16 Must-Watch Movies Similar to ‘For a Few Dollars More’

A Fistful of Dollars, directed by Sergio Leone, is a brilliant cinematic achievement that marked the beginning of Leone's revolution in the Western genre. Despite its constraints of budget and time, this film showcases Leone's nascent visual style, with its iconic close-up shots and contrast between close-ups and long shots. The film also introduced Leone's obsession with gritty details and hard faces, which became a hallmark of his later works. Ennio Morricone's first brilliant score for the film, featuring the now famous lonely whistling and guitar music, added another layer of greatness to the movie. A Fistful of Dollars may have been inspired by Yojimbo, but it stands on its own with Leone's unique visual style, Italian cultural influences, and a sense of irony and symbolism derived from both Italian and Hollywood Westerns. This film, with its timeless quality and revolutionary impact, is a must-watch for anyone who appreciates the Western genre.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is reminiscent of For a Few Dollars More because both films are part of Sergio Leone's "Dollars trilogy" and share similar elements of the spaghetti western genre. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, the third film in the trilogy, takes the complex moral codes of the main characters to the next level. The story follows three men, The Good (Clint Eastwood), The Bad (Lee Van Cleef), and The Ugly (Eli Wallach), who form an uneasy alliance in a race to find buried gold. Like For a Few Dollars More, the characters in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly are not the traditional clean heroes of classic westerns. They are flawed and morally ambiguous, making them more realistic and compelling. The film also continues to push the boundaries of the spaghetti western style with its minimalistic cinematography and Ennio Morricone's superb musical score.

The Master Gunfighter: An outnumbered swordsman/gunfighter tries to prevent wealthy landowners from annihilating local Indians.
The Master Gunfighter, released in 1977, is reminiscent of For a Few Dollars More, a classic spaghetti Western from 1965. Both films fall under the Western genre and share key topics such as Mexico, violence, and the wild west. However, their execution and impact are vastly different. While For a Few Dollars More is hailed as a masterpiece that changed the face of the Western genre, The Master Gunfighter falls short of those expectations. The former presents complex and morally ambiguous characters, gripping storytelling, and gritty realism, whereas the latter struggles with wooden acting, questionable plot choices, and lackluster battles. Nonetheless, if you're a fan of Westerns and want to explore different interpretations of the genre, The Master Gunfighter might still offer some entertainment value. Just don't expect it to reach the heights of its predecessor.

Unforgiven. While Clint Eastwood may have bid farewell to the Western genre, Unforgiven stands as a fitting end to this iconic genre. Unlike other recent attempts, Unforgiven avoids generic pap and delves deep into the shades of gray that characterized the Old West. The movie portrays a world where justice is scarce, the majority belong to the under-classes, and corruption runs rampant. The characters are not your typical good guys in white hats; rather, they are flawed and complex, just as life was for most people during that era. Clint Eastwood's portrayal of William Munny, a killer with human feelings but unrepentant, is the epitome of an anti-hero. He is loyal to his friend, treats a whore with kindness, but is willing to kill when he needs money. Unforgiven pays homage to what came before it, capturing the essence of Sergio Leone's gritty realism and complex characters.

The Big Gundown. Unlike many other non-Sergio Leone westerns, the cinematography, camera-work, etc., are all very good and some scenes are very artistic and even worthy of Leone himself. Lee van Cleef is excellent as the pseudo-lawman/bounty hunter with integrity who believes in "justice" and "progress" for society. Ennio Morricone, as usual, provides a great score for the film. The song is rousing, while the music for the chase scenes is excellent. Morricone also does a folk-music/square dance version of the theme for the wedding party, which is a neat touch. The story is interesting and well-developed, as well. In its full-length version, it is in fact somewhat deep, with van Cleef's Corbett being a fairly complex character who undergoes a significant character development in the course of the film.

In "Barquero," a stand-off unfolds at a river crossing between a gang of outlaws and local townsfolk when the ferry barge operator refuses to transport the gang across the river. This film, released in 1970, shares similarities with "For a Few Dollars More," a spaghetti western masterpiece from 1965. Both movies are set in the wild west and feature morally complex characters who are not your typical heroes. While Clint Eastwood's Manco and Lee Van Cleef's Colonel Mortimer form an unlikely alliance in "For a Few Dollars More" to track down an escaped Mexican outlaw, Van Cleef takes on the role of the "barquero" in the second film, defending a group of nebbish townspeople against a plundering bandit played by Warren Oates. "Barquero" showcases a personal confrontation between two determined, opposed strangers, much like its Italian oater counterparts.

A Few Dollars for Django is reminiscent of For a Few Dollars More in terms of its genre, setting, and characters. Both movies belong to the spaghetti western genre, known for its gritty and realistic portrayal of the Wild West. They both feature bounty hunters as the main characters, highlighting the violent and morally complex nature of their profession. However, while For a Few Dollars More is widely regarded as a masterpiece and one of the best movies of all time, A Few Dollars for Django falls short in comparison. With a lower rating and fewer nominations, it lacks the same level of critical acclaim and impact. Nonetheless, if you enjoyed For a Few Dollars More and are a fan of the spaghetti western genre, A Few Dollars for Django still offers an entertaining experience with its charismatic outlaw Django, intense shootouts, and a captivating score by Carlo Savina.

"Santee" is reminiscent of "For a Few Dollars More" in its portrayal of a bounty hunter as the main character. However, unlike the complex and morally ambiguous bounty hunters in the Italian masterpiece, "Santee" presents a more traditional and straightforward narrative. While "For a Few Dollars More" explores the intricate dynamics between the two bounty hunters and their motivations, "Santee" takes a simpler approach by focusing on the relationship between a bounty hunter and the son of a man he killed. Furthermore, "For a Few Dollars More" is known for its gritty and realistic portrayal of the Wild West, while "Santee" falls into the more conventional and formulaic territory of the Western genre. Despite these differences, fans of "For a Few Dollars More" may still find "Santee" enjoyable due to its familiar premise and the presence of Glenn Ford, a legendary figure in the Western genre.

Death Rides a Horse is a spaghetti western that will surely remind you of For a Few Dollars More. Both films share key personnel, including Lee Van Cleef, who delivers another excellent performance in Death Rides a Horse. The supporting cast also features familiar faces from Sergio Leone's Dollars trilogy, such as Mario Brega and Luigi Pistilli. Even the writer and composer, Luciano Vincenzoni and Ennio Morricone respectively, worked on both films. However, while For a Few Dollars More is considered a near flawless masterpiece, Death Rides a Horse falls just short of that level. Nonetheless, it is an underrated revenge thriller that showcases Van Cleef's talent. The story follows Ryan, an ex-con seeking revenge against a group of outlaws, and Bill, a young man obsessed with avenging his family's murder. As the two cross paths, they form an uneasy alliance that resembles a surrogate father-son relationship.

The Grand Duel is a spaghetti western that takes place in the Wild West. Like For a Few Dollars More, it features a grizzled protagonist, this time an ex-sheriff, who helps a man framed for murder confront a powerful trio of brothers who want him dead. While For a Few Dollars More is known for its complex moral codes and realistic portrayal of violence, The Grand Duel stands out with its unique cinematography. One remarkable feature is the smooth panning shot that transitions between characters, creating a visually pleasing effect. However, the film also has some anachronisms, such as 1970s-era hairstyles and unusual western headgear. The over-the-top grittiness and tongue-in-cheek humor characteristic of spaghetti westerns are also present in The Grand Duel. If you enjoyed the gritty realism and complex characters of For a Few Dollars More, then The Grand Duel is a must-watch for its unique visual style and entertaining story.

Cowboy: An idealistic tenderfoot Chicago hotel clerk is taken on a cattle-drive to Mexico by famous trail boss Tom Reece but discovers that cowboy life isn't what he expected. While "Cowboy" may not be as well-known as "For a Few Dollars More," it shares some similarities with the iconic spaghetti western. Both films are set in the Wild West and explore the realities of life in that time period. However, "Cowboy" takes a more lighthearted approach compared to the gritty and violent nature of "For a Few Dollars More." The former focuses on the journey of an inexperienced city dweller as he is exposed to the hardships and challenges of cowboy life. On the other hand, the latter delves into the complex moral codes of bounty hunters in pursuit of an escaped outlaw. Despite their differences, "Cowboy" serves as a charming and entertaining Western that showcases the beauty of New Mexico landscapes and features strong performances from Glenn Ford and Jack Lemmon.

The Magnificent Seven is reminiscent of For a Few Dollars More due to their shared themes of Mexico, gunfighters, and a battle against oppression. Both movies tell the story of a group of skilled individuals who band together to protect innocent people from ruthless bandits. While For a Few Dollars More focuses on two bounty hunters tracking down an escaped outlaw, The Magnificent Seven revolves around seven gunfighters hired by Mexican peasants to liberate their village from oppressive bandits. The similarities lie in the camaraderie, the showdowns, and the mercenaries-for-hire who ultimately become heroes. However, the two films differ in their setting, with For a Few Dollars More capturing the essence of the Spaghetti Western genre in Italy, while The Magnificent Seven takes place in the American West. Additionally, For a Few Dollars More delves deeper into the complexities of its characters' moral codes, making them more real and ambiguous.

The Last Sunset is reminiscent of For a Few Dollars More because both movies are set in the wild west and involve a pursuit of fugitives. In For a Few Dollars More, two bounty hunters team up to track down an escaped Mexican outlaw, while in The Last Sunset, a fugitive named O'Malley and Sheriff Stribling agree to help a rancher drive his herd into Texas. However, the similarities end there. For a Few Dollars More is known for its complex moral codes and gritty realism, with characters that are neither completely good nor completely bad. On the other hand, The Last Sunset is more focused on the personal complications of the rancher's wife. While For a Few Dollars More is a true masterpiece that changed the face of the Western genre, The Last Sunset is a charming film that offers a glimpse into the excitement of hosting Hollywood stars in an unlikely place like Aguascalientes, Mexico.

Winnetou is a thrilling adventure set in the Wild West, just like For a Few Dollars More. While the latter film focuses on the complex moral codes of bounty hunters, Winnetou tells the story of the conflict between greedy railroaders and a tribe of Mescalero Apaches. The two movies share the atmosphere of violence and the use of stunning cinematography to portray the Western world realistically. However, their differences lie in the specific themes they explore. For a Few Dollars More delves into the intricate motivations and purposes of its morally complex characters, while Winnetou focuses on the bond between chief's son Winnetou and German engineer Old Shatterhand, who become blood brothers to prevent an all-out war. With its breathtaking landscapes and captivating storyline, Winnetou is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys adventure and wants to witness the beautiful friendship that blossoms amidst conflict.

The Appaloosa is reminiscent of For a Few Dollars More in its use of extreme close-ups to establish intimacy between the characters and the audience, a technique employed by director Sidney J. Furie in a similar manner to Sergio Leone. While Leone uses close-ups to convey complex moral codes and gritty realism, Furie uses them to create a sense of connection and emotional depth. The Appaloosa, like For a Few Dollars More, tells a low-key story without relying on a superman protagonist. Both movies have their memorable moments, from Brando's confessional in The Appaloosa to the complex moral code followed by the main characters in For a Few Dollars More. However, they differ in terms of genre, with For a Few Dollars More being a gritty spaghetti western, while The Appaloosa combines action, drama, romance, and western elements.

The Professionals is reminiscent of For a Few Dollars More because both movies fall under the Western genre, featuring a group of individuals coming together for a mission. In For a Few Dollars More, two bounty hunters join forces to capture an escaped Mexican outlaw, while in The Professionals, a Texas millionaire hires a team of adventurers to rescue his kidnapped wife from a notorious Mexican bandit. Despite the similar premise, the two movies differ in tone and character dynamics. For a Few Dollars More is known for its complex moral codes and gritty realism, with Clint Eastwood and Lee Van Cleef delivering outstanding performances as morally ambiguous bounty hunters. On the other hand, The Professionals showcases an exceptional ensemble cast, led by tough-as-nails Lee Marvin, off-the-cuff Burt Lancaster, and imposing Robert Ryan. The film balances action-packed scenes with humor and the characters form an uneasy affection for one another.