Netflix
Yes, we all know that Netflix is the giant of all giants when it comes to streaming around the world. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that it is providing ample content in all its niches. The vegan niche is certainly lacking. The Caavakushi team has noticed that the depth of vegan content available is very thin (especially vegan Netflix documentaries & shows). This is definitely a shame because we feel as though this is a growing niche that they could definitely expand upon. It kind of feels like Netflix doesn’t like vegans. We hope that’s not true. But all signs seem to be pointing in this direction.
Vegan Netflix Documentaries
Being one of the world’s largest streaming services, one would imagine that Netflix would have an abundance of vegan documentaries for viewers to choose from. Unfortunately this is not the case. But that doesn’t mean that the number of vegan documentaries over the years is not rising. In fact, in the last 10 years alone, there has been a huge increase in the amount of vegan documentaries released to the public. Should Netflix be putting more money into vegan documentaries to educate its viewers? Being the top global streaming service do they have a moral obligation to the public to teach them about more sustainable cruelty-free ways of living like veganism? We think that can only be done through documentary style movies exposing the truth behind the meat and dairy industries and presenting the public with facts, figures and undercover footage.
Vegan Cooking Shows On Netflix
Although Netflix has a large selection of cooking shows, there’s not really anything out there for the plant-based community to enjoy, besides a handful of vegan Netflix documentaries. Why don’t Netflix’s have vegan cooking shows? We want to see some delicious plant-based meals cooked by the best vegan chefs from around the world. It’s perplexing. Do they feel vegan cooking isn’t interesting enough to capture the attention of a Netflix audience? This can’t be true as the vegan sector is growing annually at a phenomenal rate. In 2022 it is estimated that the vegan market globally is worth over $60 billion. This number is forecast to be rising for at least the next 10 years.
Should We Be Protesting?
How do you feel about Netflix’s lack of representation for the plant-based community? Do you think that we should be drawing attention to their lack of vegan programming? We at Caavakushi absolutely do! It’s time that Netflix changes their ways. They become more mindful and inclusive of the plant-based community. The only way we think we can bring about this change, is by letting Netflix know how we feel. If we make a big enough fuss about it as a community, Netflix will definitely hear us. So let’s make some noise. Perhaps some internet protests on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and other social media platforms might be the way to go. Then again we do have the more traditional option of emailing our thoughts to the powers that be at Netflix’s. But do you really think an email or snail mail would be enough to create a change?
Spoiler Alert
If you haven’t watched these documentaries, we’re going to give you a little taster of what each one entails (hence the spoiler alert). Don’t worry we won’t spoil it all. We’ll just give you a brief outline of what each documentary has to offer. Leaving you to ultimately decide which documentaries you think are best for you to delve into. They each have a different route from which they introduce people into the world of veganism.
4 Bonus Documentaries/Movies
But before we get into the list we thought that we should mention a few other movies. There are just some films that every vegan should watch. In fact, everyone on the planet should watch. That’s why we had to include these as a bonus. Unfortunately a few of them are not even on Netflix. Regardless, we thought it necessary to mention them all in this article. They all play a pretty significant role in educating the public about animal cruelty and the animals rights movement.
Earthlings
The movie was released in 2005 and unfortunately it’s not available on Netflix. The music used in the film was by Moby the musician, who is long time vegan. The film was also narrated by vegan actor Joaquin Phoenix. This was a ground-breaking documentary. It exposed the world to the hidden truth behind pet stores and their association with puppy mills. It gave the viewers a behind the scenes look into the animal industry aided by the use of hidden cameras. This documentary was definitely ahead of its time.
Forks Over Knives
It was released in 2011 and is not on the list of vegan Netflix documentaries available on the streaming site. In this documentary medical researchers test their theory on disease and diet. They explore the possibility that shifting ones dietary habits from meat to a plant-based diet may lead to a positive improvement in the subjects health. Also they examine the possibility that a plant-based diet may be able to destroy or control diseases including diabetes and cancer. This movie inspired many to turn their lives around and free themselves for the burden of disease. Watching this film made people feel like they can finally take control of their own destiny and take action to positively impact their health.
Okja
It was released in 2017 and is available on Netflix. Although it’s not a documentary, this movie focuses on scientific ethics and corporate greed. The film is a very thought-provoking story both rooted in a mixture of fiction and fact. The story follows a young girl in South Korea whose friendship with an animal she raised is tested. It highlights the need for corporations to think and have a sense of humanity. They must see the bigger picture instead of their own selfish needs.
Dominion
This documentary was released in 2018 and is not available to watch on Netflix. Dominion is narrated by a famous Hollywood vegan. Any guesses who it could be? It’s actually someone who has been a vegan their entire life. Did we mention he also, narrated the documentary Earthlings? Yeh, you guessed it. It’s Joaquin Phoenix. He shows how passionate he is about veganism through his narration of the movie. Singer Sia is another well known narrator in the film. This is actually an Australian documentary showing how humans are using different animal species for their own personal gain. The use of hidden cameras allows the audience to view the realities of farm life and animal experimentation. They also expose appalling conditions and the torture animals are subjected to in the entertainment industry.
Top 7 Vegan Netflix Documentaries
Now onto the main event. These are some of the best vegan Netflix’s documentaries that the Caavakushi team have come across. We’ve listed them below in chronological order. So let’s get straight to it!
7. Blackfish
This documentary was first released in 2013. It shows the dark truth behind animals in the entertainment industry. Behind the scenes stories that zoos and aquariums don’t want you to see or hear. This documentary features the torture, suicide attempts, imprisonment and sexual abuse of killer whales. At the end of the day, no one deserves to have their freedom taken away from them. Especially creatures that travel thousands of miles a year in the ocean. Being trapped in a small tank, you really see how painful living has become for them.
6. Cowspiracy
This is probably one of the oldest and most insightful vegan documentaries on Netflix. It was released in 2014. But that doesn’t mean that it wasn’t an eye-opening experience for many. In fact, quite a large proportion of people who watched cowspiracy and we’re on the fence about going vegan actually took the plunge. This documentary was extremely impactful and also raised a lot of awareness about global warming and climate change. It follows the journey of Kip Anderson on his quest to find a solution to climate change and his discoveries along the way.
5. What The Health?
This documentary was released in 2017. This is another great documentary featuring the filmmaker Kip Anderson. At the time of writing this article Kip has produced three documentary films about veganism, sustainability and climate change. Cowspiracy, What The Health and Seaspiracy. The movie reveals the truth behind reversing and preventing chronic disease. It also delves deep into the reasons why the US national Health organizations are hiding this important information from the public.
4. The Milk System
This German documentary was released in 2017. It takes a closer look into the real costs the planet must pay for their global dairy production. They ask the tough questions about this multi billion dollar industry. The filmmakers question whether or not customers and politicians willingness to look the other way is why the systematic abuse of cows has continued for centuries. They examine alternatives to dairy products. Scientists, farmers, industrialists and other experts in the field all chime in to give their two cents on the subject.
3. The Game Changers
This powerful documentary was created to highlight the impact of veganism on people’s health. It was released in 2018. The documentary had a lot of hype around it and received ample publicity thanks to its star studded line up. It heavily featured vegan athletes from around the world. Including formula 1 racing car driver Lewis Hamilton and Patrik Baboumian who held the title of Strongest Man Of Germany. It also offers a mind-blowing perspective into the changes your body goes through when embarking upon a vegan diet. Doctors monitor and show results of the changes to professional athletes health after going vegan. We all know that science does not lie.
2. Seaspiracy
If Cowspiracy touched you then we are more than certain that Seaspiracy will probably have the same impact. It was released in 2021. It is the latest movie that Kip Anderson has produced at the time of writing this article. This documentary focuses on how the fishing industry is depleting the ocean of fish. Overfishing is just one of the problems that sea creatures face. The other huge problem is pollution. Billions and billions of waste is carelessly thrown into our oceans every year. We are looking at an extinction crisis. This planet’s marine life is in danger of being totally wiped out. It’s a powerful and informative movie that everyone (whether they are vegan or not) should watch.
1. Bad Vegan
Released in 2022. This is Netflix’s new attempt at a vegan documentary. But does it really fit in with any of the other vegan Netflix documentaries on the streaming platform? Most plant-based individuals who watch this documentary had mixed feelings. The vegan food and the restaurant weren’t the problem in this documentary. Unfortunately the people were. The subject of this movie is a vegan woman who fell for the manipulation tactics of a seasoned con-man. It doesn’t exactly portray vegans in the best light. In fact it paints the picture of vegans being less than smart. It also forces us to ask the question, is Netflix capable of creating a vegan documentary that shows the positive side of veganism?
Thoughts
Which vegan Netflix documentaries are your favourite? Do you feel that Netflix needs to produce more vegan documentaries and cooking shows? Let us know what you think on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube or TikTok. You can also join in the discussion on the Caavakushi vegan forum and let the entire vegan community know how you feel.
