The Majestic Horse in Cinema: A Roundup of Top Films
Horses have been integral to human civilization for millennia. Since 2000 BC, they’ve been used for transportation and agriculture, a practice that continues today. Beyond that, horses have played a crucial role in warfare, racing, and various sports.
Given their significance, it’s no surprise that many filmmakers have been drawn to the subject of horses, resulting in some truly remarkable movies. Here, we present a curated list of ten of the finest horse-themed films ever made.
10. National Velvet (1945)
Released in 1945, National Velvet is a beloved classic of the horse film genre. Based on the novel of the same name, it tells the story of Velvet Brown, a twelve-year-old girl played by Elizabeth Taylor, who trains a horse she won in a raffle to compete in the Grand National steeplechase.
Screenwriter Helen Deutsch meticulously adapted Enid Bagnold’s novel, National Velvet, capturing the spirit and heart of the original story.
The film was a resounding success, both commercially and critically, winning two Academy Awards. It holds a rare 100% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 7.4 on IMDb.
9. Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story (2005)
The story of Mariah’s Storm is a legend in the racing world. This American thoroughbred was a favorite to win many races. However, Mariah’s Storm suffered a leg injury in an accident, forcing her to retire. Fortunately, trainer Ben Crane did not give up on her. He took care of her and patiently trained her, eventually helping her return to the track.
Dreamer is based on the true story of Mariah’s Storm and her trainer, Ben Crane. Director and screenwriter John Gatins cast Kurt Russell as Ben Crane and Dakota Fanning as his daughter. Gatins’ direction and heartwarming script, combined with strong performances from Russell and Fanning, made the film a success. Fanning, in particular, delivered a remarkable performance for a child actor.
The film received positive reviews, with a 64% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and currently holds a score of 6.9 on IMDb.
8. Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002)
DreamWorks Pictures, founded by Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg, and David Geffen, aimed to create unique and immersive cinematic experiences. Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, released in 2002, exemplifies this goal. The film, while ambitious and not without its flaws, unexpectedly pushed the boundaries of animation at the time. Initially, it didn’t receive widespread acclaim, but over time it gained a devoted following.
Spirit tells the story of a young Kiger Mustang named Spirit, who roams the American West. During his adventures, he meets humans and other horses, forming deep friendships. DreamWorks used a unique technique called “tradigital animation,” combining hand-drawn and computer-generated animation, resulting in stunning visuals.
Spirit holds a 69% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes and was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 2003 Academy Awards. It has a score of 6.9 on IMDb.
7. The Black Stallion (1979)
Walter Farley’s novel, The Black Stallion, is considered one of the best American children’s novels. Since its publication in 1942, it has captivated readers and become a classic. In 1979, it was adapted into a film of the same name.
The film tells the story of Alec Ramsay, an American boy who travels to Africa with his family. After a shipwreck, Alec finds himself stranded with a wild stallion, forming a bond that helps them survive. Director Carroll Ballard and screenwriters Melissa Mathison and Jeanne Rosenberg faithfully adapted Farley’s novel, and the performances of Kelly Reno, Mickey Rooney, and Teri Garr were outstanding. Rooney, in particular, received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his soulful performance.
The Black Stallion has an 86% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 7.4 on IMDb.
6. Black Beauty (1994)
Black Beauty, published in 1877, was the last novel by English author Anna Sewell, who sadly passed away shortly after its release. A timeless classic, Black Beauty has sold over fifty million copies, making it one of the best-selling books of all time.
The 1994 film adaptation was the fifth attempt to bring the story to the screen. While previous versions failed to capture the essence of the novel, this version succeeded. Caroline Thompson, making her directorial debut, remained faithful to the source material, telling the story of an English horse and his friendship with a young boy named Joe, and depicting the horse’s challenging life.
Despite its quality, Black Beauty was a box office disappointment, grossing only $4,630,377. However, it found a wider audience on video and DVD, becoming a favorite among horse lovers. It currently has a score of 6.6 on IMDb.
5. Hidalgo (2004)
Frank T. Hopkins, a cowboy from the American West, is one of the most famous long-distance riders in history. He and his horse, Hidalgo, gained fame in the “Ocean of Fire,” a prestigious race across the Arabian Desert.
The 2004 film Hidalgo tells Hopkins’ story. Director Joe Johnston cast Viggo Mortensen as Hopkins and Omar Sharif as Sheikh Riyadh, the wealthy organizer of the “Ocean of Fire” race.
While the film has been criticized for historical inaccuracies, Hidalgo is a well-made adventure film, with strong performances from Mortensen, Johnston’s direction, and James Newton Howard’s score. It has a score of 6.6 on IMDb.
4. Secretariat (2010)
Writer and director Randall Wallace is a Hollywood legend. After writing the screenplay for the classic film Braveheart in 1995, he went on to direct a series of successful films, including Pearl Harbor, The Man in the Iron Mask, and We Were Soldiers. In 2010, Wallace turned his attention to sports biographies, resulting in Secretariat. The film tells the story of the American thoroughbred Secretariat and his owner’s journey through the world of horse racing.
Wallace delivered a solid adaptation, casting Diane Lane as Secretariat’s owner and John Malkovich as the trainer, both of whom gave strong performances. Critics were divided on Secretariat, with some, like Roger Ebert, praising the film, while others found it uninspired. However, audiences embraced the film, and it was a box office success. It has a score of 7.2 on IMDb.
3. Seabiscuit (2003)
Laura Hillenbrand’s novel, Seabiscuit: An American Legend, was a non-fiction bestseller of the last decade, receiving critical and audience acclaim after its release in 2003. It tells the story of the undersized racehorse Seabiscuit, who achieved unprecedented success in American horse racing in the 1940s. In the same year, the novel was adapted into a film of the same name.
While the film altered some details from the book, it remained largely faithful to the source material. The performances of Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges, and Chris Cooper were excellent, capturing the essence of their characters and adding warmth to the film. Writer and director Gary Ross also made a significant contribution, with his straightforward direction and dialogue that aligned with the novel.
Critics gave Seabiscuit a 77% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film was a global success, grossing over $150,000,000, and currently has a score of 7.4 on IMDb.
2. The Horse Whisperer (1998)
Robert Redford, a writer, actor, and producer, has had a legendary career. He entered Hollywood in the 1960s, making a splash in the 1962 film War Hunt, and went on to star in major films. In 2002, the Academy Awards presented Redford with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Redford’s best work is arguably The Horse Whisperer, which he starred in and directed in 1998. Based on the 1995 novel of the same name, it tells the story of an American family in Montana who overcome difficulties with the help of a “horse whisperer” (someone with a gift for communicating with horses). Redford produced, directed, and starred in the film, and he assembled a cast that included Scarlett Johansson, Sam Neill, and Kristin Scott Thomas. Redford’s performance as the horse whisperer was outstanding, and his performance inspired the other actors to deliver equally perfect performances.
The Horse Whisperer has a 73% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Millions of viewers watched and loved the film, and its global box office grossed $187 million. The Horse Whisperer currently has a score of 6.5 on IMDb.
1. War Horse (2011)
Steven Spielberg is one of the most successful, respected, and famous directors in Hollywood. Since his breakthrough with Jaws in 1975, he has directed over 50 films, many of which have been incredibly successful. In 2011, Spielberg released War Horse. This war epic tells the story of a young British man named Albert Narracott who befriends a war horse named Joey during World War I. Albert and Joey face many difficulties as they try to survive on the battlefield and return home.
Spielberg assembled a talented team for War Horse, including writers Lee Hall and Richard Curtis, and actors Jeremy Irvine, Emily Watson, Tom Hiddleston, and Benedict Cumberbatch. The result is one of the finest war epics ever made.
Critics generally liked War Horse, giving it a 77% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film grossed over $150 million worldwide, indicating that audiences also enjoyed it. War Horse has a score of 7.3 on IMDb. For many, War Horse is the best horse-themed film ever made.