8 Best Movies and Documentaries Where Plants Are The Heroes

by Emma Wilson

Watching movies is the most recent trend for showbiz-lovers. Movie addicts have several options to explore between a mystery, thriller, or romance. Nature biopics are high in demand, with films and web series displaying our fascinating planet. Nature lovers striving hard to protect our planet from deforestation in films is also commendable.

Plants are also finding their way into our home entertainment. Plantlife is a vast universe and a vital part of our life. How about watching plants unfold their stories in audio-visual format? Such films are entertainment par excellence. Whether in comedy form or serious Astrobotany, plant documentaries bring a refreshing outlook to middle-schoolers and adults. Keep your popcorn ready during weekends and lose yourself in a plant movie marathon.

A Leaf Of Faith (2018)

This documentary explores the Kratom plant, a botanical supplement. Theoretically, Kratom strains like Red Vein Bali are a promising substitute for harmful opioid painkillers. This public awareness documentary delves deep into the essence of the Kratom leaf and addresses widespread addiction worldwide and in the US. It also helps solve the mystery - what if there was a plant with opioid recreational and prescription capabilities and no side effects, addiction, or withdrawal symptoms?

Chris Bell has written, acted, and directed this follow-up film to the superhit documentaries Bigger, Stronger, Faster, Trophy Kids, and Prescription Thugs. The Kratom leaf cinematic depiction is truly a leap of faith for anyone who suffers from chronic pain and is looking for safe alternatives to addiction. The tagline “Kill the pain, NOT the patient” is relevant and presents Kratom as a potential cure for opioid drugs.

The Secret Life Of Plants (1978)

This documentary shows how plants communicate their joy and pain. It's based on the 1973 non-fiction book by Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird and explores plants’ emotions and behavior, aura, magnetism, dowsing, and the history of science. The film explores the possibility of plant consciousness the scientist community has been debating for over a century. Stevie Wonder has composed the original soundtrack.

Little Shop Of Horrors (1986)

This American musical black comedy is about a geeky florist shop assistant Seymour (Rick Moranis). Seymour discovers an unusual carnivorous plant he names Audrey II, after his crush and fellow assistant Audrey. The plant attracts many visitors to the florist shop. The catch is, Audrey II has a craving for human flesh and blood. As the bloodthirsty plant grows, so does its appetite for human blood. In his love for fame and fortune, Seymour discovers the plant’s celestial origins and hunger for world domination.

The pop score by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken is electrifying. The puppetry and the set design make it a stage musical.

The Secret Garden (1993)

This classic story based on the 1911 novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett features an orphaned girl Mary Lennox finding a magical garden hidden at her strict uncle’s British manor house. When Mary sees the neglected garden, she nurses it with love and care. In doing so, she develops a fondness for plants and learns a few things about foliage regrowth. Healing is the dominant theme of this film that transforms self-centered children into compassionate souls.

This film is a beautiful portrayal of the benefits of nature and is a suitable watch for the youngest members of the family.

Adaptation (2002)

This Nicolas Cage and Meryl Streep starred film inspired by Susan Orlean’s book The Orchid Thief is an Oscar-winning comedy-drama. The film explores humanity’s fascination for collecting extraordinary flowers and endangered orchid species from marshland.

Orchid hunter John Laroche (played by Cage) is an orchids’ student and narrates a poetic extract about the infinite shapes orchid can take to attract insects. Darwin’s theories on the natural selection are comically and hilariously presented. Plant conservation and chemistry lovers will find this film intriguing till the last shot.

The Botany Of Desire (2009)

The film penned by Michael Pollan finds ways in which plants ensure they stay attractive to the human species. The three-part documentary profiles four species—the apple tree that makes itself sweetly attractive to humans, the cannabis that makes humans feel high, the tulip that seduces with its beauty and charm, and the potato for high nutrients and sustenance.

The two-hour PBS documentary is author-presented and seamlessly connects the histories and adaptations of the four species in a new light.

The Lorax (2012)

This 3D adventure animation is a film version of the published classic Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax. The story focuses on environmental destruction and greed and those who defend it. The forest-living 12-year-old Ted has to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. To do that, he must find the real Truffula tree. As he embarks on his mission, Ted meets the old, grumpy but charming Lorax, who speaks for the trees. Once-ler is the villain who chops down the Truffula tree to build a shop to sell his knitted inventions.

Some well-known voice talents comprise Danny DeVito, Taylor Swift, Ed Helms, Jenny Slate, Zac Efron, Betty White, and Rob Riggle. The film is side-splitting fun for kids and adults. Rhyming verse and illustrations present the story in a positive light.

Fantastic Fungi (2019)

This documentary shows the fantastic world of mushroom fungus and its impact on our environment. The secret world of fungi is well-depicted through time-lapse photography. The film presents mushrooms in a fascinating, dreamy, informative, and entertaining way. Fungi have the power to heal, sustain, and regenerate life.

Music by Adam Peters and direction by Louie Schwartzberg makes this documentary an immersive journey.