From 'Finding Nemo' To 'Zootopia': How Movies Changed The Way We Treat Animals

Zootopia 2 is Disney’s latest computer-animated film to land in theaters. Like many of the studio’s movies, it centers on a world of anthropomorphic animals where detectives Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) investigate cases for the Zootopia Police Department (ZPD). The film is an allegory that explores themes of prejudice through the story of pit viper Gary De’Snake (Ke Huy Quan), whom the residents of Zootopia view with suspicion.

While Zootopia 2 encourages kids and families to accept those around them, viewers may take it literally and become more open to all kinds of animals, including snakes, which we tend to fear. It’s far from the only film, though, to encourage acceptance of certain animals or open our eyes to the plight of animals. Our guide will show how to watch the best movies that have changed how we see animals on platforms such as Disney+, HBO Max, and more.

‘Free Willy’ (1993) Urges An End To Whale Captivity

Free Willy follows Jesse (Jason James Richter), an orphaned boy who forms a bond with a captive orca whale, Willy, and hatches a plan to free him. It’s a beautiful movie about the bond between a boy and a whale, connected through their desire to find their families. The happy ending makes it a feel-good, family-friendly film, while the action adds tension and adrenaline to keep viewers engaged.

Free Willy’s biggest draw, though, is that it tackles whale captivity. It did so in a pre-Blackfish (2013) world where people were far less aware of the stress and even mistreatment that captive whales faced. The message stuck with viewers, so much so that when they realized Willy’s actor, Keiko, was still in captivity, they demanded his freedom. After an extensive campaign, Keiko became the first captive whale released into the ocean, a moment that added momentum to the movement to end whale captivity.

‘Babe’ (1995) Stirs Interest In Vegetarianism

Babe centers on a pig named Babe (Christine Cavanaugh), who works hard to prove to farmer Arthur Hoggett (James Cromwell) and his animals that he can herd sheep just as well as a dog. It’s a heartwarming comedy about one little pig who refuses to conform to the roles society expects from pigs. While there are some dark and scary elements, Babe’s efforts to protect the sheep make it an ultimately inspiring underdog tale.

What Babe does is elevate its titular protagonist, giving him a voice and a consciousness that opens viewers’ eyes to pigs’ intelligence and stirs interest in vegetarianism and veganism. In fact, working with the intelligent pigs on set moved Cromwell so much that he decided to go vegan by the second day. Like Charlotte’s Web (2006), Babe really makes you think about the potential of pigs if they’re permitted to be more than food.

‘Finding Nemo’ (2003) Raises Awareness For Clownfish

Finding Nemo follows Marlin (Albert Brooks), a widowed clownfish, as he journeys across the ocean to find his missing son, Nemo (Alexander Gould). The film is a gorgeously animated underwater adventure that will dazzle viewers with its many fish species, lifelike fish movement, and ocean-reef renderings. Meanwhile, it touches poignantly on themes of grief, parenting, and coming-of-age that will resonate with viewers of all ages.

Finding Nemo’s legacy is mixed: While some reports blamed the film for the over-sale of clownfish and reef degradation, others commended it for raising interest and awareness of clownfish. It inspired viewers to seek more information about clownfish, wildlife, and conservation efforts. If you love movies that encourage love of the ocean, like Moana (2016) and Ponyo (2008), but with a little more focus on its diverse marine life, Finding Nemo is an excellent watch.

‘Ratatouille’ (2007) Turns Rats From Pests To Friends

Ratatouille follows Remy (Patton Oswalt), a rat who finds a way to fulfill his love for cooking by secretly helping Alfredo Linguini (Lou Romano) become a chef at the restaurant where he previously worked as a garbage boy. The film boasts a wildly creative premise while drawing viewers deep into the world of cooking and French cuisine. It also includes a powerful message inspiring viewers to cook and create connections and memories through meaningful dishes.

In addition to encouraging interest in cooking, Ratatouille encouraged viewers to change their perception of rats. While many people view rats as pests that they don’t want in their homes, Ratatouille argued that rats could be friends with humans. It seems viewers took this idea to heart, as rat sales surged nationwide and people recognized that rats make wonderful pets.

‘Black Beauty’ (2020) Continues Advocating For Horses

Black Beauty (2020) is the latest adaptation of Anna Sewell’s book of the same name. It follows the life of the mustang Black Beauty (Kate Winslet), who lives free until cowboys wrangle her herd, and she forms a connection with teenager Jo Green (Mackenzie Foy). The film captures the heart and spirit of the book with its touching exploration of Black Beauty’s life and the challenges she faces, and her incredible bond with Jo.

Since its publication in 1887, Black Beauty has been pivotal in influencing the humane treatment of horses and improving their welfare. Black Beauty (2020) continues that legacy by revising the story to highlight the brutality of mustang roundups and raise awareness of the welfare of wild horses. The 1994 movie may be the most faithful to the book, but Black Beauty (2020) is an excellent choice for those seeking a version of the story that addresses additional concerns about wild horse welfare.

‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ (2023) Encourages An End To Animal Experimentation

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 sees the Guardians rally to save Rocket (Bradley Cooper) as the raccoon’s past comes back to haunt him. The third film in James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy is excellent for those of you who love Rocket and are eager to learn more of his history. Like previous installments, it’s the perfect blend of humor, action, and emotion as the team rallies around their own.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 also carries a strong message against animal experimentation, capturing the heartrending history of Rocket and how he became an enhanced raccoon. It doesn’t hold back, even treading a bit into horror as it captures the suffering of the Human Evolutionary’s (Chukwudi Iwuji) test subjects. Even PETA commended the film’s message. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is a superhero film that delivers a real emotional punch and is reminiscent of Superman (2025) in the way it spotlights animals.

‘Flow’ (2024) Changes Our Perception Of Black Cats

Flow tracks the adventures of a little black cat who teams up with several animals to survive flooding in their forest. The film was one of the most unique releases of 2024, a dialogue-free production created entirely in Blender. Whether you just want to see a bunch of cute animals working together to survive or are interested in the ambiguous and unique world the film creates, Flow is a must-see.

Another bonus of Flow is that it focuses on animals that don’t usually dominate adventure films, including a black cat, a lemur, and a capybara. Black cats often appear in Halloween flicks because of legends that they bring bad luck, while common animals like dogs are favored over lemurs and capybaras. However, the depiction of a black cat as intelligent, resourceful, and capable of forming connections softened many viewers’ hearts, leading to a surge in black cat adoptions and helping diminish the stigma many associate with the breed.

‘Superman’(2025) Inspires Dog Adoption

Superman tells the story of Superman (David Corenswet), a Kryptonian living on Earth who discovers a startling truth about his heritage as Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) seeks to eliminate him. It’s an excellent take on Superman, as it digs a little deeper into his origin and those who resent him for being different. However, Superman is ultimately a movie about hope and suggests that anyone can rise above their heritage and find a true family.

Another aspect of Superman that most viewers loved was Krypto. The loyal companion of Superman stole the show with his adorable antics and bravery. While the dog is CGI, he was inspired and modeled after Gunn’s own rescue dog, Ozu. Krypto’s portrayal and the heartwarming story behind his inspiration drove a 500% surge in searches for dog adoption and rescue.

‘Zootopia 2’ (2025) Spikes Viper Pet Sales

Zootopia 2 tackles the latest adventure of our favorite rabbit and fox, Judy and Nick, as they investigate sightings of a pit viper in Zootopia, despite the species’ prolonged absence in the metropolis. The movie is an excellent follow-up to Zootopia (2016), maintaining the heart and humor of the original while expanding its characters, themes, and cutting-edge animation. Its sophisticated storytelling appeals to adults, while it’s an excellent starting point for conversations about acceptance for children.

In China, Zootopia 2 also had another interesting effect. Viewers loved the snake, Gary, so much that there was interest in purchasing venomous pit vipers, with a few already following through with the purchase. While the potential for inexperienced customers to purchase venomous snakes is concerning, Zootopia 2 also encourages experienced snake owners to provide homes for pit vipers and encourages more consumers to recognize reptiles as pets.