Best Horse Movies: Carly's Top Ten Horse Flicks

As I write this, it is an unbelievable 122 degrees outside. Summer has certainly arrived in Arizona! Unfortunately, some summer days are just too hot to venture outdoors or to the barn to be with our equine pals. So I put together a list of my favorite horse movies. These are some of the all time greats. These are the horse flicks I've seen time and time again.
​The ones that I never tire of. These are horse movies that I'll watch on DVD or Netflix when I stay indoors during the hottest part of the day trying to beat the heat and am seeking a little equine inspiration! I hope you enjoy my summer guide to great horse movies ...

1. Flicka

Flicka is a feel good family film about a headstrong, horse loving teenager trying to find her way in life.  Katie McLaughlin (Alison Lohman) forms a bond with a wild horse she names Flicka. Her ranch owner father (Tim McGraw) insists she not ride Flicka but Katy follows her heart and sets out to prove that she can tame Flicka and dreams of one day running the family ranch.

I loved this movie and the soundtrack!  I have fond memories of seeing this in the theater with my father! He even somehow secured the huge movie poster of Katie riding Flicka for me when our local theater was done with it.  It was an awesome surprise!

2. Hildalgo

This movie is like Indiana Jones reinvented for horse lovers!  Hildalgo is the story of cowboy Frank T. Hopkins and his mustang as they become the first American and non-Arabian horse to compete in the toughest endurance race the world has ever known, 

3. ​The Man from Snowy River

This is a classic for me.  On an Australian cattle ranch, a young man fights for his honor, falls for a powerful ranch owner's feisty daughter and is accused of losing a prized horse.  I remember seeing The Man From Snowy River at the movies.  My family loved it so much that my mom asked for the movie poster from the display at our local theater and had it framed. The poster hangs in my home today.  This one is a must see for any horse lover!

4. The Return to Snowy River

Yes!  There's a sequel!  The man from Snowy River is back and still fond of that feisty ranch owner's daughter, but upon his return he finds a lot of things have changed.   ​

5. ​The Black Stallion

The Black Stallion was a childhood favorite of mine! The movie had it all ... a unique bond between a boy and a horse, a rescue from a beautiful island, and exciting training sessions which culminate in a spectacular racetrack scene. Mickey Rooney was nominated for an Oscar in the role!

6. The Black Stallion Returns

A sequel that can stand on its own, The Black Stallion Returns follows Alec Ramsay after he stows away on a plane when his beloved horse is stolen. You can help but root for Alec as he attempts to get the Black back! 

7. Secretariat

This is the heartwarming tale of Penny Chenery Tweedy and her loyal colleagues as they guide Secretariat, the most famous thoroughbred racehorse in history, to an unbeaten record and the winning of the Triple Crown! 

8. The Horse Whisperer

Watch a very young Scarlett Johansson reconnect with her beloved horse after a tragic accident damages them both.  Oh yeah - Robert Redford plays a cool cowboy, horse whisperer too!

9. Dreamer

This is another super fun horse movie that I saw in the theater with my dad back in the day! In this flick, an injured racehorse earns another chance. Ben, played by Kurt Russell, and his daughter Cale, played by a young Dakota Fanning, adopt the horse and save it from being put down. This tender tale is based on a true story and definitely makes my spurs jingle!

10. Sylvester 

Another spur jingler from my youth.  Melissa Gilbert (best known as Laura from Little House on the Prairie) stars as Charlie, a 16-year-old wrangler who falls in love with a wild horse she names "Sylvester." Sylvester and Charlie form a brilliant partnership under saddle and enter a prestigious horse competition. This is one of those horse movies a lot of people haven't heard of!

Want more great horse movies?  I couldn't fit all my favorites in a single blog post so check out all of the horse movie trailers I've featured here (and then some) ​on my YouTube channel in my "Best Horse Movies" playlist.  While you're there join the herd and check out the book trailer for In The Reins. Happy viewing!