Before the Flood (film)
Before the Flood is a 2016 American documentary about climate change directed by Fisher Stevens and narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio. The film follows DiCaprio as he travels the world to show how global warming affects different regions and communities, while also exploring reasons behind climate change denial. It features interviews with politicians, scientists, business leaders, and celebrities, including Barack Obama, Pope Francis, Elon Musk, John Kerry, and DiCaprio himself.
The documentary discusses solutions to the climate crisis, such as implementing a carbon tax to encourage investment in renewable energy. To offset the production’s carbon emissions, the filmmakers paid a voluntary carbon tax.
Release and reception: The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2016, opened in theaters on October 21, 2016, and aired on the National Geographic Channel on October 30. It was released in many places for free on National Geographic platforms as part of a broad effort to reach viewers. Critics generally gave positive reviews, praising its urgency, accessible storytelling, and the way it highlights the human impact of climate change. The soundtrack features music by Mogwai, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, and Gustavo Santaolalla.
DiCaprio spoke at the London premiere, describing the film as the result of a three-year, global effort to document the climate crisis and urging viewers to vote and support science-based policies. The documentary also notes the work and urgency of addressing climate change in daily life and policy.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 13:43 (CET).