Silver Screen to Green Screen: Hollywood Blockbusters as Communication and Education Tools on Environmental Issues

Using content analysis, this study will examine how the use of feature-length fictional films with environmental themes can be used as a communication and education tool for environmental issues currently present in the world today. A total of 14 films were viewed for this study. Two films were removed from analysis because their plots revolving mainly around political themes, rather than environmental themes. In total, 11 major environmental themes were identified, the most prevalent being protection/treatment of animals, pollution/dumping, and natural resource exploitation. The films were all framed in a pro-environment fashion in which the protagonist is fighting for the environment and the environment is portrayed as the fragile and innocent victim. Each film had poignant take home messages that could be used to communicate important environmental issues to the public