11 movies to watch for Earth Day

“Wall-E” became an immediate animated classic, highlighting — in Pixar’s signature lighthearted way — the dangers of our runaway throwaway society for the planet. The adorable robot protagonist has a deep admiration for life, helping his human creators (and viewers) regain their appreciation, all without too much dialogue at all.

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Julia Roberts made “Erin Brockovich” iconic, inspiring moviegoers with her fierce portrayal of one woman’s quest for environmental justice. It’s easy to root for the single mother as she takes on corporate energy in a battle over groundwater contamination and the families impacted.

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It may be about a faraway planet, but James Cameron’s “Avatar” is all about nature’s fight against militarized, mechanized destruction. Plus there’s enough action and explosions to keep anyone engaged.

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Al Gore’s influential documentary holds up, unfortunately, years after its original release. It’s just as impactful as ever.

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If “An Inconvenient Truth” didn’t make you want to fix the world, “The Day After Tomorrow” might just scare you into climate action. The disaster flick follows an A-list cast as they try to survive a climate disaster, and it paints a dark picture of a future in which humans do little to fight climate change.

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It may have been snubbed at the awards, but “Dark Waters” still hits. Similar to “Erin Brockovich,” though considerably more serious, it tells the story of a lone lawyer fighting against corporate greed and pollution. It’s tense and compelling at every step.

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Big farming is increasingly seen as one of the industries driving climate change, and the documentary “Cowspiracy” goes straight to the heart of the destructive practices that threaten our world and hold up our food system.

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It’s not just classic cinema -- "Chinatown" is also a classic tale about corporate greed and environmental misuse, following the twisted dealings over water use in California in the early 20th century.

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The basic plot of “I Heart Huckabees” revolves around a dispute between environmentalists and a big box store, but the drama quickly broadens to include existential questions about competing views on the meaning of life — all wrapped up in a cheeky comedy package with an all-star cast.

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There’s no better way to introduce kids to the splendors of the forest than “Bambi.” Heartfelt from beginning to end, it’s a classic for a reason.

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