Films Ellen Loves

These documentaries and movies have had a huge impact on me, and I hope they will do the same for you.

Bag it

This weekend, Ellen watched the documentary, "Bag It," and thinks you should see it too! It explores the product we all use -- the plastic bag -- and the unexpected consequences of using them. You can find out more about the documentary on the official website for "Bag It." The DVD is not yet available, but you can add yourself to their wait list to find out the moment it is released.

Earthlings

First, let me caution you that this documentary is not for the faint of heart. It's a shocking film about human dependence on animals, and "Earthlings" will make you rethink the way you live.

Focusing on the suffering of animals for food, fashion, pets, entertainment, and medical research, it's considered one of the definitive animal rights films by organizations across the world. Created over the span of six years, it features shocking footage that major industries don't want you to see.

The End of the Line

This chilling documentary takes a look at the overfishing of our oceans, and the frightening reality that the planet will run out of seafood by 2048. With compelling footage and interviews from all over the globe, the filmmakers explore how we got to this point -- and what we can do to prevent catastrophe.

The Cove

In this shocking documentary, a team of filmmakers and activists covertly film the actions at a secret cove in Taijii, Japan. They discover the horrible practices of the world's largest supplier of dolphins and the unexpected impact of the company's actions. Both entertaining and revealing, this documentary is considered a front-runner for an Academy Award.

Food Inc.

Inspired by the books "Fast Food Nation" and "The Omnivore's Dilemma," this documentary explores the way our food makes it to our table. It uncovers the frightening effects the food industry has had on the health of our country, and the unthinkable actions the government has taken to manipulate our sources of food for the benefit of major conglomerates.

Super Size Me

Inspired by a lawsuit in which two teenage girls blamed McDonald's for their obesity, filmmaker Morgan Spurlock embarks on a month-long journey in which everything he eats and drinks must be from McDonalds -- with shocking results. Urged by his doctors to end the experiment early, Spurlock literally risked his life to discover the frightening truth of fast food in America today.

Fast Food Nation

In this fictional movie inspired by the book of the same name, Greg Kinnear plays Don Henderson, the executive of a national fast-food chain. As he attempts to discover the source of food contamination, he learns the path beef takes from the slaughterhouse to the fast-food tray. Based on fact and exploring everything from labor issues to health and safety, you may find yourself reconsidering that burger for dinner.

Next Story: Ellen Celebrates Facebook's Sixth Birthday

| Comments (53)

Share Your Comments:

Comments (53) | Post a comment now »

I have watched the documentaries you have above and these typs of movies inspire me so much. One that you do not have listed is " Age of Stupid" I believe it gives out a message many need to see adn hear to realize what is happening to our planet.

Posted by Nicole Balzan | May 11, 2012 5:00 PM

i love u and ur show

Posted by Anonymous | April 20, 2012 9:01 AM

Cheers pal. I do apprieacte the writing.

Posted by Emmy | January 3, 2012 1:31 PM

Love your pics of movies! and books. Do you have a fav Christmas movie? I love the Grizwalds lol. Have to wathc Christmas Vacation every year! and Vince Vaughn in "Four Christmas's' too funny! lighter side, Like Chritmas Shoes the movie with Rob Lowe and the song! gets to me! Love you, Love your show! Cuddle up and Have a Happy Holiday with Portia! Hugs,
Judi Emmett
Laughlin, NV

Posted by Judi | December 15, 2011 12:19 AM

I love your pic of movies, but for Christmas there is not a movie funnier than the Griswalds! "Christmas vacation". I mean cousin Eddie omg! way to funny a true reason not to have a family christmas lol...
Second- Vince Vaughn in 'Four Christmas's" rolling on the floor laughter!
Meaningful Christmas story. "Christmas Shoes" like the song,, with Rob Lowe,, the song tugs at your heart strings and movie is good!
Love ya Ellen! and staff! These days of Christmas with you I cuddle up on the couch and smile away,, Ellen your so cute what are you 25?? lol.. Love your show, Love you! Judi Emmett

Posted by Judi | December 15, 2011 12:14 AM

Posted by Judi | December 15, 2011 12:13 AM

Is Ellen like others kind of movies ? I mean about something else that food.
I'm french, so does she likes french movie like the artist with Jean dujardin ?
Another question, can she tell where she by her shirts, i love t hem?
Merci
Agnes

Posted by Agnes | October 8, 2011 8:38 AM

I've recently watched 2 documentaries "Crazy Love"
and "Dear Zachary" They bot incredible for different reasons. Highly recommend to all.

Posted by Zsuzsanna Garrett | December 19, 2010 2:33 PM

Hey there Ellen,
I'm 15 and I decided to go Vegan this past summer of 2010. It was really difficult, and I only lasted 2 months. However, I didn't go back to eating normally. I would never. Instead, I lowered my standards to Vegetarianism. I haven't had any meat products for 6 months (it'll be officially 6 months on the 9th of december.)

I have to thank you for your inspiration, I felt soo alone and confused. My parents didn't accept it at first, but when I found out you were as well, you made me strive harder than ever. At times though, I'll go almost a full day without eating, until I get to school. (You see, my parents sometimes forget/refuse to buy the foods I can eat.) It's not their fault though, they work almost every single day.

What I'm trying to ask/say is: are there any simple fruits/veggies that I can eat and get at the simplest places? Your recipes on your website are very delicious sounding and will get my dad to make them for me some day I guess. (He's a chef, but I don't see him often because my mom and dad are divorced.) I wish you could explain to my mom and stepdad how important it is to me to raise my standard/level of eating back to Veganism. They don't always understand..

Thanks for your time.
Always,
Michi.

Posted by Michi Arevalo | December 2, 2010 2:52 PM

Ellen,

I saw you had super size me on your fav movies list. Did you ever see the series he did "30 days in the life" where he took on 30 days in the life of various persons, like someone living on minimum wage and other scenarios. Anyways, one of the shows he did was on 30 days in the county jail. He happened to choose the jail I was working at. While I thankfully made it out of the show's footage that aired, I was around during the shooting of this show. It was pretty neat. He was truly treated just like every other inmate, no special treatment, left in gen pop and everything. Anyways, thought you might want to check it out.

Posted by Shanna | November 15, 2010 2:02 PM

I just re-watched If These Walls Could Talk 2. You should have that movie listed here! You were wonderful in it and the subject matter is important.

Posted by Alecia | November 1, 2010 7:23 PM

The day I watched the documentary Earthlings, my whole life changed.
I always knew how animals were treated, but knowing is different than actually seeing!
I honestly cried, and I'm not the type of girls that cries during a movie.
and oh, I always tried to become a vegetarian but couldn't since I was young and living with m parents, so I wasn't as independent as I am now, but I'm proud to say that it's been 9 months that I haven't eaten any meat or poultry, and I don't think that I will stop anytime soon!

Posted by Yara | October 31, 2010 1:03 AM

While I respect people's right to post what they please here, I think some people have missed the point of this list. It's about raising social awareness about our treatment of the earth's resources and other inhabitants. Anyone posting a list of films including "White Chicks" and other lowbrow, mainstream entertainment films for Ellen to watch doesn't get what Ellen is trying to say here. I showed Super Size Me and Food Inc to my Year 9 Media students. It got them talking, thinking and, most importantly, caring about the issues explored in the films. Thanks, Ellen, for posting these films and using your influence to make a difference.

Posted by Jacquie | October 26, 2010 6:54 PM

i think ellen was hungry when she posted her fav movies. lol...super size me, food inc, and food fast nation

Posted by lupe | October 26, 2010 2:53 PM

Another important doc to see is "The Future of Food." It goes hand-in-hand with "Food Inc." in looking at the food industry from the perspective of genetically modified products. Very important information.

Also, "Flow: For the Love of Water" looks at the privatization and pollution of our global drinking water. The film lays out some staggering statistics on the matter, such as the fact that two million people die annually from water-borne diseases.

Posted by kmc | October 6, 2010 10:12 AM

When I was young my family lived near dairy farms, I got to see and experience the slaughter of animals for food...I will not eat veal, or knowingly support the practice in any way, I wont eat pork either,I don't mind beef from a supermarket to much but really wish they treated the cows better...its one thing to kill for food, another is to use an unnecessarily amount of cruelty to put down an almost defenseless animal, no matter how tasty he is.

Posted by Sal | September 21, 2010 1:58 AM

i love the cove

Posted by Caroline Rahkola | September 11, 2010 7:54 PM

Ellen, thank you for being you

Posted by karen | September 7, 2010 12:10 PM

ellen did you ever watch Bagdad Cafe?
I don't know if you can even get a dvd of it but It is one of my favorites.

Posted by tamaya | August 21, 2010 5:56 AM

I set up a viewing of food inc at my local library it was great!!!

Posted by Anonymous | August 19, 2010 10:38 AM