Concrete Cowboy

Play trailer

2:28

Concrete Cowboy

R

2020

1h 51m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

80%

Tomatometer

126 Reviews

70%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

The film follows 15-year-old Cole, who's forced to live with his estranged father Harper in North Philadelphia, where, despite the surrounding poverty and violence, he discovers the redemptive world of urban horseback riding.

Watch on Netflix

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Well-acted and solidly directed, Concrete Cowboy lassos old-fashioned uplift with its story of a father and son in a little-seen corner of American culture.

Read Critics Reviews

Robert Levin

Newsday

Apr 26, 2021

4/4

Builds an entire world in the span of one corner of North Philadelphia, bringing to vivid life this culture of urban cowboys and those struggling to preserve it.

Go to Full Review

Thelma Adams

AARP Movies for Grownups

Apr 9, 2021

3/5

The film captures a fascinating urban subculture threatened with extinction -- and Elba's fans will follow the Golden-Globe-winning Luther star anywhere, including horseback.

Go to Full Review

Amy Nicholson

FilmWeek (LAist)

Apr 6, 2021

Some incredible cinematography, but it's incredibly sleepy all the way through.

Go to Full Review

Shakyl Lambert

CGMagazine

Jul 12, 2024

7.5/10

With solid performances across the whole cast, Concrete Cowboy is a grounded, authentic tribute to a subculture wrongfully ignored by history.

Go to Full Review

Manuel São Bento

MSB Reviews (Ghost.io)

Jul 24, 2023

C+

Concrete Cowboy holds a formulaic, unsurprising coming-of-age story that could have been more captivating had it focused on the main narrative.

Go to Full Review

M.N. Miller

Music City Drive-In

Jan 4, 2023

3.5/5

This is a film with a unique slice of life that has an authentic look and feel while telling a timeless story of fathers and sons.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Robert P

@Superbad Oct 26, 2026

Concrete Cowboy is a 3.5 star Movie!

See more

Dixie M

@DMDarne123 Sep 18, 2026

I really enjoyed the movie and the story. Caleb McLaughlin, idris Elba and Jharrel Jerome did amazing job.

See more

Karthik Y.

@madkarthi Jun 3, 2026

It is a totally mid film for me. But still I had some good fun while watching the movie. The story is a very routine father and son drama only. But the concept of urban black cowboys in Philadelphia is looking very unique and interesting. Idris Elba and Caleb McLaughlin have given a very nice performance. The visuals and the horse riding scenes are also good. But the slow pacing and predictable plot are making it a bit boring in the middle. It is just a decent one time watchable film.

See more

Claire M

@RT01732244 Jan 17, 2026

I loved this movie. Finally, a setting that's like real life. They were so lucky to get Idris Elba for this. He brings his charm and swagger so it's never dull. For people who love horses, too, it's one to re-watch whenever you need a lift.

See more

Joshua m

@Flameon Sep 20, 2025

I am a little biased since this takes place in PA where I live in. It's a solid film without the cliches. It may not be for everyone.

See more

Maria O

@HameZz Dec 26, 2023

I liked it a lot and the cinematography was super well done. The only thing is that the ending could have been more sentimental by prolonging it. But I bet people would probably disagree with me on that. This is just my opinion.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Ricky Staub

Director

Idris Elba

Harp

Caleb McLaughlin

Cole

Jharrel Jerome

Smush

Lorraine Toussaint

Nessie

Byron Bowers

Rome

Concrete Cowboy: Movie Clip

1:05

Now Playing

View more videos

Honey Boy

94%

92%

Honey Boy

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Honey Boy

Sollers Point

85%

58%

Sollers Point

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Sollers Point

Palmer

72%

87%

Palmer

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Palmer

7 Prisoners

98%

84%

7 Prisoners

Watchlist

TRAILER

for 7 Prisoners

Blue Bayou

75%

93%

Blue Bayou

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Blue Bayou

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Concrete Cowboy: Trailer 1

2:28

Now Playing

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

The film follows 15-year-old Cole, who's forced to live with his estranged father Harper in North Philadelphia, where, despite the surrounding poverty and violence, he discovers the redemptive world of urban horseback riding.

Director: Ricky Staub
Producer: Lee Daniels, Idris Elba, Jennifer Madeloff, Tucker Tooley, Dan Walser, Jeff G. Waxman
Screenwriter: Ricky Staub, Dan Walser
Production Co: Waxylu Films, Lee Daniels Entertainment, Green Door Pictures, Tucker Tooley Entertainment, Neighborhood Film Co.
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 2, 2021
Runtime: 1h 51m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings