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When you hear the words “vegan documentary”, what comes to mind?
Violent footage from undercover video exposing factory farms and abattoirs? Shots of sick and malnourished animals in horrible living conditions? While the farm-to-plate process is nothing short of a horror film, not all vegan documentaries are hide-behind-your-hands terrifying.
There are many non-graphic vegan documentaries which focus on the environmental or health benefits of adopting a plant-based diet. While I think documentaries like Earthlings and Dominion are essential viewing, I understand everyone comes to veganism for different reasons.
Here is a list of non-graphic vegan documentaries you can watch alone or with friends and family – featuring recommendations from some amazing vegan advocates!
Disclaimer: You may see some footage of violence against animals in these recommendations, but it’s a few minutes at most and doesn’t make up the majority of the documentary.
Cowspiracy: the sustainability secret
RECOMMENDED BY VEGAN AUTHOR & FOOD BLOGGER HOLLY WHITE
I loved Cowspiracy as is clearly portrayed the environmental impact going vegan could have and it was so compelling that upon watching I never ate red meat again.
I would recommend everyone watch it and become aware of how changes in our lifestyle can have a massive effect on our carbon footprints.
Holly white
Find it on: Netflix or order online
Forks over knives
This is how I imagine the making of this film went down.
Someone: “Wait, you’re saying that most, if not all, of the chronic diseases can be controlled or reversed by rejecting animal-based and processed foods? No way, where’s the evidence?”
Forks Over Knives: “Hold my drink…”
Forks Over Knives follows the journey of a biochemical nutritionist and a surgeon as they conduct separate research that leads them to this very conclusion. It also follows regular people who have turned their lives around (and dropped the meds) by adopting a plant-based diet.
A key take home message from the film is that taking responsibility for our health is really quite simple. Get your plants in!
Find it: Available for rent via Youtube and official website (which also has some amazing plant-based recipes and resources).
the food matrix – 101 reasons to go vegan
More of a presentation that a documentary, The Food Matrix is a fascinating and entertaining talk on the ethical solutions and health benefits of veganism by James Wildman of the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida.
This is the one that sealed the deal for me when I went vegan back in 2015. I have a painfully short attention span, and I was glued to this from start to finish. I recommended this to absolutely everyone. You won’t want to stay stuck in ‘the matrix’ afterwards!
I still come back to watch this every now and then.
Find it on: Youtube
Game changers
RECOMMENDED BY PLANT-BASED HEALTH COACHES, KAT AND SARA THE VEGAN TWINS
Arguably the vegan ‘event’ of 2019, The Game Changers movie is presented by James Cameron, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jackie Chan, Lewis Hamilton, Novak Djokovic and Chris Paul — neat line up, huh?
This is a great one for anyone interested in improving their mental and physical performance or finding that “edge”.
The Game Changers is an inspiring and thought-provoking documentary that’s perfect for anyone considering a plant based lifestyle.
The documentary follows the stories of world class vegan athletes who thrive on a plant based diet, and presents compelling data and interesting studies that shed light on the benefits of the lifestyle. With a modern and entertaining approach, it’s enjoyed universally by anyone who’s interested in learning more about the lifestyle and its benefits.
THE VEGAN TWINS
Fine it on: Netflix or their official website.
What the health
What The Health is a must-watch for anyone interested in health or specific issues like Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and obesity.
You’ll find interviews with health professionals and heads of health organisations, information from scientific studies, and first-hand experiences from people who’ve reversed or reduced illnesses with a plant-based diet.
I’d already been vegan for two years when I watched this, but it motivated me to take my health more seriously.
Find it on: Youtube or Netflix
Vegucated
Vegucated is a guerrilla-style documentary that follows three meat and cheese-loving New Yorkers who agree to adopt a vegan diet for six weeks and learn what it’s all about. Yes, you read that correctly.
Enjoy.
Find it on: Youtube
Speciesism
Never heard of the term speciesism? I’ll hand it over to author Peter Singer to fill you in.
‘Speciesism‘ is the idea that being human is a good enough reason for human animals to have greater moral rights than non-human animals. … a prejudice or bias in favour of the interests of members of one’s own species and against those of members of other species.
Peter Singer,Animal Liberation, 1975.
This lesser-known film is up there as one of my favourite non-graphic vegan documentaries. It’s the perfect introduction to speciesism and plates up plenty of food for thought. It’s a great watch if you still have some burning questions about veganism, or need comebacks for those awkward confrontations at family gatherings.
This documentary will answer them in a very logical, non-condescending way with relatable examples. It gives you an insight into the minds and thought processes of vegans who see animals as our equals.
Find it on: Youtube
YOU WILL NEVER LOOK AT YOUR LIFE THE SAME WAY AGAIN – EARTHLING ED
RECOMMENDED BY VEGAN ACTIVIST CARLY TAYLOR
Another one for the Youtube playlist is a speech given to thousands of students across the UK by vegan activist known as Earthling Ed.
I love Earthling Ed’s speech on YouTube! It’s a no-nonsense, highly persuasive argument for why veganism is the most impactful daily choice we can make as consumers.
CARLY TAYLOR
Find it on: Youtube
which vegan documentary should you watch?
If you’re thinking about going vegan I’d recommended watching documentaries that focus on different areas. For example, health, the environment and animal agriculture.
I’ll always encourage to do your own research, but putting on a documentary is a relatively easy place to start.
If you’re new to veganism and want to share what you’ve learnt with others, these non-graphic vegan documentaries are great to watch to with your family, friends or partner. They are great conversation-starters and you never know who they’ll inspire next!
Have you watched any vegan documentaries? Share your favourites in the comments!
