As climate change continues to make headlines around the world, Hollywood is slowly beginning to recognize the urgency of the issue. According to a new study by the nonprofit environmental consulting firm Good Energy, The Wild Robot is the only one of 30 films nominated for Academy Award honors this year to reflect the ecological crises that are increasingly bearing down on the planet.
The research, which focused on contemporary films and their portrayal of climate change, also introduced a novel scoring system called the “Climate Change Reality Check.” Developed by Good Energy and Matthew Schneider-Mayerson, associate professor of English and Environmental Studies at Rice University, the test evaluates films based on two criteria: Does the story acknowledge the existence of climate change? And, does at least one character in the story recognize and respond to this global crisis?
Inspired by the Bechdel-Wallace Test, which measures gender representation in film, the Climate Change Reality Check was designed to provide an easy-to-use, measurable, and inspiring way to assess how current films engage with climate change. The study involved interviews with over 200 writers, showrunners, executives, and communications experts in the entertainment industry.
“We landed on these two components after interviewing more than 200 writers, showrunners, executives, communications experts, and others. Our goal was to ensure that the test was easy to use, measurable, and creatively inspiring,” said the study.
Out of the 30 films nominated for this year’s Academy Awards, only 10 met the eligibility requirements for assessment—films that take place on Earth in the present day, recent past, or near future. Among them, The Wild Robot, an animated feature directed by Chris Sanders, stands out as the only nominee that prominently features climate change as a core theme.
‘The Wild Robot’: A Powerful Take on Climate Change
Since its release in September, The Wild Robot has garnered significant attention, including an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature. The film tells the story of a robot, designed to serve humans, who ends up stranded on an uninhabited island. There, the robot adopts a gosling and learns about survival, human nature, and the challenges of living in an increasingly hostile world.
In its depiction of climate change, The Wild Robot integrates themes of environmental crisis and rising sea levels, with a striking scene showing whales swimming over the Golden Gate Bridge. Extreme weather conditions and ecological challenges are central to the narrative, reflecting the real-world threats that we face in the coming decades.
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Anna Jane Joyner, founder and CEO of Good Energy, praised the film for its emotional depth and its timely exploration of climate issues. “After a harrowing year in which we all experienced the climate crisis, we desperately need more stories that help us find meaning and courage in the face of it. The Wild Robot is an enchanting depiction of life in the age of climate change—a poignant exploration of resilience, overcoming fears and differences, and the power of community in an uncertain world,” Joyner said.
Critics have echoed Joyner’s sentiments, with Variety describing The Wild Robot as “a gorgeous computer-generated cartoon with a human heart beating beneath its sleek, state-of-the-art surface.” The film’s unique visual approach to animation and its compelling emotional narrative have set it apart from other animated features, making it a standout contender this year.
Hollywood’s Evolving Engagement with Climate Change
Good Energy’s study highlights the growing importance of climate change in films, particularly in major award-season contenders. Alongside The Wild Robot, other films nominated for Oscars in 2024 also explored climate themes, including Flow, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, and Dune: Part Two. While The Wild Robot is the only film to pass the Climate Change Reality Check test, the inclusion of these other films demonstrates that climate change is slowly gaining traction in Hollywood narratives.
“We were excited to see several other Oscar-nominated films explore critical climate themes,” said Joyner. “It’s safe to say we’ve moved past the era when climate change in film was only the domain of superheroes, ecoterrorists, and annoying neighbors yelling at you about your recycling.”
In recent years, Hollywood has begun to evolve in its portrayal of environmental issues. Films that deal with climate change no longer rely solely on dystopian or superhero plots. Instead, they feature more nuanced depictions of climate realities, addressing how the crisis impacts real people and communities. This shift represents a larger cultural recognition of the urgency of climate action.
An Industry-Led Initiative to Raise Climate Awareness
Good Energy was founded in 2019 by Anna Jane Joyner with the mission of collaborating with Hollywood storytellers, studios, and networks to raise public awareness about climate change through entertainment. The organization works directly with filmmakers to help them incorporate climate themes into their stories, whether through subtle references or major plot points.
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The Climate Change Reality Check test is one of several initiatives led by Good Energy to encourage more meaningful engagement with climate issues in media. As more filmmakers, writers, and creators begin to acknowledge the importance of climate change, the hope is that the entertainment industry will serve as a platform to spark wider public conversations about the environment and the steps needed to mitigate the crisis.
Joyner is optimistic about the role of storytelling in addressing climate change. “We need more stories that inspire action and foster a sense of urgency. Hollywood has a powerful ability to shape public perception, and by integrating climate change into mainstream narratives, we can push for meaningful change,” she said.
Other Oscar Nominated Films Assessed
Along with The Wild Robot, nine other Oscar-nominated films in 2024 were assessed for their portrayal of climate change. These films were: A Different Man, A Real Pain, Anora, Conclave, Emilia Pérez, Inside Out 2, Sing Sing, The Seed of the Sacred Fig, and The Substance.
This year’s assessment is part of an ongoing effort to track the presence of climate change in mainstream entertainment. Last year, three films—Barbie, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, and Nyad—passed the inaugural Climate Change Reality Check test. This suggests that more creators are beginning to incorporate climate themes into their work, even if they are not always the central focus of the story.
A New Era for Climate Change in Film
As the climate crisis continues to intensify, Hollywood is increasingly recognizing the importance of incorporating environmental themes into its stories. Films like The Wild Robot demonstrate how climate change can be integrated into engaging, heartfelt narratives that resonate with audiences. By passing the Climate Change Reality Check test, the film sets a new standard for how stories can reflect the challenges of our time while offering hope and inspiration for the future.
With more films addressing climate change and more creators getting involved in the conversation, it’s clear that Hollywood is starting to recognize its role in raising awareness about the urgent need for climate action. As Anna Jane Joyner put it, “We desperately need more stories that help us find meaning and courage in the face of [the climate crisis],” and The Wild Robot is leading the way in showing us how to do just that.
