Horses are truly majestic creatures that are unlike anything else in the animal world. There is nothing quite like watching them in action, whether it is in real life or on a television screen. Horses have held a beloved role in our society for so long that there are countless movies featuring them as the main characters. These are the four best movies about horses of all time.
War Horse
“War Horse” is an epic film that follows the life of a heroic horse named Joey and his owner Albert. Joey is taken by the British Army at the start of World War I, and Albert spends years trying to track down his beloved companion. Director Steven Spielberg does a great job of transforming the horse into a fully-fledged character. “War Horse” was nominated for five Oscars, including Best Picture.
The Black Stallion
“The Black Stallion” is widely considered to be one of the best children’s books of all time. The iconic book was turned into a film in 1979. The story follows a boy shipwrecked on an island with a wild stallion. The two develop a close bond and enter the world of competitive horse racing shortly after getting rescued off the island. The movie was nominated for two Oscars.
National Velvet
“National Velvet” is another amazing horse film based on a novel. This 1944 film stars Mickey Rooney, Elizabeth Taylor, and Angela Lansbury. The story follows a young girl as she trains her horse to enter the Grand National Steeplechase. “National Velvet” connected with audiences by showing a woman succeed on her own in a time when that was rarely depicted on screen. The movie won two Oscars from its five nominations.
The Horse Whisperer
Robert Redford and a young Scarlett Johansson star in this film from 1998. “The Horse Whisperer” follows a talented horse trainer that teaches a girl to understand, appreciate and love horses after a tragic accident. The wonderful direction from Redford allows “The Horse Whisperer” to showcase the loving partnership between a horse and its owner better than any other film.