Kids & Company Blog

7 Family-Friendly Movies About Taking Care of the Planet

Chilly December nights are perfect for movie-watching, and if you’ve been looking for movies that aren’t only entertaining for your whole crew but also sneak in some eco-friendly lessons, you’re in luck. We’ve put together our favourites—including classics—for your viewing (and teaching) pleasure. These films deal with protecting animals and their habitats, which will resonate with children who have pets or are interested in nature. Cuddle up with your family and enjoy the important messages reaching their little ears.

If you’re not familiar with these movies, you can look them up at Common Sense Media, an American non-profit organization committed to advocating for the circulation of trustworthy information and education, to make sure they’re age-appropriate for your family.  

Free Willy (Rated PG, 1993)

Highlighted issue: Animal cruelty; preservation of marine life

Run time: 1hr 52min

Synopsis: This classic film is more than 30 years old, but Free Willy is still a much-loved movie that looks at animal exploitation. A boy befriends a captive orca that’s about to be killed by aquarium owners and figures out a way to set his friend free back into the ocean. Your children will learn about respecting and treasuring animals.

Ice Age: The Meltdown (Rated PG, 2006)

Highlighted issue: Global warming

Run time: 1hr 31min

Synopsis: This is a funny flick with an important underlying message—Manny, Sid and Diego (a woolly mammoth, sloth and saber-toothed tiger, respectively) learn the Ice Age is ending, and they set out to leave their home in the valley before the ice melts and their home floods. You can talk to your children about how global warming is causing the world’s water levels to rise, and why this is so important to both animals and humans. 

FernGully: The Last Rainforest (Rated G, 1992)

Highlighted issue: Deforestation; pollution

Run time: 1hr 16min

Synopsis: It’s an oldie, but a goodie. Parents of a certain age might remember FernGully from their youth. This storyline has a strong focus on conservation. It’s about fairies who live happily in a magical rainforest and end up having to save their home after a group of loggers try to demolish it by cutting down trees and releasing an evil pollutant. 

Rio (Rated G, 2011)

Highlighted issue: Animal smuggling; habitat destruction 

Run time: 1hr 36min

Synopsis: This adventure sees a pet macaw (so domesticated that he can’t even fly) named Blu travel from snowy Minnesota to Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro 15 years after being captured and smuggled to the US. On his journey, he sets his sights on the magnificent Amazon, he meets birds that have been free to live peacefully—including the last female macaw. Follow Blu on their wild journey to get back home, and bring some friends back with him.

Over the Hedge (Rated PG, 2006)

Highlighted issue: Urban development; deforestation; habitat destruction

Run time: 1hr 23min
Synopsis: When hungry woodland animals awake in the spring after their winter hibernation, they quickly find their forest homes have been replaced by a neighbourhood of brand-new homes, with a big hedge between their remaining land and the area now taken up by humans. RJ the raccoon—who gets into trouble with a ravenous bear—leads his pals in a plot to get over the hedge and figure out how to live in this new landscape. 

Hoot (Rated PG, 2006)

Highlighted issue: Endangered species; habitat destruction

Run time: 1hr 31min

Synopsis: At a new construction site in Florida, a few determined friends set out to save a group of endangered burrowing owls from losing their habitat. Not only do these young people learn about teamwork, friendship and camaraderie, but they also find out how vital it is to support causes they believe in, especially when it comes to protecting animals and the planet.

The Lorax (Rated PG, 2012)

Highlighted issue: Deforestation; consumer excess 

Run time: 1hr 26min

Synopsis: Fans of the Dr. Seuss classic will enjoy this tale of a boy living in a city built on conveniences and commodities where everything is made of synthetics, plastic and metal. His crush is a girl whose wish is to see a real-life tree—since they’ve all been cut down to create Thneed-Ville. On his journey, he meets a cantankerous creature trying to save what’s left of his world.  (Got Swifties in your home? Taylor Swift is the voice of Audrey.)

If you think your kids are interested in real stories about nature, animals and doing good for the environment, there are many documentaries worth watching. Start with a classic—Planet Earth is a stunning series released in 2006 narrated by Sir David Attenborough. Happy viewing!

Posted on: Friday December 15th, 2023

Posted by: Kids & Company