10 of the best horse movies

Who’s up for a movie night? It’s time to open the popcorn, and if you’re struggling for what to watch, we’ve got just the thing.

Take a look at our top ten movies for horse lovers, including sweeping epics and animated classics – plus an extra one thrown in for good measure

1. Black Beauty

It would be impossible to talk about the best horse movies without including Black Beauty: the world-famous tale of a horse’s life, told through his own eyes. Based on the 1877 novel by Anna Sewell, horse welfare is at the heart of this story, which follows the journey of the eponymous Black Beauty from his origins on an English farm, to his happy retirement in the countryside. Along the way, he meets with cruelty and adversity, as well as with kindness, making this both an emotional rollercoaster and an insight into the importance of animal welfare.

There are a number of film adaptations available – so take your pick and settle in for an eye opening and uplifting journey.

2. War Horse

Steven Spielberg’s 2011 adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s 1982 novel follows the adventures of Joey: a bay Irish hunter who finds himself in the midst of World War 1. His journey takes him from a family farm to the battlefields of Europe, and sees him experience the horror and tragedy of war along the way. All the while, his young owner Albert searches for him – but will the two be reunited, and under what circumstances?

A box office success, War Horse was nominated for six Academy Awards; and featured on the American Film Institute’s list of the top 10 films of 2011. Be warned: it’s a tear jerker.

3. Seabiscuit

Everyone loves an underdog, and this Oscar nominated movie features one for the ages.

Seabiscuit is a Thoroughbred racehorse who is seen as undersized and lazy. His path crosses that of Tom Smith, a horse trainer trying to rebuild his life after the death of his son; and Pollard, a partially blind jockey with a temperamental spirit. The three overcome their difficulties to form a surprisingly successful team, with Seabiscuit becoming an unexpected hit on the racecourse, and a symbol of hope during America’s Great Depression. 

Starring Tobey Macguire and Elizabeth Banks, it’s a tale of resilience and hope based on Laura Hillenbrand’s 1999 book, Seabiscuit: An American Legend.

4. Dreamer

Starring Dakota Fanning, Dreamer is based on the true story of Mariah’s Storm: a Thoroughbred racehorse who overcame injury to enjoy a successful career.

Cale (Fanning) lives on her family farm, where her father neglects his relationship with his daughter in favour of training horses. This all changes when the pair witness a horse, Sonador, injure itself on the racecourse – leading to them taking her home in a bid to save her life. Through obstacles and setbacks, they nurse Sonador back to life; and develop their own bond in the process. 

A heart-warming story of a blossoming father daughter relationship, as well as one of hope in the face of adversity, Dreamer is a great movie for horse lovers with a family friendly feel.

5. National Velvet

Elizabeth Taylor takes centre stage in this 1944 movie which shot her to fame. Taylor stars as Velvet, a young girl who wins a spirited horse, Pie, in a local lottery. She decides to train him for the Grand National – but there’s a problem: female jockeys aren’t allowed to enter. Together with Mi, a drifter and jaded former jockey with a fear of riding, Velvet embarks on a quest to help Pie achieve greatness against all odds.

An inspiring story for aspiring young riders, National Velvet was chosen in 2003 for preservation in the United States National Film Registry and is a must-watch for horse lovers everywhere.

6. Secretariat

When Penny Chenery’s mother dies, she returns to her childhood home of Meadow Stables in Virginia to take on the family business. With little knowledge of horse racing, she enlists the help of veteran horse trainer Lucien Laurin to help save the stables from financial ruin. Penny decides to train a new foal, American thoroughbred Secretariat, as a racehorse with the ultimate aim of winning the Triple Crown: a title no horse has claimed in 25 years. 

A true story of determination and resilience, this heart-warming tale shows that anything is possible; and is a great film choice for horse lovers with big dreams.

7. Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron

This beautiful DreamWorks animation follows the adventures of Spirit: a wild Kiger Mustang stallion (voiced by Matt Damon), who is captured by the US Cavalry. His path crosses that of Little Creek, a Native American man, and his mare Rain; together, the three embark on a journey to freedom, pursued by the cruel “Colonel”.

Note the realism in this carefully made epic: the movement and sound of the animated horses closely mimics that of their real life counterparts, with a horse named “Donner” brought in to the studio to provide the model for Spirit.

Great for kids and adults alike, Spirit was a hit when it was released in 2002, enjoying box office success and an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature.

8. The Horse Whisperer

When a tragic riding accident leaves teenager Grace (Scarlett Johansson) and her horse Pilgrim injured and traumatised, her mother Annie enlists the help of horse whisperer Tom Booker in a bid to help them recover. Using natural horsemanship techniques, inspired by real life horse whisperers such as Buck Brannaman, Booker helps to bring the pair back to health – but will they ever be able to ride again? 

The film attracted criticism for the speed with which the pair are rehabilitated, however is nonetheless a poignant, emotional, and inspiring tale of hope, hardship and healing.

9. Hidalgo

Viggo Mortensen stars in this biopic, which follows American distance rider Frank Hopkins as he competes in the Ocean of Fire, following a challenge from Sheik Riyadh to prove his title of “the world’s greatest endurance horse and rider”. Traditionally restricted to pure-bred Arabian horses, the 3,000 mile race across the Najd desert proves treacherous as rivals threaten to destroy Hopkins’ chances as well as that of his American horse.

Drama awaits at every turn, with this gripping movie also serving as a reminder of the work done to preserve America’s wild mustangs.

10. Buck

This documentary chronicles the life of Buck Brannaman: a real life ‘horse whisperer’ who came from an abusive childhood to become one of America’s leading horse trainers.

Brannaman advocates for a compassionate, respectful approach to horse training based on achieving union between horse and human. This movie offers an insightful look at his journey and his approach, and shows that hope and courage can be found in the darkest of places. 

Fun fact: Brannaman was one of the inspirations behind Tom Booker in The Horse Whisperer, and was involved in the production as the movie’s lead equine consultant.

+1: Racing Stripes

Not technically a horse movie, Racing Stripes instead tells the tale of Stripes: a young zebra who thinks he’s a racehorse.

When a young Stripes is accidentally left behind by a travelling circus, he is taken in by a local farmer and his daughter Channing, who dreams of riding a racehorse. Stripes grows up believing that is what he is, and encouraged by his fellow farm animals he pursues his dreams despite the obstacles in his way. 

Light-hearted, entertaining and sweet, this is a great family watch and shows that no matter who you are, you can achieve if you believe.