Minimalism and Extreme Minimalists (in Documentary Films, Movies, and Videos)
I love witnessing minimalism and extreme minimalists. I compiled this list of documentary films, movies, and videos found online, including on Netflix, to make it a bit easier to watch (and rewatch) this topic. I look forward to keeping this list updated with any new releases—and if I’m missing any, do holler. I love these shows because I love seeing how we have come to exist—our similarities and our differences. These programs motivate and provide me with a sense of resolve. They make me want to consume less, which I consider vital in a life where consumption is always a temptation. And these shows make me care more. They help me choose better for our life on this planet. These programs help bring peace in deciding what truly matters.
Less is Now
Less is Now | The Minimalists’ New Documentary
“Less Is Now, a Netflix Original film, directed by Matt D’Avella
“The film’s title was inspired by the popular maxim ‘Less is more,’ popularized by architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886–1969), who used this aphorism to describe his design aesthetic; his tactic was one of arranging the necessary components of a building to create an impression of extreme simplicity.
“The Minimalists have reworked this phrase to create a sense of urgency for today’s consumer culture: now is the time for less.”
Minimalism
Minimalism | A Documentary About the Important Things
“How might your life be better with less?
“The #1 indie doc of 2016 … examines the many flavors of minimalism by taking the audience inside the lives of minimalists from all walks of life—families, entrepreneurs, architects, artists, journalists, scientists, and even a former Wall Street broker—all of whom are striving to live a meaningful life with less.
“After its successful theatrical run, Minimalism, the #1 indie documentary of 2016 (largest box-office opening), is finally available online.”
Sparking Joy with Marie Kondo
Sparking Joy | With Marie Kondo
“In this reality series, Marie Kondo brings her joyful tidying tactics to people struggling to balance work and home life — and shares her own world.
“Marie bonds with a family eager to organize a flourishing organic garden center. Will the process free up the time and space they’ll need to reconnect?
“Work and family collide for a cafe owner with a chaotic home office. Time to learn what sparks joy, how to fold, and how to tidy sentimental items.
“After a relocation and career shift, a single mom must face her clutter to really move forward. In a first, Marie works with a group tidying a church.”
Tidying Up with Marie Kondo
Tidying Up | With Marie Kondo
“In a series of inspiring home makeovers, world-renowned tidying expert Marie Kondo helps clients clear out the clutter—and choose joy.
“A harried couple with two young children find peace as they learn how to pare down playroom clutter, keep the kitchen organized and sort clothes.
“Marie helps a retired couple reclaim their space by showing them how to cut back on clothing, store Christmas decor and display old family photographs.
“Marie shows a family living in a cramped apartment how to create temporary storage solutions and make better use of hard-to-reach cabinet space.
“A grieving widow gets a fresh start as she learns how to properly store her purses, make a memory box and say goodbye to the things she no longer needs.
“Two writers work together to reduce their library, sort through sentimental items and get their cords and electronic gadgets under control.
“Marie teaches a married couple with two children and way too much stuff how to fold scarves, get rid of old toys and tame their garage.
“An expectant couple with their first little one on the way get tips for organizing shoes, folding socks and toppling a mountain of accumulated paper.
“A pair of newlyweds with two dogs corral all their pet items, then learn the magic of using boxes to keep drawers and cabinets tidy.”
Extreme Minimalists
Extreme Minimalists | Profiles of Those Who Find Comfort and Joy With Less
“Extreme Minimalists … find comfort and joy in less, whether that be through living a less cluttered lifestyle, or maximizing the tools and resources around them.
“The ‘Trash Walker’ … is combing through NYC’s garbage and exposing its waste issue.
“Katerina gives a tour of her Brooklyn-based zero-waste grocery store, Precycle … where almost all of the products are package-free.
“Meet Jenny, the extreme frugalist who cuts down on spending by no electricity days and “treasure hunting” around New York City.
“According to Jessie, nothing beats the freedom of living in a sailboat and waking up at a marina every morning!
“Are you ready to ditch your house or apartment and live life on the road? That’s what Brooklyn van dweller Robb did and he couldn’t be happier.
“Kennedy shares how she became an eco-minimalist who produces almost zero waste.
“If you love to travel, then it might be time to heed the call of the open road and live in a home on wheels! That’s what vehicle-dweller Lyne does, and she says it has changed her life for the better.
“Abigail is a minimalist with a capsule wardrobe, who defines minimalism as keeping as little as possible while maintaining happiness.
“Rebecca is a food blogger based out of NYC that built her very own teardrop trailer so that she could live a more portable, minimalistic lifestyle.
“Meet Aly, a sustainable minimalist and urban forager based out of Staten Island, NY.”
Clean Bin
Clean Bin | A Documentary About a Competition Where Less Is More
“Is it possible to live completely waste free?
“In this multi-award winning, festival favourite, partners Jen and Grant go head to head in a competition to see who can swear off consumerism and produce the least garbage.
“Their light-hearted competition is set against a darker examination of the problem waste. Even as Grant and Jen start to garner interest in their project, they struggle to find meaning in their minuscule influence on the large-scale environmental impacts of our ‘throw-away society.’
“Described as An Inconvenient Truth meets Super Size Me, The Clean Bin Project features laugh out loud moments, stop motion animations, and unforgettable imagery.
“Captivating interviews with renowned artist, Chris Jordan and TED Lecturer Captain Charles Moore, make this film a fun and inspiring call to individual action that speaks to crowds of all ages.”
Thrive with Less
Thrive with Less | Six Student Filmmakers Explore Minimal Living at MSU
“When did living excessively become the norm in our culture? When did we decide that more is better but better is never enough? When did social media, fancy cars, and expensive clothing take priority over family, friends and the things we're passionate about?
“Somewhere along the way our society has become more focused on attaining fleeting sources of gratification rather than working towards establishing true, lasting joy. And that needs to change.
“Thrive With Less is a documentary film exploring minimal living in an excess driven culture. It was created by six student filmmakers at Michigan State University.”
Living on One Dollar
Living on One Dollar | Four Young Friends Live on a Dollar a Day in Guatemala
“Living on One Dollar … follows the story of four young friends who set out to live on just one dollar a day for eight weeks in rural Guatemala.
“They battle hunger, parasites and the realization that there are no easy answers. Yet, the generosity and strength of Rosa, a 20 year old woman, and Chino, a 12 year old boy gives them resilient hope that there are effective ways to make a difference.
“Join Zach and Chris as they narrate this gripping journey of understanding. You will come away with a deep empathy for the people of Peña Blanca and feel empowered that you CAN change the world.”
True Cost
True Cost | The True Impact of Clothing on Everyone Around the World
“This is a story about clothing. It’s about the clothes we wear, the people who make them, and the impact the industry is having on our world.
“The price of clothing has been decreasing for decades, while the human and environmental costs have grown dramatically. The True Cost is a groundbreaking documentary film that pulls back the curtain on the untold story and asks us to consider, who really pays the price for our clothing?
“Filmed in countries all over the world, from the brightest runways to the darkest slums, and featuring interviews with the world’s leading influencers including Stella McCartney, Livia Firth and Vandana Shiva, The True Cost is an unprecedented project that invites us on an eye opening journey around the world and into the lives of the many people and places behind our clothes.”
Why Denmark is the Happiest Country
Why Denmark is the Happiest Country | A Danish Minimalist Home and Life
In one of my favorite interviews from a past show, Oprah visits a minimalist home in Denmark that provides the basic, efficient, well-organized needs of an entire family.
This video is a bit about community wisdom, what is good for a population—(minimalist) basics, healthcare, and education. Not focusing on buying and having a lot of stuff.