Westerns were out of fashion in the 1980s — as evidenced by “Heaven’s Gate” flopping at the box office — but some filmmakers weren’t ready to let the genre ride into the sunset. “Silverado,” “The Long Riders,” and “Young Guns” are bona fide classics that rank among the best Westerns ever made, but what about the gems that flew under the radar?

The ’80s produced a bunch of delightful Westerns that are mostly forgotten nowadays, and they are diverse enough to cater to a variety of tastes. Do you like your horse operas to feel traditional and feature legendary tough-guy actors? Don’t worry, ’80s Westerns have you covered. Or maybe you prefer experimental Westerns that lean on the weirder side of life? If that’s the case, you’ll find some real oddities from this decade.

From outlaws to vampires, this list features Western movies of all stripes. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the great flicks that have been lost to the fogs of time.

Any Western starring Charles Bronson and Lee Marvin is worth checking out. “Death Hunt” doesn’t hold a candle to either actor’s other great genre efforts — “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance,” “The Magnificent Seven,” “Breakheart Pass,” etc. — but it’s a fun movie that hits the sweet spot.

Directed by “James Bond” franchise alum Peter Hunt, “Death Hunt” follows Albert Johnson (Bronson), a trapper who finds himself being pursued by a gang after rescuing a dog from certain death. The baddies organize dog fights for their entertainment, and Bronson’s character isn’t willing to see any canine get harmed. Marvin, meanwhile, plays a cigar-chomping lawman who’s out to get Albert for killing the bad guys, even if he understands why Albert pulled the trigger.

“Death Hunt” is awesome, but the dog-fighting scenes are difficult to watch — so be warned. Still, if you can stomach movies like “John Wick,” you’ll be able to enjoy this one — and firmly get behind Bronson’s one-man action hero as he lays waste to his enemies.

A common theme in Westerns is lawlessness vs. modernity, often centering around aging outlaws who can’t adjust to a changing world. That’s the central premise of Phillip Borsos’ “The Grey Fox,” which tells the story of the real-life robber Bill Miner (Richard Farnsworth), an outlaw who was known for his gentlemanly qualities.

The story follows Bill after he is released from a 33-year prison sentence and finds himself in the early 1900s. The world has changed, but Bill hasn’t, so he gets back to doing what he does best — robbing, but in an honorable way. Farnsworth is fantastic as Bill, delivering a performance imbued with a kindness that contrasts with his law-breaking habits. Imagine the world’s most lovable grandpa, albeit as a criminal. You get the idea.

“The Grey Fox” is a special movie that feels quite wholesome and earnest, even though it’s about train robberies. Plus, it has everything one wants in a Western — old steam engines, scenic landscapes, dusty old towns, and lovable rogues being naughty rascals.

Stories about outlaws on the run are the Western genre’s bread and butter, but how many of them feature Gary Busey and Willie Nelson? Not many. Be that as it may, Fred Schepisi’s “Barbarosa” doesn’t rewrite the rulebook by any means. It is, however, an entertaining adventure movie that all Western aficionados should watch at least once.

The story centers around Karl Westover (Busey), a simple farmer who finds himself on the run after accidentally killing someone. Along the way, he meets Barbarosa (Nelson), an outlaw who’s also trying to evade some trigger-happy folks. The pair strikes up a quick partnership, but trouble waits for them around every corner.

As previously mentioned, “Barbarosa” explores familiar territory for a Western — at least from a narrative point-of-view. However, the film is loaded with enough off-kilter humor, colorful characters, and personality to overcome its more derivative sensibilities. Nelson and Busey also deliver great performances, with the latter’s being more subdued than you might expect.

William Walker is a real-life historical figure who invaded Nicaragua and became its president in 1856. However, his real life probably wasn’t as bizarre as this 1987 biopic, which often strays into absurdist territory. “Walker” is easily the weirdest and most polarizing movie on this list, but that’s why it’s a must-see Western.

Starring Ed Harris in the eponymous role, “Walker” is a weird amalgamation of the Western, historical drama, satire, and surrealist genres. In lesser hands, it would be a tonally imbalanced mess — and its critics might argue as much. The film’s defenders, meanwhile, enjoy it for its boldness and wildness. Of course, “Walker” has also been blamed for ruining its director’s career, so let’s just agree that it’s an acquired taste.

What’s more, “Walker” is still a topical movie in 2026. While it tells the story of a 19th century conflict, Alex Cox’s film is an evergreen critique of self-serving politicians, war, and imperialism. If you like your movies angry and politically charged, as well as bizarre and quite funny, you can’t go wrong with this oddity.

Bruce Campbell is primarily known for the “Evil Dead” movies, but he is no stranger to Westerns. Some fans will remember his canceled sci-fi Western, the creator of “Lost,” “The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.,” in which he plays a bounty hunter out to avenge his father’s death. Before that, though, Campbell lent his talents to “Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat,” a neo-Western horror-comedy in which he plays a descendant of Van Helsing.

“Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat” is set in a remote desert town known as Purgatory, where the local blood drinkers wear sunscreen to survive daylight. They are also working on developing synthetic blood so they no longer have to prey on humans — but some vamps aren’t willing to give up the old ways.

Co-starring David Carradine, “Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat” is a delightful horror-comedy that puts a fresh spin on tales of bloodsuckers. However, it’s also a love letter to the Western genre, with the films of John Ford being a particular influence on director Anthony Hickox. If you ever watched “My Darling Clementine” and wished it had more funny vampires, this is the film for you.