Earth Day is a good reminder that watching smarter can also mean thinking greener. Centered on the theme “Our Power, Our Planet,” today focuses on everyday actions, community problem-solving, and the idea that environmental progress is built over time.
Since 1970, Earth Day has been a day of understanding the bigger picture and the choices shaping our planet’s future. Many Americans are seeing an increase in their energy bills due to massive data centers and energy-intensive infrastructure. However, more companies are increasing their sustainability efforts, including tech giants and the digital ecosystem that powers your favorite apps, devices, and streaming services.
Cord cutters who want to press play with a purpose can add these seven thought-provoking, inspiring, and easy-to-watch classics to their streaming lineup today.
Planet of Humans (2020)
Directed by Jeff Gibbs and backed by Michael Moore, Planet of the Humans takes a critical look at modern environmentalism, questioning whether popular green solutions like solar and wind are as sustainable as they’re often portrayed. It challenges viewers to rethink consumption, corporate influence, and the true cost of “clean” energy. The film sparked widespread controversy upon release, with critics and supporters clashing over its conclusions, which only adds to its value as an Earth Day watch.
Where to Watch: Prime Video
Captain Planet and the Planeteers (1990–1996)
Few environmental titles are as instantly recognizable as Captain Planet and the Planeteers. Created by Ted Turner and Barbara Pyle, the animated series followed five teenagers from around the world who each controlled an elemental ring (earth, wind, water, fire, and heart), combining their powers to summon Captain Planet. It first aired in 1990 and ran through 1996 with an unforgettable theme song, and stood out because it turned eco-education into a full-on superhero adventure instead of a lecture. With a live-action adaptation in the works, the show’s simple “the power is yours” message still lands today.
Food Inc. (2009)
Food, Inc. is one of those documentaries that can change the way you look at dinner. Robert Kenner’s film lifts the lid on America’s industrial food system, exposing how factory farming, corporate control, and mass production shape what ends up on our plates. Featuring voices and insights from writers like Michael Pollan and Eric Schlosser, the film is effective because it connects environmental issues to something everyone understands: food.
With its relatable message, the film feels personal rather than abstract. It cemented its reputation as one of the defining food-and-environment documentaries of its era, with an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature, and spawned a 2024 sequel (Hulu).
Where to Watch: Philo
An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Al Gore’s landmark climate documentary brought global warming into the mainstream conversation for a huge audience. Directed by Davis Guggenheim, An Inconvenient Truth centers on Al Gore’s well-known slideshow presentation and makes the science of climate change feel urgent, accessible, and deeply human. On its way to winning two Academy Awards (Best Documentary and Best Original Song), it became a wake-up call and a reminder of how powerful a well-told environmental message can be. 20 years later, it has cemented itself as one of the most influential documentaries of all time, and a follow-up, An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power (2017) (MGM+, Fubo, DIRECTV).
Where to Watch: Prime Video | Paramount+ | Fubo | DIRECTV
Bill Nye the Science Guy (1993-1998)
Environmental issues often come down to science literacy, and Bill Nye the Science Guy made science feel fun, fast, and totally approachable. 33 years since its premiere, the original series turned Bill Nye into a pop-culture science teacher for an entire generation. Nye’s use of humor, experiments, and quick explanations made big topics easy to understand, and he has used his platform to advocate for science-based thinking on issues like climate change and public policy.
Where to Watch: Prime Video
I Am Greta (2020)
A strong Earth Day pick that offers a behind-the-scenes look at modern climate activism, I Am Greta follows Greta Thunberg from a quiet school strike outside the Swedish Parliament to her rise as a global climate figure. It shows her as a teenager trying to make sense of an overwhelming crisis and rally the world to pay attention. The documentary uses never-before-seen footage to capture both the pressure and the purpose of her mission.
Where to Watch: Hulu
Jane (2023-2025)
Jane is a lively, kid-friendly Earth Day pick that turns conservation into an adventure. The Apple TV+ original, inspired by the legacy of the late Dr. Jane Goodall, mixes live action and CGI to follow 9-year-old Jane Garcia as she sets out to protect endangered animals around the world. With the help of her imagination and her best friends, including a chimpanzee companion, the series makes environmentalism feel playful, accessible, and full of possibility.
It also carries a meaningful legacy as a supplemental follow-up to NatGeo’s 2017 documentary Jane (Disney+/Hulu), which offered a more intimate look at Dr. Goodall’s life and work. It features never-before-seen 1960s footage in a film that’s quiet, moving, and deeply human. Those looking for a doc that captures the lifelong curiosity and compassion that made Goodall a global force for wildlife conservation should add it to their watchlist.
Where to Watch: Apple TV+
