Skip to main content
Celluloid
DramaWestern

Once Upon a Time in the West

Directed by Sergio Leone · 1968 ·

Short answer

Is Once Upon a Time in the West worth watching?

Yes. Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) earns an 83% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one. See the 4 inputs.

83%
Celluloid Score Recommended

4-input transparent breakdown

87% Editorial Rating
89% Audience snapshot · excluded
81 Metascore
★★★★☆ Letterboxd 4
8.5 IMDb /10
0
Watch Trailer
Released
Runtime
2h 46m
Age rating
PG-13 (US) · 12 (UK) · M (Australia) · 15 (South Korea) · G (Japan)
Cast
Claudia Cardinale , Henry Fonda , Jason Robards , Charles Bronson , Gabriele Ferzetti , Paolo Stoppa , Woody Strode , Jack Elam , Keenan Wynn , Frank Wolff
Streaming
MGM+
Country
Italy
Language
English

Also known as C'era una volta il West जोशीले जवान Érase una vez en el Oeste Hasta que llegó su hora Il était une fois dans l'Ouest Spiel mir das Lied vom Tod Era uma Vez no Oeste ウエスタン

Where to watch

  • MGM+

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home, Spectrum On Demand

Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home

Where to watch Once Upon a Time in the West by country

Country Streaming on
Japan U-NEXT
United States MGM+

Subscription availability, refreshed from TMDB. Rental and purchase options may differ.

Why this score?

  • Celluloid's editorial rating is positive (87/100).
  • General viewers mostly liked it (89%).
  • Metascore signals universal acclaim (81/100).
  • Letterboxd diarists rate it highly (4/5).
  • IMDb users score it 8.5/10.

Best for

  • Viewers who want a well-regarded drama, western pick
  • Epic-length viewers who want a big-screen experience

Not ideal for

    Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy

    Streaming availability, artwork and title metadata courtesy of TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.

    Is Once Upon a Time in the West worth watching?

    Yes — Once Upon a Time in the West earns an 83% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits viewers who want a well-regarded drama, western pick. Read our full review (4.5/5).

    Celluloid verdict

    IMDb Top 250 #54 (8.5/10) — Once Upon a Time in the West remains one of the most highly rated films of all time.

    , Founder & Editor

    Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one.

    What is Once Upon a Time in the West about?

    As the railroad builders advance unstoppably through the Arizona desert on their way to the sea, Jill arrives in the small town of Flagstone with the intention of starting a new life.

    Watch the Trailer

    Critic Reviews

    Short review 4 min read English Once Upon a Time in the West

    Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) Review: Leone's Elegy

    Once Upon a Time in the West is Sergio Leone's monumental western about a widow, a railroad and three gunmen, an operatic farewell to the frontier myth.

    Yes. It is one of the great westerns, a slow, majestic and unforgettable film for anyone willing to settle into its epic rhythm and Morricone's score.

    Kaiser Khan Founder & Editor

    Once Upon a Time in the West stills

    Official production imagery supplied through TMDB, kept with the movie instead of split into a thin gallery page.

    Once Upon a Time in the West production still 1
    Once Upon a Time in the West production still 2
    Once Upon a Time in the West production still 3
    Once Upon a Time in the West production still 4
    Once Upon a Time in the West production still 5
    Once Upon a Time in the West production still 6

    Images courtesy of TMDB. TMDB does not endorse or certify Celluloid.

    Reader takes

    No reader takes published yet. Send yours and we may publish it after editing.

    Once Upon a Time in the West: frequently asked questions

    Is Once Upon a Time in the West worth watching?

    Yes. Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) has a Celluloid Score of 83%, averaged from the available Celluloid editorial, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb ratings. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audience sentiment is shown separately and does not change the score.

    Where can I watch Once Upon a Time in the West?

    In the United States, Once Upon a Time in the West streams on MGM+ with a subscription, and you can rent it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube. Elsewhere: U-NEXT in Japan. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.

    How long is Once Upon a Time in the West?

    Once Upon a Time in the West runs 2 hours 46 minutes (166 minutes).

    What is Once Upon a Time in the West rated?

    Once Upon a Time in the West is rated PG-13 in the United States, 12 in the UK, M in Australia, 15 in South Korea and G in Japan. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.

    Who stars in Once Upon a Time in the West?

    Once Upon a Time in the West is directed by Sergio Leone and stars Claudia Cardinale, Henry Fonda, Jason Robards, Charles Bronson, Gabriele Ferzetti.

    What is the Metascore for Once Upon a Time in the West?

    Metacritic's Metascore for Once Upon a Time in the West is 81 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.

    More Like This

    Ranked by genre overlap and Celluloid Score. More movies like Once Upon a Time in the West →