Cowboys & Aliens
A memory-wiped gunslinger and a divided frontier town join forces with their former enemies to repel an alien invasion in 1873 New Mexico.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- propulsive
- straight faced
- gritty
- action movie night
- science fiction double feature
What critics said
Critics found the western science-fiction blend entertaining and competently staged, though the thin alien characterization and uneven performances kept it from fully realizing its premise.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The story combines a lone gunslinger, frontier town, posse, Apache warriors, and alien marauders from the sky.
Jake's unexplained wrist shackle is the central clue to his past and a practical weapon against the alien force.
Townsfolk, outlaws, Dolarhyde's men, and Apache warriors unite despite their earlier hostility.
The production plays alien attacks in the Old West sincerely rather than leaning into camp, relying on the cast and period setting for credibility.
Films like Cowboys & Aliens, and why
Outland
shared western setting, alien invasion premise, action spectacle, and straight-faced genre hybridization
The Valley of Gwangi
shared Old West adventure, extraterrestrial threat, ensemble survival conflict, and pulpy action tone
Independence Day
shared alien invasion, heightened spectacle, military-style resistance, and accessible blockbuster storytelling
The Magnificent Seven
shared revisionist western atmosphere, outlaw ensemble, and action-driven confrontation with an inhuman threat
Movie Details
- Director
- Jon Favreau
- Release Date
- 2011-07-29
- Runtime
- 119 min
- Rating
- 5.7 / 10 (5635)
Cast
- Daniel Craig
- Harrison Ford
- Olivia Wilde
- Sam Rockwell
- Adam Beach
- Paul Dano
- Noah Ringer
- Keith Carradine
- Clancy Brown
- Walton Goggins
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Cowboys & Aliens about?
- A memory-wiped gunslinger and a divided frontier town join forces with their former enemies to repel an alien invasion in 1873 New Mexico.
- What is Cowboys & Aliens like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Cowboys & Aliens as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Cowboys & Aliens violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Cowboys & Aliens as moderate.
- What did critics think of Cowboys & Aliens?
- Critics found the western science-fiction blend entertaining and competently staged, though the thin alien characterization and uneven performances kept it from fully realizing its premise.
- Which films are like Cowboys & Aliens?
- Films with a similar feel include Outland, The Valley of Gwangi, Independence Day, and The Magnificent Seven.
- How long is Cowboys & Aliens?
- Cowboys & Aliens runs 119 minutes.
- Where can I watch Cowboys & Aliens?
- In United States, Cowboys & Aliens is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
