Wagons East! is a 1994 comedy film directed by Peter Markle and stars John Candy as James Harlow, with Richard Lewis playing Phil Taylor, Ellen Greene as Belle, and John C. McGinley as Julian. The film was released posthumously for Candy, who died during its production.
Set in the late 1800s, the group of settlers in Wagons East! are tired of the harsh conditions and lawlessness of the Wild West. They plan to return to their hometowns in the East by wagon train, led by James Harlow, who is the only wagon master they can find willing to take them.
The journey begins with the group facing various challenges, including harsh weather, hostile Native Americans, and confrontations with outlaws. Along the way, they pick up new passengers, including a Bible salesman and a man searching for his missing wife.
As the group gets closer to their destination, they discover that Harlow's true motivation for leading them is to get revenge on a man who killed his friend years earlier. This revelation leads to a showdown with the killer, which ultimately brings the journey to an end.
Wagons East! received negative reviews from critics and was a commercial flop. Despite this, it has gained a cult following over the years due to John Candy's performance and the film's humor.