Overview
A young boy's bond with a majestic stallion leads to an extraordinary adventure of friendship and triumph.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- atmospheric
- sincere
- adventurous
- family movie night
- horse lovers' night
What critics said
Critics broadly acclaimed the film's visual beauty, emotional humanity, performances, and atmospheric horse-centered adventure, while a minority found its meticulous imagery slowed the storytelling.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Alec's friendship with the mysterious Arabian stallion is central to his survival, identity, and later racing ambition.
Alec and the stallion survive a shipwreck and remain stranded together on a desert island.
Alec, Henry Dailey, and the stallion train to challenge the world's fastest racehorses.
The Arabian stallion, desert island, ocean voyage, and racing sequences are presented as major aesthetic subjects.
Films like The Black Stallion, and why
National Velvet
shared family adventure, human animal bond, wilderness survival, and uplifting sports narrative
The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit
shared child protagonist, horse-centered coming-of-age story, and emotionally sincere family adventure
Secretariat
shared equestrian competition, determined young rider, and warm underdog sports drama
The Incredible Journey
shared wilderness survival, child-centered adventure, and profound connection with an animal
Movie Details
- Director
- Carroll Ballard
- Release Date
- 1979-10-13
- Runtime
- 118 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (343)
Cast
- Kelly Reno
- Mickey Rooney
- Teri Garr
- Clarence Muse
- Hoyt Axton
- Michael Higgins
- Ed McNamara
- Doghmi Larbi
- Cass-Olé
- John Burton
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, Artiflix
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Black Stallion about?
- After surviving a shipwreck with a magnificent Arabian stallion, a boy and a former trainer pursue an unlikely path to racing glory.
- What is The Black Stallion like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Black Stallion as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Black Stallion violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Black Stallion as mild.
- What did critics think of The Black Stallion?
- Critics broadly acclaimed the film's visual beauty, emotional humanity, performances, and atmospheric horse-centered adventure, while a minority found its meticulous imagery slowed the storytelling.
- Which films are like The Black Stallion?
- Films with a similar feel include National Velvet, The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit, Secretariat, and The Incredible Journey.
- How long is The Black Stallion?
- The Black Stallion runs 118 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Black Stallion?
- In United States, The Black Stallion streams on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, Artiflix.
