The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)

No spaghetti western before or since has matched the mythic sprawl of Leone's 1966 masterpiece, which earned $25 million worldwide on a $1.2 million budget. Its jaw-dropping 160-minute runtime never drags, thanks to Morricone's iconic score and Eastwood's stoic Man with No Name. Outperforming #7 The Leopard in cultural impact, this film redefined the Western genre by blending operatic violence with dark humor. Every frame feels like a painting, from the desolate landscapes to the unforgettable final standoff.