I let Cedar watch whatever, because we don’t have big rules around television and censoring at my house. However, for the sake of other families I tried to split this list into kid movies vs. adult movies. But of course, use your own judgment.

For adults and older kids:

The Gods Must Be Crazy

An Inconvenient Truth

Into the Wild – some people hated this book and movie. I loved both. I think people may be concentrating too much on the one major mistake that Christopher McCandless made at the end of his life, and aren’t looking at the bigger picture. That said, the movie has absolutely stunning nature scenes, and if you haven’t already, it makes you reconsider this whole material life nonsense that most of the world is stuck in.

Who Killed the Electric Car?

The Bear: could be good for kids, but a little scary so I have it up here.

Last Call for Planet Earth – 12 architects and their views on sustainability – not sure if you can rent it, but you can buy it.

Garbage Warrior: A Film by Oliver Hodge – not sure if you can rent this yet? But it rocks.

Earthlings: NOT for kids at all. This is an in-depth study into pet stores, puppy mills and animals shelters, as well as factory farms, the leather and fur trades, sports and entertainment industries, and the medical and scientific profession’s relationship to animals.

Bad Seed: The Truth About Our Food

For the kids:

Totoro – not a green movie exactly, but it’s one of my son’s favorites, and has a large love-the-environmental slant. Kids being kids, kids playing outside, tree planting, munching veggies straight from the garden, family time, co-sleeping, big trees, magic, and surprisingly beautiful scenery for an animated film – you don’t get much more happy than this. One of the best movies for kids and adults ever in my opinion. Some scenes may scare very small children.

[photo via Totoro.org]

Hoot: Haven’t seen it, but heard that it’s a good kid’s flick. It covers kids trying to save endangered owls.

The Lorax of course.

Brother Bear: The kid’s answer to the real life movie The Bear. I have some super issues with Disney in general, however, I think this is a good movie, and Cedar loves it. I like the whole walk in animals shoes deal. It drives some points about respecting nature home.

You pretty much can’t go wrong by checking out National Geographics DVD for kids page. Many earth-friendly – animal loving movies.

There are tons and tons of documentaries out there. One pretty good list is at Grinning Planet – I don’t agree that all the movies on their list are exactly eco-friendly, but most are.

Do you know any good Earth Day movies?  

Post from: Tree Hugging Family