6 Best Rodeo Cowboy Movies

By Vlad Zakh · April 29, 2026

The solitary life of the rodeo cowboy has inspired quietly devastating character studies. The Rider follows a young cowboy after an injury ends his riding career, Junior Bonner has an aging cowboy returning home for one more rodeo, and The Electric Horseman has a washed-up champion stealing a horse to set it free. 8 Seconds, J.W. Coop and The Lusty Men round out the six.

The Rider (2018)

TMDB ★ 7.2

A young rodeo cowboy grapples with his identity after a near-fatal injury ends his riding career.

Directed by Chloé Zhao · 1h 43m · Rated R

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

8 Seconds (1994)

TMDB ★ 6.6

The rise and tragic death of a champion professional bull rider.

Directed by John G. Avildsen · 1h 45m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Howdy Amazon Channel · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Electric Horseman (1979)

TMDB ★ 6.2

A washed-up rodeo champion steals a valuable racehorse to set it free in the wild.

Directed by Sydney Pollack · 2h 02m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Stream: YouTube TV

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Junior Bonner (1972)

TMDB ★ 6.9

An ageing rodeo cowboy returns to his hometown for one last competition amid his family's dysfunction.

Directed by Sam Peckinpah · 1h 40m · Rated PG

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

J.W. Coop (1972)

TMDB ★ 6.4

A rodeo cowboy fresh out of prison struggles to reclaim his former glory in a changed sport.

Directed by Cliff Robertson · 1h 52m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Lusty Men (1952)

TMDB ★ 7.1

An ageing, injured rodeo champion mentors a younger cowboy while quietly falling for his wife.

Directed by Nicholas Ray · 1h 53m · Rated NR

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix. He started the site because most recommendation pages felt like noise. Here, lists are sorted by who's in the film, where it's from and what mood you're in tonight.

6 Best Rodeo Cowboy Movies

The Rider (2018)

8 Seconds (1994)

The Electric Horseman (1979)

Junior Bonner (1972)

J.W. Coop (1972)

The Lusty Men (1952)

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