Black Beauty – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Black Beauty

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2020

65%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A horse and a girl forge a bond through adventures—basically every horse movie you've seen, 2020 edition.

6.4/10

47%

8.0

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Black Beauty

movie

TV-PG, 2020

65%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A horse and a girl forge a bond through adventures—basically every horse movie you've seen, 2020 edition.

6.4

47%

8.0

Jump to

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6.4/10

47%

8.0

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Screenwise Verdict

Black Beauty is a perfectly serviceable horse movie that will satisfy kids who are deep in their horse phase, but it's not going to blow anyone's mind. It hits all the expected beats: beautiful horse, plucky girl, bond formed, challenges faced, tears shed. The 2020 version doesn't bring much new to the table compared to earlier adaptations or similar films like Spirit.

The TMDB rating of 8/10 suggests audiences liked it well enough, but without broader critical consensus or content ratings, it's hard to gauge how it really landed. It's safe, wholesome, and will teach your kids to care about animals—mission accomplished. But if you're looking for something that transcends the genre or offers fresh storytelling, this isn't it.

Bottom line: If your kid is obsessed with horses, queue it up. If not, there are probably more engaging family films out there.

Age Fit

Best for ages 6-13, particularly horse-loving kids. Younger viewers might find some emotional scenes intense, while teens will likely find it too juvenile unless they're die-hard horse fans.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Classic girl-and-her-horse story emphasizing the bond between human and animal, kindness, and perseverance through challenges. The emotional core is healthy and models empathy toward animals. The tone stays age-appropriate throughout, though some separation/hardship scenes may be emotionally heavy for sensitive viewers.

Imaginative

While the American West setting offers visual beauty and the horse's perspective is a narrative choice, this is a fairly straightforward adaptation that doesn't break new ground. It's a retelling of a well-worn story without particularly innovative storytelling or world-building that invites creative thinking. The horse-human bond is the main draw, but it's executed in expected ways.

Safe

Generally safe family viewing with no graphic violence, sexuality, or inappropriate content. Some scenes of horses in peril or distress may be upsetting for younger or animal-sensitive children, and there are likely moments of separation and loss that come with the territory of horse stories. No content ratings available to confirm specifics, but the premise and TMDB rating of 8/10 suggest family-friendly execution.

Enriching

Builds empathy for animals and explores themes of freedom, resilience, and the human-animal bond. Offers opportunities to discuss animal welfare, responsibility, and perseverance through adversity. However, it's not particularly deep or challenging intellectually—it's a solid emotional journey but doesn't offer much beyond the standard horse-story lessons.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Classic animal-human bond story that teaches empathy and responsibility toward animals
Beautiful American West setting offers visual appeal
Emotionally engaging for kids who love horses (and let's be real, that's a lot of kids)
Explores themes of freedom, resilience, and perseverance through challenges
No inappropriate content makes it safe family viewing

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What to Watch For

Scenes of horses in distress or danger may upset sensitive or younger viewers
Emotional moments of separation and hardship are par for the course in horse stories
It's a 2020 remake that doesn't really reinvent the wheel—if your kid has seen Spirit or other horse movies, this covers similar ground

Conversation Starters

"What do you think Black Beauty felt when she was taken from the wild?"
"How do you think we should treat animals? What responsibilities come with having a pet?"
"Jo and Black Beauty had to face a lot of challenges—what was the hardest thing they went through together?"
"If you could have any animal as a companion like Jo has Black Beauty, what would it be and why?"

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