While the globe struggles with the mounting realities of climate change, the potential of film has proven to be an essential means of raising consciousness and driving action. Through its extensive library of films, Netflix provides an archive of powerful stories that examine the intricacies of our continuous environmental crisis.

From intense documentaries that bare the harsh realities of our world’s struggle to compelling dramas that intertwine human experience with environmental imperatives, these films not only inform but also inspire a desire for change. Here are the top climate change movies on Netflix, each a light of hope, warning, and inspiration for a greener tomorrow. After all, climate change is one of the only two things older than 25 that Leonardo DiCaprio cares about.

11. The Guardian of the Monarchs (2024)

Emiliano Ruprah’s documentary ‘The Guardian of the Monarchs’ is an expedition that weaves together the vanishing of activist Homero Gómez with the struggle of threatened monarch butterflies in the woodlands of Michoacán. While Gómez works tirelessly to ensure the protection of these beautiful animals, the documentary enlightens us on how interconnected human activities are with conservation of the environment. By following Gómez, the documentary presents a compelling narrative on climate change, highlighting the importance of conserving vulnerable ecosystems such as the monarch butterfly in the wake of increasing environmental attacks. You can view the documentary here.

10. Chasing Corals (2017)

‘Chasing Corals’ is a gripping documentary that was directed by Jeff Orlowski, presenting the urgent effects of climate change on coral reefs globally. The documentary traces the journey of a group of divers, photographers, and scientists capturing the destructive coral bleaching phenomena resulting from warming of the ocean. By using incredible underwater visuals and insightful interviews with experts, ‘Chasing Corals’ beautifully illustrates the splendor and vulnerability of these environments and their importance for ocean biodiversity and shore protection. As a climate change documentary, it alerts people to the necessity of collective worldwide action to reduce carbon emissions and save our oceans for coming generations. You can view the documentary here.

9. Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret (2014)

Produced by Kip Andersen and Keegan Kuhn, ‘Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret’ is a pioneering documentary that reveals the ecological footprint of animal agriculture. The documentary traces Andersen as he goes on a quest to find out how the meat and dairy industry destroys the planet, bringing to light revealing statistics and challenging representatives of the industry. Unveiling hidden revelations, ‘Cowspiracy’ is an eye-opener to the necessity of sustainable food production and consumption. Through emphasizing the role of animal agriculture in climate change, the documentary educates people to take action and make a change toward a more sustainable world by adopting veganism. Watch it here.

8. Breaking Boundaries: The Science of Our Planet (2021)

Directed by Jon Clay, ‘Breaking Boundaries: The Science of Our Planet’ deals with the boundaries that have kept Earth stable for millennia and how humans are stretching them to their breaking point. The devastating impact and its far-reaching consequences will only harm us, as nature and life always find a way to thrive. At its essence, the film conveys a strong message of action: collaborating in the years to come in order to preserve our future on Mother Earth. With Sir David Attenborough and Professor Johan Rockström, ‘Breaking Boundaries: The Science of Our Planet’ is an absolute must-see. It can be watched here.

7. IO (2019)

‘IO’ is an environmentally conscious climate change film because it presents an exploration of a future world where the atmosphere of Earth becomes poisonous, making the planet hostile to human survival. The movie invests in environmental degradation, depletion of resources, and the effects of anthropogenic climate change, providing biting remarks on the imperative for sustainable living and world stewardship. Jonathan Helpert directed the film ‘IO’, which has an excellent cast such as Margaret Qualley and Anthony Mackie, playing characters struggling with the moral issues and existential crises of a world close to collapse. As the characters walk through the barren landscape and face the stark reality of Earth’s environmental deterioration, ‘IO’ is a warning and a wake-up call to the audience to take the pressing matter of climate change seriously before it is too late. Watch the movie here.

6. Mission Blue (2014)

Documentary film ‘Mission Blue’ is about world-renowned marine biologist Dr. Sylvia Earle, who attempts to save the oceans, which are on the verge of being polluted, and consequently, climate change. Earle was the first woman chief scientist of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and has devoted her career to saving oceans. Directed by Robert Nixon and Fisher Stevens, ‘Mission Blue’ documents this reality. We can witness her spreading awareness firsthand in the film regarding the importance of oceans and the necessity for their appropriate conservation. An Emmy Award-winning film, ‘Mission Blue’ raises all the points that are plaguing the oceans, ranging from chemical accumulation in carnivorous fish to declining fish population, the curse that the commercial fishing industry has become, and so much more. Inspirational and gripping, the movie reminds us to get serious about our water bodies or risk inviting our own destruction as a human race. You can view it here.

5. The Decline (2020)

In the bone-chilling terrain of ‘The Decline,’ director Patrice Laliberté drops audiences into a landscape in which survival is tenuous, and trust is an unaffordable luxury for most. In a distant wilderness camp, the movie represents the vulnerability of human life in the face of environmental unrest. As the alliances fall apart and desperation becomes rife, ‘The Decline’ is an intense discovery of humanity’s fight for survival on a planet on the precipice of ecological disaster. With its unvarnished intensity and suspenseful depiction of moral complexity, the film is a powerful reminder of climate inaction consequences, asking audiences to squarely face the unflinching reality of the transforming world around us. You can stream ‘The Decline’ here.

4. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (2019)

Directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor, ‘The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind’ is the inspiring true tale of William Kamkwamba (Maxwell Simba), a young Malawian boy who cleverly uses wind energy to rescue his village from famine. With incredible resolve and ingenuity, William builds a wind turbine using improvisational materials, generating electricity for irrigation and hope for his people in the face of environmental and economic desolation. The movie wonderfully depicts the strength of innovation and resilience in the case of climate challenges and presents a moving depiction of bottom-up solutions to sustainability matters. ‘The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind’ is a powerful story of creativity and victory that emphasizes local empowerment and clean energy in fighting climate change. You can stream the movie here.

3. David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet

In the powerful documentary ‘David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet,’ icon of natural history David Attenborough presents a somber account of the devastating effect of human activities on the environment. Jonnie Hughes, Keith Scholey and Alastair Fothergill direct the film with remarkable vision in dovetailing awe-inspiring shots with Attenborough’s fervent narration to demonstrate the imperative necessity for action in order to protect the future of our planet. Attenborough’s perceptive observations are augmented by Max Hughes’s appearance, highlighting the responsibility across generations to create transformative change. You can view the documentary here.

2. Youth V Gov (2020)

Director Christi Cooper weaves a compelling narrative around a critical court case in which youth resolve meets administrative apathy in the powerful documentary ‘Youth V Gov.’. Through a tapestry of intimate interviews and courtroom drama, the film unveils the saga of young activists who dare to challenge the status quo, holding the U.S. government accountable for its ecological neglect. As every frame throbs with intensity and determination, ‘Youth V Gov’ is no longer just a political or courtroom drama; it transforms into an inspiring hymn for the unyielding spirit of youth that calls out to the audience to take up arms in the fight for environmental justice and adopt the sense of urgency of our shared responsibility towards the planet. You can view the documentary here.

1. Don’t Look Up (2021)

Don’t Look Up’ is an Adam McKay-directed satirical disaster comedy that has an all-star cast led by Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, and Meryl Streep. The film describes how two astronomers find a comet hurtling towards Earth but find it difficult to alert the world to the impending disaster because of political and media apathy. With its dark comedy and caustic social critique, ‘Don’t Look Up’ is a dire warning of the perils of disregarding scientific agreement and the imperative of taking action on climate change. Its critique of societal complacency and denial makes it a thought-provoking and engaging climate change film that speaks very strongly to current environmental concerns. You can stream ‘Don’t Look Up’ here. Read More: Best Feminist Movies on Netflix