6 FILMS AND DOCUMENTARIES TO WATCH FOR EARTH DAY
April 22 2025 – Delikate Rayne
Earth Day is more than a date on the calendar, it's a reminder of our responsibility to the planet and each other. One of the best ways to reconnect with the natural world and get inspired to take action is through powerful storytelling. Here are three thought provoking films and documentaries that shed light on our relationship with the Earth and why protecting it matters now more than ever.
The Cove: Winner of the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, The Cove is a gripping exposé of the secret dolphin hunts in Taiji, Japan. The film follows former dolphin trainer Ric O’Barry, who once captured and trained dolphins for the TV show Flipper, as he works to expose the brutality of the dolphin trade and the cover-ups surrounding it.
A Life On Our Planet: In this deeply personal documentary, legendary broadcaster and natural historian David Attenborough reflects on his remarkable career exploring the natural world and delivers a powerful witness statement of how humanity has caused immense damage to the planet in a single lifetime. But this isn’t just a lament. Attenborough lays out a hopeful vision for the future, emphasizing the importance of rewilding, reducing consumption, and embracing renewable energy.
Kiss The Ground: Kiss the Ground flips the climate conversation on its head by focusing on the power of healthy soil. This hopeful documentary introduces regenerative agriculture as a viable solution to the climate crisis, showing how we can draw down carbon and restore ecosystems, starting with the ground beneath our feet.
Whale Rider: Whale Rider beautifully bridges environmental themes with cultural preservation, showing how Indigenous knowledge and respect for nature can guide a more sustainable future. Set in a small New Zealand coastal village, Whale Rider tells the story of Paikea, a young Māori girl who challenges tradition to become the leader of her tribe.
Life in a Day: Life in a day is a cinematic celebration of humanity’s common ground and a sobering reminder of the global challenges we face together, environmental degradation, inequality, and the urgent need for collective action.
The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind: This story exemplifies grassroots innovation and the potential of renewable energy. It’s a powerful example of how young people, especially in vulnerable communities, can drive change and create solutions for climate challenges.
Earth Day isn’t just a celebration, it’s a reminder. These documentaries and films don’t just educate; they provoke, they inspire, and they move us to care. Whether you're interested in wildlife, climate science, activism, or solutions, there’s something here to move every viewer.
Sources:
Sundance, "Earth Day: These Films Uplift Our World", via Vanessa Zimmer