All the Pretty Horses

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All the Pretty Horses

PG-13

2000

1h 57m

Drama

Romance

Western

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Popcornmeter

32%

Tomatometer

100 Reviews

42%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

The year is 1949. A young Texan named John Grady finds himself without a home after his mother sells the ranch where he has spent his entire life. Lured south of the border by the romance of cowboy life and the promise of a fresh start, Cole and his pal embark on an adventure that will test their resilience, define their maturity, and change their lives forever.

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Critics Consensus

This adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's novel comes off as rather flat and uninvolving. Scenes feel rushed and done in shorthand, and the romance between Damon and Cruz has no sparks.

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Steve Mirarchi

Boston Globe

Dec 26, 2000

McCarthy's novel employs the coming of age narrative in service of his sanguineous spiritual vision, and for the film to renounce that philosophy is to give up its soul and be rendered lifeless.

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Geoff Pevere

Toronto Star

Dec 26, 2000

Lovely but disengaging, mysterious but uninvolving, physical but strangely remote.

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Susan Stark

Detroit News

Dec 26, 2000

4/4

Working from Ted Tally's casually artful script, director Billy Bob Thornton guides Matt Damon, Henry Thomas and Penelope Cruz to their most impressive performances in a major movie yet.

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Ted Murphy

Hollywood.com

Dec 13, 2009

B

What is on screen is impressive, even with the sense of something missing.

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Bob Grimm

Sacramento News & Review

Aug 7, 2008

3/5

Betsy Bozdech

DVDJournal.com

Oct 21, 2006

2/4

If Thornton had cut a few extra minutes' worth of pretty horses ... and left in a few more storytelling scenes, this attempt at a Western epic might have had more impact.

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Robert P

@Superbad 3 days ago

All The Pretty Horses is a *2* star Movie!

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Leo N.

@EntertainLeo May 18, 2026

A film does not have to be complex to appeal to your soul.

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Findley S

@findleygsmith Apr 20, 2026

This movie was poorly directed with minimal character-driven plot arches. But, the cinematography was beautiful and Matt Damon and Penélope Cruz played their parts as well as they could. I was surprised at the negative reviews of this movie, but then again, I haven't read the novel upon which the film is based. Overall, recommend to anyone looking for a modern western.

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Chase J.

@chasez Apr 6, 2026

I love the Cormac McCarthy book, but not a very good retelling. Chemistry between Damon and Cruz, Damon and Thomas not very strong. Scenes feel rushed. Although it is fun to see a throwback of Damon and Cruz. I feel like her lines just are particularly good.

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Vegas M

@migzooma Mar 25, 2026

Although not perfect it's a beautiful well done film that keeps you engaged til the very end.

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Willis F

@RT99196370 Oct 7, 2025

This is a great example of a movie critics hate, but a movie that is thoughtful and well done, that you will love. Don’t listen to the haters. Billy Bob Thornton stays true to the book. I’m left wondering if the people who don’t like this movie even read the book because the movie captures the tone of the book perfectly. This is a modern western classic, a rarity in the day and culture in which we live.

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Billy Bob Thornton

Director

Matt Damon

John Grady Cole

Henry Thomas

Lacey Rawlins

Penélope Cruz

Alejandra

Lucas Black

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Synopsis

The year is 1949. A young Texan named John Grady finds himself without a home after his mother sells the ranch where he has spent his entire life. Lured south of the border by the romance of cowboy life and the promise of a fresh start, Cole and his pal embark on an adventure that will test their resilience, define their maturity, and change their lives forever.

Director: Billy Bob Thornton
Producer: Robert Salerno
Screenwriter: Ted Tally
Distributor: Miramax Films, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: Miramax Films, Columbia Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Strong Language|Drug Use|Violence)
Genre: Drama, Romance, Western
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 11, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $15.5M
Runtime: 1h 57m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby A, SDDS, Surround, Dolby Digital, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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