Films About Trees on Letterboxd
Trees have long served as powerful symbols in cinema, representing growth, life, and the interconnectedness of nature and humanity. From environmental documentaries to animated adventures, films about trees often delve into themes of preservation, spirituality, and the passage of time. Whether featuring literal forests or metaphorical representations, these films invite viewers to reflect on their relationship with the natural world.
Here’s a selection of films that prominently feature trees, each offering a unique perspective on their significance:
“The Giving Tree”, 2000
Director: Cameron Thor
An animated short based on Shel Silverstein's beloved children's book, this film tells the poignant story of a tree that selflessly gives everything to a boy throughout his life, exploring themes of love and sacrifice.
Starring: Christina Applegate, Justin Lazard, Johnathon Schaech, Moon Unit Zappa, Molly Ringwald, Tiffany Salerno, Leslie Horan, Kate Luyben, James C. Victor, Brad Harrison, Stephen Lisk, Paul Gleason, Judee Morton, Joel West, Alan Marshall, Gina Salerno, Tim Puntillo, Jennifer Daly, Nancy Fish, Greg Lee, Jock MacDonald, Harold Green, Scott Carr, Cheney Ray, Heidi Annalisa Kieppinski;
Production year: 2000;
Genre: thriller, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 89 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 3,9;
“A Monster Calls”, 2016
Director: Juan Antonio Bayona
This fantasy drama follows a young boy who seeks solace from a fantastical tree monster as he navigates the challenges of his mother’s illness and the complexities of grief, blending fairy tale elements with deep emotional truths.
Starring: Lewis MacDougall, Liam Neeson, Sigourney Weaver, Felicity Jones, Toby Kebbell, Ben Moor, James Melville, Oliver Steer, Dominic Boyle, Jennifer Lim, Max Gabbay, Morgan Symes, Max Golds, Frida Palsson, Wanda Opalinska, Patrick Taggart, Lily-Rose Aslandogdu, Geraldine Chaplin, Kai Arnthal, Lee Bolton, Duna Got, Garry Marriott, Jake Talbot;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: fantasy, drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 108 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
“The Tree of Life”, 2010
Director: Terrence Malick
Directed by Terrence Malick, this visually stunning film explores existential themes through the lens of a family's upbringing in 1950s Texas, interwoven with cosmic imagery and reflections on nature, existence, and spirituality.
Starring: Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Jessica Chastain, Hunter McCracken, Laramie Eppler, Tye Sheridan, Fiona Shaw, Jessica Fuselier, Nicolas Gonda, Will Wallace, Kelly Koonce, Bryce Boudoin, Jimmy Donaldson, Kameron Vaughn, Cole Cockburn, Dustin Allen, Brayden Whisenhunt, Joanna Going, Irene Bedard, Finnegan Williams, Michael Koeth, John Howell, Samantha Martinez, Savannah Welch, Tamara Jolaine, Julia M. Smith, Anne Nabors, Christopher Ryan, Tyler Thomas, Michael Showers, Kim Whalen, Margaret Hoard, Wally Welch, Hudson Lee Long, Michael Dixon, William Hardy, Tommy Hollis, Cooper Franklin Sutherland, John Cyrier, Erma Lee Alexander, Nicholas Yedinak, Erinn Allison, Mary Anzalone, Charlotte Biggs, Benjamin Dane, Michael E. Harvey, Matt Hislope, Jackson Hurst, Zach Irsik, Scottie Jefferies;
Production year: 2010;
Genre: fantasy, drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 139 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
More information about the film “The Tree of Life” on the website imdb.com
“Into the Wild”, 2007
Director: Sean Penn
Based on a true story, this film chronicles the journey of Christopher McCandless as he ventures into the Alaskan wilderness, where trees and nature become central to his quest for freedom and self-discovery.
Starring: Emile Hirsch, Hal Holbrook, Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt, Jena Malone, Brian H. Dierker, Catherine Keener, Vince Vaughn, Kristen Stewart, Jim Galien, James O'Neill, Malinda McCollum, Paul Knauls, Zach Galifianakis, Craig Mutsch, Jim Beidler, John Decker, John Hofer, Jerry Hofer, Terry Waldner, Robin Mathews, Candice Campos, Steven Wiig, Thure Lindhardt, Signe Egholm Olsen, Floyd Wall, Bryce Walters, Jim Davis, Cheryl Francis Harrington, R.D. Call, Haley Ramm, Merritt Wever, Everett «Insane Wayne» Smith, John Jabaley, Leonard Knight, Matt Contreras, Denise Sitton, Bart the Bear, Sharon Olds, Carine McCandless, Dan Burch, Doug Cartwright, Joe Dustin, Golbon Eghtedari, Alvin Ellie, Zoe Galvez, Caroline Gelabert, Geri Gilmore, Paul Haasch, Andy Hayward;
Production year: 2007;
Genre: drama, adventure, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 148 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,1;
More information about the film “Into the Wild” on the website imdb.com
“The Lorax”, 2012
Director: Chris Renaud, Kyle Balda
An animated adaptation of Dr. Seuss's classic tale about the importance of environmental conservation, this film features the Lorax, a guardian of the trees, who speaks for the forest in opposition to the greedy Once-ler.
Starring: Danny DeVito, Ed Helms, Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, Betty White, Rob Riggle, Jenny Slate, Nasim Pedrad, Joel Swetow, Michael Beattie, Dave Mitchell, Dempsey Pappion, Elmarie Wendel, Danny Cooksey, Stephen Tobolowsky, Jack Angel, Bob Bergen, John Cygan, Debi Derryberry, Bill Farmer, Jess Harnell, Sherry Lynn, Danny Mann, Mona Marshall, Mickie McGowan, Laraine Newman, Jan Rabson, Claira Nicole Titman, Jim Ward, Beth Andersen, Randy Crenshaw, Monique Donnelly, Missi Hale, Edie Lehmann Boddicker, Dan Navarro, Oliver Powell, Fletcher Sheridan, Antonio Sol, Ty Taylor;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: animation, musical, fantasy, drama, comedy, adventure, family;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 86 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,4;
More information about the film “The Lorax” on the website imdb.com
“The Last Tree”, 2019
Director: Shola Amoo
This British drama tells the story of a young boy raised in a Nigerian community who is uprooted to live in foster care in London, exploring themes of identity and belonging against a backdrop of significant trees that symbolize his connection to home.
Starring: Nicholas Pinnock, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Denise Black, Samuel Adewunmi, Tuwaine Barrett, Francesca Zoutewelle, Ruhtxjiaïh Bèllènéa, Tai Golding, Layo-Christina Akinlude, Demmy Ladipo, Yazzmin Newell, Rasaq Kukoyi, Ibrahim Jammal, Jayden Elijah, Jack Chadwick, Sofia Chilvers, Shaqai White, Ameen Mustapha, John Akanmu, Amari Webb-Martin, Yvan Zahui;
Production year: 2019;
Genre: drama;
Duration: 98 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,5;
More information about the film “The Last Tree” on the website imdb.com
“The Tree”, 2010
Director: Julie Bertucelli
A drama centered around a family grappling with the death of the father, focusing on the enormous tree in their yard that becomes a symbol of memory, loss, and the enduring connection to the past.
Starring: Charlotte Gainsbourg, Morgan Davies, Marton Csokas, Christian Byers, Tom Russell, Gabriel Gotting, Aden Young, Penne Hackforth-Jones, Gillian Jones, Zoe Boe, Bob MacKay, Ryan Potter, Murray Shoring, Taren Stewart, Robert Joseph Stewart, Wencis Burns, Margaret Foote, Betty Cartmill, Patrick Boe, Arthur Dignam, Wendy Playfair, Jackie Kelleher, Benita Collings, Emma Pollock, Darius Pollock, Lukas Trotta, Maya Trotta, Noam Trotta, Alice Attal, Olive Jones-Evans, Ivy Jones-Evans, Penn Jones-Evans, Emile Daeron, Jean Gardiner-Cox, Clara Gardiner-Cox;
Production year: 2010;
Genre: drama, melodrama;
Age: 18+;
Duration: 100 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,5;
More information about the film “The Tree” on the website imdb.com
Each of these films highlights the profound impact trees can have on our lives, serving as metaphors for growth, change, and resilience. They invite audiences to reflect on the beauty and fragility of the world around us.
In the realm of cinema, trees have long served as powerful symbols of life, resilience, and interconnectedness, transcending mere backdrops to become integral characters in their own right. The films in this selection showcase the myriad ways trees influence human experience and storytelling, from the majestic forests that cradle ancient secrets to the solitary specimens that stand witness to personal growth and transformation. As we traverse these cinematic landscapes, we are reminded of our profound relationship with nature and the stories that unfold beneath the canopy of leaves. Ultimately, these films invite us to reflect on the beauty and fragility of the world around us, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the silent, steadfast guardians of our planet—the trees.
