John Wayne's 4 favorite movies of all time - from historical epic to Hollywood classic

John Wayne was the quintessential movie star of mid-20th century America

02:23 ET, Fri, May 23, 2025 | UPDATED: 02:55 ET, Fri, May 23, 2025

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Only one Western features in John Wayne's favorite movies (Image: (Image: Getty))

Few names in American cinema history resonate as profoundly as John Wayne.

A towering figure of mid-20th century film, Wayne became synonymous with the Western genre, a category he helped shape across a career that spanned five decades and nearly 180 screen appearances.

But what films did John Wayne himself hold in high regard? In 1977, The People's Almanac asked him to list his top five favorite movies of all time.

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John Wayne starred in 179 movies throughout his career (Image: (Image: Getty))

A Man for All Seasons (1966).

A Man for All Seasons is a historical drama centered on Sir Thomas More and his refusal to endorse King Henry VIII's break from the Roman Catholic Church. Directed by Fred Zinnemann, the movie stars Paul Scofield as More, with Robert Shaw, Orson Welles, and John Hurt in early roles, reports <a href="https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/films/2056345/john-wayne-reveals-his-4" rel="Follow" target="_self">the Express</a>.

The film was both a critical and commercial hit, bagging six Academy Awards in 1967, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Scofield, and Best Director for Zinnemann. Its screenplay, adapted from Robert Bolt's stage play, delves into the moral intricacies of faith, law, and personal conviction.

Gone with the Wind (1939).

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A still from A Man for All Seasons (Image: (Image: Getty))

Wayne's second choice is perhaps more predictable. Gone with the Wind remains one of the most recognized - and contentious - films in American history.

Directed by Victor Fleming, the movie stars Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable, and Hattie McDaniel, and transforms Margaret Mitchell's sweeping Civil War-era novel into an epic tale of romance, war, and societal transformation.

The movie bagged eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actress for Leigh, and a groundbreaking win for McDaniel, who became the first African American to clinch an Oscar. When adjusted for inflation, Gone with the Wind remains one of the highest-grossing films ever.

However, in recent years, the film has faced significant criticism for its depiction of slavery and glorification of the antebellum South.

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1962).

Directed by Vincente Minnelli, The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1962) is a remake of a 1921 silent film that narrates a sprawling tale of family conflict across national borders during the rise of fascism in Europe.

Set on the eve of World War II, the storyline follows the descendants of an Argentine landowner who find themselves on different sides of the global conflict - one battling for France, the other siding with Nazi Germany. Starring Glenn Ford, Ingrid Thulin, and Charles Boyer, the film received accolades for its rich visuals, symbolic storytelling, and potent anti-war message.

The Searchers (1956).

Wayne's fourth pick is one of his own movies: the highly praised The Searchers, directed by John Ford. Often hailed as one of the greatest American films ever made, the 1956 Western features Wayne as Ethan Edwards, a former Confederate soldier who embarks on a multi-year quest to locate his abducted niece.

Set in the context of the American frontier, The Searchers explores themes of racism, revenge, and obsession. Wayne's portrayal is one of his most intricate, depicting a deeply flawed character whose motivations become increasingly sinister as the plot unfolds.