Several notable documentary films have been released over the years that have inspired many people to rethink their diet. Some may even have influenced decisions to make the switch to a plant-based and compassionate lifestyle. Whether you are curious to learn more about the vegetarian or vegan lifestyle or simply looking for something to watch while chilling out on a weekend, here are some of the best films that should be on your list.

Forks over Knives (2011)

This film puts the role of a diet consisting mostly of processed foods and animal products in perspective. It follows the story of nutritional biochemist Dr. T. Colin Campbell and renowned surgeon Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn whose separate studies led them to conclude that diseases like type 2 diabetes and cancer among others are preventable and may even be reversed by a whole foods and plant-based diet. The film offers a glimpse into Dr. Campbell’s work in places like the Philippines where he came across a study conducted in India that shows the effects of protein from animals and from plant sources. He then spent his time studying different types of diet. Several years-worth of results and data showed that people who adopted a plant-based diet suffered the least from health-related problems. In the same vein, Dr. Esselstyn also spent years doing research on diet and the effects of food to the body. He came up with a whole foods diet and got patients that have suffered heart attacks and other illnesses to try it. All the patients showed significant improvements to their health ever since they made the switch to a whole food diet. Educational and informative without being pushy about the message it sends, Forks over Knives highlights the many benefits of a plant-based lifestyle.

PlantPure Nation (2015)

PlantPure Nation follows the story of three people who made it their mission to raise awareness on plant-based nutrition. It takes a look at efforts to establish a pilot program proposed by nutritional scientist Dr. T. Colin Campbell and his son together with Kentucky State Representative Tom Riner that aims to document the benefits of a plant-based diet. While there was much enthusiasm on the topic among house members, the proposed bill was later shot down as it reached the committee due to intense opposition from industry lobbyists. Despite this setback, Dr Campbell's son Nelson decided to launch a pilot project in his hometown in North Carolina that aimed to document and show the many benefits of a whole foods plant-based diet. This film is a great continuation to Forks over Knives and provides an honest look at the challenges of introducing a plant-based diet.

Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret (2014)

This eye-opening and thought-provoking film follows intrepid filmmaker Kip Andersen as he examines the impact of animal agriculture and the environmental destruction it can cause. It also zeroes in on why most environmental organizations seem to be avoiding instead of confronting the issue head-on. Cowspiracy takes on a sensitive topic and exposes the truth with humor and persistence to bring a topic often avoided into the forefront of conversation. Fun and informative, this film shows how a plant-based lifestyle is actually better for the environment.

Vegan: Everyday Stories (2016)

For the uninitiated, a vegan lifestyle may seem daunting. But many are making the switch for a lot of different reasons. Vegan: Everyday Stories takes a peek into four individuals who are all vegans. It tells about their personal journeys – how they became vegan and what it is like to adopt the lifestyle. It features a housewife who was a former singer-songwriter and her husband who owns a cattle ranch that she was determined to transform into a sanctuary for animals, an ultramarathoner, a food truck owner who serves delectable plant-based foods, and a young girl who has influenced her entire family to embrace the vegan lifestyle. This is a documentary that is fairly easy to watch with none of the gruesome slaughterhouse scenes that some people may find difficult or too disturbing too watch. Instead, it offers a raw and refreshing look into the lives of ordinary folks who choose a plant-based and compassionate lifestyle and how veganism has changed them and those around them.

Eating Our Way to Extinction (2018)

Eating Our Way to Extinction is a cinematic feature documentary film that tackles one of the most pressing issues of our time that is rarely being talked about – animal agriculture. Set for release in 2018, the film takes a look into how a meat-centered diet is essentially destroying not just the environment but also our health. It uses powerful and thought-provoking images including scenes from natural calamities that are linked to climate change as well as interviews with various experts who expose the environment and health risks caused by animal agriculture. It likewise presents solutions backed by science on how to best address the problems. Whether you are an aspiring vegan or already into a plant-based lifestyle, this film will make you think about your food choices.