Our Favorite Movies About Health

Super Size Me (2004)

One of the best, and funniest, documentaries made about our health and bad eating habits is Morgan Spurlock's documentary where he becomes the human guinea pig that tries to eat only McDonald's fast food for 30 days. "You want fries with that?!"

Bigger Stronger Faster* (2008)

Director Christopher Bell explores America's win-at-all-cost culture by examining how his two brothers became members of the steroid-subculture in an effort to realize their American dream.

Fast Food Nation (2006)

Based on the best-selling non-fiction book by Eric Schlosser, director Richard Linklater turned it into a fiction film examining the health risks involved in the fast food industry and its environmental and social consequences.

Forks Over Knives (2011)

This documentary examines the profound claim that most, if not all, of the degenerative diseases that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting our present menu of animal-based and processed foods.

How to Live Forever (2011)

In this advice-seeking documentary, director Mark Wexler embarks on a worldwide trek to investigate just what it means to grow old and what it could mean to really live forever.

Pumping Iron (1977)

One of the very first documentaries about bodybuilding features Arnold Schwarzenegger pre-movie star, pre-governor and pre-affair with the housekeeper!, as just one of the contestants in the 1975 Mr. Olympia and Mr. Universe contests.

Thank You for Smoking (2005)

In director Jason Reitman's dark comedy, we follow the machinations of Big Tobacco's chief spokesman, Nick Naylor, who spins on behalf of cigarettes while trying to remain a role model for his twelve-year-old son. This satrircal movie reminds us of why we shouldn't smoke.

The Road to Wellville (1994)

Anthony Hopkins stars in this semi-historical comedy playing Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, of the Kellogg cereal fame, who founded and ran one of the very first health facilities or 'spas' in the country. His unconventional methods on health and fitness led some to describe his treatments as barbaric.

WALL-E (2008)

In the distant future, we could all look like this -- obese, motorized, wheelchair-bound humans floating around in space if we continue to eat the way we do and trash Earth. Instead of pounding that message over our heads, Pixar went for a more subtle approach and focused on the poignant story of lonely robot WALL-E cleaning up the humans' mess, and his adventures as he falls in love with a more technologically advanced droid seeking plant life on the planet.

Food, Inc. (2008)

The documentary Food, Inc. from Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Robert Kenner takes a closer look at corporate farming in the U.S., and exposes the unhealthy dangers to animals and employees. A riveting, illuminating and terrifying look at how food is manufactured for mass consumption.