Earth Day 2026 is one week away and for Disney fans, there are plenty of ways to celebrate with some awe-inspiring content on Disney+. From stunning, in-depth documentaries to classic Pixar movies, there is something for fans of all ages to celebrate Earth Day. Here are 10 of my picks ahead of Earth Day 2026.
Documentaries to Watch on Disney+ for Earth Day
Disneynature’s Orangutan (Releasing April 22nd)
Narrated by Josh Gad (Voice of Olaf), Disneynature’s Orangutan is Disney’s flagship 2026 Earth Day release and frankly, it looks awesome! The film follows Indah, an inquisitive adolescent orangutan learning how to navigate life as she prepares to leave her family and venture out on her own for the first time. From the trailer, the visuals of Borneo and Sumatra look stunning and the soundtrack really gives me Tarzan vibes. It definitely looks like a documentary not to be missed!
Secrets of the Bees
Another recent documentary addition to Disney+ is Secrets of the Bees, produced by National Geographic. The two-part documentary discovers the hidden world of bees and their incredible intelligence. James Cameron (Titanic, Avatar) serves as the executive producer for the documentary so as you’d expect, the visuals are phenomenal. It’s a fantastic documentary to understand the impact bees have on the natural world and humanity as a whole.
Disneynature’s Tiger
Much like Disneynature’s Orangutan, Tiger is another Disneynature documentary film, which as the title suggests, follows the journey of a young tigress raising her cubs in the forests of India. Priyanka Chopra Jonas serves as the narrator and it’s a really wholesome tale of parenthood and understanding the life and journey of tigers.
A Real Bug’s Life
Spanning 2 seasons, A Real Bug’s Life transports viewers into the micro-universe of insects of all shapes and sizes. It’s another fantastic documentary that shows the extraordinary lives insects live and as someone who is fascinated by bugs, this really hits the spot for me as a series! Again, some of the visuals are phenomenal and there is even an episode at the end of the second series which shows how the series was filmed – I’d highly recommend checking it out!
Best Disney Movies for Earth Day
The Lion King
Arguably one of Disney’s most iconic movies of all time, it’s hard not to include The Lion King as part of any Earth Day watch-along! It’s not just the Savannah setting or the abundance of animal species that make The Lion King essential Earth Day viewing, it’s the message the movie conveys. Mufasa famously says the following quote, which I think embodies the beauty of our natural world and captures the essence of Earth Day:
“Everything you see exists together in a delicate balance. As king, you need to understand that balance and respect all the creatures, from the crawling ant to the leaping antelope… When we die, our bodies become the grass, and the antelope eat the grass. And so we are all connected in the great Circle of Life”.
A Bug’s Life
We can’t have A Real Bug’s Life in the list without having the Pixar classic! A Bug’s Life is a fantastic depiction of the weird and wonderful insect world and I think does a fantastic job at giving an insight into how organised and intelligent bugs actually are. As a film too, it’s one of the funniest Pixar movies in my opinion and is severely underrated!
Elemental
Another Pixar movie to watch ahead of Earth Day is the fantastic Elemental! The premise and backdrop of the film is literally built on the four elements; fire, water, air and earth. It’s a visually stunning animated movie that cleverly plays on how all of the elements tie in to one another. Plus, at the heart of the movie is a love story that gets me every time I watch it!
Short Films & Relaxing Picks on Disney+
Lava
Lava is a short film (10-minute run time), produced by Pixar which really embodies Earth Day. In essence, it’s a musical love story about two volcanoes that takes place over millions of years. If you’ve never watched it before, it does sound like an odd concept, but in typical Pixar fashion, they do a fantastic job of making the characters so relatable. Also, the song is particularly catchy, so be warned!
Zenimation
I feel like the short Zenimation series on Disney+ has totally gone under the radar for Disney+ fans, but it’s such a wonderful little series. Essentially, it’s a series of short clips from Disney movies (like the water from Moana or the forest from Bambi) edited together for a relaxing visual experience. It’s a really simple concept and if you’ve seen the movies, there is no extra content here, however it really does allow you to appreciate the animation and the calming effects of nature.
Earth Moods
Okay so not quite a ‘short’ as such, Earth Moods is a National Geographic series of videos, ambiently exploring various biomes across the world. There’s no narration, it’s purely an ambient journey through some of the most beautiful places on earth. They remind me of the sort of thing you’d see on display on a TV in an electronics store, but nonetheless, they are perfect for having on in the background while you work or relax.
The Verdict
Whether you’re in the mood for a deep dive into the jungle with Josh Gad or just want some calming scenery while you finish your work, Disney+ really has gone all out for 2026. For me, Earth Day is all about taking a moment to appreciate that “delicate balance” Mufasa talks about – and if I can do that while eating popcorn and watching a Pixar classic, even better.
I’m definitely going to be sat front and centre for Orangutan on the 22nd. There’s just something about those Disneynature films that makes you want to go out and plant a tree (or at least buy a reusable water bottle!).
What are your Earth Day plans? Are you going to be diving into the new Orangutan documentary, or are you sticking with a classic like The Lion King? Let me know your watchlist in the comments below!
Steamboat Charlie 