Accumulating evidence indicatesthat programmed necrosis plays a critical role in cell death during ischemia–reperfusion. Necrostatin-1 (Nec-1), a small molecule capable of inhibiting a key regulator of programmed necrosis (RIP1), was shown to prevent necrotic cell death in experimental models including cardiac ischemia. However, no functional follow-up was performed and the action of Nec-1 remains unclear. Here, we studied whether Nec-1 inhibits RIP1-dependent necrosis and leads to long-term improvements after ischemia–reperfusion in vivo. Mice underwent 30 min of ischemia and received, 5 min before reperfusion, 3.3 mg/kg Nec-1 or vehicle treatment, followed by reperfusion. Nec-1 administration reduced infarct size to 26.3 ± 1.3 % (P = 0.001) compared to 38.6 ± 1.7 % in vehicle-treated animals. Furthermore, Nec-1 inhibited RIP1/RIP3 phosphorylation in vivo and significantly reduced necrotic cell death, while apoptotic cell death remained constant. By using MRI, cardiac dimensions and function were assessed before and 28 days after surgery. Nec-1-treated mice displayed less adverse remodeling (end-diastolic volume 63.5 ± 2.8 vs. 74.9 ± 2.8 μl, P = 0.031) and preserved cardiac performance (ejection fraction 45.81 ± 2.05 vs. 36.03 ± 2.37 %, P = 0.016). Nec-1 treatment significantly reduced inflammatory influx, tumor necrosis factor-α mRNA levels and oxidative stress levels. Interestingly, this was accompanied by significant changes in the expression signature of oxidative stress genes. Administration of Nec-1 at the onset of reperfusion inhibits RIP1-dependent necrosis in vivo, leading to infarct size reduction and preservation of cardiac function. The cardioprotective effect of Nec-1 highlights the importance of necrotic cell death in the ischemic heart, thereby opening a new direction for therapy in patients with myocardial infarction.