What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedBlack Beauty
Anna Sewell · Book · 1877
If you loved Black Beauty, start with Black Beauty (2020) — a film from the same story. Below: 2 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Black Beauty across media.
If you loved Black Beauty, you were likely moved by how the silent perspective of a vulnerable being illuminates human morality.
Start with the source
Adaptation
Black Beauty
Film · 2020
Films on the same thread
The Black Stallion
Film · 1979
Explores: Friendship, Survival, Bonding with animals.
Like Black Beauty, this story centers on the profound, wordless bond between a boy and a horse, emphasizing survival and deep connection over the complexities of human society.
War Horse
Steven Spielberg · Film · 2011
Explores: loyalty, the bond between humans and animals, the brutality of war.
This film echoes the emotional weight of Black Beauty by grounding the brutal realities of war in the perspective of a loyal horse navigating a world of human conflict.
Series on the same thread
Roots
Alex Haley · Series · 1977
Explores: Family Saga, Cultural Identity, Oppression and Resistance.
Just as Black Beauty exposes the suffering hidden within Victorian society, this epic reveals the harsh historical truths of human bondage through a lens of empathy and endurance.
All Creatures Great and Small
Bill Sellars · Series · 1978
Explores: Coming-of-age, Small-town life, Animal Care.
Those who appreciated the animal advocacy in Black Beauty will value this series, which mirrors that commitment to compassionate care and the daily realities of working with animals.
Blackadder
Richard Curtis · Series · 1983
Explores: Cynicism, Social satire, Historical Parody.
While this series takes a satirical turn, it shares the historical British setting of Black Beauty, offering a cynical, sharp-witted look at the eras that shaped the past.
Anne with an E
Moira Walley-Beckett · Series · 2017
Shares a thread with Black Beauty: Social Justice.
Much like the resilient protagonist of Black Beauty, Anne faces an upbringing marked by hardship and abuse, finding her voice while fighting for dignity in a restrictive world.
Podcasts on the same thread
Sitting with Dogs by Rocky Kanaka
Podcast
Explores: animal rescue, dog adoption, shelter dogs.
This podcast honors the spirit of Black Beauty by giving a platform to the voiceless, focusing on the comfort and stories of animals that require our human advocacy.
Dark History
Audioboom Studios · Podcast · 2026
Explores: untold narratives, institutional corruption, societal taboos.
If the social justice elements of Black Beauty resonated with you, this podcast provides a similar, unflinching look at the uncomfortable and often hidden truths of our collective history.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Black Beauty a true story?
Black Beauty is a fictional animal autobiography written by Anna Sewell in 1877. While the book is not a true story, it serves as an animal rights classic that presents the life of an ebony horse in 19th century England through the perspective of the horse itself.
What is the recommended age range for Black Beauty?
Black Beauty is recommended for readers between the ages of 9 and 12, or grades 4 through 7. The book provides an engaging read that follows the life of a horse from birth to old age while exploring important morality themes suitable for this age group.
How does the 2020 movie compare to the original Black Beauty book?
The 2020 Black Beauty movie is a modern adaptation of the 1877 book by Anna Sewell. Both versions follow the life of the ebony horse as he moves from pastures to the cobblestone streets of 19th century England, maintaining the core narrative of the original animal rights classic.
Does Black Beauty have a sentimental tone?
Black Beauty is intentionally written in a voice that is relatable yet unsentimental. Although it is a morality tale and an animal autobiography, the narrative remains grounded while detailing the life of the horse from his birth to his old age in 19th century England.