Earth: Handle with care. On a personal level, we do our best to care for our planet, but what’s really going on beyond our four walls? Sometimes, seeing is believing. The power of an environmental documentary gives us the means to see what we otherwise never would.
We’ve curated a list of influential films that explore critical issues from climate change and pollution to wildlife conservation and the global impact of our consumption habits. Each environmental documentary sheds light on pressing environmental problems and inspires action and hope.
These films are not just stories but a call to action — educating, engaging, and empowering us all to make a difference.
1. An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
An Inconvenient Truth was a powerful wake-up call that brought climate change to the forefront of global conversation. This film, featuring former Vice President Al Gore, is structured around his compelling presentation on the effects of global warming.
Gore’s clear and methodical approach makes the complex science of climate change accessible and understandable to a broad audience. Through a series of charts, graphs, and images to illustrate the rapid changes our planet is undergoing, Gore links environmental impacts directly to human activity.
An Inconvenient Truth also touches on Gore’s personal motivations and moments that have shaped his environmental advocacy, adding a human element to the scientific discourse. This blend of personal narrative with hard data makes the documentary both an educational tool and a poignant story of personal commitment to a cause.
The documentary’s impact has been profound. It contributed to a shift in public opinion and energized environmental movements worldwide. It has also spurred educational initiatives and policy changes to combat global warming.
Catch An Inconvenient Truth on Amazon Prime Video.
2. Chasing Ice (2012)
Chasing Ice is an extraordinary visual document of environmental change featuring the ambitious work of photographer James Balog and his project, the Extreme Ice Survey.
Balog travels across the harsh, icy landscapes of the Arctic to install time-lapse cameras that capture the startlingly rapid retreat of several large glaciers over the years. These cameras, positioned at various glaciers, take a photo every hour during daylight, creating a powerful visual sequence that reveals the dramatic transformations occurring in these frozen realms.
The emotional core of this environmental documentary is rooted in Balog’s personal transformation. Initially skeptical about climate change, his firsthand observations of the ice disappearing at unprecedented rates led him to passionately advocate for environmental awareness and action.
The film’s impact is magnified by the stunning cinematography and the visceral reality of the sounds of cracking and thundering ice, which accompany the visuals of giant ice structures vanishing before our eyes.
This environmental documentary is crucial for anyone interested in understanding the concrete effects of global warming, providing both a scientific and emotional narrative that underscores the urgent need for climate action. It’s a film that combines the power of art and science to inspire change and awareness.
Stream Chasing Ice on Amazon Prime Video to see the evidence for yourself.
3. The Cove (2009)
In The Cove, activism takes a dangerous turn into covert operations to expose the secretive and horrifying annual dolphin hunt in Taiji, Japan. The film’s footage is horrifying and moving, exposing the grim reality behind the capture of dolphins—many of which end up in marine parks and aquariums around the world.
This intense and provocative film takes some twisted turns into animal rights and the human impact on marine life. It’s led to significant international outcry and pressured Japan to reconsider its stance on dolphin hunting.
The film has also ignited a global discussion about the ethics of marine animal captivity and entertainment, pushing many to advocate for policy changes and better protection of marine life.
You can find this Oscar-winning documentary on Amazon Prime Video.
4. Before the Flood (2016)
In Before the Flood, environmental advocate and Hollywood superstar Leonardo DiCaprio embarks on an eye-opening journey across the globe. Throughout the film, DiCaprio meets with scientists, activists, and world leaders to discuss the dire consequences of climate change and explore feasible solutions. From China’s smog-laden skies to Greenland’s melting landscapes, each scene vividly illustrates the current state of our fragile environment.
This environmental documentary is particularly compelling because it doesn’t just present problems; it actively seeks out answers and practical strategies to mitigate climate change. The interactions between DiCaprio and figures like President Obama and Pope Francis add a significant depth to the narrative, underscoring the global scale of the crisis and the multinational efforts required to combat it.
Before the Flood is a rallying cry for the world to unite to save our planet from the brink of irreversible damage. DiCaprio’s status as a global celebrity pushes the conversation into mainstream discussions, making climate change accessible and urgent.
You can stream Before the Flood on Disney+
5. Our Planet (2019)
Our Planet is a groundbreaking nature documentary series narrated by the venerable Sir David Attenborough. This series is a visually stunning journey through the Earth’s most incredible natural landscapes, from the deep oceans and vast deserts to the icy polar regions and lush rainforests. Each episode focuses on a different biome or habitat, revealing its inherent beauty and human activity’s profound impact on these places.
Our Planet is unique because it combines the classic nature documentary style with a strong environmental message. It’s produced in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), which adds a layer of conservation insight to each episode. The series also uses the latest 4K camera technology to capture behaviors and places that have never been filmed, offering viewers a truly immersive experience.
The series’ impact is profound. Sure, it’s entertaining, but it also educates us about environmental issues. It encourages us to recognize our part in the global ecosystem and inspires us to act to save the natural world. The environmental documentary series appeals to a wide audience, from nature lovers and documentary aficionados to families and educators looking for engaging ways to discuss environmental issues.
Look for Our Planet on Netflix.
6. Racing Extinction (2015)
Racing Extinction is an impactful documentary that brings us into the often unseen world of endangered species while exploring the potential for mass extinction caused by human activities.
The film is driven by a team of artists and activists led by director Louie Psihoyos, who previously directed the Oscar-winning documentary The Cove. The team uses state-of-the-art equipment to expose the hidden market for endangered species and reveal the ecological impacts of humanity’s footprint.
Throughout the documentary, thermal cameras and high-definition 3D projections bring the plight of endangered species into sharp, emotional focus. We get a front-row seat to these species’ beauty and witness their brutal realities, including the black market trade and the expansive impact of carbon emissions.
The environmental documentary is both a call to action and a poignant exploration of what could be lost if human-induced environmental damage continues unchecked. It challenges us to consider our own impact and what can be done to prevent a potential mass extinction from becoming a grim reality.
Racing Extinction is available on platforms like Amazon Prime Video.
7. Plastic Ocean (2016)
A Plastic Ocean is an eye-opening environmental documentary that illuminates the alarming issue of plastic pollution in the world’s oceans. The film begins with a journey to film the blue whale but quickly takes a drastic turn into a broader investigation of plastic waste in the oceans and its dramatic effects on marine life and the environment.
Directed by journalist Craig Leeson and featuring free diver Tanya Streeter, the documentary takes us around the globe, from the most beautiful beaches to remote uninhabited islands—only to find plastic waste everywhere.
The narrative of A Plastic Ocean is particularly compelling because it highlights the scale and seriousness of the issue while focusing on the human actions that have contributed to the crisis. It also explores what we can do to reverse it.
The film presents a mix of scientific analysis and emotional storytelling, showcasing both the human dependency on plastic and the environmental consequences of this addiction.
A Plastic Ocean urges us to rethink our use of plastic products and to advocate for policies that limit plastic waste and promote recycling and sustainability. The shocking statistics and visuals are hard to forget, driving home the message that change is necessary and urgent.
You can stream A Plastic Ocean on Amazon Prime Video.
8. The True Cost (2015)
The True Cost takes us into the lion’s den of global fashion and its often hidden environmental and human rights impacts. Directed by Andrew Morgan, the film reveals the harsh realities of fast fashion. Think of extensive pesticide use, severe pollution, and significant waste produced by garment manufacturing processes.
This environmental documentary takes us on a journey through various countries, from India’s cotton fields to Bangladesh’s factories and the runways of some of the world’s fashion capitals. It exposes the life-threatening conditions faced by low-wage workers in the developing world and the environmental degradation that results from the relentless pursuit of cheaper clothing.
The True Cost argues that bargain prices in Western stores are costly to the environment and human well-being.
Through interviews with environmentalists, garment workers, factory owners, and famous fashion designers, we begin to understand the real link between consumer pressure for low-cost, high fashion and the broader social and environmental chains of exploitation fueling this demand.
The film also highlights innovative approaches to making fashion more sustainable, including organic clothing, fair trade practices, and other ethical sourcing practices.
The True Cost is streaming on platforms like Amazon Prime Video.
9. Fire in Paradise (2019)
Fire in Paradise is a gripping documentary that chronicles the devastating impact of the Camp Fire that swept through Paradise, California, in November 2018.
Directed by Zackary Canepari and Drea Cooper, the film documents one of California’s history’s deadliest and most destructive wildfires. It provides a vivid and heartbreaking insight into the harrowing experiences of the residents and first responders.
The documentary uses firsthand footage and survivor testimonials to paint a stark picture of the fire’s rapid escalation. These personal stories of survival and loss bring an intense human element to the catastrophe. It brilliantly captures the resilience and tragedy of those affected.
Fire in Paradise also explores the broader environmental issues, particularly how climate change exacerbates the frequency and severity of wildfires. It discusses how rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and changing precipitation patterns contribute to more volatile conditions that increase the risk and intensity of such disasters.
