Stories about animals and their connection to humans, the importance in their lives they bring and the love they share have always been attractive to the audience. Mostly family dramas, these movies have shown us the strength of a bond between a human and an animal. Horses have always been one of the biggest inspirations for many artists and movies have also featured them in many ways- We have made a list of the 10 best horse movies on Netflix and we hope you will find something that will catch your attention.
A Horse from Heaven (2018)
Even though we won’t get anything new from this family adventure drama, this is a feel-good Sunday afternoon flick that you will recommend to your youngest ones. It is a lovely story about a troubled girl who befriends a wounded horse.
She will find hope and faith through this friendship and realise what is important in life and what she might have been missing all this time. This movie might be a little bit predictable, but that doesn’t mean that it won’t make you feel better at the end of a tiring day or put a smile on your face. It just might.
Horse Girl (2020)
This mystery drama thriller starring Alison Brie and Molly Shannon in leading roles brings us a story about Sarah, a socially awkward girl who enjoys supernatural crime shows, horses and arts and crafts. Soon her life is going to get even more awkward when her extremely lucid and vivid dreams start to invade her real life.
Even though we don’t see many horses here, there is one which we encounter a few times. It is Willow, the only living thing that seems to get to Sarah and the only one she is able to communicate with. It has a very significant role in the movie.
Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story (2005)
This movie is inspired by a true story and deals with a man’s trust in an animal and its recovery. Ben Crane and his daughter Cale adopt a mare and save it from being sacrificed by her owner. Ben believes that she deserves another chance, but she will also help Ben and his daughter re-establish their lost familiar bond.
The mare might have the opportunity to reenter the racecourse despite her broken leg, with the help of Cale, Ben and his father Pop. This is a movie about second chances and the strong bond that exists between a man and an animal.
Concrete Cowboy (2020)
Cowboys and horses are always a good combination and one of the most beloved in western movies. One without the other simply won’t work and the western genre is getting more and more popular in these last few years. From tv series to movies, from dramas to thrillers, there is something for everyone.
One of the most recent, even though already two years old, is Concrete Cowboy, a story about a rebellious teen who is sent to live with his estranged father during summer. Cole will find understanding and support in a closed Philadelphia community of Black cowboys.
Spirit Riding Free: Spirit of Christmas (2019)
This 45-minute long tv special maybe didn’t get all the praise as some of its previous sequels, but it is still a wonderful movie to watch with the youngest in the family, especially during the holiday season. It is an animated movie about Lucky and her friends who embark on an adventure on Christmas Eve.
They have to go to the city to find a perfect present but their plans will get seriously ruined when they won’t be able to return to Miradero for the holiday festivities due to an avalanche. Children will be amused with these new adventures and probably ask you to find them more.
News of the World (2020)
This is an interesting, slow paced western with an excellent cast and interesting storyline. We follow Tom Hanks’ character Captain Kidd, a Civil War veteran who accepts to bring a little girl back to her aunt and uncle. She was taken and raised by the Kiowa people years ago and now Kidd is taking her against her will since she has accustomed to their ways and customs.
They will have to travel a long way and will encounter many unfriendly people and get into dangerous situations, all while reading to the people from the daily newspapers. Kidd accepted the job, hoping that it will take his thoughts away from his own problems and destiny.
My Heroes Were Cowboys (2021)
This is a short, but an extremely powerful documentary that needs to be mentioned when talking about horses. In its sole 22 minutes, we are going to meet Robin Wiltshire, an Australian immigrant who will find redemption and purpose in the art of horse training.
Robin has been fascinated by horses and cowboys and what they represented in Hollywood movies since his early childhood and has ever since dreamed of dedicating his life to them. After a pretty difficult uprising and family situations, Wiltshire has finally found his peace under the Wyoming sky where he lives with his wife and son and many horses.
Walk. Ride. Rodeo (2019)
One of the most beloved and watched horse movies in the last few years on Netflix is this drama inspired by a true story. It is a heartwarming tale of a young woman who is certain she is going to continue with competitive rodeo even though she was left paralysed after a big injury.
Amberley Snider was only 19 when she barely survived a serious car accident. At the time she was an accomplished and successful nationally ranked barrel racer and has never given up on her dream and will to compete. Together with her family and friends, she will do anything to get back on her horse and continue doing what she loves most.
Ride Like a Girl (2019)
This biographical drama is set in Australia and it brings us the story of Michelle Payne, the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup. Of course, no one believed that a woman can achieve what Michelle eventually did, but she didn’t forget to address all of them in her memorable victory speech with the words to “get stuffed”.
Those words were an inspiration for Australia’s actress Rachel Griffiths who directed the movie and gained a lot of claim with this beautiful sports drama with Teresa Palmer and Sam Neill as leading roles. It is truly a wonderful movie which celebrates the life and shows that being courageous and true to yourself can get us any place.
Rock My Heart (2017)
This German drama might break your heart so be careful. It is a story of a 17-year-old Jana who has a congenital heart defect. She is a brave girl who doesn’t want to sit patiently and wait for her disease to pass or become worse but enjoy life to the fullest. She never says no to an adventure, especially if it’s wild and dangerous.
She also makes a special bond with a rebellious stallion and even though all the odds are against her, she decides to compete as an amateur jockey in an extremely dangerous race. Her parents don’t approve of her behaviour and fear for her safety and future, but Jana has never been more determined in her life and everyone will have to honour her wish. Who knows what tomorrow brings her, anyway?
