6 Best Rodeo Cowboy Movies

By Vlad Zakh · April 29, 2026

The bruising, solitary life of the professional rodeo cowboy has powered some of cinema’s most quietly devastating character studies of the American West. In The Rider (2018): A young rodeo cowboy grapples with his identity after a near-fatal injury ends his riding career. Equally memorable is The Lusty Men (1952): An aging, injured rodeo champion mentors a younger cowboy while quietly falling for his wife.

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

A world champion bull rider's rise to fame is cut short by a tragic accident.

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 turned corporate pitchman steals a prized horse to set it free.

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

Where to watch

Stream: YouTube TV

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Junior Bonner (1972)

TMDB ★ 6.9

An aging rodeo cowboy returns to his hometown to compete once more and reconnect with his fractured family.

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 aging, 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, built to fix a specific annoyance: most recommendation sites are just algorithm-driven noise. Our lists are researched and organized by who's in a film, where it's from, and the mood you're actually 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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