10 John Wayne Movies To Stream Right Now (January 2026)

John Wayne is a legendary figure in Western films, but with so many streaming services, it can be tricky to find where to watch his movies each month. Throughout his career, John Wayne appeared in many films, especially Westerns and war movies, but he’s best remembered for his roles as a cowboy.

This month, you can find plenty of John Wayne classics on streaming services, and many are available to watch for free with ads. That includes the movies that launched his career, like his very first Western directed by John Ford and the film where he won his only Academy Award.

Rio Bravo – Criterion Channel

Released in 1959 and directed by Howard Hawks, Rio Bravo was John Wayne’s answer to High Noon, a Western he didn’t admire. Wayne had turned down the lead role in High Noon because he thought it portrayed the American West negatively and was written by someone he believed might be a Communist.

In Rio Bravo, John Wayne played Sheriff John T. Chance, who apprehended a murderer and then had to protect him until federal marshals arrived. When the killer’s friends attempted a jailbreak, Chance, with help from some townsfolk, was forced to defend the jail.

The classic film Rio Bravo had a big impact on cinema, even inspiring John Carpenter’s Escape from Precinct 13. If you’d like to watch it, Rio Bravo is currently streaming on the Criterion Channel.

The Quiet Man – Kanopy

Surprisingly, one of John Wayne’s greatest films wasn’t a Western or a war story. It was a romantic drama called The Quiet Man. Director John Ford was so eager to make this film that he agreed to direct Rio Grande first, as a condition of getting the studio’s approval for his dream project.

I absolutely love this movie! It’s about John Wayne playing a former boxer who goes back to his roots in Ireland after leaving Pittsburgh. It’s a beautiful story about rediscovering where you come from and connecting with the people and culture he knew as a kid. Plus, it’s one of John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara’s most romantic films, and honestly, I think it’s their very best together!

John Ford directed the classic film The Quiet Man, which won him an award and was added to the National Film Registry in 2013. Luckily, you can watch it for free on Kanopy if you have a library card!

Rooster Cogburn – Netflix

I’m a huge John Wayne fan, and Rooster Cogburn is special to me because it’s a sequel to True Grit, the film he actually won an Oscar for! It’s wonderful to see him reprise the role of Rooster, and he’s paired with the incredible Katharine Hepburn, who plays a woman whose father was tragically murdered. They make a fantastic duo, honestly!

This movie shares similarities with True Grit, but features an older woman seeking revenge instead of a young girl. While it doesn’t reach the same level of quality as True Grit, it’s still an enjoyable John Wayne film and one of his last roles.

The movie got a variety of reactions from critics, but fans of John Wayne generally felt the two main actors were excellent. If you’re interested in watching, Rooster Cogburn is available to stream on Hoopla, and it’s free with a library card.

Red River – Hoopla

Red River was a classic Western directed by Howard Hawks and starring John Wayne. It was notable because Wayne didn’t play the typical heroic cowboy; instead, he portrayed Thomas Dunson, a tough leader of a wagon train heading to California, whose authority is questioned by his adopted son.

As a huge film buff, I remember when this movie first came out – it was a real hit! It even got nominated for two Oscars, which is fantastic, and it’s considered so important culturally that it was added to the National Film Registry back in 1990. The cast was incredible too, led by John Wayne, and featuring talents like Montgomery Clift, Walter Brennan, and both Harry Carey and his son, Harry Carey Jr.

If you’re interested in seeing the film that launched John Wayne to stardom in the 1950s, Red River is currently available to stream for free on Hoopla with a valid library card.

The Alamo – Fubo

Although John Wayne sometimes assisted other directors with their films, he directed one movie himself in 1960: The Alamo. The film recounts the famous 1836 siege and battle, and Wayne played the iconic role of Davy Crockett.

Richard Widmark played Jim Bowie, Laurence Harvey was William B. Travis, and Richard Boone portrayed Sam Houston in the film. However, John Wayne’s portrayal of Davy Crockett was the central focus. The movie faced the challenge of making a compelling and popular Western about a battle where the good guys don’t win.

The film received seven Academy Award nominations and won the Oscar for Best Sound. Notably, this was the sole Best Picture nomination of John Wayne’s career. You can currently watch The Alamo for free on Fubo.

El Dorado – Kanopy

The 1966 film El Dorado brought together John Wayne and director Howard Hawks, adapting Harry Brown’s novel The Stars in Their Courses. Robert Mitchum plays Sheriff J.P. Harrah, and John Wayne stars as Cole Thornton, an old friend who works as a hired gun.

Cole comes to town hoping to get a job with a rich man named Bart Jason (Ed Asner). But when he learns Jason is unfairly trying to force an honest family off their property, Cole decides to help them. The family isn’t going down without a fight, and Cole finds himself stuck in the middle of the conflict.

Reviewers loved the pairing of John Wayne and Robert Mitchum, and the film is still considered one of the best projects from director Howard Hawks and Wayne. You can currently watch El Dorado on Kanopy with a library card.

Rio Grande – Kanopy

Released in 1950, Rio Grande was the final film in John Ford’s Cavalry Trilogy. All three movies starred John Wayne, though he played different roles in Fort Apache and She Wore a Yellow Ribbon. While each film featured a unique story, they were all linked by common themes.

In Rio Grande, John Wayne plays Lieutenant Colonel Kirby Yorke in a story inspired by real events. Yorke finds his life complicated when his long-lost son joins his unit, and even more so when his wife (Maureen O’Hara) unexpectedly returns while he’s busy defending settlers from Apache attacks.

Although often considered the least impressive film in the Cavalry Trilogy, Rio Grande remains a solid Western and notably explores issues of class. Fans of John Wayne can watch it on Kanopy using a library card.

Big Jake – Fubo

Released in 1971, Big Jake was a Western film starring John Wayne. It brought Wayne back together with director George Sherman, who had worked with him early in his career. Sadly, this would be Sherman’s last film, as John Wayne stepped in to help with directing due to the director’s health problems. The movie features Wayne as a former gunslinger who left his family behind years ago.

When the Fain Gang kidnaps his grandson, Little Jake, and demands a ransom, Big Jake comes out of retirement to help with the rescue. He faces not only the criminals, but also a strained relationship with his son, who doesn’t trust him, and a difficult dynamic with his separated wife, portrayed by Maureen O’Hara.

As a classic film buff, I always find it fascinating to note milestones, and this one’s a bit bittersweet. Big Jake turned out to be Maureen O’Hara’s last film role for two decades! If you’re eager to see it, and especially if you’re a John Wayne devotee, good news: you can currently stream Big Jake on Fubo – and it’s free!

Stagecoach – Prime Video/HBO Max

The film Stagecoach marked the first collaboration between John Wayne and director John Ford. It was also Wayne’s breakout role, launching his career as a Western star. In the movie, Wayne delivers a memorable debut performance as the Ringo Kid, joining a group to defend a stagecoach.

Though this film launched John Wayne’s career, it’s much more than just a star-making vehicle. It’s a classic Western, and a hugely influential one, establishing many of the themes and conventions that would define the genre for the next twenty years. Despite its outdated and problematic depiction of Native Americans, the movie remains a compelling and enjoyable watch.

The great thing about the movie Stagecoach is that it’s easily available to watch online. You can currently stream it with either an Amazon Prime Video or HBO Max subscription.

True Grit – Fubo

John Wayne only won one Academy Award for his acting, and it was for a film released in 1969. He worked with director Harry Hathaway, a longtime friend, on the project. Wayne himself considered it the best role he’d been given in years.

The film features John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn, a retired lawman hired by a young girl to track down her father’s killer. He reluctantly partners with a Texas Ranger, and their search for the criminal quickly becomes dangerous for them all.

Many consider True Grit a classic film and one of John Wayne’s finest roles. If you’re looking to watch it, it will be available to stream on Fubo for free in January 2026.

2026-01-10 17:44