The 10 Best Earth Day Movies For The Whole Family.

Who doesn’t love family movie night?

It’s a regular occurrence in our little home. As Earth Day is just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to compile a list of family movies to complement this internationally known day.

There’s no harm in learning something whilst you enjoy a film. Zero guilt needed for putting on one of these movies anytime of the day (or anytime you need a break).

You could even tie it in with some Happy Earth Day activities. Our homeschool science club meets tomorrow, and that’s just the theme this week.

Earth Day is a special day that reminds you of the importance of taking care of your planet and its natural resources.

Whether you’re a committed eco-living family or just looking for a fun way to spend time with your kids, watching movies that showcase the beauty of nature and environmental conservation is a good place to start.

The Best Earth Day Movies

So, to make things easier for you, I have compiled a list of the top 10 Earth Day movies that are perfect for your next family movie night. These movies will have you entertained and inspired to make a difference and protect the planet for your kids and future generations.

Just a quick heads up. I have listed the rating of each film and recommended age, but please check out common sense media before watching a new film.

I have very sensitive children, so I always check the movie guides before watching a new film. Do the same. I wouldn’t want to spoil anyone’s movie night, especially if you have young viewers.

Real-life Earth Day tip. Of course you can get your films from subscriptions, but a great way to reuse is to hunt for DVD’s in thrift shops. We still have a DVD player for some of our favorite films.

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The 10 Best Earth Day Movies For The Whole Family

Blippi’s Great Green Adventure (2021)

Rated G- Recommended for all ages (but probably best for 4+)

42 Minutes Long

Made for Earth Day, Blippi’s Great Green Adventure is an educational children’s movie with a lot of fun thrown in. In true Blippi style.

Starting with a trash treasure hunt, Blippi highlights how to recycle properly, then the adventure continues with an electric car, plant nursery and planting trees.

Full of song, fun and engaging tips, Blippi has created a great movie for younger kids.

The Lorax (2012)

Rated PG- Recommended for 6+ (some mildly rude language)

94 minutes long

An animated movie based on the classic Dr. Seuss book. The story of the Lorax teaches kids about the importance of environmental conservation and the dangers of greed.

In this charming film, a boy named Ted (Zac Efron) goes on a quest to find a real tree in a town where everything is made of plastic. Hoping to win the heart of his dream girl Audrey (Taylor Swift), he planted a seed and gave new life to the wasteland. On his way Ted learns about the environmental destruction caused by a greedy businessman, the Once-ler (Ed Helms), and meets the Lorax (Danny Devito), who speaks for the trees.

WALL-E (2008)

Rated G- Recommended for all ages (but probably best for 5+)

103 minutes long

WALL-E is a beloved animated film produced by Pixar Animation Studios that tells the story of a lonely garbage-collecting robot named WALL-E (short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class) who is the last remaining inhabitant of Earth. Humanity abandoned the planet because of excessive pollution and waste.

WALL-E discovers a living plant and encounters EVE, a sophisticated robot sent to search for life. They journey through outer space to return the plant to the humans living in a space colony, facing many challenges in their adventure. The film explores environmental issues, and love in the face of adversity. A double thumbs up from my kids.

Happy Feet (2006)

Rated PG- Recommended for 8 + Some scary scenes and suggestive parts

108 minuted long

An animated movie about a young penguin called Mumble (Elijah Wood) who tries to find his place in the world while dealing with issues such as overfishing and climate change.

His colony said no to Mumble for wanting to dance instead of sing, so he set off on an epic journey to discover why the fish had gone away.

The movie examines the effect of human actions on the natural world and is a great way to start a conversation about the impact of your family’s food choices.

Finding Nemo (2003)

Rating G- Recommended for 5 +

140 minutes long

After losing his wife and most of their eggs to a predator, Marlin (Albert Brooks) becomes overprotective of his remaining son, Nemo (Alexander Gould), who has a deformed fin.

When Nemo is taken from the reef by a diver, Marlin sets out on a journey to find him, encountering a range of colorful characters along the way, including a forgetful blue tang fish named Dory (Ellen DeGeneres). The film is a sweet exploration of the bonds of family and the power of perseverance alongside showcasing the beauty of the coral reefs and ocean life and why they need protecting. It has become a beloved classic for families.

IMAX To The Arctic (2012)

Rated G Recommended for 6+

45 minutes long

IMAX to the Arctic is a documentary film that follows a group of filmmakers and photographers as they journey to the Arctic to capture the effects of climate change on the region’s ecosystems and wildlife. Narrated by Meryl Streep, this short film highlights the beauty and fragility of the Arctic landscape and the urgent need for action to protect the polar bear and all animals on this planet.

Fern Gully: The Last Rainforest (1992)

Rated G-Recommended for 7+

75 minutes long

Fern Gully tells the story of a young fairy named Crysta (Samantha Mathis) who lives in the Australian rainforest. When she accidentally shrinks a human named Zak (Johnathon Ward) down to fairy size, he sees the damage that humans are causing to the rainforest and the animals and plants within it. With the help of Crysta and her friends, Zak becomes an ally in the fight to save the rainforest from destruction at the hands of a logging company. The film explores themes of environmental action and conservation, and encourages you to consider the impact of human activities on mother earth.

Ice Age (2002)

Rated PG- Recommended for age 6+

85 minutes long

Ice Age is a fun film that tells the story of a group of prehistoric animals, including a mammoth named Manfred (Ray Romano), a sloth named Sid (John Leguizamo), and a saber-toothed tiger named Diego (Denis Leary), as they embark on a journey to return a human baby to its tribe. Along the way, they encounter various obstacles, including a herd of dodos and a glacier that is melting because of climate change.

This film delves into survival and adaptation, and makes you think about the result of environmental changes on habitats and the animals in them.

Another regular film for my family.

The Never Ending Story (1984)

Rated PG- Recommended for ages 8+

94 minutes long

This is not a film for very young or sensitive children (I have not watched it with my kids) but the message is still powerful.

The film tells the story of a young boy named Bastian (Barret Oliver) who discovers a magical book that transports him to the world of Fantasia. This world is in danger, and it is up to Bastian to help save it by joining forces with a brave warrior named Atreyu (Noah Hathaway) and defeating the evil force known as The Nothing.

Not necessarily a clear film for Earth Day, but if you enjoy discussing other meanings in storytelling, this could be a great choice for your family.

An Inconvenient Truth (2006)

PG- Recommended for ages 13+

100 minutes long

A film for older teenagers and family members who have an interest in the environmental movement. The best documentary feature on the list but not suitable for young children.

An Inconvenient Truth is a documentary film that explores global warming and its potentially devastating effects on the planet. Al Gore, the former Vice President of the US, puts on a strong and captivating show that uses facts, visuals, and his own experiences to show how big and urgent the problem is for planet earth. He also highlights the political and economic factors that have hindered progress in addressing the climate crisis, and emphasizes the need for immediate action to reduce carbon emissions and transition to cleaner forms of energy.

Whether you’re in the mood for a heartwarming story or an action-packed adventure, the world of cinema has got you covered on this Earth Day.

From the futuristic world of Wall-E to the enchanting rainforest of FernGully, these films are not only entertaining but also have an important message to share about the environment.

By watching them together, you can spark meaningful conversations about conservation that are highly relevant today, inspiring each other to make positive changes in your family’s life. So, grab green snacks, snuggle up on the couch, and let the magic of the movies transport you to a world of wonder and imagination, all while celebrating the beauty of our planet.

Any amazing earth day movies to share? What are you doing to support Earth Day this year? Who is the most popular main character in these films for your family? (WALL-E for sure in our robot obsessed house). Let me know in the comments below.

Happy Earth Day

Amanda x