Our Favorite Horse Flicks
Whether you’re an avid equestrian or know nothing about horses, there’s a horse movie that’s perfect for you. These films have it all, from comedy, drama, and romance to real-life stories of inspiring horses.
Enjoy our round-up of the top ten horse movies in a range of categories, from Animated to Mainstream to Cowboy and True Stories. A few top picks include Spirit: Stallion of the Cimmaron, Secretariat, and War Horse. Most of these films are available on various streaming devices, while others are available on Netflix.
Source: Canva
Equine Movies
Here are our picks for the top ten horse movies.
| Category | Top Pick | Release Date | IMDb Rating |
| Best Horse Movie on Netflix | Ride Like a Girl | 2019 | 7.0 / 10 |
| Best Animated Horse Movie | Spirit Stallion of the Cimarron | 2002 | 7.2 / 10 |
| Best Family Horse Movie | The Young Black Stallion | 2003 | 5.4 / 10 |
| Best Racehorse Movie | Secretariat | 2010 | 7.2 / 10 |
| Best Mainstream Horse Movie | Seabiscuit | 2003 | 7.3 / 10 |
| Best 90’s Horse Movie | The Horse Whisperer | 1998 | 6.7 / 10 |
| Best Historical Drama Horse Movie | War Horse | 2011 | 7.2 / 10 |
| Best Horse Movie Based on a True Story | Dreamer | 2005 | 6.8 / 10 |
| Best Western Horse Movie | Hidalgo | 2004 | 6.7 / 10 |
| Best Horse Comedy | The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit | 1968 | 6.2 / 10 |
Best Horse Movie on Netflix
Ride Like a Girl
This movie is based on the true story of female jockey Michelle Payne, the first to win the Melbourne Cup. Watch this Australian rider defeat incredible odds in this 1 hr 38 minute film.
You’ll Love It If:
- You like watching movies about horse racing
- Inspirational dramas are your thing
- You want to watch a movie about overcoming the odds
You Might Want to Skip It If:
- Biographical films aren’t your favorite
Watch it on: Vudu, Google Play, Amazon, iTunes
Best Animated Horse Movie
Spirit Stallion of the Cimmaron
This classic film follows the adventures of wild stallion Spirit, who is captured by humans, as he fights for his freedom (and falls in love).
You’ll Love It If:
- You’re a fan of Bryan Adams songs
- You’re interested in films about wild horses
- You enjoy inspirational dramas
You Might Want to Skip It If:
- Animated movies aren’t your thing
Watch it on: Netflix, Amazon Prime
Best Family Horse Movie
The Young Black Stallion
Prequel to The Black Stallion, this movie is about Neera, a young girl who gets lost in the desert, and Shetan, the young black stallion that befriends her.
You’ll Love It If:
- You like films about wild horses
- You’re looking for strong characters
- Who doesn’t like to look at beautiful landscapes?!
You Might Want to Skip It If:
- This one is short–only 50 minutes
Watch it on: Vudu, Disney+, Amazon, iTunes, Google Play
Best Racehorse Movie
Secretariat
Enjoy top-notch performances from actors like Diane Lane and John Malkovich in this movie, based on the real-life story of Secretariat.
You’ll Love It If:
- You like movies about horse racing
- You enjoy stories about overcoming the odds
- You relish a feel-good feature film
You Might Want to Skip It If:
- Biographical films aren’t you’re favorite
Watch it on: Disney+, Vudu, iTunes, Google Play, Amazon
Best Mainstream Horse Movie
Seabiscuit
Based on a true story, Seabiscuit is about one of the greatest underdogs in racing history. Featuring top actors like Tobey Maguire, this film highlights how Depression-era Americans gained inspiration from a rag-tag team rallying for success.
You’ll Love It If:
- You like movies about horse racing
- You want to watch an underdog become a champion
- You enjoy movies based on a book (and real life!)
You Might Want to Skip It If:
- You’re OK with some creative liberties at the expense of historical facts
Watch it on: Pluto, Amazon, iTunes, Google Play, Vudu
Best 90’s Horse Movie
The Horse Whisperer
This instant classic was inspired by Dan “Buck” Brannaman, a real-life horse whisperer.
You’ll Love It If:
- You’re a fan of Robert Redford and Scarlett Johansson
- You want to watch a movie about cowboys
- You enjoy movies heavy on emotional drama
You Might Want to Skip It If:
- You’re not looking for a long time commitment–this one is almost 3 hours!
Watch it on: Vudu, Google Play, iTunes, Amazon
Best Historical Drama Horse Movie
War Horse
An all-star cast tells the moving story of horses during World War I. Albert and horse Joey are separated, but Albert searches French battlefields to find his equine friend and bring him home.
You’ll Love It If:
- You like watching wartime movies
- You’re looking for a heartwarming story
- You’re inspired by great visuals
You Might Want to Skip It If:
- You don’t want a highly emotional film (tissues required for this one!)
Watch it on: Google Play, Amazon, Vudu
Best Horse Movie Based on a True Story
Dreamer
Starring powerhouses Kurt Russel, Kris Kristofferson, and Dakota Fanning, this movie tells the unbelievable tale of a horse who broke her leg and raced again. Based on a true story, this movie tells an incredible story of the power of family, faith, and determination.
You’ll Love It If:
- You like films about horse racing
- You want to watch a movie about defying the odds
- You’re looking for a family-friendly film
You Might Want to Skip It If:
- Movies based on a true story aren’t your thing
Watch it on: Google Play, iTunes, Vudu, Amazon
Best Western Horse Movie
Hidalgo
This film is based on the true-life adventures of Frank Hopkins and his mustang Hidalgo as they partake in a 3,000-mile desert race.
You’ll Love It If:
- You love anything about mustangs
- You want to watch a film about desert races
- You’re looking for a heartwarming story
You Might Want to Skip It If:
- You don’t have some time to invest–this one is a bit long at 2 hours 16 minutes
Watch it on: Vudu, Google Play, Amazon, iTunes
Best Horse Comedy
The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit
This comedy, based on the book The Year of the Horse, is about a struggling businessman who attempts to use a horse to appease both his daughter and his boss.
You’ll Love It If:
- You like a fast-paced plot
- You’re looking for a feel-good film
- A little romance is your thing
You Might Want to Skip It If:
You don’t love old-fashioned films (in both humor and film style)
Watch it on: You can purchase the DVD on Amazon
Source: Canva
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are there any horse movies on Netflix?
There are lots of horsey movies on Netflix, including Rock My Heart, The Mustang, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, and Walk. Ride. Rodeo.
Q: What is the biggest horse movie?
Black Beauty is one of the most well-known horse movies. If you’re talking about movies with the most horses, Lord of the Rings used over 250 horses for the epic battle scenes. Seabiscuit was king of the box office, raking in nearly $150 million worldwide.
Q: What was the early 90’s horse movie?
While several horse films came out in the 90s, the most memorable was The Horse Whisperer, directed by and starring Robert Redford.
Q: What is the classic horse girl movie?
There are too many classic horse girl movies to name, but a few favorites include National Velvet, Black Beauty, and Flicka.
Q: What is the horse girl movie?
Horse Girl came out in 2020 on Netflix. It’s a psychological thriller about an awkward woman who likes crafts and horses. Despite the title, the central theme of this movie really isn’t all that horse-related. IMDb rated it 6 / 10.
Q: What is the best horse movie for kids?
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron is an excellent choice for kids.
Q: What are some famous horse movies?
A few famous titles include Dreamer, Secretariat, War Horse, Seabiscuit, and The Black Stallion.
Q: What are some new horse movies?
Heart of a Champion (2023), Hearts & Horses (2023), and Centurion: The Dancing Stallion (2023) are all recent releases.
Q: What are the best family horse movies?
For family movie night, you can’t go wrong with Flicka, Black Beauty, The Black Stallion, Dreamer, or National Velvet.
Q: What are the best Disney horse movies?
Some Disney horse options include Secretariat, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, and Black Beauty.
Q: Where can you watch free horse movies?
At your local library! Libraries have lots of great horse movies available to check out.
Source: Canva
Parting Thoughts
With so many great horse movies out there, we think it’s time you planned a weekend binge!
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