There is no better time to reconnect with nature than right now. And no better or easier way to start doing so than by watching these breathtaking stories of our world.
Here are 10 essential eco-documentaries that everyone should watch at least once.
10. Kiss The Ground (2020)
Climate change will always seem like an impossible problem. But ‘Kiss The Ground’ argues that the answer is right in front of our eyes. Narrated by Woody Harrelson, this documentary explores regenerative agriculture.
The documentary shows the harmful effects that industrial farming practices are having on our earth. And the best way to restore the climate is through practicing steps that can restore soil health.
9. Our Great National Parks (2022)
Narrated by the former U.S. President Barack Obama, ‘Our Great National Parks’ is a stunning five-part series. It celebrates some of the world’s most remarkable protected landscapes.
From California’s Monterey Bay to Kenya’s Tsavo National Park, ‘Our Great National Parks’ is a visual and intellectual journey. It features breathtaking cinematography and highlights the important roles these parks play in preserving our world.
8. My Octopus Teacher (2020)
Few documentaries have pulled at our heartstrings like ‘My Octopus Teacher’. South African filmmaker Craig Foster spends a year in a kelp forest and develops an extraordinary bond with a wild octopus.
Over the course of a year, Foster observes the creature’s daily routine and how it fights back against struggles with intelligence and resilience. The documentary is far from just an intellectual film. It is looking at the very personal connection humans need to develop with nature.
7. The True Cost (2015)
Taking up the global fast-fashion industry, ‘The True Cost’ exposes the hidden story behind the clothes we wear every day. There is so much environmental cost, labor exploitation, and health crisis that happen because of fast fashion.
‘The True Cost’ exposes these through interviews with garment workers, environmental activists, factory owners, and sustainable clothing advocates.
6. Virunga (2014)
Part wildlife documentary and part investigative thrillers, ‘Virunga’ is a remarkable exploration of the stories of the rangers protecting Congo’s Virunga National Park. One of Africa’s most important conservation areas, Virunga is home to many endangered mountain gorillas.
But it faces constant threats from poachers, armed militias, and industries coming for oil. There are many political conflicts, and violence is constantly rising. But amidst this is a small group of courageous individuals who risk their lives every day in order to protect nature.
In Case You Missed It: ‘Chernobyl’ Fans Shouldn’t Miss This Real-Life Disaster Drama
5. Food, Inc. 2 (2023)
A sequel to the acclaimed 2008 film, ‘Food, Inc. 2’ is another hard look at the modern food industry. Especially the secrets that shape the food we consume every day.
From ultra-processed food to environmental and labor exploitations, this documentary leaves behind nothing. It challenges the viewers to question where their food is coming from and who are the ones actually benefitting from this exploitative system.
4. Chasing Coral (2017)
Coral reefs have always been the most diverse ecosystems on Earth. Yet, they are disappearing at an alarming rate but remain unacknowledged in popular media. ‘Chasing Corals’ brings this to the forefront by documenting a team of divers, photographers, and scientists and their study of coral reefs around the world.
The documentary features stunning photography and time-lapse footage to show us the effect of rising ocean temperatures on marine life. It is an invisible crisis, but it’s also becoming impossible to ignore.
3. Our Planet (2019-2023)
Narrated by Sir David Attenborough, ‘Our Planet’ is the first nature documentary Netflix ever made. It is an instant classic and a direct examination of the impact our reckless lifestyle is having on the planet.
The series is filmed across fifty countries over the course of four years to show extraordinary wildlife and ecosystems. At the same time, the focus is also there on highlighting the growing threat that is on its way to destroying these beauties.
2. David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet (2020)
In what he describes as his “witness statement,” David Attenborough reflects on a lifetime spent documenting the natural world. It is a blend of his personal memoir with environmental warnings.
Attenborough’s firsthand observation makes the messages especially powerful and real. The documentary also shows many steps we can take in our daily life to make a change.
1. An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
This 2006 classic brought massive public awareness towards environmental issues. Centered around the former U.S. Vice President Al Gore’s presentation on global warming, this Oscar-winning film brought those conversations directly to the people.
It combines scientific evidence with daily issues to make environmental study accessible and calls for action from the general public. Even after two decades, ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ remains one of the defining eco-documentaries.
You Might Also Like To Read: 20 Most Unforgettable Disaster Movies Of All Time
