10 French Children's Films About the Environment

Nathalie Charles

World Environment Day is held each year on June 5. To celebrate our beautiful planet and excite children about the environment, we have curated a selection of 10 French movies, from documentaries discussing environmental issues to animated films that answer ecological questions. We hope the entire family will love these films!

Amazonia
Directed by Thierry Ragobert, 2013, 1h26, PG / recommended for ages 8+

When a capuchin monkey raised in captivity becomes stranded in the Amazon rainforest, he must learn to avoid predators and rediscover his natural instincts to survive.

Antarctica: Ice and Sky (La Glace et le ciel)
Directed by Luc Jacquet, 2015, 1h29 / recommended for ages 10+

From the Oscar-winning director of March of the Penguins, Antarctica: Ice and Sky is an epic tale of scientific adventure and a stirring personal memoir that recounts the remarkable life's journey of Claude Lorius, the first scientist to discover conclusive evidence of man-made climate change deep beneath the Earth's surface.

April and the Extraordinary World (Avril et le monde truqué)
Directed by Franck Ekinci and Christian Desmares, 2015, 1h45, PG / recommended for ages 9+

Paris, 1941. A family of scientists is on the brink of discovering a powerful longevity serum when all of a sudden a mysterious force abducts them, leaving their young daughter April behind. Ten years later, April lives alone with her dear cat, Darwin, and carries on her family’s research in secret. But she soon finds herself at the center of a shadowy and far-reaching conspiracy, and on the run from government agents, bicycle-powered dirigibles and cyborg rat spies. Undaunted, she continues her quest to find her parents and discover the truth behind their disappearance.

A Reindeer’s Journey (Aïlo : Une odyssée en Laponie)
Directed by Guillaume Maidatchevsky, 2018, 1h20, PG / recommended for ages 8+

Meet Ailo, a newborn reindeer who embarks on an incredible odyssey with the help of his mother. Narrated by Donald Southerland and set against the frozen majesty of northern Finland, their journey is an uplifting story for the whole family.

Bonobos: Back to the Wild (Bonobos)
Directed by Alain Tixier, 2015, 1h24 / recommended for ages 6+

The plight of the endangered Bonobos of Africa – mankind’s closest genetic relative – are presented in this critically praised, epic nature documentary.

Available on Amazon Prime | Vudu | YouTube | GooglePlay

Mia and the Migoo (Mia et le Migou)
Directed by Jacques-Rémy Girerd, 2008, 1h31, PG / recommended for ages 6+

Mia sets out on a cross continent journey, though mountains and jungles in search of her father, who has been trapped in a landslide at a construction site on a remote tropical lake. In the middle of the lake stands the ancient Tree of Life, watched over by innocent, bumbling forest spirits called the Migoo. The Migoo have been disrupting the construction to protect this sacred site – and now together with Mia they join in a fight to find Mia’s father and save the Tree, with the future of life on Earth hanging in the balance.

Available on Amazon Video | Google Play | iTunes | YouTube | Vudu

Mia and the White Lion (Mia et le lion blanc)
Directed by Gilles De Maistre, 2018, 1h38, PG / recommended for ages 8+

A young girl and her beautiful white lion Charlie set off on an epic adventure across the wild African savanna in search for another land where Charlie can live out his life safe and free.

Oceans (Océans)
Directed by Jacques Perrin & Jacques Cluzaud, 2010, 1h37, PG / recommended for ages 8+

Stunning images await as you journey into the depths of a wonderland filled with mystery, beauty and power. It is an unprecedented look at the lives of these illusive deepwater creatures through their own eyes. Incredible state-of-the-art underwater filmmaking will take your breath away as you migrate with whales, swim alongside a great white shark and race with dolphins at play. Filled with adventure, comedy and drama, Oceans is a fascinating and thought-provoking experience you'll never forget.

Song of the Sea (Le Chant de la mer)
Directed by Tomm Moore, 2014, 1h33, PG / recommended for ages 8+

Based on the Irish legend of the Selkies, Song of the Sea tells the story of the last seal-child, Saoirse, and her brother Ben, who go on an epic journey to save the world of magic and discover secrets of their past. Pursued by the owl witch, Macha, and a host of ancient and mythical creatures, Saoirse and Ben race against time to awaken Saoirse’s powers and keep the spirit world from disappearing forever.

The Red Turtle (La Tortue rouge)
Directed by Michael Dudok de Wit, 2016, 1h20, PG / recommended for ages 9+

This masterfully animated fantasy film tells the story of a man shipwrecked at sea who becomes stranded on a beautiful but desolate island. He learns to live in isolation, seemingly tormented in his efforts to escape the island by a giant red turtle. Miraculously, he soon comes upon a young woman also lost at sea and they create a family together.

Available on Vudu | GooglePlay | Amazon Video | YouTube | Microsoft