Hondo was made into both a motion picture and a television series. Of the more than thirty of his works which have been turned into motion pictures or television productions, L'Amour said the movie Hondo was his favorite because it most closely follows the book. L'Amour sold the film rights to Warner's for $4,000. Released in 1953, it was directed by John Farrow and starred John Wayne, Geraldine Page, Ward Bond, and James Arness. The silent but strong Hondo character nicely fit the film persona of John Wayne.

The television series based on Hondo was less successful: It lasted only one season (1967-1968).