These documentaries cover a wide variety of topics, but each one makes the case that a vegan lifestyle is the way forward. Whether the argument focuses on animal rights, sustainability, or health, the case for vegan living checkmates any selfish desire to continue exploiting animals. As your loved ones watch these films, you may see their outlook change right before your eyes!
The End of Medicine
70 minutes (2022) | stream on Amazon or Plex
Trailer
This documentary by BAFTA-winning director Alex Lockwood highlights the link between exploiting animals and global health threats such as pandemics and antibiotics resistance. Shooting began before the COVID-19 pandemic, so the film shows in real time how zoonotic diseases arise and rapidly spread—which will happen again if humans continue to eat animals.
These documentaries cover a wide variety of topics, but each one makes the case that a vegan lifestyle is the way forward. Whether the argument focuses on animal rights, sustainability, or health, the case for vegan living checkmates any selfish desire to continue exploiting animals. As your loved ones watch these films, you may see their outlook change right before your eyes!
Milked
89 Minutes (2021) | Stream on Amazon Prime or Films For Change in Australia
Milked is an inspiring documentary showing how a young activist took on New Zealand’s powerful dairy industry. In addition to learning how damaging dairy is for our health, he uncovers how the multibillion-dollar dairy industry is on the verge of a major disruption because of the rise of vegan alternatives.
Gunda
93 minutes (2020) | stream on Amazon or Hulu
Trailer
This mesmerizing film, shot in stark black and white and with no dialog or music, offers a rare and intimate glimpse into the lives of a mother pig and her piglets, a herd of cows, and a flock of chickens—all of whom live on a farm. The beautiful and ultimately tragic story draws the viewer into the lives of exploited animals.
I Am Greta
97 minutes (2020) | stream on Hulu
Trailer
This inspiring documentary follows teenage climate activist and devoted vegan Greta Thunberg as she takes on world leaders to demand action on the global climate catastrophe. While the documentary focuses on climate change, Greta has plenty to say about using animals for food and its role in global warming.
My Octopus Teacher
85 minutes (2020) | stream on Netflix
Trailer
Shot mostly underwater, this beautiful documentary follows filmmaker Craig Foster’s unexpected friendship with an octopus. As Foster finds meaning from the deepening bond with this intelligent being, you’ll find yourself completely immersed in another world.
The Invisible Vegan
84 minutes (2019) | stream on Amazon or Vimeo
Trailer
When Black vegan filmmaker Jasmine C. Leyva looked at the mainstream vegan community, she didn’t feel represented. She shares her story of going vegan and how the standard American diet has a negative impact on the Black community. She concludes that vegan eating has always been part of Black history and culture, and her film conveys the message that eating vegan is for everyone.
Test Subjects
17 minutes (2019) | stream on Vimeo
Trailer
Through interviews with three scientists, this short film explores the pressure put on graduate students to experiment on animals—even when doing so makes for bad science.
73 Cows
15 minutes (2018) | stream on Vimeo or YouTube
Trailer
A lovely documentary about Jay Wilde, this film follows “the first farmer in the United Kingdom to trade beef farming for sustainable organic vegan farming, giving up his entire herd of cattle in the process.” Winner of the BAFTA award in 2019 for British Short Film, this 15-minute piece is a must-see.
Dominion
120 minutes (2018) | stream on YouTube
Trailer
Directed by Chris Delforce and coproduced by Earthlings director Shaun Monson, this feature-length film explores every facet of animal exploitation and humanity’s vicious supremacy over the animal kingdom. The eye-opening information is well worth the discomfort.
The Game Changers
85 minutes (2018) | stream on Amazon or Netflix
Trailer
The Game Changers follows James Wilks—military combat instructor and champion “Ultimate Fighter”—whose whole outlook changes as he speaks with world-renowned athletes and scientists who disprove misguided beliefs that humans need to eat animals for protein and all-around excellent health.
What the Health
91 minutes (2017) | stream on Amazon or Netflix
Trailer
In this explosive and thought-provoking film from the creators of the groundbreaking documentary Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret, executive producer Joaquin Phoenix blows the lid off “the collusion and corruption in government and big business that is costing us trillions of healthcare dollars, and keeping us sick.”
Called to Rescue
73 minutes (2016) | stream on Vimeo or YouTube
Trailer
This heartwarming film takes viewers to 15 animal sanctuaries across the U.S. to share touching personal stories of rescued animals. We learn about the animals’ experiences—without graphic footage or disturbing descriptions—and witness the peaceful lives they now enjoy. The film’s message is one of hope, joy, inclusiveness, and respect, and it leaves its audience with one thought: “What can I do to help?”
Tyke Elephant Outlaw
78 minutes (2015) | stream on Kanopy
Trailer
This riveting documentary tells the story of an elephant named Tyke, who crushed her trainer after years of abuse in the circus and escaped from a Honolulu arena before being killed in a barrage of gunfire. The film examines the changes that have taken place since her death and asks us to look forward with the past in mind.
*****
These documentaries do a great job of illustrating the facts—but if a comedic film is more your style, be sure to check out Coffee Wars, for a fun take on vegan living.
