Over the past several years my hubs and I have developed a love for documentaries. It probably started with our subscription to Netflix which we stream through our Blueray player. I love all the access to documentaries that Netflix gives us – that we didn’t have before.
And since recently canceling our cable (again) now that the Olympics are over – we’re back to relying on Netflix for most of our TV viewing.
Just like the books I’ve read (and am currently reading) that have impacted my life, there are several documentaries that have had a really strong impact on my life and the way that I view the world around me.
I understand that documentaries can be biased, and lead you to think or believe in a certain direction, but the glimpse that they give into different people’s lives, people’s stories, and issues around the world are still invaluable to me. If you don’t watch documentaries regularly, I want to encourage you to start!
And here’s a list of some of the documentaries that have had the biggest impact on me and my family if you’re looking for some good ones to get started with!
7 Documentaries to Watch to Impact Your World
Black Gold
This was maybe one of the very first documentaries my husband and I ever watched. I’m not even sure how we heard about it, but we bought it around the time it came out 7 years ago.
This movie gave us one of our first views into thinking more globally about how our buying choices impact people around the world. After watching this documentary, we committed to buying Fair-Trade Coffee and have been doing so ever since.
Food, Inc.
I heard about this documentary for a while before I finally broke down and watched it. I wasn’t sure I wanted to watch it because I wasn’t sure I really wanted to know all of the awful things about our food industry.
It’s true, once you watch this documentary, you can’t unwatch it. And it will completely change the way that you look at the food on the grocery store shelves and make you stop and think about what you are actually feeding your family.
Another thing that really struck me in this documentary was the section about how migrant workers are exploited by some of the major food corporations. Again, it emphasized the point to me that our buying choices have an bigger impact – it’s not just about own lives and our own families – but it’s about people – real people who face injustice and cruelty at the expense of our convenience.
The Story of Stuff
This short little film was one of the beginning motivations for our family to venture down the path toward green and more intentional living. It’s a total wake up call!
Through movies like The Story of Stuff, more and more people are first beginning to learn and become aware of all of the toxins that are in our everyday products. While it can be shocking and overwhelming if this is the first time you are learning about these types of issues, but I also love that this movie doesn’t just focus on the problems, but also gives encouragement and ideas for creating change.
No Impact Man
I just thought this was so interesting and entertaining. It was fascinating to look at the steps and changes that just one one family could take to reduce their impact on the environment and the difference it made for their family.
I’m not sure it’s realistic to think about cutting off your electricity completely, or washing your clothes in the bathtub, but it was just encouraging and inspiring to think about things we CAN do – even little things, that can make a big impact (or little to no impact, if that’s the way you’re looking at it)!
Food Matters
Another really interesting movie not just about our food industry, but also our medical system in this country. This movie looks at the mantra of “A pill for every ill.” that the pharmaceutical and medical systems push in our culture versus the impact that making better food choices can have on your health.
This was one of the first movies I watched that moved me toward a different view of cancer treatment. A topic that I’m still trying to research and learn more about.
Bottled water is the greatest advertising and marketing trick of all time.”
Tapped
Did you know that bottled water costs more than gasoline? This eye-opening look at the impact of bottled water on our society, culture, government, and the environment will have you reaching for your reusable water bottle and filling it up from your tap faster than you can say, “BPA”!
Waiting for Superman
What an emotional film – so inspiring and at the same time heartbreaking. I think this is a movie that everyone in our country should watch because the education of our kids is so important for the future of our country.
And if you don’t believe in some of the systemic injustices happening to people living in poverty and inner cities in our country today – this movie will change your mind. Even if you don’t have kids of your own, if you care about kids and care about their future, you need to watch this movie.
And here are a few that are on my list to watch in the next few weeks or months:
*Note – Even if you don’t have Netflix, many of these documentaries can be watch on Youtube for free! And this post is not sponsored by Netflix, I just love their selection of documentaries!
What documentaries have impacted your life? What movies would you add to this list?
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One of my favorites pastime is watching documentaries. Most of them are in youtube. Ive just finished watching The Secrets to the Pyramids. It was mysterious, magical, out of this world!