’s plans to help his friend become foiled by his own desires and good old fashioned physical attraction.
8. Big Jake (1971). John Wayne’s character Big Jake wanders around with his dog, no longer part of his family and no longer part of much of anything. However, when he learns that his grandson has been kidnapped, he decides to get involved and get him back. Can he win back the hearts of his family and wife again with his actions?
9. The Longest Day (1962). Well, believe it or not, John Wayne had a third classic film come out in the year 1962. This film is about D-Day, June 6, 1944. There is so much history in this movie that it makes it worth watching in and of itself, aside from the fact that John Wayne also stars in it!
10. True Grit (1969). Yes, it is true, that True Grit was remade in 2010. However, the original 1969 version with John Wayne is my favorite of the two. John Wayne’s character sets out to help a young girl seek revenge on her father’s death by finding and capturing the man responsible. It isn’t easy to bring back an outlaw, even if you’ve been doing it for years!
There are so many John Wayne titles to choose from, and each has something to offer. Each John Wayne movie depicts something about his character and his style. Hopefully you will be able to watch all of the movies listed above, and then more! What are your favorite John Wayne movies?