Movies like Under California Stars (1948)
The best movies like Under California Stars (1948) are Open Range (2003), News of the World (2020) and Will Penny (1967). If Under California Stars hooked you with its western, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedThe Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)8.5/10 from 10,143 votes
- NewestNews of the World (2020)Released 2020
Open Range (2003)
A former gunslinger is forced to take up arms again when he and his cattle crew are threatened by a corrupt lawman.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both western
Worth the HypeMovies like thisNews of the World (2020)
A Texan traveling across the wild West bringing the news of the world to local townspeople, agrees to help rescue a young girl who was kidnapped.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both western
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWill Penny (1967)
Will Penny, an aging cowpoke, takes a job on a ranch which requires him to ride the line of the property looking for trespassers or, worse, squatters. He finds that his cabin in the high mountains has been appropriated by a woman whose guide to Oregon has deserted her and her son. Too ashamed to kick mother and child out just as the bitter winter of the mountains sets in, he agrees to share the cabin until the spring thaw. But it isn't just the snow that slowly thaws; the lonely man and woman soon forget their mutual hostility and start developing a deep love for one another.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both western
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Electric Horseman (1979)
A former champion rodeo rider is reduced to using his saddle skills to promote a breakfast cereal in a gaudy Las Vegas show. When he's asked to perform with a $12 million horse, he discovers it is being doped to remain docile. He flees into the desert astride the beast in an act of defiance. A story-hungry female reporter gives chase.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both western
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Cowboys (1972)
When his cattlemen abandon him for the gold fields, rancher Wil Andersen is forced to take on a collection of young boys as his cowboys in order to get his herd to market in time to avoid financial disaster. The boys learn to do a man's job under Andersen's tutelage, however, neither he nor the boys know that a gang of cattle thieves is stalking them.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both western
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Misfits (1961)
While filing for a divorce, beautiful ex-stripper Roslyn Taber ends up meeting aging cowboy-turned-gambler Gay Langland and former World War II aviator Guido Racanelli. The two men instantly become infatuated with Roslyn and, on a whim, the three decide to move into Guido's half-finished desert home together. When grizzled ex-rodeo rider Perce Howland arrives, the unlikely foursome strike up a business capturing wild horses.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both western
Worth the HypeMovies like thisOld Yeller (1957)
Young Travis Coates is left to take care of the family ranch with his mother and younger brother while his father goes off on a cattle drive in the 1860s. When a yellow mongrel comes for an uninvited stay with the family, Travis reluctantly adopts the dog.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both western
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWarlock (1959)
A band of murderous cowboys has imposed a reign of terror on the town of Warlock. With the sheriff humiliatingly run out of town, the residents hire the services of Clay Blaisedell as de facto town marshal. He arrives along with his friend, Tom Morgan, and sets about restoring law and order on his own terms whilst also overseeing the establishment of a gambling house and saloon.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both western
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Left Handed Gun (1958)
When a crooked sheriff murders his employer, William "Billy the Kid" Bonney decides to avenge the death by killing the man responsible, throwing the lives of everyone around him into turmoil, and endangering the General Amnesty set up by Governor Wallace to bring peace to the New Mexico Territory.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both western
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisScooby-Doo! Shaggy's Showdown (2017)
When the Scooby gang visits a dude ranch, they discover that it and the nearby town have been haunted by a ghostly cowboy, Dapper Jack, who fires real fire from his fire irons. The mystery only deepens when it’s discovered that the ghost is also the long lost relative of Shaggy Rogers!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both western
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Ox-Bow Incident (1943)
A posse discovers a trio of men they suspect of murder and cow theft and are split between handing them over to the law or lynching them on the spot.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both western
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe War Wagon (1967)
An ex-con seeks revenge on the man who put him in prison by planning a robbery of the latter's stagecoach, which is transporting gold. He enlists the help of a partner, who could be working for his nemesis.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both western
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRio Bravo (1959)
A small-town sheriff in the American West enlists the help of a disabled man, a drunk, and a young gunfighter in his efforts to hold in jail the brother of the local bad guy.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both western
Worth the HypeMovies like thisColorado Territory (1949)
After escaping from jail, outlaw Wes McQueen is convinced by his old partner in crime to do one last heist.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both western
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRenegade (1987)
While on his travel across the Southwestern United States, with his Jeep CJ Renegade and his chestnut colt named Joe Brown, Luke meets Matt, son of a friend of his, Moose, who is in jail. Moose asks Luke to take care of Matt, and to help him to take possession of a piece of land. So starts their travel, full of adventures...
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both western
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Tall T (1957)
Pat Brennan's luck is about to go from bad to worse; after gambling his horse away, he gets a ride from Willard and Doretta Mims. However, their stagecoach is hijacked by a trio of merciless bandits, led by ruthless Frank Usher. As Usher holds the passengers hostage, Brennan falls in love with Doretta and develops a risky plan to free himself and the Mimses, leading to a bloody final standoff.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both western
Worth the HypeMovies like thisStagecoach (1939)
A group of people traveling on a stagecoach find their journey complicated by the threat of Geronimo, and learn something about each other in the process.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both western
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRancho Notorious (1952)
A man in search of revenge infiltrates a ranch, hidden in an inhospitable region, where its owner, Altar Keane, gives shelter to outlaws fleeing from the law in exchange for a price.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both western
Popcorn FlickMovies like this3:10 to Yuma (1957)
Dan Evans, a small time farmer, is hired to escort Ben Wade, a dangerous outlaw, to Yuma. As Evans and Wade wait for the 3:10 train to Yuma, Wade's gang is racing to free him.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both western
Worth the HypeMovies like thisShe Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949)
On the eve of retirement, Captain Nathan Brittles takes out a last patrol to stop an impending massive Indian attack. Encumbered by women who must be evacuated, Brittles finds his mission imperiled.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both western
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHigh Noon (1952)
Will Kane, the sheriff of a small town in New Mexico, learns a notorious outlaw he put in jail has been freed, and will be arriving on the noon train. Knowing the outlaw and his gang are coming to kill him, Kane is determined to stand his ground, so he attempts to gather a posse from among the local townspeople.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both western
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Law Comes to Gunsight (1947)
Brown arrives in the town of, yes, Gunsight, in the company of saddle pal Raymond Hatton. Like a new broom, Brown sweeps clean, going after the town's corrupt element.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both western
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
While the Civil War rages on between the Union and the Confederacy, three men – a quiet loner, a ruthless hitman, and a Mexican bandit – comb the American Southwest in search of a strongbox containing $200,000 in stolen gold.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both western
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisA Fistful of Dollars (1964)
The Man With No Name enters the Mexican village of San Miguel in the midst of a power struggle among the three Rojo brothers and sheriff John Baxter. When a regiment of Mexican soldiers bearing gold intended to pay for new weapons is waylaid by the Rojo brothers, the stranger inserts himself into the middle of the long-simmering battle, selling false information to both sides for his own benefit.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both western
Worth the HypeMovies like thisUnder the Tonto Rim (1928)
Gold miner Edd Denmeade loves Lucy Watson, the sister of the official mining claim recorder. Denmeade suspects Watson of killing his father, who after a poker game was shot by a gambler "who shuffles with one hand." The real murderer, Sam Spralls, has convinced Watson that he killed Denmeade and threatens to expose him unless Watson assigns him all the gold claims. Spralls assembles a band of killers to jump the claims when Watson complies. Eventually, Denmeade learns the identity of the killer when he sees Spralls shuffle a deck of cards. He forms a vigilante party and rids the community of Spralls and his gang.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both western
The Magnificent Seven (1960)
An oppressed Mexican peasant village hires seven gunfighters to help defend their homes.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both western
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHidalgo (2004)
Set in 1890, this is the story of a Pony Express courier who travels to Arabia to compete with his horse, Hidalgo, in a dangerous race for a massive contest prize, in an adventure that sends the pair around the world...
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both western
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLaw of the West (1949)
With the railroad coming, Nixon is after the ranchers land. Using a stooge land agent, his method is to claim the person they bought their ranches from never had title to the land and their deeds are worthless. Fereral Agent Johnny Mack arrives posing as a gunman. He is quickly onto the henchman and Land Agent and eventually suspects Nixon is the big boss. But he needs the help of ventriloquist Alibi to bring them in.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both western
Rio Grande (1949)
As Bruce Lanning posts a "no trespassing" sign at a watering hole on his Circle A ranch, his sister Jane rides up with news that Wes Caven, the hired gun of the Elwood brothers, is looking for him. Soon after, Wes appears and kicks over the sign. Later, Sunset Carson, Wes's boyhood friend, rides into town to invite Wes to become a partner in his new ranch. Just as Wes declines the offer and offers Sunset a job working for the Elwoods instead, Bruce bursts into the saloon, demanding to see Frank Elwood. Not to be confused with the 1950 John Wayne film of the same name
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both western
The Revenant (2015)
In the 1820s, a frontiersman, Hugh Glass, sets out on a path of vengeance against those who left him for dead after a bear mauling.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both western
Worth the HypeMovies like this
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Under California Stars?
The closest matches to Under California Stars are Open Range (2003), News of the World (2020) and Will Penny (1967). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Under California Stars?
Start with Open Range (2003), the closest match to Under California Stars.
What is the highest-rated movie like Under California Stars?
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966), rated 8.5/10 by 10,143 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Under California Stars?
News of the World (2020) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like Under California Stars?
Yes: Open Range (2003), News of the World (2020) and Will Penny (1967).
How are movies similar to Under California Stars chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Under California Stars, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.