How to watch

Based on Walter Farley's 1941 novel, The Black Stallion follows Alec Ramsey, a boy who is shipwrecked on a deserted island with a wild Arabian horse. After their rescue, the two are trained for a high-stakes race by a retired jockey played by Mickey Rooney, who earned an Oscar nomination for the role. The film's success led to a sequel, a television series in which Rooney reprised his character, and a later IMAX prequel.

🕐 Release Order

Release order shows how the franchise expanded from the 1979 film into television and large-format cinema.

1. The Black Stallion (1979)
2. The Black Stallion Returns (1983)
3. The Adventures of the Black Stallion (1990)
4. The Young Black Stallion (2003)

The Young Black Stallion is a prequel, telling the story of how the Black was born and raised in the Arabian desert, so it moves to the front of the timeline.

📖 Story Chronology

Chronologically, the IMAX prequel comes first, followed by Alec's adventures with the stallion in the two feature films and finally the later television series.

1. The Young Black Stallion (2003)
2. The Black Stallion (1979)
3. The Black Stallion Returns (1983)
4. The Adventures of the Black Stallion (1990)

Which Order Should You Choose?

For first-time viewers, release order is best. The Black Stallion is a visually stunning classic, and its quiet, almost wordless island sequence is pure movie magic. The Black Stallion Returns follows Alec to North Africa as he tries to reclaim his horse. The Young Black Stallion is a lovely bonus for horse lovers, but it doesn't feature Alec. Families who enjoy it should also check out Spirit.

🔗 Related Guides

• Spirit Watch OrderGuide
• Free Willy Watch OrderGuide
• Homeward Bound Watch OrderGuide

Did we miss anything? Let us know and we'll keep this guide up to date!