If you start feeling burnt out on Holiday movies or just need some inspiration for what to watch next, we’ve got you covered. We’ve curated a list of documentaries and series that focus on different aspects of sustainability and environmentalism. Watching them may open your eyes to overlooked concerns, while also reinforcing why the work we do as environment, health, safety, and sustainability professionals is so important.
10 Shows and Movies About Sustainability You Can Stream Now
From circular farming and ocean warming to food waste and climate change, these enlightening, educational productions highlight critical topics in the sustainability movement. And they’re all available on popular streaming platforms.
David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet (2020)
Streaming on: Netflix
Broadcaster David Attenborough has made many cherished nature films in his 94 years of life. In his latest documentary, Attenborough uses his own life and experiences as a timeline to show just how drastically the world has changed and how it will soon be destroyed. While many of us have seen his more uplifting work, like Life on Earth, this latest documentary shares a much heavier, but more important message: the time to act is now, before it’s too late.
2040 (2019)
Streaming on: YouTube
For a more positive, hopeful viewing, check out 2040. In this film, a father explores what the world could look like for his daughter by the year 2040. Rather than letting the ominous future of climate change bring him down, Damon Gameau looks at how we can change the world by embracing the best technologies available in fighting climate change today.
Our Great National Parks (2022)
Streaming on: Netflix
This five-part documentary released in 2022, and it shows off some of the world's national parks and their wildlife. Narrated by former president Barack Obama, viewers will explore parks from the Chilean Patagonia to Kenya's Tsavo East National Park. This series reminds us that all of the world's plants, animals, and humans are interconnected, and it aims to introduce viewers to some of the most beautiful places in the world - a great reminder that we have so much to fight for when it comes to climate change and sustainability.
Rotten (2018)
Streaming on: Netflix
This docuseries dives deep into the corruption of the global food supply chain. In its two seasons, each episode explores a new food and the impacts of our everyday eating habits. The series covers all sorts of foods from honey to avocados to bottled water and features interviews from manufacturers, suppliers, and other important figures in the food supply chain.
Kiss the Ground (2020)
Streaming on: Netflix
Understandably, documentaries about climate change tend to be a bit somber and deflating. And while Kiss the Ground is not shy about the seriousness of the problems we face, it strikes an optimistic note by centering on a real solution: a farming technique called “regenerative agriculture,” which focuses on topsoil regeneration as a means to sequester carbon emissions and stem the tide of climate change. Also, it’s narrated by Woody Harrelson!
Broken (2019)
Streaming on: Netflix
In a four-episode series, Broken aims to answer one important question: what is the true price of the products we buy? In a world of influencer marketing a social media hype, younger generations are seeking to buy the latest trending products at the cheapest prices. But what is the cost of these seemingly affordable goods? Broken sheds light on how industries are impacting public health and safety as well as the environment.
Welcome to Earth (2021)
Streaming on: Disney+
In this six-episode docuseries by National Geographic, Will Smith takes on adventures including plunging to ocean depths of more than 3,300 feet with a marine biologist, visiting the edge of an active volcano and scaling the side of a glacier. The series follows Smith as he goes on a journey to connect with the Earth and encourage others to do the same.
Down to Earth (2022)
Streaming on: Netflix
In this two-season series, actor Zac Efron is joined by wellness expert Darin Olien to travel around the world and learn how different cultures and geographies strive to lead healthy and sustainable lifestyles. From Iceland to France to Puerto Rico and beyond, the duo encounters many different inspiring people who are all doing their parts to reduce pollution, advance renewable energy, and support the longevity of their native ecosystems.
Our Planet (2019)
Streaming on: Netflix
If you want to experience the spectacular splendor of Planet Earth and remind yourself why this place is worth saving (aside from the fact that, you know, our long-term continuity as a species depends on it), look no further. Narrated by David Attenborough, Our Planet features stunning footage captured in habitats around the world, from jungles to deserts to the high seas. Through this breathtaking experience, you’ll come to understand the fragile and deeply interconnected state of our global ecosystem.
Jane Goodall: The Hope (2020)
Streaming on: Disney+
Jane Goodall: Activist, scientist, conservationist. In this documentary, we learn how Goodall’s awe of nature has inspired her work as an activist and her mission to empower young generations to make a difference. This inspirational work will leave you with a sense of hope and optimism for the future of our planet and help you find your own purpose and activist spirit.
