Wagons East!

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Wagons East!

PG-13

1994

1h 46m

Comedy

Western

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30 Reviews

34%

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5,000+ Ratings

When a group of dissatisfied settlers decides they've had enough of the Wild West, they hire James Harlow, an alcoholic wagon master, to take them back East. The eclectic but happy bunch includes Dr. Phil, prostitute Belle and openly gay man Julian. But the railroad investors don't want it getting out that the West isn't a nice place, so they do everything they can to make sure the group never makes it to their destination.

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Critics Consensus

Wagons East! is a witless, toothless satire of Westerns that falls far below the standard set by Blazing Saddles, and is notable only for being John Candy's final screen performance.

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Steven Rea

Philadelphia Inquirer

May 22, 2013

1/4

[An] anemic Blazing Saddles-wannabe.

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Jay Boyar

Orlando Sentinel

May 22, 2013

2/5

A poorly focused and rhythmless collection of vignettes, Wagons East! does contain a few funny ideas and some decent performances that simply are not enough to rescue the movie.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

May 22, 2013

A stridently unfunny western comedy that is equally lame in its writing and direction.

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Mal Vincent

The Virginian-Pilot

Feb 25, 2022

1.5/4

The stunning Mexican scenery is gorgeous, but only works against the comedic mood.

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Dennis King

Tulsa World

Jul 15, 2014

1/4

The jokes here sound a lot funnier than they play.

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Gary Thompson

Philadelphia Daily News

May 22, 2013

1/4

Awful. A candidate for one of the year's worst movies.

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Melinda L

@Skip2MelLou Jul 21, 2026

Both a comedic genius of a movie and the sad ending of an epic comedian. John Candy passed away while filming this movie and had to be finished by a look alike that was his mirror image. You couldn't tell where John ended and the stunt man began. With simple early CGI and recycled footage the movie was finished beautifully. If you know nothing of the movie, don't rate it based on your lack of funny bone and lack of emotional attachment to a beloved actor.

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Melissa M

@Lisey Apr 3, 2026

This is the funniest Western comedies since blazing saddles. It's John Candy's last film. And definitely one of his best. This is definitely a film that the whole family could watch. It's got comedy, action, adventure & romance. This film is LOL from start to finish. The John Slade character is like a western version of wile e coyote. With his acne products. In spite of all his best efforts to stop the wagon train. He comedically fouls up every time. It's deliciously funny James Harlow's backstory that he was the wagon train Master of the Donner party. This movie will definitely ride off into cinematic comedy history.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Aug 1, 2025

Funny in 1 hour and 46 minutes.

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Drink S

@RT23193497 Jul 26, 2025

Overhated and I don't know why, it's funny and creative

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Butch W

@RT61913671 Dec 25, 2024

John Candy's best movie! Disregard the critics. If you aren't rolling on the floor throughout the movie, you have no sense of humor. Not quite Blazing Saddles caliber, but it's close!

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Judy B

@RT50810715 Nov 11, 2024

Had fun watching this on a Sunday afternoon. Knew John Candy had died. Could see it was a patchwork. Big John Candy fan!

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Peter Markle

Director

John Candy

James Harlow

Richard Lewis

Phil Taylor

John C. McGinley

Julian

Ellen Greene

Belle

Robert Picardo

Ben Wheeler

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Synopsis

When a group of dissatisfied settlers decides they've had enough of the Wild West, they hire James Harlow, an alcoholic wagon master, to take them back East. The eclectic but happy bunch includes Dr. Phil, prostitute Belle and openly gay man Julian. But the railroad investors don't want it getting out that the West isn't a nice place, so they do everything they can to make sure the group never makes it to their destination.

Director: Peter Markle
Producer: Gary Goodman, Bobby Newmyer, Barry Rosen, Jeffrey Silver
Screenwriter: Matthew Carlson
Production Co: TriStar Pictures, Carolco Pictures Inc., Outlaw Productions
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy, Western
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 17, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.7M
Runtime: 1h 46m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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