The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)

Sergio Leone's epic about a race for buried Confederate gold remains the undisputed king of spaghetti westerns, anchored by Ennio Morricone's iconic three-note theme, the most recognizable film score in history performed over 500,000 times worldwide. Made for $1.2 million, it grossed $25 million in the US alone, outperforming #2 Once Upon a Time in the West (which earned $5.3 million) and solidifying its box office dominance. The 178-minute runtime builds tension through extreme close-ups and landscape shots, creating a visual language that the average spaghetti western still imitates today. Its narrative complexity and Morricone's score elevate it above all rivals, making it the genre's definitive statement.