Cowboy Movies 2026 | Appaloosa | best cowboy movie in history FULL HD 4K

In 1882, the town of Appaloosa, New Mexico, is terrorized by rancher Randall Bragg, who kills the town's marshal and his deputies when they attempt to arrest two of Bragg's men for rape and murder. The town's leading citizens hire lawman Virgil Cole and his deputy Everett Hitch to restore order, authorizing Cole to lay down the law as the new marshal of Appaloosa. Cole and Hitch begin by confronting four of Bragg's men causing a disturbance in the saloon, where three of them draw their guns and are killed. The peacekeepers refuse to be intimidated by Bragg, who claims to have connections to President Chester A. Arthur, or his men, and stand firm on enforcing Cole's new rules.

Cole strikes up a romance with Allison "Allie" French, a provocative young widow, and they buy a new house still under construction. She attempts to seduce Hitch when he pays her a visit, and he rebuffs her advances, but is unsure whether to tell Cole, confiding in prostitute Katie. One of Bragg's ranchhands comes forward to confirm he witnessed the murder of the former marshal and deputies, agreeing to testify against him. So, Cole and Hitch arrest Bragg, fending off his gang. A sheriff arrives with a judge for Bragg's trial, as do hired guns Ring and Mackie Shelton, old acquaintances of Cole's. Bragg is found guilty and sentenced to death, and Cole and Hitch transport him by train to be hanged. En route, the Shelton brothers appear, holding Allie at gunpoint, having been hired by Bragg to rescue him. They force Cole to hand him over, riding off with Allie as their hostage.

Catching up with the outlaws, Cole and Hitch see Allie frolicking scantily clothed with Ring Shelton. The lawmen force off a band of Chiricahua raiders, giving them Bragg's horse in exchange for safe passage. Allie defends her actions, even accusing Hitch of kissing her first, but Cole's trust in his friend is absolute. Arriving at Beauville, they lock up Bragg with the local sheriff. With advice from Hitch, Cole accepts Allie's promiscuous nature as necessary for her survival. The Sheltons and the sheriff, revealed to be their cousin, free Bragg, and Cole and Hitch are wounded in the ensuing shootout, but kill their attackers as Bragg escapes.

Months pass, and Cole has recovered with a permanent limp, but remains settled down with Allie. Bragg returns to Appaloosa with a full pardon from President Arthur, buying the town hotel where Allie plays piano, and re-establishing himself as a powerful local businessman, though Cole still regards him as a convicted killer. Hitch realizes the town no longer has a place for him as a gunslinger, and that Bragg's own interest in Allie threatens Cole's new life with her. Resigning as deputy, Hitch challenges Bragg to a duel. Cole tries to intervene, but Hitch remains determined, and as Allie emerges from the hotel behind Bragg, Cole backs away, permitting the gunfight to occur. Bragg raises his gun first, but Hitch shoots him dead on the hotel steps, witnessed by much of the town. Hitch leaves Appaloosa, bidding a silent farewell to Katie and to Cole, hoping his old friend can find happiness with Allie, and rides off into uncertainty.