From the captivating landscapes of the American West to the dramatic showdowns that have kept viewers on the edge of their seats, Western movies have long been a staple of cinema. However, even some of the best films in this genre have been overlooked when it comes to Academy Awards nominations. Here are 10 top-notch classic Westerns that, despite their quality and popularity, never received an Oscar nomination.

1. “The Outlaw Josey Wales” (1976)– Directed by and starring Clint Eastwood, this tale of revenge and redemption in post-Civil War Texas is a favorite among Western aficionados but was surprisingly passed over by Oscar.

2. “The Shootist” (1976) – John Wayne’s final film, where he plays an aging gunfighter battling cancer, is a poignant and memorable piece that failed to capture the Academy’s attention.

3. “My Darling Clementine” (1946) – John Ford’s depiction of the events leading up to the famous gunfight at the OK Corral, though considered one of his finer works, did not make it onto the Oscar nominations list.

4. “Winchester ’73” (1950) – A classic tale starring James Stewart that follows a prized rifle as it changes hands among various characters. Despite its innovative narrative structure, it wasn’t nominated for an Oscar.

5. “The Big Country” (1958) – William Wyler’s epic about a sea captain finding himself in the midst of a land feud boasted an all-star cast and grand scale but no nominations came its way.

6. “Rio Bravo” (1959)– Another Howard Hawks classic with John Wayne defending his town against a ruthless cattle baron supported by Dean Martin and Ricky Nelson’s charm but was overlooked by the Academy.

7. “Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid” (1973) – Sam Peckinpah’s gritty portrayal of the Old West and its infamous outlaws delivered powerful performances but wasn’t recognized at Oscar time.

8. “Tombstone” (1993) – Though not as old as others on this list, this modern classic offering another take on Wyatt Earp’s story failed to earn any nods from the Oscars despite critical acclaim.

9. “The Magnificent Seven” (1960) – This Western adaptation of Akira Kurosawa’s “Seven Samurai”, scored well with audiences and has iconic status yet received no nominations from the Academy.

10. “McCabe & Mrs. Miller” (1971)– Robert Altman’s revisionist approach to Western film with Warren Beatty and Julie Christie gave us a more realistic look at frontier life that went unnominated by the Oscars but remains highly praised.

Each of these films has left a lasting impact on the Western genre and continues to be celebrated by movie lovers around the world, regardless of their lack of recognition by the Academy Awards.