The Ballad of Buster Scruggs

Play trailer

1:45

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs

R

2018

2h 13m

Western

Comedy

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

89%

Tomatometer

235 Reviews

78%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

An anthology of six short films that take place in 19th-century post-Civil War era during the settling of the Old West.

Watch on Netflix

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs avoids anthology pitfalls with a consistent collection tied together by the Coen brothers' signature blend of dark drama and black humor.

Read Critics Reviews

Ben Sachs

Chicago Reader

02/24/2020

As with the Coens' oeuvre on the whole, the various stories are unified by an impressive sense of craft and a lamentable sense of smugness.

Go to Full Review

Roxana Hadadi

Pajiba

02/07/2019

It's disappointing that the Coens don't even try to upend any classic Western clichés in The Ballad of Buster Scruggs - they apply some grim humor to various situations, but that's about it.

Go to Full Review

Ryan Gilbey

New Statesman

01/26/2019

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs feels like the Coen brothers' B-sides compilation... . That smugness to which the Coens are susceptible is in plentiful supply here.

Go to Full Review

Calum Cooper

Source (Scotland)

07/14/2024

4/5

A fun, playful homage to the Western genre that boasts laughs and excitement.

Go to Full Review

Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

08/24/2022

A-

The stories that involve the least efflorescent Coen dialogue — the ones driven by stark silences or old coots talking to their mules — come off the best.

Go to Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

08/19/2022

4.5/5

From the opening credits to the final scroll the Coens lean into their creative freedom and show off an undeniable joy of filmmaking.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

tarek e

@Tarekelkhazen 2d

A pure enjoyment from start to finish!! Surely not for everyone’s taste but you cannot deny the genuine work of plot/ writings, cast and direction!! A genius unique new genre on its own!! Very few times ive watched similar masterpieces

See more

Christiaan L

@TheMovieWatcher 3d

What a complete load of crap. There is absolutely no story line. Can't believe this is the type of movies that gets you an Oscar Nominee.

See more

Daysha B.

@DayshatheCinephile Jan 10

A movie that throws you off in the beginning of unbeknownst of the anthology. The cinematography perfectly captures the gorgeous scenic views of the midwest and the Coen brothers definitely knew how to capture the characters and their layers, sometimes without a word being spoken. The back and forth of emotions you feel throughout this movie makes it all the worth while.

See more

Movie G.

@Intellectual Jan 6

A movie for intellectuals like me.

See more

Terry S

Dec 31

Incredibly well-written and a pleasure to watch time and again--A true classic!

See more

larry g

Nov 30

Excellent, until the last part, The Stagecoach, that was badly written. Couldn't really call it a story, with ridiculous character interplay. A real deflating way to end an otherwise engaging film.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Joel Coen

Director

Ethan Coen

Director

Tim Blake Nelson

Buster Scruggs (Segment "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs")

Willie Watson

The Kid (Segment "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs")

David Krumholtz

Frenchman in Saloon (Segment "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs")

James Franco

Cowboy (Segment "Near Algodones")

20th Century Women

88%

74%

20th Century Women

Watchlist

TRAILER

for 20th Century Women

Mank

83%

63%

Mank

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Mank

Horizon: An American Saga -- Chapter 1: Official Trailer

%

%

Horizon: An American Saga -- Chapter 1: Official Trailer

Watchlist

Damsel

67%

52%

Damsel

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Damsel

The Last Movie Star

61%

72%

The Last Movie Star

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Last Movie Star

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

The Biggest Snubs and Surprises of the 2019 Oscar Nominations

Best-Reviewed Movies by Genre 2018

You’re a Fresh One, Mr. Grinch… For Now

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs: Trailer 2

1:45

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs: Trailer 1

1:53

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

An anthology of six short films that take place in 19th-century post-Civil War era during the settling of the Old West.

Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Producer: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, Megan Ellison, Sue Naegle
Screenwriter: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Distributor: Netflix
Production Co: Annapurna Pictures
Rating: R (Some Strong Violence)
Genre: Western, Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 8, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 16, 2018
Runtime: 2h 13m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

Most Popular at Home Now