There are plenty of movie genres you can opt for. Especially nowadays, when the global film industry has grown to be one of the biggest industries in the world with a worldwide box office revenue of almost $40 billion. If you are a horse lover or simply a horse racing enthusiast, you will be able to find tons of great horse movies you can watch. Here’s a list of the top 3 horse racing movies you should definitely put on your watching list.
Secretariat
This is a Disney movie that tells the story of a horse that has become the Triple Crown champion after defeating his biggest rival for the first time in 25 years. It took 31 lengths in the Belmont Stakes, New York, in the 1970s to achieve that. This movie is known as one of the greatest among the American Classics.
The story revolves around Penny Chenery, who is forced to take over the Meadow Stable, and her father, who has Alzheimer’s disease. The main character encounters a lot of difficulties after taking over the stables with not enough horse racing experience.
One of the memorable scenes in the movie is flipping the coin scene with Ogden Mills ‘Dinny’ Phipps. After winning the coin flip, Dinny gets a filly by the name of The Bride. After losing a coin flip, Penny Chenery gets a colt named Secretariat, and we won’t be revealing any more details. If you are a horse lover, definitely watch this one.
The Killing
This movie, directed by Stanley Kubrick, tells us a story about a veteran criminal who is preparing to rob a horse track and steal $2 million.
The Killing is a black and white film that was produced by none other than James B. Harri in 1956. Stanley Kubrick uses some movie-making tricks and techniques that help the Killing gain quality despite being on a low budget.
Unlike a standard movie plot, this plot is famous for not having a hero. On the contrary, the director doesn’t idealize an individual but rather presents humans with all their god and bad sides. In addition, the movie has a story that is constantly moving in various timelines from past to present and vice versa.
Hidalgo
The story follows Franklin T. Hopkins and his horse Hidalgo, who are said to be the greatest duo featured at Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. Hidalgo was based on a true story that took place in the 1890s. Moreover, the claim that they are the greatest duo alive is challenged in the “Ocean of Fire” – a 3000-mile race that is taking place in the Najd desert.
The race had restrictions that won’t let Franklin and Hidalgo compete, but the exception has been made. When the race was near its end, Hopkin and Hidalgo were put to the hardest test they ever encountered. But despite all the challenges, they come out victorious, which will, of course, cause a sigh of relief among the watchers.
The ending of the movie couldn’t be any more emotional, as Hopkins ends up buying a big herd of horses, he eventually sets free together with Hidalgo.