Movies with farm animals have the incredible power to transport us to different worlds, tell captivating stories, and even introduce us to some unforgettable furry and feathered friends.
Farm animals have played prominent roles in numerous films, adding charm, humor, and touching moments to the big screen.
These animals have been the stars of their cinematic adventures, from pigs to cows to sheep and horses.
In this article, we’ll look at 20 incredible movies with farm animals.
Read on!
1. Babe (1995)
- Director: Chris Noonan
- Cast: James Cromwell, Magda Szubanski, Zoe Burton, Paul Goddard, Wade Hayward.
- IMDb rating: 6.9
The first movie on our list of movies with farm Animals is Babe. This heartwarming family movie with farm animals is about a young pig named Babe who aspires to be a sheepdog.
Raised by Farmer Hoggett, Babe defies expectations and wins over the farm’s other animals, showcasing his talents and proving that kindness can bridge differences.
The movie follows Babe’s journey to compete in a sheep-herding competition and challenges societal norms about what animals can achieve.
2. Chicken Run (2000)
- Director: Nick Park, Peter Lord
- Cast: Julia Sawalha, Mel Gibson, Miranda Richardson, Timothy Spall, Phil Daniels, Tony Haygarth
- IMDb rating: 7.1
Another movie on our list of movies with farm animals is Chicken Run. This animated comedy film revolves around a group of chickens living on Tweedy’s Egg Farm.
The chickens are desperate to escape the farm’s oppressive owner, Mrs. Tweedy, who plans to turn them into chicken pies.
The chickens enlist the help of a rooster named Rocky, who claims to be able to teach them to fly.
Together, they build a flying machine to make their escape.
It follows their daring and humorous attempts to achieve freedom and avoid becoming dinner.
This is one of the movies with farm animals filled with hilarious, action-packed adventures and unforgettable characters.
3. Charlotte’s Web (1973)
- Director: Iwao Takamoto and Charles Nichols
- Casts: Debbie Reynolds, Henry Gibson, Paul Lynde, Agnes Moorehead
- IMBd Rating: 6.9
Next on the list of movies with farm animals is Charlotte’s Web. Based on E.B. White’s beloved book, this animated movie with farm animals brings to life the heart-warming connection between a pig named Wilbur, who forms an unlikely friendship with a clever spider named Charlotte.
When Wilbur learns he’s destined for slaughter, Charlotte hatches a plan to save him.
4. Home on the Range (2004)
- Director: Will Finn, John Stanford
- Casts: Roseanne Barr, Judi Dench, Jennifer Tilly, Steve Buscemi, Jennifer Tilly
- IMBd Rating: 5.4
Home on the Range is a Disney animated movie about a group of farm animals, including a cow named Maggie, who are on a mission to save their farm from foreclosure.
The story follows three dairy cows, Maggie, Mrs. Caloway, and Grace, who live on a farm called Patch of Heaven.
When their farm faces foreclosure due to financial troubles, the cows embark on a mission to capture a notorious cattle rustler named Alameda Slim, who has a bounty on his head.
They hope to use the reward money to save their home. This is one of the movies with farm animals you would want to watch out for.
5. Black Sheep (2006)
- Director: Jonathan King
- Casts: Nathan Meister, Tammy Davis, Oliver Driver, Tandi Wright, Angus Danielle Mason
- IMBd Rating: 5.8/10
Also, we have Black sheep on our list of movies with farm animals. This movie revolves around a group on a farm who must defend themselves against genetically mutated sheep that turn into bloodthirsty, carnivorous creatures after a genetic experiment goes wrong.
It is a humorous and gory take on the classic “mad scientist” trope, blending horror and dark comedy.
6. Barnyard (2006)
- Director: Steve Oedekerk
- Voice Casts: Kevin James, Courteney Cox, Sam Elliott, Danny Glover, Andie MacDowell
- IMBd Rating:
Bayard is among the movies that feature farm animals. In this animated comedy, Otis the cow takes on unexpected responsibilities as the leader of the barnyard when the farmer is away.
It’s a lighthearted and entertaining film that takes on a farm when the humans aren’t looking.
The story focuses on Otis, a carefree cow who enjoys partying and wasting time with his friends when the farmer, Ben, isn’t around.
However, when a pack of coyotes unexpectedly kills Ben, Otis must step up and take responsibility for the farm.
So, Otis learns about the importance of leadership and protecting the other animals from danger, particularly from the coyotes led by a cunning villain named Dag.
7. The Sheepman (1958)
- Director: George Marshall
- Casts: Glenn Ford, Leslie Nielsen, Sam Elliott, Willis Bouchey, Pernell Roberts, Percy Helton
- IMBd Rating: 6.8/10
You may think you must have exhausted all the movies with farm animals, but have you seen The Sheepman? This classic Western stars Glenn Ford as Jason Sweet, a tough sheep herder who challenges a cattle baron in a small town.
Sheep and cattle clash in this humorous and action-packed movie. As Sweet navigates the town’s challenges and prejudices, he uses his wit and resourcefulness to prove that sheepherding can be just as valuable as cattle ranching.
The Sheepman is a blend of Western action and comedy. It humorously shows tolerance and acceptance.
8. Gordy (1994)
- Director: Mark Lewis
- Casts: Doug Stone, Tom Lester, Kristy Young, Deborah Hobart, James Donadio
- IMBd Rating: 3.7/10
In Gordy, a family-friendly comedy film, the story is about a remarkable piglet named Gordy.
When Gordy’s pig family is separated and sold, he embarks on an adventurous journey to find them and bring his family back together.
Meanwhile, Gordy encounters amusing situations and meets human and animal friends who help him on his quest.
This is one of the movies with farm animals that is filled with comedy and heartwarming moments. It shows the bond between family and the determination of a little pig to reunite his loved ones.
9. Racing Stripes (2005)
- Director: Frederik Du Chau
- Casts: Bruce Greenwood, Hayden Panettiere, M. Emmet Walsh, Wendie Malick, Caspar Poyck, Gary Bullock
- IMBd Rating: 5.2/10
The next on our list of movies with farm animals is Racing Stripe.
This is a family comedy film about a young zebra named Stripes who grows up on a farm with a barnyard full of animals. Stripes has a dream of becoming a racehorse despite his unconventional stripes.
With the support of his friends, including a retired racehorse named Tucker and a wise pelican named Goose, the zebra begins training for the Kentucky Open, a prestigious horse race. Will he win in this race? You will find out.
10. Ferdinand (2017)
- Director: Carlos Saldanha
- Cast: John Cena, Kate McKinnon, Bobby Cannavale, David Tennant
- IMBd Rating: 6.7/10
Based on the beloved children’s book, this animated family movie tells the story of Ferdinand, a gentle, peace-loving bull.
Unlike the other bulls, who aspire to be fierce fighters, Ferdinand prefers to enjoy simple pleasures, such as smelling flowers.
However, his life takes a turn when he is mistaken for a dangerous bull and is captured. He ends up at a ranch where he befriends a group of eccentric animals who help him escape.
Ferdinand embarks on a journey to reunite with his beloved owner but must also confront the misperceptions about bulls and the bullfighting industry.
This is one of the movies about farm animals, and it is filled with the humor and determination of a farm animal.
11. National Velvet (1944)
- Director: Clarence Brown
- Cast: Mickey Rooney, Donald Crisp, Elizabeth Taylor, Anne Revere, Angela Lansbury
- IMBd Rating: 7.3/10
A young Elizabeth Taylor stars as Velvet Brown, a girl who trains a horse named the Pie to compete in the Grand National Steeplechase.
Velvet is a young girl with a deep love for horses. She’s determined to turn him into a champion racehorse when she wins a spirited but untrained horse named The Pie in a raffle.
With the help of her supportive family, including her jockey friend Mi Taylor (played by Mickey Rooney), Velvet disguises herself as a male jockey and enters The Pie into the Grand National steeplechase, one of England’s most prestigious horse races.
This movie is on our list of movies with farm animals you must see.
12. Hidalgo (2004)
- Director: Joe Johnson
- Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Omar Sharif, Saïd Taghmaoui, Anne Revere, Zuleikha Robinson
- IMBd Rating: 6.7/10
Another movie on our list of movies with farm animals is Hildago. This epic adventure movie stars Viggo Mortensen as Frank T. Hopkins, a long-distance rider, and his loyal Mustang, Hidalgo. Together, they compete in a grueling desert horse race.
Set in the late 19th century, the film follows Hopkins (played by Viggo Mortensen), a down-and-out cowboy and dispatch rider for the U.S. Cavalry, who is invited to compete in a grueling 3,000-mile horse race called the Ocean of Fire in the Arabian Desert.
During the race, Hopkins and Hidalgo face various challenges, including treacherous terrain, rival riders, and the skepticism of the Arab participants.
The film explores themes of courage, redemption, and the clash of cultures as Hopkins and Hidalgo strive to prove their worth and honor in the face of adversity.
13. Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002)
- Director: Kelly Asbury and Lorna Cook
- Cast: Matt Damon, James Cromwell, Charles Napier, Richard McGonagle, Michael Horse
- IMBd Rating: 7.2/10
It is an animated tale of a wild stallion named Spirit who befriends a young Lakota Indian.
It’s a visually stunning and emotionally resonant journey on our list of movies with farm animals. It follows Spirit’s journey as he roams freely with his herd.
However, Spirit’s life takes a dramatic turn when he is captured by U.S. Army soldiers and taken to a cavalry post.
He bonds with a young Lakota Native American boy named Little Creek. Together, they escape captivity and embark on a quest to return Spirit to his homeland, the Cimarron River.
14. The Adventures of Milo and Otis” (1986)
- Director: Masanori Hata and Kon Ichikawa
- Voice Cast: Shigeru Tsuyuki, Dudley Moore,
- IMBd Rating: 6.9/10
There are so many movies with farm animals; here is another one. The Adventures of Milo and Otis is a family-friendly adventure film featuring the adventures of two unlikely animal friends, Milo, a ginger kitten, and Otis, a pug dog.
Milo and Otis are separated when Milo accidentally drifts down a river in a box. Otis sets off on a quest to find and rescue his feline friend, embarking on a series of adventures that include encounters with bears, seagulls, and other wildlife.
Meanwhile, Milo faces his trials as he navigates the unfamiliar world. The film is known for its charming and heartwarming portrayal of the enduring friendship between two animals and the natural world they explore together.
15. The Black Stallion (1979)
- Director: Carroll Ballard
- Cast: Kelly Reno, Teri Garr, Clarence Muse, Hoyt Axton, Mickey Rooney
- IMBd Rating: 7.4/10
We are yet to exhaust our list of movies with farm animals. The Black Stallion tells the story of a young boy named Alec and his friendship with a wild Arabian stallion.
The film begins with Alec and his father on a ship, and they rescue a stunning black horse after a shipwreck.
After returning to land, Alec befriends the horse, whom he names “The Black,” and discovers the horse’s incredible speed and spirit.
Together, they embark on a journey of training and racing, which leads them to compete in a high-stakes match race against some of the fastest horses in the world.
16. The Secret of NIMH (1982)
- Director: Don Bluth
- Cast: Hermione Baddeley, John Carradine, Dom DeLuise, Elizabeth Hartman, Derek Jacobi.
- IMBd Rating: 7.5/10
The story of NIMH’s secret is based on a field mouse widow named Mrs. Brisby, who seeks to save her family from a farmer’s tractor’s impending plowing of their home.
Mrs. Brisby embarks on a dangerous journey to find help, which leads her to a society of genetically enhanced rats who escaped from a scientific research laboratory called NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health).
These rats possess advanced intelligence and abilities. Gradually, as she becomes involved with the rats, she learns of their plan to move their home to a safer location and decides to help them in return for their assistance.
Together, they face numerous challenges and dangers, including the formidable rat leader Jenner.
The Secret of NIMH is another interesting movie on our list of movies with farm animals that shows courage, friendship, and the pursuit of freedom while delivering a captivating and magical tale set in a world where science and fantasy intertwine.
17. Shaun the Sheep Movie (2015)
- Director: Mark Burton and Richard Starzak
- Cast: Justin Fletcher, John Sparkes, Omid Djalili, Kate Harbour, Simon Greenall
- IMBd Rating: 7.3/10
Shaun the Sheep Movie is a must-watch in the movies with farm animals. It is an animated comedy film that follows the adventures of Shaun, a clever and mischievous sheep who lives on Mossy Bottom Farm.
Tired of the monotony of farm life and under the leadership of the hapless farmer, Shaun hatches a plan to have a day off.
However, their plan could go better when the farmer gets lost in the Big City.
Shaun, his fellow sheep, and their loyal dog, Bitzer, now go on a rescue mission to bring the farmer back home safely.
Along the way, they find themselves in hilarious and sometimes chaotic situations.
18. Animal Farm (1999)
- Director: John Stephenson
- Cast: Kelsey Grammer, Ian Holm, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Patrick Stewart, Paul Scofield
- IMBd Rating: 6/10
The 1999 “Animal Farm” adaptation is based on George Orwell’s classic novella.
The story is a political allegory set on a farm where the animals rebel against their oppressive human owner and establish their self-governing society.
Initially, the animals unite under the principles of equality and fairness, but over time, the pigs, led by Napoleon, begin to corrupt the revolution’s ideals.
They become authoritarian rulers, and the farm descends into tyranny, mirroring the events of the Russian Revolution and the rise of Stalinism.
The film powerfully critiques totalitarianism and the abuse of power, using animals as allegorical representations of political figures and societal structures.
19. The Biggest Little Farm (2018)
- Director: John Chester
- Cast: John Chester, Molly Chester, Joshua Nelson, Beauden Chester, Matthew Pilachowski
- IMBd Rating: 8/10
Have you watched The Biggest Little Farm? The documentary film narrates the story of the eight-year journey of John and Molly Chester, a couple who decide to leave their city life behind and start a sustainable, biodiverse farm on 200 acres of barren land in California.
Their goal is to create a harmonious, self-sustaining ecosystem that works in balance with nature.
This movie shows us their challenges, including dealing with pests, droughts, and financial difficulties.
They use regenerative farming practices, permaculture principles, and animal husbandry to restore the land’s fertility and biodiversity.
Throughout the documentary, viewers witness the successes and setbacks of their journey, including the birth of their son during this period.
The Biggest Little Farm is a very heartwarming and inspirational movie with farm animals.
20. Fly Away Home (1996)
- Director: Carroll Ballard
- Cast: Jeff Daniels, Anna Paquin, Dana Delany, Holter Graham, Terry Kinney
- IMBd Rating: 6.9/10
The last movie on our list of movies with farm animals is Fly Away Home. This is a family drama movie that is inspired by a true story.
It follows the adventures of a young girl named Amy Alden (played by Anna Paquin) and her father Thomas (played by Jeff Daniels).
After Amy’s mother dies in a car accident, she is sent to live with her estranged father in Canada.
There, she discovers a nest of abandoned goose eggs and hatches them. As the goslings imprint on her, she becomes their surrogate mother.
When it’s time for the geese to migrate, Amy and her father realize that the goslings won’t survive without their parents.
In a remarkable effort, they use a small ultralight aircraft to lead the geese south for the winter.
Along the way, they face numerous challenges and obstacles while forming a deep bond with the geese.
.
