Everyone loves indulging in taking a day off, hanging in your pajamas, snuggling up with a bowl of junk food and watching some flicks. If you’d like to get educated while you entertain yourself, here are a few documentaries to watch on your next binge.
Planet Earth (2006)
Themes: animals, ecosystems, the environment
Length: around 50 minutes per episode
Find it on: Netflix, www.bbcamerica.com/shows/planet-earth
“Planet Earth” is a must watch for any nature nerd. If you liked “Animal Planet” as a child, this docuseries will keep you interested. Full of cute animals, occasionally grizzly and gritty fights and beautiful environmental shots, this is a nature series you shouldn’t miss.
Food Evolution (2017)
Themes: GMOs, food
Length: 1 hour 32 minutes
Find it on: Hulu, www.foodevolutionmovie.com
Anyone who’s a little confused on what genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, are should watch this film. Narrated by everyone’s favorite scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson, “Food Evolution” dispels some myths about GMOs and will help you make informed decisions when it comes to buying organic.
Racing Extinction (2015)
Themes: eco-thriller, mass extinction
Length: 1 Hour 34 minutes
Find it on: Hulu, Amazon, racingextinction.com/film It’s no secret that humans’ indulgent tastes can wreak havoc on other species. “Racing Extinction” explores illegal and detrimental practices around the world that lead to one of this century’s biggest threats: mass extinction.
Living on One Dollar (2013)
Themes: poverty, world hunger, international affairs
Length: about 1 hour
Find it on: livingonone.org/livingonone/film
This film follows four friends who plan to live on just one dollar a day in rural Guatemala to shed light on global poverty and hunger. However, it’s not guaranteed they get one dollar each day: sometimes they get three, and some days they get none; it’s all randomized. The friends quickly realize how an unplanned expense can ruin a family’s finances.
RBG (2018)
Themes: women and feminism, law and politics
Length: 1 hour 38 minutes
Find it on: Hulu, Amazon, www.magpictures.com/rbg/watch-at-home
Supreme Court superhero Ruth Bader Ginsburg has lived (and is living) a life many people could only dream. Whether you’re a young woman, a politician, a social activist or just someone who wants to hear the story of an inspiring woman, this film was literally made for you.
Forks Over Knives (2011)
Themes: food science, disease, plant-based diets
Length: 1 hour 36 minutes
Find it on: Netflix, www.forksoverknives.com
As a whole, the world’s health leaves something to be desired. While medicine and understanding of the body are on the rise, so are our rates of diabetes, dependence on prescription drugs, incidences of heart disease and, frankly, a lot of our population’s weights. Not every ailment can be avoided by eating a handful of spinach or some chia seeds, but “Forks Over Knives” delves into the ways we’re ruining our bodies and dishes out some unfortunate— and scary— truths.
How It’s Made (2014)
Themes: industry, food, mechanics
Length: about 20 minutes per episode
Find it on: Hulu, www.sciencechannel.com/tv-shows/how-its-made
This show was made for everyone. From apple cider and natural baking soda to surgical sutures and coffee filters, “How It’s Made” does exactly that — explains how different products come to be. If you’re not really in the mood for focusing in on one specific topic, this docuseries follows several different products throughout the course of one episode, making it perfect for mindless watching and learning little facts to impress your friends.
