While we are all stuck inside for another month, I’m sure many of us are doing a lot of movie watching. 

Here is a list of my top five favorite movies that are about the environment. 

Fern Gully: The Last Rainforest 

Synopsis: Crysta is a fairy who lives in FernGully, a rainforest in Australia, and has never seen a human before. In fact, she is told they are extinct. But when a logging company comes near the rainforest, she sees that they do exist, and even accidentally shrinks one of them: a boy named Zak. Now her size, Zak sees the damage that the company does and helps Crysta to stop not only them, but an evil entity named Hexxus, who feeds off pollution. 

This is a cartoon, but it is a great movie. It is actually one of my favorite childhood movies. It has a great story line, but also does a great job of starting a discussion about the damage to habitats from deforestation. I would highly recommend this movie. I’d give it a 10/10. 

Wall-E

Synopsis: WALL-E, short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-class, is the last robot left on Earth. He spends his days tidying up the planet, one piece of garbage at a time. But during 700 years, WALL-E has developed a personality, and he’s more than a little lonely. Then he spots EVE, a sleek and shapely probe sent back to Earth on a scanning mission. Smitten WALL-E embarks on his greatest adventure yet when he follows EVE across the galaxy.

If you have never seen this movie you are probably living under a rock. This is an amazing Pixar animation that focuses on human waste and even explores the idea of space exploration. This is so relevant to today’s conversations, like Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos investing in space travel. We are currently looking for other inhabitable planets as a solution to climate change on Earth. Family-friendly and is a great reality check. 

Avatar

Synopsis: On the lush alien world of Pandora live the Na’vi, beings who appear primitive but are highly evolved. Because the planet’s environment is poisonous, human/Na’vi hybrids, called Avatars, must link to human minds to allow for free movement on Pandora. Jake Sully, a paralyzed former Marine, becomes mobile again through one such Avatar and falls in love with a Na’vi woman. As a bond with her grows, he is drawn into a battle for the survival of her world.

This movie is so visually appealing. It is a mix between animation and live action. It is so magical and the world of Pandora is truly beautiful. It definitely is more of a futuristic feel, but it highlights the greed and want for more that humans inherently possess. It reminds you of the beauty and deep spiritual connection that we should be nurturing with nature. This one is a little long so cozy up and get some popcorn, this is a must-see.  

The Lorax

Synopsis: Twelve-year-old Ted lives in a place virtually devoid of nature; no flowers or trees grow in the town of Thneedville. Ted would very much like to win the heart of Audrey, the girl of his dreams, but to do this, he must find that which she most desires: a Truffula tree. To get it, Ted delves into the story of the Lorax, once the gruff guardian of the forest, and the Once-ler, who let greed overtake his respect for nature.

I might be bias here because I am obsessed with Dr. Seuss, but this movie is so cute and fun and educational at the same time. It is bright and colorful, yet full of valuable lessons and subliminal messages and warnings. This one, similar to FernGully, has a focus on trees, deforestation and greed for land and resources. 

Hoot

Synopsis: Roy Eberhardt has moved so often he has lost track of how many times he has changed schools. After moving from Montana to Florida’s Gulf Coast, he befriends Beatrice and her brother. The siblings show Roy their hideaway, where they secretly take care of a flock of wild owls. When they learn that a restaurant will be built where the owls live, the three decide to enlist the help of a local policeman to save the birds.

I have not seen this movie in ages. This is another great movie about how human development is ruining the habitats of native animals. It also brings about the importance of animal and forest preserves. As humans continue to grow and expand, we are taking away homes for animals and species that are vital to keeping the ecosystem going. This one is a little more cheesy, but still sends a great message about the environment.