Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko

Written by Paulius Narkevičius

It’s hard to explain the Kentucky Derby to a non-horse racing fan. In fact, it is even harder to compare it to a different sporting event. We’re talking about a spectacle that has been going on for more than 150 years, and it is often called “the most exciting two minutes in sports.”

Your first thought is probably, how can a 2-minute event be so popular? Well, the Kentucky Derby isn’t just the race itself. It’s about the passion for the sport, the culture, the fashion, the luxury, the food, the traditions, and so much more.

Behind those two minutes, there are months of training, years of dedication, decades of tradition, and countless personal stories involving jockeys, trainers, and owners.

And with that much history and drama, it’s no surprise that filmmakers have used the Derby as inspiration for movies and documentaries. Some focus on legendary horses, others on betting, and some purely on the drama behind this exciting event that brings 150,000 people to Churchill Downs.

Since the Kentucky Derby is right around the corner, let’s highlight some of the best movies and documentaries to watch as a warm-up.

©Courtesy of Disney

Secretariat (2010)

This is one of the biggest and most popular horse racing movies ever produced. It’s Disney’s take on a horse that set the boundaries so high, no horse since can reach them. We’re talking about the Secretariat, a horse with an enormously big heart (literally).

The story follows the real-life horse who dominated the racing scene in the early 1970s and went on to win the Triple Crown in 1973, setting record times in both the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes that still stand today.

To make the story even more spectacular, it also focuses on Penny Chenery, the horse’s owner, and her determination to keep the family stable alive, despite dealing with a male-dominant sport.

This is the perfect movie to watch if you want to know how truly dominant Secretariat was. Compared to this year’s Kentucky Derby contenders, we don’t think there is a horse that can run as fast as him.

Secretariat is the perfect movie to watch for some inspiration before placing a bet. It will motivate you to look for the next big name from the Kentucky Derby contenders list, which you can see here: https://www.twinspires.com/kentuckyderby/contenders/

Photo by Ben Glass – © Ten Furlongs LLC

50 to 1 (2014)

What’s horse racing without betting, right? And the Kentucky Derby is an event that scrapes more than $350 million in betting volume every year.

Now, this movie is also based on the true story of Mine That Bird, which was an overlooked (underdog) horse from New Mexico that shocked the world by winning the 2009 Kentucky Derby at 50-to-1 odds.

It centers around a small group of cowboys who take their horse on a chaotic journey across the country, just so it can compete with the biggest names in the industry. Yes, it may not be the most polished racing movie ever made, but the story behind it is so unbelievable, making it the perfect watch for bettors.

©Courtesy of Pan American Films

Run for the Roses (1977)

If you’re up for some classics, Run for the Roses is a film that centers specifically on the Kentucky Derby. This film is about a young horse owner chasing the dream of competing in the Derby.

Yes, it may be fictional, but the movie captures the excitement and pressure surrounding the race better than real-story movies.

The title itself is a reference to the famous garland of roses placed on the winning horse after the Derby, one of the event’s most recognizable traditions.

It may feel a bit old-school compared to modern sports movies, but it still has a certain charm for racing fans.

©Courtesy of PBS Documentary

Inside the Kentucky Derby (PBS Documentary)

If you prefer documentaries instead of dramatized movies, Inside the Kentucky Derby is a great place to start.

This PBS program explores the traditions, culture, and history surrounding the Derby, from the famous hats and mint juleps to the horses and trainers preparing for the big day.

The documentary takes viewers behind the scenes at Churchill Downs, showing what actually happens before the race begins and why the event means so much to the city of Louisville.

It’s less about drama and more about understanding the traditions that make the Derby such a unique sporting event.

©Courtesy of Netflix

Race for the Crown (2025)

This is the latest and probably the best series/documentary that covers the Kentucky Derby. Race for the Crown is made by the same people who are in charge of Formula 1’s “Drive to Survive,” and it received a lot of positive reviews.

This Netflix series focuses on all things that are happening every year at the Kentucky Derby. Not just one horse, but it covers all jockeys, trainers, and owners, and it features plenty of interviews with influential people from the industry and a lot of behind-the-scenes action.

So, if you’re just learning about the Kentucky Derby, this is the perfect series to watch to learn a thing or two about the biggest horse race in the world.

All you have to do next is grab some popcorn, get into the right horse racing mindset, and watch these movies and documentaries before the Kentucky Derby 2026.