Caring about the planet doesn’t have to be boring, and on Earth Day 2025, cord-cutters can find numerous movies and shows that will awaken their inner eco-hero. Whether you’re in the mood to be inspired, shocked, or totally wrecked (in the best way), these seven classics bring environmental issues to life without ever sounding like a lecture. Let’s dive in.
1. Captain Planet and the Planeteers (1990–1996)
For those nostalgic millennials and Gen Z, looking to binge something that still entertains. The blue-skinned, green-mulleted superhero summoned by five teens with magical rings, co-created by Ted Turner, is a fun start. Captain Planet was the rare Saturday morning cartoon with an eco-friendly conscience. The series tackled oil spills, poaching, pollution, and even eco-anxiety before it was mainstream. The show was fun, campy, and weirdly ahead of its time during its six-season run, which inspired a generation to reduce, reuse, and recycle with an unforgettable theme song. Unfortunately, Captain Planet is only available to buy or rent.
2. An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Al Gore’s landmark documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, woke up the world with a PowerPoint that people are still talking about. The film won two Academy Awards (Best Documentary and Best Original Song) and became a cultural lightning bolt for climate awareness. One of the most influential documentaries of all time, it takes data, charts, and science and turns them into something visceral for essential Earth Day viewing. The film spawned one sequel, An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power (2017).
Where to Watch: Prime Video | Pluto TV
3. Jane (2023 – )
Perfect for eco-curious kids, families, and anyone who wants to save the planet with imagination and heart, Jane is an Apple TV+ original series inspired by the legendary Dr. Jane Goodall. The series blends live action with CGI to bring endangered animals and the fight to protect them to life. The show follows Jane Garcia, a 9-year-old environmentalist on a mission to save wildlife around the globe, using her imagination to go on wild adventures with her best friends, from humans to chimps.
The series comes years after the 2017 National Geographic documentary Jane (streaming on Disney+/Hulu), which explores the life and groundbreaking work of Dr. Jane Goodall, using never-before-seen footage from the 1960s. It’s intimate, emotional, and about one woman’s lifelong commitment to understanding and protecting the natural world by exploring the deep connections between humans and animals.
Where to Watch: Apple TV+ | Disney+ | Hulu
4. The Day After Tomorrow (2004)
This Earth Day, you can stream a film that turns climate change into a high-stakes disaster. The Day After Tomorrow is not a documentary, however, it is a Roland Emmerich blockbuster that floods New York City, freezes half the planet, and gives us Jake Gyllenhaal running from the weather. The film takes climate science and turns it into an over-the-top disaster movie and popcorn spectacle.
Where to Watch: DIRECTV | FX (Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, YouTube TV)
5. Before the Flood (2016)
Produced and narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio, this documentary takes viewers on a global tour of climate devastation. From deforestation in Indonesia to melting ice in the Arctic, it’s beautifully shot, emotionally driven, and features interviews with scientists, activists, and even world leaders. Released for free as part of a global awareness campaign, the film serves as both a diagnosis and a call to action.
Where to Watch: Disney+
6. Erin Brockovich (2000)
Directed by Steven Soderbergh, Erin Brockovich proves that environmental justice isn’t only about science, it’s also about people, and the guts it takes to stand up to take down polluters. Julia Roberts won an Oscar for her portrayal of Erin Brockovich, a real-life legal assistant who uncovered a massive environmental scandal involving poisoned water and corporate cover-ups. The film has a powerful, legendary performance from Julia during its empowering, emotional, and surprisingly funny runtime
Where to Watch: Netflix
7. Dark Waters (2019)
Another tense, gripping true story about tackling pollutants. This legal thriller starring Mark Ruffalo tells the real-life story of a corporate lawyer who turns whistleblower against chemical giant DuPont, exposing a decades-long cover-up of toxic pollution. Directed by Todd Haynes, it’s quiet, intense, and didn’t get flashy awards attention, but it’s one of the most important environmental dramas in recent years. The film is inspiring because it shows what corporate pollution really looks like and how one person can make a difference.
Where to Watch: Peacock