

The Cowboys
Directed by Mark RydellWhen his cattle drovers abandon him for the gold fields, rancher Wil Andersen is forced to take on a collection of young boys as his drovers in order to get his herd to market in time to avoid financial disaster. The boys learn to do a man's job under Andersen's tutelage; however, neither Andersen nor the boys know that a gang of cattle rustlers is stalking them.
Where to Watch The Cowboys
- Mister ArnJune 8, 2025“The Cowboys” features one of John Wayne’s most powerful performances. He’s tough and unyielding, just as we expect, but this time, he’s not invincible. It’s a coming-of-age Western with grit, where he hires a group of boys not out of sentiment, but necessity. Yet through hardship and challenge, a raw, honest bond develops, built on respect, discipline, and the will to endure.
The Cowboys Trivia
The Cowboys was released on January 13, 1972.
The Cowboys was directed by Mark Rydell.
The Cowboys has a runtime of 2h 14m.
The Cowboys was produced by Mark Rydell.
When his cattle drovers abandon him for the gold fields, rancher Wil Andersen is forced to take on a collection of young boys as his drovers in order to get his herd to market in time to avoid financial disaster. The boys learn to do a man's job under Andersen's tutelage; however, neither Andersen nor the boys know that a gang of cattle rustlers is stalking them.
The key characters in The Cowboys are Wil Andersen (John Wayne), Jebediah Nightlinger (Roscoe Lee Browne), Long Hair (Bruce Dern).
The Cowboys is rated PG.
The Cowboys is a Western, Adventure, Action film.
The Cowboys has an audience rating of 8.8 out of 10.
The Cowboys had a budget of $6M.
The Cowboys has made $7.5M at the box office.





















