5 Best Movies about the Environment

At times, the Hollywood film industry seems to be filled with the same story lines that always make sure to cater to the status quo. There are classic crime dramas, predictable romantic comedies and over-the-top action thrillers, but sporadically the film industry creates a piece of work with an actual message. In the case of the five films that will soon be discussed, this message has to do with one of the fastest growing issues in the world today; the environment. Whether it is considered surprising or not, the world's interest in the environment is a relatively new phenomenon. After first experiencing the initial environmental activism wave of the 1960s, much of the world has begun to support the need to solve environmental problems. Through various forms of political agenda pushing, propaganda and spread of awareness, today's issues of pollution and global warming are gaining much headway. The connection between the film industry and environmental awareness comes from the growing trend of films with an environmental message; it is one of the main ways that information about environmental travesties has gained a great deal of notoriety. Some successful films, such as Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth take the documentary route, while others, like the hugely successful film Avatar, capitalize on the traditional Hollywood standard, while intertwining an environmental message.

1.Inconvenient Truth (2007) Al Gore's documentary An Inconvenient Truth served as an eye opening experience for citizens on an international basis. Though a seemingly straightforward documentary, the exposure of vast amounts of data and statistics on the realities of global warming were invaluable for the current environmental movement. There has not been an environmental film that affected public opinion on such a high level.

2. Wall-E (2008) Disney and Pixar's Wall-E is by far the best animated movie about the environment. The film takes place in a reality where the Earth's population was overrun by their pollution and waste. Humans were forced to leave Earth on a large, arc-like ship, while a robot force was given the task of cleaning up the planet. While following the lovable and quirky robot, Wall-E, through an attempt to gain companionship, serious environmental pollutions such as pollution and natural resource exploitation are addressed. The film also goes to great lengths to confront the issue of technology sapping people of their most basic social and physical human needs.

3.Erin Brochovich (2000) This film, starring Julia Roberts is an environmental film with a great deal of acclaim and fanfare. The story, inspired by true events, follows the protagonist through a legal battle with the Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Julia Roberts gives an Oscar winning performance, while her character uncovers a conspiracy to cover up water contamination. Though this film is a work of cinematic genius, it also played a great role in exposing the harsh environmental realties that are created at the hands of corporations today.

4.China Syndrome (1979) China Syndrome was one of the most successful films in the first wave of environmental awareness films of the 1970s. The film follows a reporter's push to expose a cover up at a local nuclear plant. As the reporter, played by Jack Lemmon, discovers that the plant is likely to contaminate the area, he engages in a struggle try and warns the unsuspecting public. With an all star cast featuring Jane Fonda, Jack Lemmon and Michael Douglas, the film not only confronts real concerns about nuclear power, but provides a thrilling and entertaining story line.

5.Avatar (2009) The recently released film Avatar is considered one of the most successful films of all time. The plot of the film allowed for exotic computer animated locales and brought life to a blue-skinned alien race. The intense action sequences were only dwarfed by the film's extensive environmental message. While dealing with the themes of natural resource exploitation and greed, movie goers were forced to face many of the harsh realities that are affecting our planet today.