The western genre is often overshadowed by the popularity of thrillers and romantic comedies and overshadowed by streaming services. It's a shame, because the western has its share of classic mid-afternoon showdowns and tales of redemption and revenge.

If, like me, you sometimes long for a trip to the wild frontier, you're in luck: Netflix has an impressive selection of Westerns that capture the spirit of the Old West. All of them offer the perfect escape for moviegoers looking for something a little different to watch in one evening. But with so many choices, it can seem a little daunting to know where to start.

So here are the five best westerns currently streaming on Netflix. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newbie to the genre, they're sure to satisfy your craving for full-on adrenaline-fueled drama and action.

We begin with the critically acclaimed psychological western “The Power of the Dog,” which debuted three years ago, and follows brothers Phil and George Burbank as they run a successful ranch in 1925 Montana. Phil (Benedict Cumberbatch) is charismatic yet cruel, wielding a sharp tongue and a dominant personality. George (Jesse Plemons), by contrast, is gentle and reserved.

When George marries widowed innkeeper Rose (Kirsten Dunst) and allows her and her impressionable teenage son Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee) to live on the ranch, cracks in their bond begin to appear. Phil openly antagonizes Rose and Peter, making fun of Peter's sensitive demeanor and increasing Rose's anxiety and despair. Over time, however, Phil develops an unexpectedly complex relationship with Peter and takes him under his wing.

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“The Harder They Fall” is another Netflix original that succeeds as a stylish, action-packed Western. Outlaw Nat Love (Jonathan Majors) learns that his lifelong nemesis, the ruthless Rufus Buck (Idris Elba), has been released from prison. Driven by a personal vendetta, Nat gathers a gang to hunt down Rufus and settle an old score. His associates include sniper Bill Pickett (Eddie Gathegi), quick draw Jim Beckworth (RJ Siler), and his former lover, stagecoach Mary (Zazie Beetz).

Rufus Buck, on the other hand, leads a fearsome gang, including the cold-hearted and deadly Trudy Smith (Regina King) and the dangerous and quick draw Cherokee Bill (Laquise Stanfield) As the two groups clash, tensions rise, alliances are tested, and a brutal showdown looms.

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“The Bone Tomahawk” may be considered horror, but it should also be on this list: a gruesome and suspenseful tale of survival set in the late 19th century. The story begins in the small frontier town of Bright Hope. There, a drifter and a deputy sheriff are kidnapped by a mysterious and brutal group of cannibals who live in a cave. When it becomes clear that the kidnappers are no ordinary bandits, but a primitive and savage tribe, Sheriff Franklin Hunt (Kurt Russell) organizes a rescue mission.

The rescue party includes a determined but aging sheriff, loyal deputy Chicory (Richard Jenkins), a skilled gunman named John Brooder (Matthew Fox), and Arthur O'Dwyer (Patrick Wilson), an injured man whose wife was also taken The film is a story of two men. Despite his injuries, Arthur insists on joining the search, driven by his love for his wife. Stepping into the harsh wilderness, the group faces physical exhaustion, inner conflict, and increasing danger from a relentless, inhuman enemy.

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The 2007 remake of “3:10 to Yuma” is worth a look if you like intense action scenes. Dan Evans (Christian Bale), a Civil War veteran and struggling rancher, faces serious economic hardship and the threat of losing his land. It was to escort notorious outlaw Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) to the town of Contention, where Wade would board the 3:10 train to Yuma Prison to await trial.

Wade is the cunning and charismatic leader of a ruthless gang, and his capture marks the beginning of a tense journey. Along the way, the small group escorting Dan and Wade face ambushes, treacherous terrain, and the looming threat of Wade's loyal gang, led by his ferocious right-hand man Charlie Prince (Ben Foster). As Dan and Wade spend time together, their relationship becomes increasingly complicated. Wade respects Dan's moral convictions and quiet courage, while Dan struggles with the personal cost of his principles.

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If you're in the mood for something a little lighter, without the intense violence and cannibals, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs should be your next stop. This Western anthology film consists of six stories set in the American Wild West. The Ballad of Buster Scruggs opens with a jovial, sharp-shooting outlaw (Tim Blake Nelson) whose arrogance leads to his downfall; in Near Algodones, a bank robber (James Franco) faces a series of dark, comical misfortunes; in The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, a young man (James Franco) is forced to take a life of his own; in The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, a young man (James Franco) is forced to take a life of his own. In “Near Algodones,” a bank robber (James Franco) faces a series of darkly comic mishaps. In Meal Ticket, a traveling entertainer (Liam Neeson) and a disabled performer (Harry Melling) struggle to survive in a harsh and unforgiving world.”

The fourth story, “All Gold Canyon,” centers on a determined prospector (Tom Waits) searching for gold in a pristine canyon, navigating both nature and betrayal. In “The Gal Who Got Rattled,” a young woman (Zoe Kazan) traveling with a wagon encounters unexpected trials, romance, and tragedy. The anthology concludes with “The Mortal Remains,” a philosophical tale about travelers who share macabre tales on a stagecoach trip.

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