Racing Stripes (2005)

35% of critics liked it
(99 reviews)
54% of users liked it
(58,544 ratings)

A horse of a different pattern becomes a spoiler in a high-stakes race in the family-friendly comedy-drama. Nolan Walsh (Bruce Greenwood) is a farmer who once earned his living training racehorses before his wife was killed in an accident while riding, which led him to leave the racing game. Nolan… More A horse of a different pattern becomes a spoiler in a high-stakes race in the family-friendly comedy-drama. Nolan Walsh (Bruce Greenwood) is a farmer who once earned his living training racehorses before his wife was killed in an accident while riding, which led him to leave the racing game. Nolan tends to his farm and looks after his daughter Channing (Hayden Panettiere) and a large flock of animals, who speak to one another but not to humans. After a traveling circus passes through town, a zebra pony is left behind; Nolan takes in the animal, intending to return it to the circus, but at Channing's insistence they keep the zebra, naming him Stripes (voiced by Frankie Muniz). Channing loves Stripes, and the zebra is welcomed by the other critters on the farm, including grumpy Shetland pony Tucker (voiced by Dustin Hoffman), slow-moving hound dog Lightning (voiced by Snoop Dogg), a New Jersey-born pelican named Goose (voiced by Joe Pantoliano), skinny-brained rooster Reggie (voiced by Jeff Foxworthy), and deep-thinking goat Franny (voiced by Whoopi Goldberg). Channing discovers that Stripes can outrun nearly any horse around, and Woodzie (M. Emmett Walsh), a local character who has spent years handicapping the ponies, is convinced the zebra would be shoo-in in the Kentucky Open, a prestigious race held at the estate of champion horse breeder Clara Dalrymple (Wendie Malick). Channing believes Stripes can win, but he'll need the help of Nolan, who isn't so sure he's ready to start training again; meanwhile, Stripes gets plenty of advice from the other farm animals about his big step onto the race track. Mandy Moore, David Spade, and Steve Harvey also contribute their voice talents to the picture. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 41 min.
Directed By: Frederik Du Chau
Written By: David Schmidt
Genres: Drama, Kids & Family, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 14, 2005 Wide
On DVD: May 10, 2005
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures

Critic Reviews

Russell Scott Smith, New York Post
A predictable but pleasant kids movie.
Mike Clark, USA Today
Almost everyone in this has done better, and those who haven't, like young Ms. Panettiere, have plenty of time to do so.
Susan Walker, Toronto Star
There's much to laud in Racing Stripes.
Carla Meyer, San Francisco Chronicle
Offers enjoyable moments.
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
It stumbles right out of the gate.
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger
The humor never rises very far above the barnyard.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Best live-action talking animal movie since Babe.
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
There's something oddly satisfying about seeing a notoriously disobedient wild animal like a zebra racing alongside horses.
Nathan Rabin, AV Club
Part earnest, old-fashioned melodrama, part wisecracking broad comedy, Racing Stripes is a film divided against itself.
Peter T. Chattaway, Christianity Today
Racing Stripes never pulls ahead of the pack, but it's good for a few laps around the track.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Um filme engraçadinho, sem dúvida, mas que nada mais é do que uma cópia pouco inspirada do encantador Babe - Um Porquinho Atrapalhado.
Bill Clark, FromTheBalcony
That it is familiar and predictable is a given, but nevertheless Racing Stripes is an enjoyable film.
James Plath, Reel.com
A National Velvet-style plot twist and solid performances elevate this otherwise standard talking animal flick.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
Poop, burp, fart, and snot jokes are all the rage in children's movies these days, so expect plenty of them here.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
I have no doubt that Racing Stripes will be a solid hit with younger kids. But adults watching it with them may want to bring along a good book.

Read all 15 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Brad W

A terribly made film and a embarassment to all movies everywhere.
Dean M

The combination of bright action, talking animals, exciting races and a comically pelican named Goose should make me laugh heaps better than grubby, bumbling flies Buzz and Scuzz. So cute, funny, heartwarming and a subtly surreal fantasy. Racing Stripes is a… More
The combination of bright action, talking animals, exciting races and a comically pelican named Goose should make me laugh heaps better than grubby, bumbling flies Buzz and Scuzz. So cute, funny, heartwarming and a subtly surreal fantasy. Racing Stripes is a pleasure to watch simply for its animal stunts. I suppose one can never get too old or intellectual to enjoy a dancing monkey, so to speak. There are a few instances of animal "stunts" being too dangerous for the animals - such as Stripes' wipeout, so these are animated with CGI, too, and they're integrated very well. The animal computer effects are as good as they were in Babe; the quality photography shows off lots of animals, and the voice cast is studded with such stars as Frankie Muniz, Snoop Dogg, Dustin Hoffman, Whoopi Goldberg, Joe Pantoliano and Mandy Moore.
Bobby H

The movie is average. It actually has some pretty funny parts at times and though it's for the kids and silly, adults may enjoy some of the hidden humor that the little ones may not pick up on. It's an inspirational story for children that offer's that little bit of… More
The movie is average. It actually has some pretty funny parts at times and though it's for the kids and silly, adults may enjoy some of the hidden humor that the little ones may not pick up on. It's an inspirational story for children that offer's that little bit of faith needed for those who find themselves picked on or a bit different from the rest.... uniqueness is a good thing.... However, the same thing that makes it good is also it's flaw. We have seen this story told a hundred times. The under dog finds faith in friends and in himself and makes that last push to win the big...whatever... doesn't really matter if it's a Zebra or the million of other movies that features the same topic... it's all the same. Overall: It's a good movie for children and it's a fun flick to watch as there is some creativty and comical parts too it but it's super predictable and not very original as far as the plot itself is concerned.
Candy R

Heart warming story about a zebra who is convinced he is a race horse. Very Babe like. Good cast.
Nani V

Cute film.
Film C

loved it hilarious funy and i love the flies there hilarious worth watching
Jose Z

A nice movie, perfect to spend a good time with the family. In my point of view the story is interesting and original, very touching and with very good messages of friendship and equality. The plot could be a little predictable but that doesn't mean it isn't entertaining, in… More
A nice movie, perfect to spend a good time with the family. In my point of view the story is interesting and original, very touching and with very good messages of friendship and equality. The plot could be a little predictable but that doesn't mean it isn't entertaining, in fact it is very entertaining and funny. Very good cast, Hayden Panetiere delivers a solid performance, Frakie Muniz makes a decent job as Stripes voice, Dustin Hoffman and Whoppi Goldberg as very good as the Tucker and Franny and Joe Pantoliano and David Spade are hilarious as Goose and Scuzz. Finally the soundtrack is great with excellent singers like Sting, Bryan Addams and Aerosmith
Sanjaya &

It's an OK family movie... the story just ordinary.... There's nothing special on it... The ending is predictable... But the most of it, this movie still can entertain... Especially for the kids, I think....
Leigh R

So cute...
Bradley W

A terribly made film and a embarassment to all movies everywhere.
Dillon L

Only children will like this thoughtless film.
Dannielle A

Cute. Unlikely though, since Zebras run 40 miles per hour and Quarter horses run 40 to 45 miles per hour. Could zebras really be trained to race?
Juan C

frankie munez is 3rd place and steals the show as well as the films humor and wit. B-
Yinalí R

Good movie.
Lee K

so-so movie i thought wouldve been a lot better if you have seen the trailer for this you have seen the best parts

Read all 15 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Hayden Panettiere as Channing Walsh

            Bruce Greenwood as Nolan Walsh

            M. Emmet Walsh as Woodzie

            Wendie Malick as Clara Dalrymple

            Frankie Muniz as Stripes

            Mandy Moore as Sandy

            Michael Clarke Duncan as Clydesdale

            Jeff Foxworthy as Reggie

            Joshua Jackson as Trenton's Pride

            Joe Pantoliano as Goose

            Michael Rosenbaum as Ruffshodd

            Steve Harvey as Buzz

            David Spade as Scuzz

            Snoop Dogg as Lightning

            Fred Dalton Thompson as Sir Trenton

            Dustin Hoffman as Tucker

            Whoopi Goldberg as Franny

            Gary Bullock as John Cooper

            John Lesley as Paddock Boss

            Jansen Panettiere as Young Stripes (Voice)

            Morne Visser as Reporter #2

            Caspar Poyck as Mailman

            Thandi Puren as Reporter #1

            Dawn Matthews as Reporter #3

            Matt Stern as Reporter #4

            Graeme Hawkins as Track Announcer

            Tarryn Downes as Anthem Singer

            Frankie Ryan Manriquez as Young Ruffshodd (Voice)

            Kyle Alcazar as Young Pride (Voice)
See full cast