CinéSchool’s Recommendations of French Films About the Ocean for Young Cinephiles

These stories explore the theme of ocean protection, raise awereness about the environmental challenges we face, and inspire action to protect our blue planet for future generations. Through this collection, young cinephiles can engage with powerful narratives that spark curiosity, and invite everyone to take care of our marine ecosystems.

Oceans (Océans)
Directed by Jacques Perrin and Jacques Cluzeau, G, 2010, 1h24, France, recommended for ages 8+

With nearly three-quarters of the Earth’s surface covered by water, Oceans boldly chronicles the mysteries that lie beneath. Directors Jacques Perrin and Jacques Cluzaud (Travelling Birds) dive deep into the very waters that sustain all of mankind, exploring the harsh reality and the amazing creatures that live within. An astonishing look at the world of the oceans, with never-before-seen imagery captured by the latest underwater technology, it is awe-inspiring stuff. Shot over four years, it reveals inspiring wildlife, including endangered marine species. Not a standard nature documentary, it’s also part thriller and part meditation on the vanishing wonders of the aquatic world. It’s a powerful celebration of our underwater world; a world that requires our attention.

Available on Disney + (available in French) | Apple TV | Amazon Video

Song of the Sea (Le Chant de la mer) 
Directed by Tomm Moore, PG, 2014, 1h33, France-Ireland-Belgium-Denmark-Luxembourg, recommended for ages 7+

From the creators of the Academy Award®-nominated The Secret of Kells comes a breathtakingly gorgeous, hand-drawn masterpiece. Based on the Irish legend of the Selkies, Song of the Sea tells the story of the last seal-child, Saoirse, and her brother Ben, who go on an epic journey to save the world of magic and discover secrets of their past. Pursued by the owl witch, Macha, and a host of ancient and mythical creatures, Saoirse and Ben race against time to awaken Saoirse’s powers and keep the spirit world from disappearing forever. As enthralling for adults as for children young and old, Song of the Sea is a wonder of magical storytelling and visual splendor that is destined to become a classic.

Available on Amazon Video | Apple TV | Fandango at Home | Google Play

Oum Le Dauphin Blanc
Directed by Stéphane Bernasconi, 2014, 3 seasons, 5×12 minutes, France, recommended for ages 6+

Yann and his little sister Marina live with their uncle Patrick, a famous oceanographer, on a Polynesian atoll. The two children meet Oum, a mysterious white dolphin who is always keen to help those he likes. Their friendship sees them exploring the ocean depths together.

Available on TV5Mondeplus (in French)

Planet Ocean (Planète Océan)
Directed by Yann Arthus-Bertrand and Michael Pitiot, Documentary, TV-G, 2012, 1h34, France, recommended for 12+

Source of life, evolution of species, migration, predation— from the exuberance of coral reefs to the mysteries of the abyss, Planet Ocean first shows us the oceans’ secrets. Then everything changes.  Humankind appears and takes over Planet Ocean— inventing  fishing, conquering the seas, discovering oil, and globalizing the  world. Nothing will ever be the same. The film’s narrative explores human fragility and the consequences of our way of life on oceans. With a humanistic view, Yann Arthus-Bertrand and Michael Pitiot invite us to preserve the planet’s oceans and engage in respecting their beauty and life.

Available on Fandango at home | Youtube (French version)

Kensuke’s Kingdom (Le Royaume de Kensuke)
By Neil Boyle and Kirk Hendry, PG, 2023, 1h25, France-Luxembourg-United Kingdom, recommended for ages 9+

Kensuke’s Kingdom tells the epic adventure of Michael, a young boy who sets off with his family on a sailing trip of a lifetime. But excitement soon turns to terror when a violent storm erupts and Michael and his dog Stella are swept overboard, washing up on a remote island where they struggle to survive. Michael eventually discovers he is not alone when he is confronted by a mysterious Japanese man called Kensuke who has lived there secretly since World War II. The boy and the elderly man are initially suspicious of each other, but when dangerous invaders appear on the horizon, it’s clear Michael and Kensuke must join forces to save their fragile island paradise.

Available on Angel Studios | Hoopla | Kanopy | Apple TV | Amazon Video | Fandango at Home | Microsoft

A Turtle’s Tale: Sammy’s Adventures (Le Voyage extraordinaire de Samy)
By Ben Stassen, 2012, 1h28min, France-Belgium, recommended for ages 4+

Born on a Baja, California beach in 1959, new hatchling Sammy must do what his fellow newborn sea turtles are doing: race across the beach to the ocean before they are captured by a seagull or crab. Thus begins Sammy’s incredible fifty-year ocean journey. Along the way he meets his best friend, a fellow turtle named Ray, and overcomes obstacles both natural and man-made while trying to fulfill his dream of travelling around the world. Throughout his voyage, Sammy never forgets about Shelly – the turtle he saved on his first day and loves passionately from afar. Based on the actual trajectory of a sea turtle’s life, the film illustrates the dangers humans pose to the species’ survival. From deep water trawling to oil spills and garbage dumped at sea, the film combines entertainment with an important environmental message.

Available on Xumo | Pluto TV | Amazon Video | Peacock | Google Play | Apple TV | Tubi | The Roku Channel | Plex

Becoming Cousteau
Directed by Liz Garbus, PG-13, 2021, 1h33, United States, recommended for ages 14+

Adventurer, filmmaker, inventor, author, unlikely celebrity and conservationist: For over four decades, Jacques-Yves Cousteau and his explorations under the ocean became synonymous with a love of science and the natural world. As he learned to protect the environment, he brought the whole world with him, sounding alarms more than 50 years ago about the warming seas and our planet’s vulnerability. In Becoming Cousteau, two-time Academy Award®-nominated filmmaker Liz Garbus takes an inside look at Cousteau and his life, his iconic films and inventions, and the experiences that made him the 20th century’s most unique and renowned environmental voice — and the man who inspired generations to protect the Earth.

Available on Disney + | Hulu

Tip: Be sure to click on “Audio & Subtitles” and select audio in French (Canada)

The Red Turtle (La Tortue Rouge)
Directed by Michael Dudok de Wit, PG, 2016, 1h34, France-Belgium-Japan, recommended for ages 9+

This masterfully animated fantasy film tells the story of a man, shipwrecked at sea, who becomes stranded on a beautiful but desolate island. He learns to live in isolation, seemingly tormented in his efforts to escape the island by a giant red turtle. Miraculously, he soon comes upon a young woman also lost at sea and they create a family together

Available on Google Play | Amazon Video | Microsoft | Kanopy | Spectrum

Funny Fish (Drôle de poisson)
Directed by Krishna Nair, 2017, 6 minutes, France-Switzerland, recommended for ages 4+

In the middle of the ocean, a school of fish comes to the rescue of a red fish floating on the surface of the water. They try to do everything they can to help it come back into the water and breathe, unaware that it’s in fact a balloon.

Available on AppleTV | Vimeo

Flow
Directed by Gints Zilbalodis, PG, 2024, 1h25, France-Latvia-Belgium, recommended for ages 6+

A wondrous journey, through realms natural and mystical, Flow follows a courageous cat after his home is devastated by a great flood. Teaming up with a capybara, a lemur, a bird, and a dog to navigate a boat in search of dry land, they must rely on trust, courage, and wits to survive the perils of a newly aquatic planet. From the boundless imagination of the award-winning filmmaker Gints Zilbalodis (Away) comes a thrilling animated spectacle as well as a profound meditation on the fragility of the environment and the spirit of friendship and community. Steeped in the soaring possibilities of visual storytelling, Flow is a feast for the senses and a treasure for the heart.

Available on Max | Youtube | Hulu | Sling TV | The Roku Channel | Amazon Video | Google Play | Apple TV | Fandango at home