Movies About Earth Day For Kids

From Bong Joon Ho, starring Song Kang-ho, Lee Sun-kyun, Cho Yeo-jeong, Choi Woo-sik
Rated R

Parasite is a 2019 South Korean dark comedy thriller film directed by Bong Joon Ho. It tells the story of a poor family, the Kims, who scheme to become employed by a wealthy family, the Parks. The Kim family slowly begins to infiltrate the Parks' lives and gain their trust, while gradually attempting to take advantage of them. As the Kims become entrenched in the Parks' lives, their scheme quickly unravels and a series of unexpected consequences ensue. The film examines class struggle and social inequality as it follows the Kim family's rise and fall in the face of a series of twists and turns. The film was a critical and commercial success, winning numerous awards including the Palme d'Or and Academy Award for Best Picture.

From Hayao Miyazaki, starring Yôji Matsuda, Yuriko Ishida, Yûko Tanaka, Billy Crudup
Rated PG-13

Princess Mononoke is an epic historical fantasy set in medieval Japan. The story follows a prince named Ashitaka who, while trying to protect his village from a rampaging boar god, is cursed with a fatal affliction. In search of a cure he journeys to the forests of western Japan. There he meets San, a young princess who was raised by wolves and has sworn to protect the forest and its inhabitants from the forces of industrialization. The two become embroiled in a struggle between the animal gods of the forest and the human forces who seek to exploit its resources. As the conflict escalates, Ashitaka must find a way to bridge the gap between the two sides and find a way to save the forest. Along the way, he discovers the true meaning of courage and the power of love and friendship.

From Andrew Stanton, starring Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Jeff Garlin, Fred Willard
Rated G

WALL·E is a 2008 American animated science fiction film directed and co-written by Andrew Stanton, produced by Jim Morris, and co-written by Jim Reardon. The film follows a robot named WALL·E, who is designed to clean up a waste-covered Earth far in the future. After hundreds of years of doing what he was made for, WALL·E discovers a new purpose in life when he meets a search robot named EVE. Together, they embark on an adventure across the universe. Along the way, WALL·E learns about love, humanity, and the importance of taking care of the planet.

From Fisher Stevens, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Ban Ki-moon, Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Mike Brune
Rated PG

Before the Flood is a 2016 documentary film directed by Fisher Stevens. The film follows actor Leonardo DiCaprio as he travels the world to witness first-hand the effects of climate change and to learn more about possible solutions to the issue. DiCaprio meets with world leaders, environmental activists, and scientists to discuss the changes already seen and those predicted to come. The film also dives into the politics and economics behind the climate changes and presents the viewer with potential solutions. Through the film, DiCaprio sends a powerful message to the public to act now and make changes to save our planet.

From Orlando von Einsiedel, starring André Bauma, Emmanuel de Merode, Mélanie Gouby, Rodrigue Mugaruka Katembo
Rated Not Rated

Virunga is a 2014 documentary film directed by Orlando von Einsiedel. It tells the story of the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the brave individuals who are risking their lives to protect the park and its endangered mountain gorillas. The film follows park ranger Emmanuel de Merode, the head of the park, as he works to protect the park from the threat of oil exploration, poaching and political unrest. The film also follows two other rangers, Andre and Rodrigue, as they struggle to keep the park safe and its inhabitants alive. The film highlights the dedication of the people who work in the park, their commitment to preserving the country's natural resources, and the detrimental consequences of ignoring the needs of local communities in the face of political and economic interests.

From Directors: Pippa Ehrlich, James Reed, starring Craig Foster, Tom Foster
Rated TV-G

My Octopus Teacher is a 2020 Netflix documentary about a filmmaker and freediver, Craig Foster, who forms an unlikely friendship with an octopus living in a kelp forest off the 'Cape of Storms' in South Africa. With the help of his mentor, marine biologist and filmmaker, Ross Frylinck, Foster is able to film his daily interactions in the wild and document the remarkable relationship he's developed with the octopus. Along the way, Foster learns the secrets of the sea and ultimately re-discovers his connection to nature. The film celebrates the beauty and complexity of the natural world and the importance of conservation and ocean stewardship.

From James Cameron, starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez
Rated PG-13

Avatar is a 2009 science fiction epic film directed, written, produced, and co-edited by James Cameron. The film follows a paraplegic Marine, Jake Sully, who travels to the human-inhabited moon, Pandora, on a mission to save his people. However, he is drawn into a hostile conflict between Pandora's inhabitants, the Na'vi, and the human mining corporation intent on mining Pandora's resources for profit. To save his people, Jake must join forces with the Na'vi and learn to respect their culture and their way of life. With the help of a female Na'vi, Neytiri, Jake is eventually able to bridge the divide between the two races and ultimately save Pandora from destruction.

From Todd Haynes, starring Mark Ruffalo, Anne Hathaway, Tim Robbins, Bill Pullman
Rated PG-13

Dark Waters is a 2019 legal thriller film directed by Todd Haynes and starring Mark Ruffalo as Robert Bilott, an attorney who takes on an environmental lawsuit against the chemical giant DuPont. Bilott discovers that DuPont has been contaminating a West Virginia town's water supply with a toxic chemical called PFOA. In order to protect the citizens, Bilott must risk his career, his life, and his family by battling the corporate giant in a case that goes on for years. The film follows Bilott's journey as he uncovers the truth and attempts to hold DuPont accountable for its actions. In the end, Bilott's hard work and dedication to justice results in a historic class-action lawsuit in favor of the people of Parkersburg, West Virginia.

From Directors: Ron Clements, John Musker, Don Hall, Chris Williams, starring Auli'i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House, Temuera Morrison
Rated PG

Moana is a 2016 American computer-animated musical fantasy adventure film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It is the 56th Disney animated feature film. The film tells the story of Moana, the strong-willed daughter of a chief of a Polynesian village, who is chosen by the ocean itself to reunite a mystical relic with the goddess Te Fiti. When a blight strikes her island, Moana sets sail in search of Maui, a legendary demigod, in the hope of saving her people. Along the way, she discovers the power of her identity and learns to harness the ancestral forces within. Along with her improbable hero, Maui, Moana faces impossible odds in an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous sea creatures, breathtaking underworlds and ancient folklore. With music written by the Grammy-winning team Opetaia Foa'i and Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, this epic adventure will become an unforgettable journey.

From Niki Caro, starring Keisha Castle-Hughes, Rawiri Paratene, Vicky Haughton, Cliff Curtis
Rated PG-13

Whale Rider is a 2002 New Zealand drama film directed by Niki Caro. It is based on the novel of the same name by Witi Ihimaera. The film stars Keisha Castle-Hughes as Kahu Paikea Apirana, an 11-year-old Maori girl living in modern-day New Zealand. When her tribe's leader dies, she is overlooked as a new leader in favor of her male cousin. Despite the tribe's beliefs that only a male can be a leader, Kahu takes it upon herself to prove that she is capable of leading the tribe. Along her journey, she learns the traditional Maori culture, discovers the secrets of her tribe's past, and gains the respect of the people around her. In the end, she is able to reclaim her rightful place as the new chief of the tribe.

From Luc Jacquet, starring Morgan Freeman, Romane Bohringer, Charles Berling, Jules Sitruk
Rated G

March of the Penguins is an 2005 nature documentary film directed by Luc Jacquet. The film follows the annual journey of Emperor Penguins in Antarctica. It documents the struggle of the penguins as they brave the harsh conditions to reach their breeding grounds and mate. Along the way, they must battle the elements and predators, while finding food and caring for their chicks. The film highlights the incredible perseverance and resilience of the penguins as they attempt to complete their journey and secure the future of their species. The film is narrated by Morgan Freeman and won an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

From Markus Imhoof, starring Fred Jaggi, Randolf Menzel, John Miller, Liane Singer
Rated Unrated

More Than Honey is a documentary by Markus Imhoof that delves into the mysterious world of honeybees and their crucial role in our ecosystem. Through interviews with beekeepers, honey producers, and scientists, Imhoof offers an in-depth look into the controversial issues that are threatening the existence of honeybees around the globe. The film explores the major causes of the global bee crisis, including modern agricultural practices, pest infestations, and climate change. It also examines the competing interests of small-scale beekeepers and large-scale honey producers, as well as the potential impacts of Colony Collapse Disorder. With its stunning cinematography and captivating narrative, More Than Honey serves as a powerful call to action and a reminder of the importance of preserving our natural world.

From Davis Guggenheim, starring Al Gore, Billy West, George Bush, George W. Bush
Rated PG

From Steven Soderbergh, starring Julia Roberts, Albert Finney, David Brisbin, Dawn Didawick
Rated R

From Chuan Lu, starring John Krasinski, Claire Keim, Xun Zhou
Rated G

From Mike Nichols, starring Meryl Streep, Kurt Russell, Cher, Craig T. Nelson
Rated R