From the Horse’s Mouth: 10 Awesome Horse Movies (That Aren’t Terribly Tropey)

In all my time writing blog posts, I haven’t done a movie review! Surprised by this, I have decided to fix that problem and showcase my top ten favorite horse movies. And if you know me, these movies go beyond your standard “lonely girl, lonely horse” tropes.

***

#10 Orphan Horse

Rating: 4 Stars

Review: Okay, so out of all these movies, Orphan Horse is the most cliche. I almost decided against adding it, but it’s such a sweet take on the “girl meets horse” trope that I had to include it.

An old man wakes up one morning to find a young girl curled up in the barn with his recently-orphaned filly. The girl doesn’t say much, but the lonely horse likes her, and if the old man is honest, he’s lonely too. What he doesn’t know is that this girl is a runaway from an abusive foster home– and there’s a county-wide manhunt being spurred on by her social worker, the old man’s estranged daughter.

I love that this move isn’t as much from the girl, Isabel’s perspective, but from the view of the old man. His reluctant but sweet attempts to teach her how to interact with the filly, (whom the girl names “Orphan”) and his obvious regret at the choices he made that led to the destruction of the bond with his own daughter create a tale that is both resonating, but a breath of fresh air in the horse media world.

#9 Dreamer

Rating: 4

Review: This was one of the first horse movies I remember watching (the first being Racing Stripes, as noted below). Based on the true story of the racehorse Mariah’s Storm, Dreamer follows the tale of a daughter of a horse trainer, Cale, who meets a fantastic racehorse named Sonador who breaks her leg in a tragic accident. Cale subsequently helps her father rehabilitate “Sonya” so that she can race again.

It’s an older movie, but it’s sweet. Definitely a good movie for family nights.

#8 Racing Stripes

Rating: 5 Stars

Review: For the longest time, I named all of my imaginary horses “Sandy” because of this movie. As one of the first horse movies I ever watched, it holds a very special place in my heart.

When the circus accidentally leaves behind a zebra foal, he’s rescued by a Thoroughbred trainer to be raised by his young daughter. The zebra, Stripes, dreams of racing like the horses who live next door, but being a zebra presents some difficulties. With the help of his farm animal friends, Stripes enlists the humans in his scheme to win the Kentucky Derby. Comedic, sweet, and off the charts hilarious, Racing Stripes will forever be my favorite horse movie.

#7 Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron

Rating: 5 Stars

Review: Where would a horse movie review be without a review of the renowned favorite? Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron features a young Kiger mustang stallion and his mission to return home after being captured by the U.S. Army– and his befriending of a young Lakota brave. Told from Spirit’s POV and one of the movies that put Dreamworks on the map, it’s an excellent movie for all ages. And as far as animated horse movies go, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron is by far one of the best, especially in terms of relative accuracy.

#6 The Black Stallion

Rating: 4 Stars

Review: The filmed retelling of the 1941 novel should be on every horse lover’s “to-watch” list. A young boy named Alec is shipwrecked with a untamed black stallion and forges a bond with the creature through their struggles to survive on the island. But the island is only the beginnings of the adventures when Alec is rescued and brings the Black back to his New York home. The accuracy of this movie in comparison to the original story is stunning, and the filming, especially for a 1970’s movie, is exquisite. Less fast action than some horse movies, but still a thrilling watch.

#5 Black Beauty (1994)

Rating: 5 Stars

Review: The only adaption that ever came close to the original book, Black Beauty is as timeless a story as a fairytale. While it doesn’t have the other horses’ voices as the book does, the film is enchanting nonetheless. A well-bred English horse experiences the woes and wonders that come with being owned by different humans. With a narrator that fits the horse and lovely filming, this movie does the book excellent justic.

#4 Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken

Rating: 4.5

Review: Based on a true story. When Sonora Webster ran away to join the circus as a horse diving girl, she never expected to lose her sight in an accident. Now Sonora has to figure out how to ride blind– or lose everything she worked hard to obtain. A classic of the horse world, Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken is one of those movies that you pull a tissue box out for, mostly for the happy tears that are sure to come.

#3 Moondance Alexander

Rating: 4.5

Review: Another nostalgic favorite of mine. Moondance, a lonely, awkward girl, has her dream come true when she finds a lost horse. Of course, her mother insists that she has to take “Checkers” back, but Moondance has another trick up her sleeve– convince the cranky owner to let her ride if she does farm work.

I like that Moondance isn’t a “natural” at riding, and you actually see her work with Checkers to form a bond with him. While there is some tropiness to this movie (horses rearing WAY more than they’re supposed to, and why would a gelding rear in front of a girl after galloping into the road?) this is still one of those movies that you watch just to chill out with your family.

#2 Secretariat

Rating: 5 Stars

Review: Based on the real story of the incredible racehorse. A young mother returns to her childhood home to take over her father’s racehorse business, only to learn of the interesting bet her father made with another horse breeder. The result is the birth of a very precocious colt, Secretariat, nicknamed “Big Red”, and the subsequent adventures that follow as he rises to fame as the world’s greatest racehorse. Produced by Disney, this is definitely “family movie night” quality and something that all ages can enjoy.

#1 Dream Horse

Rating: 5 Stars

Review: In a small Welsh town, Jan feels like she has no purpose. Every day is the same– cashier job at the tiny supermarket, check in on her elderly parents, and work her second job at the bar.

Then she hears about racehorses. Steeplechasers. Horses that make it big and tour the world, and the people around them who become something.

And so Jan decides to breed a racehorse.

I love how this isn’t just about a horse and their person– it’s about a very special colt and his “Alliance” who helps him make it big in the ‘chases. The way that the town chips in, all funding “Dream” is sweet, and of course there is plenty of humor to go around. Also based on a true story, this is one of those movies who don’t just tell you to “follow your heart and it’ll all work out”. No, Dream Horse shares that great things require hard work, but it is always worth the effort.

***

Welp, that’s all for my movie reviews! If you watch horse movies, which is your favorite? Have you watched any of the movies on this list?