Best vegan documentaries and movies

Explaining veganism to others can often be challenging. Whether it’s a friend, family member, or colleague, trying to explain the ethical and compassionate reasons behind a vegan lifestyle can sometimes feel difficult. One of the most effective ways to bridge this gap is through film. Here’s a curated list of impactful vegan-related films, categorized by age group, designed to provide understanding.

For a younger audience, specifically around ages 6-12, Charlotte’s Web and Babe can be two great options. The film Charlotte’s Web explores the themes of compassion and empathy for animals. This movie is based on a book by E.B. White and tells the story of Wilbur the pig and his friend Charlotte the spider. It explains the value of animals’ lives and questions the ethics of raising animals for slaughter, without being graphic. Another option is Babe, a 1995 film that follows a pig who is raised by sheepdogs and ends up finding his place on the farm, showing he is deserving by learning to herd sheep. This movie explores kindness and the feelings of animals, prompting children to question the animal hierarchy.

For teenagers, The Game Changers is a film that features athletes like Arnold Schwarzenegger, and it features athletes and trainers exploring the benefits of a vegan lifestyle for strength, endurance, and recovery. This upbeat and fact-based film is especially compelling for active teens, proving that meat is not essential for athleticism. A thought-provoking film, My Octopus Teacher, is a movie that focuses on marine life and the importance of empathy and respect for all sentient beings. This documentary is about a filmmaker who befriends an octopus, allowing the discovery of the intelligence and personality of the octopus.

For those 18 and up, What The Health is an investigative film that links diet to diseases, encouraging veganism. This movie explores health, the food industry, and vegan eating, and is great to show an individual who is motivated by health rather than ethics alone. For a deeper dive into veganism, Earthlings is a powerful film to watch. Being a little more intense, it examines animal exploitation and ethics, explaining how humans use animals for food, research, clothing, and entertainment. It’s comprehensive and philosophical. Another impactful film is Dominion, which employs hidden cameras to expose the practices of animal farming in Australia, providing a necessary insight into the treatment of pigs, cows, chickens, and fish. Dominion is more graphic and eye-opening as it displays the importance of animal rights and ethics. Okja is a film that discusses animal cruelty, corporate ethics, and the human and animal relationship behind industrial farming. The emotional journey of a young girl trying to save her genetically modified “super pig” from a powerful meat corporation reveals the harsh realities of factory farming while fostering empathy for animals. It does include some intense scenes involving animal cruelty.

Overall, there is a range of films available to help audiences better understand veganism and inspire empathy towards animals. From animated classics suitable for children to thought-provoking documentaries for adults, these films can serve as excellent conversation starters. Whether aiming to enlighten a friend, partner, or colleague, introducing these movies can assist in discussions about compassion, ethics, and the importance of animal rights.