Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Brutal
- energetic
- irreverent
- romanticized
- western movie night
- 1980s movie marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film entertaining and well-cast, with attractive young leads and strong production values undermined by shallow characterization, historical inaccuracies, and limited depth.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The Lincoln County War and Billy the Kid are presented through youthful, charismatic outlaws and heightened action rather than strict historical realism.
Billy, Doc, Chavez, Dick, Dirty Steve, and Charley become a tightly bonded posse after Tunstall's death.
John Tunstall recruits young gunmen, teaches them reading, and attempts to civilize them before his murder.
The New Mexico ranches, period costumes, sets, and widescreen gunfights emphasize a vivid recreation of the 1878 frontier.
Films like Young Guns, and why
The Magnificent Seven
shared revisionist western setting, outlaw protagonists, gunfights, and energetic ensemble adventure
Tombstone
shared historical western framework, charismatic young outlaws, stylized violence, and themes of justice against corruption
The Quick and the Dead
shared western action, antihero lawlessness, camaraderie, and pursuit by authorities
Movie Details
- Director
- Christopher Cain
- Release Date
- 1988-08-12
- Runtime
- 107 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (1085)
Cast
- Emilio Estevez
- Kiefer Sutherland
- Lou Diamond Phillips
- Charlie Sheen
- Dermot Mulroney
- Casey Siemaszko
- Terence Stamp
- Jack Palance
- Terry O'Quinn
- Sharon Thomas Cain
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, BBC America
- 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 Young Guns about?
- A charismatic band of young New Mexico deputies becomes legendary outlaws while pursuing justice against a corrupt ranching empire.
- What is Young Guns like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Young Guns as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Young Guns violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Young Guns as brutal.
- What did critics think of Young Guns?
- Critics broadly found the film entertaining and well-cast, with attractive young leads and strong production values undermined by shallow characterization, historical inaccuracies, and limited depth.
- Which films are like Young Guns?
- Films with a similar feel include The Magnificent Seven, Tombstone, and The Quick and the Dead.
- How long is Young Guns?
- Young Guns runs 107 minutes.
- Where can I watch Young Guns?
- In United States, Young Guns streams on Philo, BBC America.
