I like most of his films, but my personal favorites are True Grit, and The Shootist.

Sands Of Iwo Jima. Displayed some of the sacrifices our Marines made in what was one of the most difficult battles in WWII. They did so all over the Pacific from island to island. God Bless America and the men an women that serve her so well.

The Shootist. In my opinion that movie really showed the depth of his acting skill. I loved True Grit as well but that was more vintage John Wayne:, rough, tough and nasty, with a little humanity thrown in.

So funny you should ask, as we just watched The Shootist last night on Paramount +

Enjoyed it!

He certainly was everyones hero in America, in the Good Ole Days!

There was a 20 something nurse's aid who was taking care of my dad after surgery, as I was present.
Dad and I were talking about John Wayne. She actually said, "Who's That?"
Further, and to our dismay, she said, "Is he a baseball star?, because my Dad loved Pirate baseball.

During the course of the conversation, I asked her if she knew who Mark Twain/ Samuel Clemens was. Nope!
Crickets.

“All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence, and then success is sure.” – Mark Twain

Rio Bravo and Sands of Iwo Jima would be tied for 2. My dad fought at Iwo Jima so that had special meaning to me.

John wayne movies
 

#1 favorite, The Quiet Man

The Duke
 

El Dorado with Robert Mitchum, James Caan, and Ed Asner. One awesome cast and movie. The Duke at his finest.

In Harms Way.. Is my favorite.
 

In Harms Way... I love the cast, the story line and it contains the BEST WAR MOVIE QUOTE OF ALLTIME.
John Wayne from the bridge a few hours before an expected surface battle is asked: "Rock, What's it like? A surface battle I mean": The response: "It's like all battles; fought by scared men who would rather be someplace else"

The Green Berets.

"In Harm's Way" is my favorite, and his last movie "The Shootist" is a close second.

So many good ones. Probably The Searchers, which may have been his best acting job. He was not exactly the hero in that film, but he was outstanding.

In Harm's Way

The Quiet Man
Green Berets
True Grit
Sons of Katie Elder
Pretty much all of them

JW was "The Man who Shot Liberty Valance"

Those two would be my personal favorites, too.