List of environmental films

This article lists film and television works which feature or discuss the environment, environmentalism or environmental issues.

Some notable and commercially successful films have featured environmental themes[1] and are commemorated through several environmental film festivals held annually. The Annual Environmental Media Awards have been presented by the Environmental Media Association (EMA) since 1991 to the best television episode or film with an environmental message.[2]

List of documentary films about the environment

This is a list of documentary films related to the environment.

TitleTheme(s) and subtheme(s)Author(s)Year(s)
The 11th HourGlobal warming, deforestation, mass species extinction, social responsibility, Conservation movementNadia Conners, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Leila Conners Petersen2007
All That BreathesAir pollutionShaunak Sen2022
Angry InukHunting: seal huntingAlethea Arnaquq-Baril2016
Anima mundiWWFGodfrey Reggio1991
The Antarctica Challenge: A Global WarningClimate Change research in AntarcticaMark Terry2009
Anthropocene: The Human EpochHow humans have impacted the planetJennifer Baichwal, Nicholas de Pencier, Edward Burtynsky2019
Ashes to HoneyNuclear power: radiationHitomi Kamanaka2011
BarakaNatural phenomena, Human behaviorRon Fricke1992
Before the FloodGlobal Climate ChangeMark Monroe2016
Before VanishingWater pollution: Barada (river)Joude Gorani2005
The Bell of ChernobylChernobyl nuclear disasterRollan Sergienko1987
Bhopal ExpressAir pollution: from a pesticide factoryPrasoon Pandey and Piyush Pandey1999
Bigger Than UsVarious themesFlore Vasseur and Melati Wijsen2021
Bill Nye: Science GuyGlobal warmingDavid Alvarado and Jason Sussberg2017
Biùtiful cauntriPollution: toxic waste dumping in Southern ItalyEsmeralda Calabria and Andrea D'Ambrosio2007
Black HoleCoal mining: AustraliaJoão Dujon Pereira2015
Blue VinylPollution: production and disposal of polyvinyl chlorideDaniel B. Gold and Judith Helfand2002
Burning the Future: Coal in AmericaMining: mountaintop removal miningDavid Novack and Richard Hankin2008
The Burning Season (1994)Forests: Amazon rainforestWilliam Mastrosimone1994
The Burning Season (2008)Forests: deforestation in IndonesiaCathy Henkel2008
ButterflyEnvironmentalism: resisting clearcuttingDoug Wolens2000
Cane Toads: The ConquestIntroduced species: cane toads in AustraliaMark Lewis2010
Cane Toads: An Unnatural HistoryIntroduced species: cane toads in AustraliaMark Lewis1988
The Chances of the World ChangingEndangered species: turtlesEric Daniel Metzgar2006
Chasing IceGlobal warmingJames Balog2012
Chasing CoralGlobal warming, Coral bleaching, Climate ChangeJeff Orlowski2017
Chernobyl HeartChernobyl disaster: acute radiation syndromeMaryann DeLeo2003
Children of Tsunami: No More TearsNatural disasters: 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunamiSatya Sivaraman, Nur Raihan, Suren de Silva, and Pipope Panitchpakdi2005
The City DarkLight pollutionIan Cheney2011
Climate RefugeesClimate change: effects on natural resourcesMichael P. Nash2010
Climate WarriorsClimate change, renewable energyCarl-A. Fechner2018
Clouds of SmokeGlobal warmingFatmir Terziu2007
Colombia Magia SalvajeColombian biodiversity and environmental protectionMike Slee2015
The CoveHunting: dolphin drive huntingMark Monroe2009
Cowspiracy: The Sustainability SecretAnimal husbandry, policies of environmental organizations, global warming, water use, deforestation, and ocean dead zones,Kip Andersen and Keegan Kuhn2014
Crude (2007)Petroleum industry: peak oil and climate changeRichard Smith2007
Crude (2009)Petroleum industry: pollution and class actionJoe Berlinger2009
A Crude Awakening: The Oil CrashPeak oil, Petroleum industryBasil Gelpke and Ray McCormack2006
Dark WatersWater Pollution: Chemical Industry, Class ActionNathaniel Rich, Mario Correa, Matthew Michael Carnahan2019
Darwin's NightmareLake VictoriaHubert Sauper2004
Dead Ahead: The Exxon Valdez DisasterPetroleum industry: Exxon Valdez oil spill, United States Environmental Protection Agency, disaster responsePaul Seed1992
Deadly Deception: General Electric, Nuclear Weapons and Our EnvironmentEnergy: nuclear weaponsDebra Chasnoff1991
Déserts en Europe : les apprentis sorciers !Patrick Benquet1994
DreamlandDams: Kárahnjúkar Hydropower Plant in IcelandÞorfinnur Guðnason, Andri Snær Magnason2009
Dust to Dust: The Health Effects of 9/11Air pollution: from September 11 attacks, United States Environmental Protection AgencyHeidi Dehncke-Fisher2006
EarthEnvironmental change: effects on three particular speciesAlastair Fothergill, Mark Linfield, and Leslie Megahey2007
Earth DaysEnvironmentalism: environmental movement in the United StatesRobert Stone2009
Eco-Pirate: The Story of Paul WatsonHunting: anti-whalingTrish Dolman2011
ElementalWater pollution: Ganges RiverEmmanuel Vaughan-Lee, Gayatri Roshan2012
The End of EdenEnvironmental degradation: cattle ranchingRick Lomba1986
Fight for the PlanetGlobal warming, Social responsibilityColin Carter2009
Final Straw: Food, Earth, HappinessFood, farming, natural farming, biophiliaPatrick M. Lydon and Suhee Kang2015
Flow: For Love of WaterWater privatization: big business and the natural environmentIrena Salina, Steven Starr2008
Food, Inc.Agriculture: corporate farming, Sustainable agriculture, meat industry, Intensive farming, food labelling regulationsRobert Kenner2009
Forbidden ForestForests: sustainable forest managementKevin W. Matthews2004
Forests for the 21st CenturyForests: reforestation, carbon emissionsForestry Commission of Great Britain, IUCN2009
The Forgotten DistrictForests: ecotourism in BelizeOliver Dickinson2008
The Fourth Revolution: EnergyEnergy: renewable energyCarl-A. Fechner2010
Fractured LandEnvironmentalism: awareness of hydraulic fracturing, First NationsFiona Rayher and Damien Gillis2015
The Future of FoodAgriculture: genetically modified foodDeborah Koons Garcia2004
Garbage WarriorGarbage WarriorOliver Hodge2007
Global Warming: The Signs and The ScienceGlobal warmingAlanis Morissette2005
Global Warming: What You Need to KnowGlobal warmingNicolas Brown2006
GMO OMGGenetically modified organisms, MonsantoJeremy Seifert, Elizabeth Kucinich2013
The Great Global Warming SwindleGlobal warming: climate change denialMartin Durkin2007
The Great WarmingGlobal warming: politics of global warming, Climate change mitigation, Climate change policy of the United StatesMichael Taylor2006
Greenpeace : les commandos de l'écologieGreenpeaceJean-Pierre Hosatte1995
Haida Gwaii: On the Edge of the WorldGeneral environment of Haida Gwaii, Rising sea level, natural disaster, climate changeCharles Wilkinson2015
Haulout (short)Global warming, Walruses, Impacts on marine mammalsMaxim Arbugaev, Evgenia Arbugaeva2022
HomeVarious themesYann Arthus-Bertrand2009
How to Change the WorldEnvironmentalism: GreenpeaceJerry Rothwell2015
Ice and the SkyGlobal warming: AntarcticLuc Jacquet2015
The Idiot CycleChemical industry: genetically modified organismsEmmanuelle Schick Garcia2009
If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation FrontForests: eco-terrorismMarshall Curry and Matthew Hamacheck2011
If You Love This PlanetNuclear weapons, Nuclear power in the United States, Nuclear policy of the United StatesTerre Nash1982
An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to PowerClimate change: activity of Al GoreBonni Cohen, Jon Shenk2017
An Inconvenient TruthGlobal warmingAl Gore2006
An Inconvenient Truth...Or Convenient Fiction?Global warmingSteven F. Hayward2007
Journey to the Safest Place on EarthRadioactive wasteEdgar Hagen2013
La Jungle plateWadden SeaJohan van der Keuk1978
Laloorinu ParayanullathuEnvironment of India: municipal waste in LaloorSathish Kalathil2012
The Last AnimalsEndangered speciesKate Brooks2017
The Last Paradises: On the Track of Rare AnimalsEndangered speciesEugen Schuhmacher1967
March of the PenguinsWildlife: Emperor penguinsLuc Jacquet, National Geographic2005
Material Of The FutureControversies of plastic recycling, plastic pollution, plastic industry, bioplasticsVern Moen2014
The MessengerSongbirds: bird conservationSu Rynard2015
Minamata: The Victims and Their WorldWater pollution: mercury poisoningNoriaki Tsuchimoto1971
Mountaintop Removal (film)Mining: mountaintop removal miningMichael O'Connell2007
No Impact ManSustainability: sustainable living2009
No PressureClimate change mitigationRichard Curtis and Franny Armstrong2010
Oil on IcePetroleum industry: Arctic Refuge drilling controversyStephen Most2004
Oil Sands KaraokePetroleum industry: oil sands of Alberta2013
On the LinePetroleum industry: Enbridge Northern Gateway PipelinesFrank Wolf2011
Out of BalanceExxonMobil funding climate change deniers: climate changeTom Jackson2006
Pandora's PromiseNuclear power and climate changeRobert Stone2013
Plogoff, des pierres contre des fusilsAnti-nuclear movement1980
The Polar ExplorerClimate Change research in the Arctic's Northwest Passage and AntarcticaMark Terry2010
Polluting ParadiseWaste management: in TurkeyFatih Akın2012
The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak OilPeak oil: anti-consumerism, urban agriculture, energy dependence, and sustainabilityFaith Morgan2006
The RedwoodsForests: protection of redwoodsTrevor Greenwood, Mark Jonathan Harris1967
Power to Change - The Energy Rebellionrenewable energy, energy transition, global warmingCarl-A. Fechner2016
Powerful: Energy for EveryoneEnergy: renewable energyDavid Chernushenko2010
RaoniThe life of Raoni Metuktire. The film portrays issues surrounding on Kayapo people and the Amazon rainforest.Jean-Pierre Dutilleux and Luiz Carlos Saldanha1978
RenewalEnvironmentalism: environmental movement in the United States, religious-environmental movementMarty Ostrow, Terry Kay Rockefeller2008
The Return of Navajo BoyUranium mining in the United States, environmental racism, uranium pollutionJeff Spitz2000
Revenge of the Electric CarSustainable design: electric carsChris Paine and P.G. Morgan2011
RevolutionVarious themes, including environmental collapseRob Stewart2012
The Rise and Fall of the Great Lakes (short)Various themes, including ice age and anthropogenic changeBill Mason, National Film Board of Canada1968
Sea of LifeVarious themes, including ocean acidification and overfishingJulia Barnes2016
Search for the Super BatteryEnergy: energy storage devices, including batteriesDaniel McCabe2017[3]
Semper Fi: Always FaithfulWater pollution: Camp Lejeune water contaminationRachel Libert and Tony Hardmon2011
Sexy KillersEnvironmental impact of the coal industry in IndonesiaDandhy Dwi Laksono and Ucok Suparta2019
SharkwaterEndangered species: sharksRob Stewart2007
The Shiranui SeaWater pollution: mercury poisoningNoriaki Tsuchimoto1975
Shored UpWeather: Hurricane Sandy: rising sea levelBen Kalina2013
Silent StormNuclear weapons testing: radioactive contaminationPeter Butt2003
Spoiled the MovieEnergy: environmental impact of the energy industry, problems with alternative energy, etc.Kevin Miller2011
The Story of StuffProduct lifecycle management: anti-consumerismAnnie Leonard2007
Surviving the Tsunami - My Atomic AuntNuclear power: Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disasterKyoko Miyake2013
That Should Not Be: Our Children Will Accuse UsAgriculture: agrochemicalsJean-Paul Jaud2008
This Changes EverythingClimate change. Companion project of the book This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. the Climate by Naomi KleinAvi Lewis2015
Tomorrow (Demain)Sustainable communitiesCyril Dion and Mélanie Laurent2015
The Toxic Clouds of 9/11: A Looming DisasterAir pollution: from September 11 attacksAlison Johnson2006
Toxic LegacyAir pollution: from September 11 attacksSusan Teskey2006
Trash Inc: The Secret Life of GarbageWaste management: landfillsAlison O'Brien, Carl Quintanilla2010
The True CostGarment industry, consumerism, river and soil pollution, pesticide contamination, fair trade, sustainable clothingAndrew Morgan2015
Ultimate TornadoUnusually violent tornadoes in the United StatesNational Geographic Channel2006
Unacceptable LevelsEnvironmental toxicologyEdward Brown2013
Under the DomeAir pollution in ChinaChai Jing2015
Vanishing of the BeesHoney bees: colony collapse disorderMaryam Henein, George Langworthy, and James Erskine2009
Vanishing PointClimate change: Arctic sea ice declineMarina Endicott and others2012
VirungaWildlife conservation: Democratic Republic of the CongoOrlando von Einsiedel2014
Voices of TransitionAgriculture: energy and resource scarcityNils Aguilar2012
Walking Through A MinefieldUranium mining in AustraliaCathy Henkel1999
WatchForests: clearcuttingBriana Waters2001
WatermarkWaterJennifer Baichwal and Edward Burtynsky2013
What a Way to Go: Life at the End of EmpireVarious themes: peak oil, climate change, overpopulation, and species extinctionTimothy S. Bennett2007
What Is the Electric Car?Sustainable design: electric carsKen Grant and Scott DuPont2010
White Light/Black Rain: The Destruction of Hiroshima and NagasakiAtomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki: acute radiation syndromeSteven Okazaki2007
Who Killed the Electric Car?Sustainable design: electric cars and roles of industries and governmentsChris Paine2006
Wind Over Water: The Cape Wind StoryEnergy: Cape WindOle Tangen Jr.2003
WindfallWind power: environmental impact of wind powerLaura Israel2010
The World According to MonsantoAgriculture: MonsantoMarie-Monique Robin2008
The Plow That Broke the PlainsDust BowlPare Lorentz1936
The RiverErosion: Mississippi RiverPare Lorentz1938
De platte jungle/Flat JungleWadden Sea, overfishing, nuclear energy, water pollution, OverexploitationJohan van der Keuken1978
The Atomic CafeNuclear warfareJayne Loader, Kevin Rafferty and Pierce Rafferty1982
KoyaanisqatsiVarious themes, including natural landscape, urbanization, developmentGodfrey Reggio with Philip Glass1982
TrashedWaste and pollution of air, land and seaCandida Brady2012

List of fictional films about the environment

Some fictional films are based on true events.

TitleTheme(s) and subtheme(s)Author(s)Year(s)
2012Natural disasters: 2012 phenomenonHarald Kloser and Roland Emmerich2009
AbsurdistanWater shortage in drought stricken area, sex strikeVeit Helmer2008
L'An 01Consumerism, EcologyJacques Doillon, Alain Resnais and Jean Rouch1973
The Age of StupidClimate changeFranny Armstrong2009
AftermathNuclear warfareChristian McDonald2012
ArkPollution vs. natureRolf Forsberg1970
AvatarNatural resourcesJames Cameron2009
Beyond the PoleClimate ChangeDavid L. Williams2009
Beasts of the Southern WildMelting ice capsBenh Zeitlin2012
CarfacePetroleum industry: car culture2015
The China SyndromeEnergy: nuclear meltdownMike Gray, T.S. Cook, and James Bridges1979
A Civil ActionWater pollution: by trichloroethyleneSteven Zaillian1998
Climate Change Denial DisorderClimate change denialNicol Paone2015
The Day After TomorrowClimate changeRoland Emmerich and Jeffrey Nachmanoff2004
The Day the Earth Stood StillHumankind's environmental damage to the planetScott Derrickson2008
DenmarkPollution: water pollution2010
DreamsPollution vs. natureAkira Kurosawa1990
EarthquakeEarthquake in Los AngelesGeorge Fox and Mario Puzo1974
Earthquake in ChileEarthquake in ChileHelma Sanders-Brahms1975
Erin BrockovichEnergy development: water pollutionSusannah Grant2000
FernGully: The Last RainforestForests: rainforests1992
First ReformedClimate changePaul Schrader2017
Fire Down BelowPollution: from mining1997
Le Fleuve aux grandes eauxFrédéric Back1993
Fly Away HomeWildlife: Canada gooseBill Lishman, Robert Rodat, and Vince McKewin1996
Futurama: Into the Wild Green YonderNatural resources and WildlifePeter Avanzino2009
Godzilla: King of the MonstersClimate change, human impact on the environment, radical environmentalism, eco-terrorismMichael Dougherty2019
Gorillas in the MistGorilla conservation and life of Dian FosseyMichael Apted1988
H2OWater supply: Kaveri River water dispute in IndiaUpendra2000
The HappeningToxicologyM. Night Shyamalan2008
Happy FeetEnvironment of AntarcticaWarren Coleman, John Collee, George Miller, and Judy Morris2006
Hell and High WaterAtomic bomb explosion in the Cold WarJesse L. Lasky, Jr., Samuel Fuller, and David Hempstead1954
If You Love Your ChildrenClimate changeSanjay Patel (filmmaker)2014
An Inconvenient PenguinInvasive species2008
La Belle VerteColine Serreau1996
The LoraxForestsDr. Seuss2012
The Man Who Planted TreesReforestationFrédéric Back1987
mother!Mother Nature as an environmental allegoryDarren Aronofsky2017
Muro AmiFishing: illegal, unreported and unregulated fishingMarilou Diaz-Abaya1999
Nausicaä of the Valley of the WindConservation: insectsHayao Miyazaki1984
Night MovesClimate change: The environmental impact of reservoirs, radical environmentalismKelly Reichardt2013
NoahPollution and floodingDarren Aronofsky2014
OkjaAnimal cruelty and food security under extreme population growthBong Joon-ho2017
On Deadly GroundPollution: from petroleum industryEd Horowitz and Robin U. Russin1994
Once Upon a ForestForests1993
A Place to Fight ForDeforestation, Zone to Defend in France, environmental justiceRomain Cogitore2023
Paddle to the Sea (short)Various themesHolling C. Holling, Bill Mason, National Film Board of Canada1966
Plastic BagPlastic bagsRamin Bahrani and Jenni Jenkins2009
Pom PokoDeforestation: wildlife displacementIsao Takahata, Hayao Miyazaki, Kenji Miyazawa1994
Princess MononokeTechnology vs. natureHayao Miyazaki1997
The Roots of HeavenConservation of elephant herds from poachingJohn Huston, Romain Gary1958
SafeMultiple chemical sensitivityTodd Haynes1995
San AndreasEarthquake in California2015
SharknadoSevere weather and sharksThunder Levin2013
Silent RunningDeforestationDeric Washburn, Michael Cimino and Steven Bochco1972
The Simpsons MoviePollutionDavid Silverman2007
SizzleGlobal warmingRandy Olson2009
SnowpiercerClimate changeBong Joon-ho2013
Soylent GreenNatural resources, pollution, global warming, Human overpopulationRichard Fleischer1973
Space TouristsPollution: space debris2002
Star Trek IV: The Voyage HomeWildlife: Humpback whale1986
Super Comet: After The ImpactImpact event2007
TentaclesWildlife: gigantic octopusSteven W. Carabatsos, Tito Carpi, Jerome Max, and Sonia Molteni1977
Through Rocks and CloudsMining pollutionFranco García Becerra2024
WALL-EWaste management2008
The War GameNuclear warfarePeter Watkins1965
Wind Across the EvergladesConservation biology: poachingNicholas Ray1958
Woman at WarClimate change and environmental justiceBenedikt Erlingsson2018

Television

TitleTheme(s) and subtheme(s)Producer(s)Year(s)
Saving Britain's PastCultural heritageMary Sackville-West2009
The Truth About WildlifeWildlife: United KingdomSimon Willis2011
Years of Living DangerouslyClimate changeJames Cameron, Jerry Weintraub and Arnold Schwarzenegger2014
Millennium: Tribal Wisdom and the Modern World (series of videos)Various themes, including local knowledgeDavid Maybury-Lewis1992
Hinterland Who's WhoWildlifeEnvironment Canada Wildlife Service and the National Film Board of Canada1960s, 1970s, 2000s

See also

References