6 Best Homesteader Movies

By Vlad Zakh · May 6, 2026

The isolation, hardship, and quiet determination of settlers claiming a new life on the frontier has powered some of cinema’s most haunting period dramas. In Days of Heaven (1978): A farmhand’s scheme to marry his girlfriend to a dying wealthy farmer spirals into tragedy on the Texas plains. Also notable is The New Land (1972): Swedish immigrant settlers endure hardship, isolation, and cultural upheaval building a new life in Minnesota.

The Homesman (2014)

TMDB ★ 6.6

A resourceful frontier woman and a drifter escort three mentally unstable settlers across the dangerous plains.

Directed by Tommy Lee Jones · 2h 02m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Howdy Amazon Channel · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The New Land (1972)

TMDB ★ 7.4

Swedish immigrant settlers endure hardship, isolation, and cultural upheaval building a new life in Minnesota.

Directed by زين العابدين · 3h 22m

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Meek's Cutoff (2011)

TMDB ★ 6.1

A group of settlers following the Oregon Trail grow desperate after their guide leads them astray.

Directed by Kelly Reichardt · 1h 43m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Stream: Peacock Premium, Philo, Fandor Amazon Channel, Cineverse, Peacock Premium Plus, Cineverse Amazon Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Ballad of Little Jo (1993)

TMDB ★ 6.1

A woman disguises herself as a man to survive alone as a homesteader in the unforgiving Old West.

Directed by Maggie Greenwald · 2h 01m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Kino Film Collection · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Heaven's Gate (1980)

TMDB ★ 6.2

Wealthy cattle barons wage a violent campaign against poor immigrant settlers in 1890s Wyoming.

Directed by Michael Cimino · 3h 37m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Days of Heaven (1978)

TMDB ★ 7.8

A farmhand's scheme to marry his girlfriend to a dying wealthy farmer spirals into tragedy on the Texas plains.

Directed by Terrence Malick · 1h 34m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Stream: fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus · Rent: JustWatch TV, 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

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix, built to fix a specific annoyance: most recommendation sites are just algorithm-driven noise. Our lists are researched and organized by who's in a film, where it's from, and the mood you're actually in tonight.

6 Best Homesteader Movies

The Homesman (2014)

The New Land (1972)

Meek's Cutoff (2011)

The Ballad of Little Jo (1993)

Heaven's Gate (1980)

Days of Heaven (1978)

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