Hollywood films are still avoiding real-world climate stories
Despite growing public concern over climate change, most Oscar-nominated films still fail to acknowledge it, leaving environmental themes largely confined to sci-fi and fantasy.
Claire Elise Thompson reports for Grist.
In short:
- The nonprofit Good Energy evaluated this year’s Oscar nominees using its "Climate Reality Check" test, which asks whether climate change exists in the film’s world and whether a character acknowledges it. Only one film, The Wild Robot, passed.
- While some blockbusters like Dune: Part Two and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes explore climate themes metaphorically, few mainstream films depict real-world climate struggles in contemporary settings.
- Advocates argue that realism in climate storytelling is crucial for helping audiences process and respond to the crisis, just as representation has influenced public awareness on other social issues.
Key quote:
“We’re all living in the climate crisis. Everyone on Earth is affected by it in some way at this point.”
— Ali Weinstein, TV writer and co-founder of the Hollywood Climate Summit
Why this matters:
Movies shape cultural conversations and public awareness. When climate change is only addressed in distant dystopias or sci-fi metaphors, it remains an abstract concept rather than an urgent reality. As extreme weather intensifies, audiences need stories that reflect their experiences and help them navigate an uncertain future. Representation in media has historically influenced public attitudes and policy shifts — if Hollywood can normalize climate themes in everyday storytelling, it could drive broader engagement with solutions.
Related: Hollywood misses chance to spotlight climate crisis in blockbusters
