Vegan documentaries remain one of the most effective tools to bring attention to the environmental impact of animal agriculture. These documentaries and films help highlight some of the issues as well as put forward potential solutions.
While many high-quality documentaries exist it is sometimes hard to find which documentaries are best. That is why we have made this list of the best vegan documentaries for you.
Find out which documentaries are most informative, most emotive, and the best to watch to learn about the impacts of animal agriculture and the pros and cons of a vegan diet. Read on.
CONTENTS
Cowspiracy
According to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization study 14.5% of all human greenhouse gas emissions are due to the livestock industry. Society has started to come to terms with the fact that the environment has to be taken care of. This is a perfect time to bring people’s attention to the link between animal farming and environmental crises like water shortages, climate change, and ocean dead zones.
The film Cowspiracy does precisely that. Cowspiracy draws attention to the environmental impact of animal agriculture. It also highlights some of the environmental organizations that ignore and cover up the truth about the impact of animal farming on the planet. It has a rating of 8.2 on IMDb.
“Cowspiracy” is one of the best sustainability documentaries of this age and a fantastic expose on everything you need to know that could convince you to join the vegan family. We highly recommend it.
Where can I watch Cowspiracy?
You can watch Cowspiracy on Netflix here: https://www.netflix.com/title/80033772
Earthlings
We will give you a disclaimer on this one: The film contains many graphic images of the cruelty done on animals in the farming industry, so it may be so hard for you to watch. However, after watching Earthlings, you will likely agree that viewing is essential for the audience that still consumes or uses animal products. Earthlings is narrated by film star Jaoquin Pheonix who is best known for his roles in Gladiator and Joker. Earthlings is incredibly powerful and emotive.
This film will change your perspective, whether you are currently vegan or not. It will show you some of the cruel practices utilised in the farming industry and provide harrowing perspective on how brutal humans can be towards other animals. It has a rating of 8.7 on IMDb.
Where can I watch Earthlings?
You can watch Earthlings for free online here: https://www.filmsforaction.org/watch/earthlings/
You can also watch Earthlings for free online here: http://www.nationearth.com/
Forks Over Knives
Well, let’s be honest here; radical changes in your lifestyle are often not healthy immediately, it takes time for your body to adapt. This extends to vegan diets, eating vegan-based diets is not always instantly more healthy. However, shifting to a plant-based whole foods diet is likely to help you to achieve multiple health benefits. It has a rating of 7.7 on IMDb.
Forks Over Knives promotes the idea that food is medicine. A former surgeon and now nutritional biochemist argues through personal stories that dieting on plant-based meals can help curb severe health problems such as cardiovascular disease.
Where can I watch Forks Over Knives?
While Forks Over Knives is no longer available on Netflix, you can watch Forks Over Knifes for free online here: https://www.forksoverknives.com/the-film/
You may also enjoy the Forks Over Knives cookbook, which has over 300 exclusively plant-based recipes. You can get it here: https://www.forksoverknives.com/product/forks-over-knives-the-cookbook/
Dominion.
Dominion is another film that exposes us to the cruelty done to animals. Again, the film is graphic; the introduction alone may make you give up meat forever.
The events are narrated by prominent voices in the vegan space including Joaquin Phoenix, Sia, and Rooney Mara. It has a rating of 9.1 on IMDb.
Dominion takes us through the horrific acts on animals in the food system through drones and hidden cameras. As hard as it may be to watch, we recommend this film as it is a fantastic eye-opener to things you may not know that you might not want to keep consuming animal products if you did.
Where can I watch Dominion?
You can watch Dominion for free online here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQRAfJyEsko
The Game Changers.
The Game Changers is all about how meat is not necessary to get all your protein or build your strength. It showcases the lives of elite athletes, special ops soldiers, and scientists who each achieve peak results using vegan diets.
This documentary is narrated by a star-studded cast of Lewis Hamilton, Jackie Chan, James Cameron, Novak Djokovic, Chris Paul and Arnold Schwarzenegger. They say that their health and performance have significantly improved since they decided to do plant-based diets and avoid animal protein.
The game changers are directed by Louie Psihoyos, who also directed the documentary on the hunting of dolphins called, The Cove, which made everyone cry.
The Game Changers has sparked some criticism on the accuracy of its research, so watch with an open mind. Though, the fundamental message is highly interesting and well delivered. The Game Changers is rated 7.9 on IMDb.
Where can I watch The Game Changers?
You can watch The Game Changers for free online on Netflix here: https://www.netflix.com/title/81157840
Conclusion
Many vegan documentaries exist now which highlight sustainability issues, it is much easier to find information on plant-based diets on the internet today.
This has started a movement where people are becoming vegan and an increasingly rapid rate. The Veganuary campaign broke the records this year, having over 400,000 people partaking. 72% of Veganuary participants say they would remain vegans, even after the campaign is over. Many people who have embraced the vegan lifestyle say they were motivated to do this after watching an educational documentary or film.
This is very practical. For example, it only took the first 15 minutes of watching “Dominion” when it emerged back in 2018 for the High Note Cafe General Manager in Idaho to decide to go vegan and turn her entire business to be plant-based.
Many other vegan documentaries inspire people to change their lifestyles and start embracing vegan-based diets, with the creatives behind and in front of the camera.
Be curious, be informed, and be educated on the hidden secrets that will change your life. It doesn’t matter where your beliefs lie; after watching these documentaries, your thoughts will change forever, you will be enlightened, and you might have a permanent change in your dietary lifestyle.
BONUS CONTENT
Seaspiracy
While not strictly about becoming vegan, Seaspiracy is an important documentary with a similar message: animal agriculture is unsustainable and we need to change our diets.
Just as the name suggests, Seaspiracy focuses on the impacts of seafood. While there is some criticism of Seaspiracy for how it handles certain issues, it does highlight a number of things that we can all do more to improve.
We would strongly recommend that you watch Seaspiracy and that you read about the solutions to the problems raised by Seaspiracy to really have the biggest impact.
Where can I watch Seaspiracy?
You can watch Seaspiracy on Netflix here: https://www.netflix.com/title/81014008
Vegan Filmmakers
The Ottawa International Film Festival was launched in Canada back in 2019, aimed at showcasing the creative works of vegan filmmakers who bring out the more environmentally friendly, compassionate, and healthier lifestyles in their films. This festival is the first one of its kind.
Keegan Kuhn and Kip Anderson are filmmakers celebrated by many people globally. They are the directors of “What The Health” and “Cowspiracy” films considered the cornerstone of the whole vegan movement. Celebrities like Ne-Yo and Lewis Hamilton have quoted these two films to have inspired them to give vegan diets a try.
Lee Fulkerson is another vegan film director credited for the film “Forks Over Knives” The documentary encourages people to consume more whole foods and vegan diets. He promotes the idea as a way of avoiding or even reversing disease.
Chris Delforce founded the non-profit Aussie Farms, aiming to expose the cruelty being done on animals in the farming industries. He is the writer, editor, and director of both “Dominion” and “Lucent”.
James Cameron is a world-renowned film director, best known for movies like the Terminator, Avator, and Titanic. He is also a vegan lifestyle advocate and has been quoted before encouraging people to partake in healthy vegan living. Together with vegan activist and actor Pamela Anderson, they are executive directors of the film “The Game Changers” directed by Loui Psihoyos.
Cameron also directed The Cove, which exposes the dirty secret fishermen in Taji, Japan, who capture and kill dolphins.
This is just a handful of many other vegan filmmakers that are doing the fantastic job of encouraging more people to embrace vegan diets. There are many vegan documentaries that genuinely make a difference to people’s perceptions about animal agriculture. Vegan films remain one of the best ways to highlight environmental issues to people and to help them embrace a more sustainable lifestyle.
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