Horses remain an integral part of mankind’s continued journeys, thanks to their often humanlike sense of understanding and their grounded perspective. Equine animals have been necessary assets to our growth for a long time, and they’re even included in ancient hieroglyphics. Besides utilizing their strength on our way to achieve greatness in the past, these creatures have also become some of the most trustworthy beings we know, even as the years have faded into our present.
Maybe you’d describe yourself as a lifelong “horse girl,” or you’re someone who grew up riding. Or perhaps you’ve only ever seen one of these majestic animals from afar or on a screen. In any case, movies about horses often draw upon the profound and earnest nature of their stories, creating enjoyable viewing experiences. These tales often overflow with hope and opportunity. Many of them are utter success stories in which these animals and the people whose lives they touch beat the odds stacked against them together. Let’s count down the greatest movies of all time about horses, ranked.
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6 Racing Stripes (2005)
Warner Bros.
Racing Stripes is a funny and feel-good flick that families everywhere might remember from the early 2000s. A young zebra loses the safety net of the circus he came from unexpectedly, but he’s luckily scooped up by some capable hands, which name him Stripes. A girl named Channing becomes his champion, as the two work up to racing with the greats one day. Luckily for him, Stripes is in Kentucky Derby country, and he aims to prove what the film’s title teases to audiences. Despite all kinds of negative attitudes towards their abilities, Stripes and Channing make an unlikely team.
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5 Seabiscuit (2003)
Universal Pictures
Seabiscuit introduces viewers to the real-life story of the titular horse who blew away the world’s expectations during the time of the Great Depression. This encouraging tale brings together low-spirited players and ultimately leads them to happier times together. Tobey Maguire leads the way as Seabiscuit’s jockey Red Pollard, who saddles him up towards success despite the horse’s initial physical and emotional challenges. The assistance of Tom Smith, a horse trainer, and Charles Howard, a man reeling from familial devastation, comprise an incredible team.
4 Secretariat (2010)
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Considering some of the most famous horses in history, the influence of Secretariat might come to your mind first. This film captures the unforgettable story of Penny Chenery, a stay-at-home mom who ascends her expected life to become part of one of the most uplifting horse racing stories. Penny’s new goal in life is thrust upon her when her father traverses a sickness that leaves him unable to keep up with their farm. She eventually gets to watch firsthand as the origin story of a time-honored titleholder unfolds right before her, finding herself immersed in racehorse politics and culture as she breaks barriers of her own. As a Disney film, Secretariat tells a genuinely magical story of one of the most decorated horses that viewers will recognize.
3 Dreamer (2005)
DreamWorks Distribution
The sweet story of Dreamer positions a young Dakota Fanning in a starring role. Following a classic setup for a heartwarming story, this film centers around the growing friendship between a girl and a horse. Out of commission by a preventable yet career-defining injury, Soñador the racehorse gets nursed back to health by trainer Ben Crane and Cale, his daughter. Dreamer showcases how people can be brought together by their common love for an animal, as the horse strengthens the relationship between Ben and Cale. A Roger Ebert review confirms that the film’s subheading, “Inspired by a True Story,” refers to a real-life resurgence to the racetrack by a mare named Mariah’s Storm.
2 Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002)
Perhaps the best animated addition to the growing collection of horse movies out there, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron is one that audiences still cherish. A sprawling landscape of the American West is interpreted through the life and times of a mustang. Spirit fights to maintain the independence of the world he’s always known, as he engages in both good and bad experiences with people. A stirring soundtrack showcases the musical expertise of Hans Zimmer, Bryan Adams, and a gathering of other collaborators, enlivening this story for the ages.
1 War Horse (2011)
War Horse is another entry in the long list of Spielberg classics. As one of the sadder stories on this list, this film emphasizes the closeness between Joey the horse and his first owner, Albert. Joey soon finds himself enmeshed in World War I, leading Albert through an emotional adventure to reach him. A Roger Ebert review says, “Its message is a universal one, about the horror of war in which men and animals suffer and die, but for the animals there is no reason: They have cast their lot with men who have betrayed them.” Simply stated, War Horse displays a strong human-animal connection in the midst of surrounding tragedy.
