Countdown of Best Horse Movies of All Time [2024 Update]
NOTE: This article was originally published in 2015 with 8 movies and was updated to 16 movies in March 2024 to reflect all current horse movie releases.
What makes a good horse movie? Besides the usual indicators of box office success and awards, a good horse movie touches your heart. It needs to be centered around the love of a person and a horse who overcome extreme odds together. It doesn’t hurt if there is an eye-popping horse action scene within the movie too.
Without further ado, here is the official Double D Trailers ranking of the top sixteen heart-pounding, tear-jerking, adrenaline-pumping, best horse movies in history!
#16: Black Beauty
Released in 1994, Black Beauty takes watchers back to England in the 1800s. This movie is based on a novel titled ‘Black Beauty: His Grooms and Companions, The Autobiography of a Horse’ by Anna Sewell. Following the life of a black colt named Black Beauty, this horse takes us personally along his life-journey to show the ups and downs of how horses were treated back in 19th century England.
IMDb rating: 6.6/10
Rated: G
Where to Watch: Prime Video
*Note: There is a 2020 remake of Black beauty available to watch on Disney Plus.
Watch the Official Black Beauty Trailer#15: Flicka
Starring Alison Lohman and Tim McGraw, Flicka was released in 2006 and became a hit-sensation. A young girl named Katy decides that in order to prove herself as worthy of taking ownership of the family ranch in the future, she will take in a wild horse.
IMDb rating: 6/10
Rated: PG
Where to Watch: Disney Plus, Hulu, Prime Video
Watch the Official Flicka Trailer#14: The Black Stallion
The Black Stallion was released in 1979, and takes us back to the coast of Africa in the 1940s. The Black Stallion follows the story of a young boy who is shipwrecked with a stallion and forms a life-long bond.
IMDb rating: 7.4/10
Rating: G
Where to Watch: Prime Video, Vudu
Watch the Official Black Stallion Trailer#13: Hidalgo
Starring Viggo Mortenson, Hidalgo is a story set in 1890, released to viewers in 2004. The movie is about a down-on-his-luck American cowboy who is invited to participate in a dangerous 3,000 mile race across the Arabian desert. The cowboy and his spunky mustang, Hidalgo, are not only up against the world’s greatest Arabian horses, but also those who are determined to prevent a foreigner from finishing the race.
IMDb rating: 6/7/10
Rating: PG-13
Where to Watch: Prime Video, Disney Plus
Watch the Official Hidalgo Trailer#12: Secretariat
Secretariat was released in 2010 by Disney. Secretariat is a legend in the horse racing world. This movie follows the story behind this colt’s rise to fame - centered around housewife and mother, Penny Tweedy; who guided the colt to win the 1973 Triple Crown in a male-dominated industry.
READ MORE: The Top 7 Greatest Racehorses in History
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Rating: PG
Where to Watch: Disney Plus
Watch the Official Secretariat Trailer#11: The Horse Whisperer
Based on a novel written by Nicholas Evans, this film adaptation was released in 1998. The story centers around a teenage girl (Scarlett Johansson) who is involved in a road accident while riding her horse. This film was nominated for an Oscar and grossed $75,370,763 in the box office.
IMDb Rating: 6.7/10
Rating: PG-13
Where to Watch: Prime Video
Watch The Horse Whisperer Official Trailer#10: Seabiscuit
A classic book about Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand was adapted into a movie and released in 2003. Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges, and real-life jockey Gary Stevens star in this exciting and inspirational movie about an undersized depression-era racehorse.
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Rating: PG-13
Where to Watch: Prime Video, Disney Plus, Netflix
Watch the Official Seabiscuit Trailer#9: War Horse
Directed by Steven Spielberg and released in 2011, War Horse tells the story of young Albert whose beloved horse is sold to the calvary at the start of World War I. *Warning: You’ll need your tissues for this one…
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Rating: PG-13
Where to Watch: Prime Video, Vudu
Watch the Official War Horse Trailer#8: National Velvet
This classic movie released in 1944 stars Elizabeth Taylor. Taylor, playing Velvet, loves horses above all things else. When she spots a horse named Pie, she must have him no matter what. We really appreciate this movie because it showcases the affection that humans and horses can share.
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Rating: N/A
Where to Watch: Prime Video, Vudu
Watch the Official National Velvet Trailer#7: Dreamer
Starring a young Dakota Fanning and Kurt Russell, Dreamer was released in 2005 and is inspired by a true story. Follow the journey of a horse named Sonador, a race horse who winds up with an injury.
IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
Rating: PG
Where to Watch: Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu
Watch the Official Dreamer Trailer#6: Dark Horse
Dark Horse was released in 2015 and follows the inspiring true story of a friend group who decide to get into the sport of racing horses.
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Rating: PG
Where to Watch: Prime Video, Peacock
Watch the Official Dark Horse Trailer#5: Lean on Pete
Released in 2017, Lean on Pete tells the story of a teenage boy that gets a summer job working for a horse trainer and forms a bond with an unexpected racehorse.
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Rating: R
Where to Watch: Prime Video, HBO Max
Watch the Official Lean on Pete Trailer#4: The Best Horse Movie for Kids: Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
If you’re looking for a kid-friendly movie, the best horse movie for kids is Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron. An animated film released in 2002, Spirit tells the story of a wild stallion that is held captive by humans after being taken from his herd.
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Rating: G
Where to Watch: Netflix, Prime Video, Peacock
Watch the Official Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron Trailer#3: The Best Family Horse Movie: Orphan Horse
If you’re looking for a good horse movie for your next family movie night, look no further than Orphan Horse. Released in 2018 and starring Jon Voight, a young girl runs away and finds herself hiding in the barn of a retired horse trainer, creating a special bond with a horse.
IMDb Rating: 6.4/10
Rating: TV-14
Where to Watch: Prime Video, Vudu
Watch the Official Orphan Horse Trailer#2: The Mustang: Runner-Up Winner
A newer release (2019), The Mustang displays the story of a convict who is enrolled in a rehab program that trains wild mustangs.
IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
Rating: R
Where to Watch: HBO Max, Prime Video
Watch The Mustang Official Trailer#1: The Rider: Double D Trailers Pick for the Best Horse Movie to Watch in 2024
The Rider was released in 2017, and is a gut-wrenching story about a young cowboy that suffers a brutal head injury. The film follows the wrangler’s life as he desperately attempts to put it back together.
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
Rating: R
Where to Watch: Hulu, Prime Video
Watch The Rider Official Trailer…Now go grab your popcorn and watch a horse movie (or two, we won’t judge.)
