As someone who has grown up watching these equine-centric films, I can confidently say that they hold a special place in my heart. From the thrilling races of Hidalgo to the emotional journey of Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, each movie offers something unique and captivating.
Over multiple decades, Hollywood’s film industry has witnessed a variety of cinematic trends featuring diverse animals, ranging from monkeys to pigs, even penguins. Yet, among these, none have endured as consistently as the horse. From entertaining race films, adrenaline-pumping adventures, to heartwarming tales of camaraderie, horses have been the leading stars in countless productions. Discover them all with this comprehensive guide to top horse movies here.
The Black Stallion (1979)
Director: Carroll Ballard
Starring: Kelly Reno, Mickey Rooney, Teri Garr
Title Synopsis: In the 1940s, a daring young lad, who miraculously survived a sea disaster alongside a striking black mare, works tirelessly to transform her into an unbeatable racehorse.
“What makes The Black Stallion stand out as one of the top horse films is that it delivers an exciting blend of adventure, racing, and camaraderie, all while being based on Walter Farley’s novel. This film also showcases a strong performance by Teri Garr.
How to watch The Black Stallion
- Stream The Black Stallion on MGM+
- Stream The Black Stallion on Tubi
- Stream The Black Stallion on Pluto TV
- Rent or buy The Black Stallion on Amazon
- Buy The Black Stallion on Blu-ray on Amazon
National Velvet (1944)
Director: Clarence Brown
Starring: Mickey Rooney, Elizabeth Taylor
Main Idea: A girl who wins a horse named Pie in a lottery motivates an ex-jockey to assist in its training, with the aim of competing in a prestigious horse race in England.
One reason why it’s among the top horse films: Decades prior to his role in The Black Stallion, Mickey Rooney starred in National Velvet – a highly successful horse racing movie adapted from Enid Bagnold’s novel.
How to watch National Velvet
- Stream National Velvet on MGM+
- Rent or buy National Velvet on Amazon
- Buy National Velvet on Blu-ray on Amazon
Seabiscuit (2003)
Director: Gary Ross
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges
During the Great Depression, an automobile company dared to bet on an undersized, lame horse paired with an over-sized jockey in the world of horse racing.
This captivating biographical film stands out as one of the finest horse movies due to its portrayal of the remarkable life of Seabiscuit, a legendary thoroughbred horse that has left an indelible mark in equine history. Tobey Maguire delivers an outstanding performance in this highly-praised movie.
How to watch Seabiscuit
- Stream Seabiscuit on Paramount+ with Showtime add-on
- Rent or buy Seabiscuit on Amazon
- Buy Seabiscuit on Blu-ray on Amazon
Black Beauty (1994)
Director: Caroline Thompson
Starring: Sean Bean, David Thewlis
In the heart of 19th-century England, I, a noble steed, recount tales from my remarkable journey. Through the highs and lows, I’ve been more than just a mount; I’ve been a companion, a confidant, and a source of strength to the various hands that guided me. From the gentle touch of a young girl to the firm grasp of a battle-hardened soldier, my life has intertwined with theirs in a dance as old as time itself. This is my story, a tale of loyalty, love, and the unbreakable bond between man and beast.
One reason it’s considered one of the top horse movies is because Anna Sewell’s 1877 novel “Black Beauty” has been brought to life in various forms, and one particularly notable adaptation is Warner Brothers’ version from the mid-1990s. In this rendition, Alan Cumming lends his voice to the title character, the horse known as Black Beauty.
How to watch Black Beauty
- Stream Black Beauty on Tubi
- Stream Black Beauty on Plex
- Rent or buy Black Beauty on Amazon
- Buy Black Beauty on Blu-ray on Amazon
War Horse (2011)
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Jeremy Irvine, Tom Hiddleston, Benedict Cumberbatch
What it’s about: A young man enlists in the British Army to find his horse after it is sold to the cavalry during World War I.
What makes War Horse stand out as an exceptional horse movie: Adapted from the Tony Award-winning play, itself derived from Michael Morpurgo’s 1982 novel, War Horse is a heartfelt tale of love and bravery and one of Steven Spielberg’s finest films from the 2010s.
How to watch War Horse
- Rent or buy War Horse on Amazon
- Buy War Horse on Blu-ray on Amazon
My Friend Flicka (1943)
Director: Harold D. Schuster
Starring: Roddy McDowell, Preston Foster, Rita Johnson
Main Topic: Parents at a Wyoming ranch aim to instill responsibility in their young boy by entrusting him with the task of raising a baby horse on his own.
Why it is one of the best horse movies: The first of several films based on Mary O’Hara’s novel, My Friend Flicka is an inspiring coming-of-age Western.
How to watch My Friend Flicka
- Rent or buy My Friend Flicka on Amazon
- Buy My Friend Flicka on DVD on Amazon
The Horse Whisperer (1998)
Director: Robert Redford
Starring: Robert Redford, Kristin Scott Thomas, Scarlett Johansson
In summary: Following an accident that wounds both her teenage daughter and their horse, a mother seeks assistance from an extraordinarily skilled equestrian trainer.
What makes The Horse Whisperer stand out as one of the top horse films: Adapted from Nicholas Evans’ 1995 novel, The Horse Whisperer is a poignant and romantic drama that delves into our extraordinary bonds with animals. Some viewers believe Scarlett Johansson’s performance deserved an Oscar nod for her role in this film.
How to watch The Horse Whisperer
- Rent or buy The Horse Whisperer on Amazon
- Buy The Horse Whisperer on Blu-ray on Amazon
Dreamer (2005)
Director: John Gatins
Starring: Kurt Russell, Dakota Fanning
What it’s about: A rancher and his daughter rescue an injured mare named Soñador from being slaughtered by its owner and train it to get back into the races.
According to TopMob’s critique, what makes Dreamer one of the finest equine films is not just its focus on a horse, but rather its exploration of a family’s healing process as they forge a connection with this animal.
How to watch Dreamer
- Stream Dreamer on Pluto TV
- Rent or buy Dreamer on Amazon
- Buy Dreamer on Blu-ray on Amazon
Spirit: Stallion Of The Cimarron (2002)
Director: Kelly Asbury, Lorna Cook
Starring: Matt Damon, James Cromwell
What it’s about: A mustang struggles to reunite his herd in the 19th Century Old West.
One standout DreamWorks animated film is Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, which was up for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and later spawned two television spin-offs and a 2021 feature sequel titled Spirit Untamed. This movie is considered one of the best horse films.
How to watch Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
- Stream Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron on Peacock
- Rent or buy Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron on Amazon
- Buy Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron on Blu-ray on Amazon
Hidalgo (2004)
Director: Joe Johnston
Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Omar Sharif
What it’s about: A poor cowboy-turned-circus performer and his horse enter a deadly, 3,000-mile race across the Arabian desert in the late 1800s.
One reason why Hidalgo is outstanding: Despite not being a true-life story as advertised, Hidalgo remains one of Viggo Mortensen’s finest performances due to its captivating aspects of Western exploration, fierce rivalry, and unyielding determination.
How to watch Hidalgo
- Rent or buy Hidalgo on Amazon
- Buy Hidalgo on Blu-ray on Amazon
Racing Stripes (2005)
Director: Frederik Du Chau
Starring: Frankie Muniz, Steve Harvey, David Spade
Storyline: A farm-raised zebra gets an opportunity to fulfill its long-held ambition of joining a horse race.
One reason Racing Stripes stands out as one of the top horse films: Despite the fact that the main character in Racing Stripes, which includes some hilarious lines from David Spade, isn’t technically a horse, he demonstrates his ability to run with horses on the race track, making it an enjoyable and family-friendly comedy about horses.
How to watch Racing Stripes
- Rent or buy Racing Stripes on Amazon
- Buy Racing Stripes on DVD on Amazon
These horse movies will surely have you galloping with joy.
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2024-11-17 14:07