The Western genre was considered dead in the 1980s, with exceptions like 'Silverado' and 'Pale Rider.' Science fiction and urban cop films temporarily filled the void. 'Young Guns' was an anomaly in the decade.
In the early '90s, the Western genre experienced a resurgence with successful films like 'Dances With Wolves' and 'Unforgiven.' This revival brought a diverse range of Western films, creating a commercially viable space for filmmakers.