Movies Like Backlash (1956)

Backlash is a 1956 western film from John Sturges with a MovieMagicScore of 6.4/10. Here are 20 similar films, ranked by real viewer ratings — starting with Shadow on the Mesa and Gunsmoke in Tucson.

Western

Shadow on the Mesa

2013

Wes Rawlins is considered one of the best bounty hunters in the West. His life changes when he finds out that his mother is dead and the man responsible is still at large. Wes believes that his long lost father Ray Eastman is responsible and sets out to find him seeking revenge...

6.1

MagicScore

Gunsmoke in Tucson

1958

As young boys, two brothers, Jed (AKA: Chip) and John, witness their father being hung by a vigilante gang. Chip, angry and bitter, grows up to be an outlaw and leader of the feared Blue Chip Gang. John goes the other way and becomes a U.S. Marshal. Two brothers on opposite sides of the law, destined to become embroiled in an Arizona range war between cattlemen and farmers.

5.3

MagicScore

Old Henry

2021

A widowed farmer and his son warily take in a mysterious, injured man with a satchel of cash. When a posse of men claiming to be the law come for the money, the farmer must decide who to trust. Defending a siege of his homestead, the farmer reveals a talent for gun-slinging that surprises everyone calling his true identity into question.

7.3

MagicScore

Hidden Valley

1932

Cowboy is hired by an archaeologist to help find "Hidden Valley", where an Indian gold treasure is supposed to be buried. Just when he finds it, the archaeologist is killed, and the cowboy his charged with his murder.

6.0

MagicScore

Vengeance Is Mine

1967

Johnny Forest, bounty hunter, attempts to carry out his mother's dying wish that he bring in his outlaw brother, Clint, alive. On the run from Jurago, a former partner he has crossed, Clint accepts Johnny's help, and agrees to surrender ..... for now.

6.7

MagicScore

Return of Shanghai Joe

1975

A sinister town boss called Pat Barnes has exploited almost everyone in the town. If they don't succumb to his demands they normally end up dead. Barnes is finally brought down by Shanghai Joe and a smooth-talking snake-oil salesman.

5.2

MagicScore

Shadow Valley

1947

At least 10 percent of the 58-minute Eddie Dean western Shadow Valley is comprised of stock shots from earlier Dean oaters. This time, the star plays as U.S. marshal who comes to the rescue of the standard damsel in distress (Jennifer Holt, sister of Tim and daughter of Jack). The double-dyed villain (George Cheseboro) is a crooked lawyer (and former train robber) who wants to lay claim to the heroine's ranch.

TBR

MagicScore

Showdown

1973

Two men who have been friends since childhood find themselves on opposite ends of the law.

6.1

MagicScore

In Old Oklahoma

1943

Cowboy Dan Somers and oilman Jim "Hunk" Gardner compete for oil lease rights on Indian land in Oklahoma, as well as for the favors of schoolteacher Cathy Allen.

6.2

MagicScore

#10

The Fighting Fists of Shanghai Joe

1973

A Chinese immigrant, recently arrived in America, fights to free Mexican slaves from their cruel master.

4.9

MagicScore

#11

The Mountain Men

1980

The story concerns two grizzled mountain men -- Bill Tyler and Henry Frapp -- during the dying days of the fur-trapping era. The plot begins when Running Moon runs away from her abusive husband Heavy Eagle and comes across the two seedy fur trappers. The mountain men take her in, unaware that Heavy Eagle has dispatched an army of Indian braves to reclaim her.

5.9

MagicScore

#12

They Call Me Trinity

1970

The simple story has the pair coming to the rescue of peace-loving Mormons when land-hungry Major Harriman sends his bullies to harass them into giving up their fertile valley. Trinity and Bambino manage to save the Mormons and send the bad guys packing with slapstick humor instead of excessive violence, saving the day.

7.5

MagicScore

#13

Lemonade Joe

1964

A satire of the Great American Way, with Lemonade Joe a "clean living" gunfighter who drinks only Kola-Loca Lemonade and convinces everyone else in town (with his gun skills) that all "real men" drink ONLY lemonade!

7.1

MagicScore

#14

Hidden Gold

1940

Hoppy and Lucky have been called in to investigate a series of stage holdups. The robbers are taking gold from Colby's mine and Hoppy suspects it may be ex-outlaw Colby himself. When Speedy strikes gold, Hoppy borrows it and announces a gold shipment hoping to catch the gang and their leader.

5.3

MagicScore

#15

Killer Kid

1967

The ruthless and cruel Captain Ramirez hunts down and kills revolutionaries in his search for The Saint, the righteous leader of the Mexican insurrection against the Federales.

5.8

MagicScore

#16

Randy Rides Alone

1934

Bandits lead by Matt the Mute enter a bar and kill multiple people. Randy Bowers comes to town and is framed by Matt the Mute, who is working with the sheriff (who doesn't know Matt is really a criminal). Randy escapes with the help of the niece of the dead owner of the bar. Bowers ends up running from the sheriff, and ends up in the cave in which the bandits have their hide-out…

4.8

MagicScore

#17

The Lawless Breed

1952

After being released from prison, ex-gunfighter John Wesley Hardin hopes to have his autobiography published in order to rehabilitate his tarnished reputation.

6.6

MagicScore

#18

$10,000 for a Massacre

1967

After being hired to free a landowner's kidnapped daughter, a bounty hunter double-crosses his employer and joins the kidnapper's gang.

5.4

MagicScore

#19

The Outlaw

1943

Newly appointed sheriff Pat Garrett is pleased when his old friend Doc Holliday arrives in Lincoln, New Mexico on the stage. Doc is trailing his stolen horse, and it is discovered in the possession of Billy the Kid. In a surprising turnaround, Billy and Doc become friends. This causes the friendship between Doc and Pat to cool. The odd relationship between Doc and Billy grows stranger when Doc hides Billy at his girl Rio's place after Billy is shot.

5.4

MagicScore

#20

The Last Victim

2022

Set in the American Southwest, Sheriff Hickey tries to solve the worst case he has seen in his small town, likely caused by a violent local gang led by a fearsome criminal.

5.0

MagicScore

Frequently asked

What are the best movies like Backlash?

The top films similar to Backlash by MovieMagicScore are Shadow on the Mesa (6.1), Gunsmoke in Tucson (5.3), Old Henry (7.3). Each shares western themes and is ranked by real viewer ratings, not critics or studios.

Is Backlash worth watching?

Backlash holds a MovieMagicScore of 6.4/10 from 48 viewer ratings.

What kind of movie is Backlash?

Backlash (1956) is a western film directed by John Sturges, starring Richard Widmark, Donna Reed, William Campbell.

Where can I find more recommendations like Backlash?

Browse the full ranked list above, or explore more western recommendations on MovieMagicScore, where every list is ordered by genuine viewer ratings.

Keep exploring

Movies like Shadow on the Mesa Movies like Gunsmoke in Tucson Movies like Old Henry Movies like Hidden Valley Movies like Vengeance Is Mine Movies like Return of Shanghai Joe

About movies like Backlash

This ranked list pairs Backlash (1956), a western film from John Sturges, with similar titles by genre, theme and cast overlap (fans of Richard Widmark take note). Unlike critic-driven sites, every position here is ordered by MovieMagicScore — a rating built only from real viewers, with no studio marketing or paid placement. Scores update as more people rate, so the list stays current.

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