Spirit: Stallion Of The Cimarron follows the story of a horse who finds his freedom taken away and his journey to win it back. It is done in an animated fashion and fans loved how it was told from his point of view. It is truly a one-of-a-kind film that is impossible to replace, but other horse movies can help to fill the void that it has left.
All of these films feature real-life horses, but their stories are ones of determination and ambition like those of Spirit. Fans of the animated film will find joy in these heartfelt movies as the horses in them bring out their emotional side.
Seabiscuit (2003)
The Great Depression was a difficult time in American history, but this horse helped to lift the spirits of many throughout these hardships. A carmaker decides to enter the horse racing business and his team finds a horse named Seabiscuit to help them rise to the top. It is a definite underdog with short stature and slight limp, but the horse fights through this and wins numerous races. He faces an injury that could put him out of the game forever, although, the determination he shows is similar to that of Spirit which is why fans are drawn to see this incredible ending.
War Horse (2011)
Fans of Spirit who enjoy films that explore a bit of history should see this one as it is set during World War II. It follows the story of a boy named Albert and his horse, who was sold into the calvary during this time. Albert enlists in an effort to find him and it follows them both on their journey back to one another as they survive on the battlefields against all odds.
Hidalgo (2004)
The Ocean of Fire was a race held across the Arabian Desert where purebred Arabian Horses and the best riders imaginable raced across the sands to the finish line. An American named Frank T. Hopkins and his horse were invited to join the 3,000-mile race due to his prominence as a rider back home. He rode a horse named Hidalgo and the two of them fought for survival as they avoided death and struggled to outperform the other riders and their horses.
50 To 1 (2014)
This film starts with a focus on some cowboys from Mexico who find themselves with a horse that has qualified for the Kentucky Derby. It then follows the story of a horse called Mine That Bird who fought to become a winner against all odds.
This story is similar to that of Spirit's as he too was the underdog of his own tale but he never gave up and continued to push until the very end. Viewers love the whirlwind of adventure that is displayed throughout this film as they watch an amazing horse do incredible things.
Racing Stripes (2005)
This isn't a film about your average horse as it follows the story of a zebra who thought he was a racehorse. The animals all talk to one another in this adorable movie as they work together to help him achieve his dream. It allows this zebra to achieve the impossible, just like Spirit did in his own animated film as he used his own abilities to escape captivity.
Secretariat (2010)
A woman makes the decision to take over her father's stables despite not knowing anything about racing horses. She recruits the help of others as she looks to take a horse named Secretariat and make him into a Triple Crown winner. It is not without its difficulties as she faces a huge learning curve, but fans love the suspense that is created as he races for the finish line.
Lean On Pete (2017)
This is a beautiful story that follows a boy and a former racehorse as they make their way across the country on an incredible journey. The horse, named Lean on Pete, is about to be sold so Charley steals him and runs away.
The two find themselves as they struggle to make a life for themselves out on the frontier, but it changes them both for the better. Fans of Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron will love the adventure in this film as well a the bond that is formed between the pair.
Black Beauty (1994)
This follows the story of a horse named Black Beauty in a similar fashion to the way that the film Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron was captured. It recounts his life from birth and his journey under several owners until he finally finds himself content on a farm where he can live out his days. The film is older as it is back from 1994, but it is a classic based on a novel that fans of horse movies can't miss.
Flicka (2006)
This is the first of the film series where a young girl tames a wild horse to be her own. It becomes a feud between the girl and her father as she struggles to keep and tame the horse, while he does everything in his power to eradicate the horse from his ranch. Many close calls with a mountain lion ensue, but Flicka's energy will fill the emptiness that any horse fan needs to be removed from their heart.
The Black Stallion (1979)
This is a story of an Arabian stallion and a young boy who form a bond after being stranded on a remote island. He finds his way back home with the horse by his side and soon realizes his potential for racing. It is the journey of a lifetime as they discover a new life together as well as a new purpose after that fateful day.