11 Vegan Documentaries that will change your life (for good!)
Take the plunge into a plant-based perspective as this line-up of vegan documentaries delves into everything from animal cruelty to the alarming effect that the consumption of animal products has on our health and the environment.
BEFORE THE FLOOD · 2016
“You are the last best hope of Earth. We ask you to protect it or we, and all living things we cherish, are history.” —Leonardo DiCaprio
Before the Flood features Leonardo DiCaprio as a United Nations Messenger of Peace, on a journey to the five continents and the Arctic to witness climate change firsthand. With unprecedented access to thought leaders around the world, DiCaprio searches for hope in a rising tide of catastrophic news.
COWSPIRACY · 2014
“You can change the world. You must change the world!” —Howard Lyman
In an age where environmental awareness is key, this documentary links animal agriculture with a plethora of ecological issues like pollution, water shortages and ocean dead zones. Cowspiracy shows the dramatic impact meat production has on our planet – and investigates why the world’s leading environmental organizations are too afraid to talk about it.
DAVID ATTENBOROUGH: A LIFE ON OUR PLANET · 2020
“This is not about saving our planet, it’s about saving ourselves.” —Sir David Attenborough
Produced by award-winning wildlife filmmakers Silverback Films and WWF, this documentary brings on a huge amount of environmental awareness. Sir David Attenborough explores the biggest challenges facing life on our planet, making you question the food you eat, the clothes you wear and the places you travel.
DOMINION · 2018
“The truth is, there’s no humane way to kill someone who wants to live.” —Narrator
Warning: this one is a hard watch. Using drones and hidden cameras, Dominion looks into the shocking animal cruelty that takes place in the food system, thus questioning the morality and validity of our dominion over the animal kingdom.
EARTHLINGS · 2005
Narrated by Joaquin Phoenix, Earthlings is another powerful, informative and thought-provoking watch, that uses hidden-camera footage to show the exploitation of animals across five industries: pets, food, clothing, entertainment, and scientific research.
FORKS OVER KNIVES · 2011
Forks Over Knives backs up the claim that a plant-based lifestyle brings revolutionary health benefits, including keeping diabetes and heart diseases on check, by documenting how the vegan diet can transform the lives of real-life people.
MY OCTOPUS TEACHER · 2020
“What she taught me was to feel… that you’re part of this place, not a visitor. That’s a huge difference.” —Craig Foster
In a secret reef in South Africa, filmmaker Craig Foster dives to meet a little octopus, winning its trust and building day after day an intimate, but not at all unlikely, relationship. This surprising Oscar-winning documentary is an absolute must-watch, that without being judgemental, confirms the power of nature.
SEASPERACY · 2021
“And if the ocean dies, so do we.” —Ali
From the co-creator of Cowspiracy, Seaspiracy reveals the relatively unknown truths about the widespread environmental destruction of our oceans. From plastics and fishing gear polluting the waters to the irreparable damage of bottom trawling and by-catch to illegal fishing, humans are wreaking havoc on marine life and, by extension, the entire planet.
THE COVE · 2009
Directed by Louie Psihoyos, The Cove depicts the annual dolphin hunt that takes place in Taiji from September to April. Recorded in secret for five years and later censored in Japan, it documents the techniques used to capture and kill dolphins and the high levels of mercury in dolphin meat consumed by the Taiji population.
THE GAME CHANGERS · 2019
Directed by the Oscar award-winning Louie Psihoyos and produced by Jackie Chan, Arnold Schwarzenegger and James Cameron, this revolutionary film tells you everything you need to know about meat, protein and strength.
WHAT THE HEALTH · 2017
What The Health is a groundbreaking feature-length documentary that puts a spotlight on official health organisations and their reluctance to admit any negative health impacts of eating animal products. The underlying motive? The pharmaceutical industry is a cash cow, and no one wants to cash out.
