It's always possible to find a film that makes you feel something, whether you laugh, cry, are frightened, or even question things about the universe. But when a movie completely changes your life, it's a truly exhilarating experience. As veganism is on the rise around the world, it's not uncommon for people to decide to give up meat and dairy because they've been influenced by others, or because they saw something life changing on television.

Many filmmakers are taking advantage of new research on the benefits of veganism (and the perils of factory farming) to explore the topic in greater depth, presenting us with an array of movies and documentaries that tackle sociopolitical or economic issues. They invite us to listen to their important underlying messages and rethink our diet, and as such don't deserve to be flown under the radar. Here are some movies that will make you want to go vegan.

Related: These Movie Characters Love Their Pets More Than They Do Any Human

7 Cowspiracy

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Netflix

Among numerous other remarkable Netflix documentaries, directors Kip Andersen and Keegan Kuhn shocked every Netflix subscriber with the devastation depicted in Cowspiracy. The documentary focuses on industrial livestock farming, demonstrating the connection between animal agriculture (which is the leading cause of deforestation and water consumption, emits more greenhouse gases than transportation industry, and is a major driver for forest destruction species extinction and habitat loss) and excessive pollution, the appalling conditions in which the animals live, and ultimately, the dramatic and catastrophic impact on our environment. Cowspiracy is shocking yet humorously presented, providing the viewer an educational and personal insight into the damage afflicted upon our environment as well as offering a path to global sustainability.

6 Okja

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Netflix

Bong Joon-ho's flawlessly crafted movie Okja is a moving story of a young girl attempting to save her giant pet from the slaughterhouse. Her pet, Okja, belongs to a new species that is being genetically engineered to satisfy the world's insatiable hunger for meat, and the story is heartbreaking in its criticism of our society's meat intake, the environmental costs associated with meat production, and most importantly, the treatment of our animals. The director even converted to veganism while filming Okja and drew inspiration for the film from undercover activist documentations. Okja goes beyond the story of a girl and her animal friend in a subtle but powerful way, tackling the dangers of extreme capitalism and overproduction, and seeks to mitigate the harmful environmental impact of meat consumption.

5 Food, Inc.

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Magnolia Pictures

When released back in 2008, Food Inc. became one of the most powerful documentaries that impacted society globally, and to this day remains one of a kind. Director Robert Kenner takes the audience on an intimate journey to analyze how our food consumption has changed over the past fifty years, and specifically opens our eyes to the ugly truth of how the meat industry is adopting more questionable methods to supply demand. Not only does it raise concerns on how animals are treated, but it also touches on the damages of processed food on our health. In a terrifying yet educational documentary, viewers are made aware of such dangers, but are also provided with alternatives, such as eating organic and advocating for stricter food regulations.

4 Forks Over Knives

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Virgil Films and Entertainment

With unhealthy lifestyles costing America over $120 billion a year in medical bills, Forks Over Knives investigates the link between obesity and the meat industry and how our diets are affecting society. Director Lee Fulkerson proposes that many diseases and health related issues can be solved by switching to a plant based diet, which forces the audience to think about their own diet and make their own decisions about how we can better ourselves and save our planet at the same time. In fact, since its release, the documentary has had a positive impact on many people, inspiring them to eat healthier and refrain from meat and dairy products, improving their general health but also saving our beloved animals and environment.

3 What the Health

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A.U.M. Films & Media

Directors of Cowspiracy, Kip Anderson and Keegan Kuhn, returned in 2017 with What the Health. With their previous documentary solely focusing on the environmental dangers of animal agriculture, What the Health follows the directors as they attempt to understand and bring to light the impact of an unhealthy diet, by analyzing the average meat-eating American's general diet and how this can be affected by the sneaky operations of the meat industry. In an eye-opening yet worrying documentary, viewers globally were inspired to start thinking about their daily lifestyle and diet and how they might not only be damaging themselves, but also our society.

2 Earthlings

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Nation Earth

Joaquin Phoenix has been one of the most vocal advocates for animal rights, using his Oscar acceptance speech to make an impassioned plea for the cause. His 2005 film enlightens us on humankind's dangerous dependence on animals for economic benefit. The film depicts the use of animals in food, clothing, entertainment, and scientific research, and reminds us of the relationship we should be having with the animals that we share our earth with. By using hidden cameras, the film captures and exposes the events from some of the biggest food industries in the world. The aim of the documentary is to ensure that viewers consider their own relationship to animals, as it is clearly portrayed in the film that we are not the only living species on the planet and that, among millions of other creatures, we evolve together, yet it is the human earthling that seems to dominate the world. We are advised to reconsider the hierarchy of life on our planet in Earthlings, and it has now become one of the most inspiring calls to veganism ever made.

Related: Joaquin Phoenix Rescued a Cow and Her Calf the Day After His Oscars Speech

1 Babe

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Universal Pictures

How could anyone resist falling in love with this cute little piglet? Babe is the story of a shy little piglet who doesn't quite fit in and is slated to become Christmas dinner, but wins the love and affection of Farmer Hoggett and instead becomes their beloved sheep dog. The relationship between Hoggett and Babe is truly heartwarming as he defies the odds and welcomes Babe into his little family. Just four months after the release of Babe, there was a rise in concerns surrounding the pork industry, and the adorableness of Babe triggered a spur in people becoming vegetarian and vegan, which became known as "the Babe effect." The film signifies the importance of how we treat our animals, the bond between this little pink piglet and his farmer inspiring people worldwide to put down the pork.