Earth Day 2025: 5 must-watch films that highlight environmental issues

Earth Day is a special time to think about how we treat our planet. Films can help us understand the big environmental problems we face and inspire us to do better. Here are five great films you should watch this Earth Day. Each one tells a powerful story about nature, pollution, climate change, or wildlife, and why it’s important to care for our dear planet.

Pixar’s animated masterpiece 'WALL-E' is set in a future where Earth has been completely covered in rubbish. Humans have abandoned the planet and now live in space, leaving small robots behind to clean up the mess. One of these robots is WALL-E – a charming little machine who collects waste and dreams of something more.

His world changes when he meets EVE, a sleek robot sent to find signs of life. Together, they start a journey that not only brings hope to a ruined planet but also reminds us of what happens when we don’t look after the environment.'WALL-E' cleverly explores big issues like overconsumption, pollution and the dangers of relying too much on technology – all through the eyes of a lovable robot. It’s both heart-warming and thought-provoking.

‘Kadvi Hawa’ is a Hindi film from 2017 that tells a sad but important story about climate change. It follows Hedu, a blind farmer, and Gunu Babu, a man who collects debts, both struggling because of the changing weather. Hedu’s village suffers from drought, and Gunu’s home faces floods from rising sea levels.

The film stars Sanjay Mishra, Ranvir Shorey, and Tillotama Shome. ‘Kadvi Hawa’ shows how climate change is not just a future problem but something hurting real people right now. It helps us understand how weather changes can ruin crops, cause poverty, and force people to leave their homes.

Based on a true story, 'Erin Brockovich' stars Julia Roberts as a strong-willed legal assistant who uncovers a major water pollution case in the town of Hinkley, California. When she starts looking into strange health problems in the area, she discovers that the Pacific Gas and Electric Company has been dumping toxic waste into the town’s water supply. Even though she is not a lawyer, Erin fights hard to bring justice to the people who got sick because of the polluted water.

With support from Albert Finney and Aaron Eckhart, the film shows how dangerous industrial pollution can be. ‘Erin Brockovich’ is inspiring because it proves that one person can make a big difference in protecting the environment and people’s health.

‘Sherni’ is a 2021 Indian film starring Vidya Balan as Vidya Vincent, a forest officer. She has to solve problems between villagers and a tigress that is living nearby. The film shows the hard choices involved in protecting wildlife while keeping people safe.

The story talks about habitat loss and how humans and animals often come into conflict. ‘Sherni’ teaches us about the need for balance and respect when living close to nature. 'Sherni' is a quiet but powerful film that makes you think about how we treat animals and forests. It’s a reminder that protecting nature is not always easy, but it’s always important.

James Cameron’s epic film 'Avatar' takes us to Pandora – a beautiful alien world filled with strange creatures and a deep connection to nature. The native people, called the Na’vi, live peacefully with the land, until humans arrive to mine a rare mineral and destroy everything in their path.

Jake Sully, a former soldier, is sent to learn about the Na’vi using an avatar. But as he becomes part of their world, he realises the damage humans are causing and decides to stand with the Na’vi against greed and destruction. 'Avatar' is a stunning film with breathtaking visuals, but it also has a strong message about protecting the environment and respecting indigenous cultures. It’s a warning about what happens when profit comes before people and nature.