Movies about homesteading can provide inspiration about living off your own land while also preparing you for potential challenges you might face. I love watching all types of films that pertain to this way of life — homesteading movies, self-reliance movies, and movies about living off the grid.
It’s a fun way to gain a new perspective, even if the movies show scenarios that are wildly dramatic; putting myself in the characters’ shoes helps keep my problem-solving skills sharp, or at the very least, serves as a source of entertainment on a cold winter night. I’ve pulled together a list of 22 homesteading movies that you might enjoy, too.
Hi, I’m Ryan
When I first started homesteading, I had so many dreams and questions but few practical resources and examples to draw from. Watching movies about homesteading was one of the ways I was able to get educated, learn about new ideas, and feel better prepared as I developed my homestead.
Top 22 Movies About Homesteading
The Real Dirt on Farmer John
When asked for recommendations, I often point to this documentary film following the life of farmer John Peterson, known for his work with Angelic Organics. Peterson overcame many challenges to turn his land into a productive farm, supporting not only his family but eventually supplying food to neighbors through a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program. The filmmaker captured footage over 25 years, giving us rare insight into what a homestead can develop into with time, care, and dedication. Available on Amazon.
Captain Fantastic
I really enjoyed this film — it’s kind of quirky and fun to watch. The story follows a father choosing to raise his children off-grid, adept in survival techniques like foraging, hunting, and growing their own food. After unforeseeable events force the family to reintegrate into modern society, they miss the off-grid life and have to decide whether to stay in the modern world or return to the wilderness. Available on Amazon.
Goodbye World
This homesteading movie depicts a group of friends living in the countryside after catastrophic events occur on Earth that force them into the woods. It asks the question: in the case of dire events, would you share what you’ve got with friends in need? While we likely won’t face this in our lives, it’s an interesting question, and I find myself imagining scenarios like this sometimes. I liked watching how the characters dealt with their challenges and comparing them to what I would do. Available on Amazon.
Into the Wild
I was riveted by this real-life story about Christopher McCandless, who was compelled to go into the wilderness to live on his own and, sadly, did not survive. It’s an important reminder of the risks that living off the land can bring and the importance of surrounding yourself with the resources necessary for a good life. It also explores the drive that compels many people to choose a way of life that’s vastly different from how they were raised. Plus, the soundtrack of this film is amazing! Available on Amazon.
Little House on the Prairie
I know this TV show is dated, but it’s also a classic family homesteading show. It was many people’s first glimpse into the backbreaking work and boundless beauty that homesteading can bring. From grinding wheat for king bread to surviving a long winter in a snowbound home, these vivid depictions of life on the land have captivated audiences for generations. Available on Amazon.
The Survivalist
This thriller tells the story of a man quietly living on a small plot in the deep forest who must assess his priorities when strangers in need appeal to him for support. Will he share everything he’s struggled to have, and will that threaten his livelihood? This homesteading survivalist movie has prompted many fireside discussions with friends. Available on Amazon, AMC, or Paramount+.
Inhabit: A Permaculture Perspective
This film positions sustainable agriculture formats, like homesteading, as a solution to the environmental issues many areas of our world face today. Permaculture is the intentional practice of helping our land regenerate, not simply depleting its natural resources, which is one of the reasons I find homesteading so valuable. Showcasing landscapes in the midwestern and northeast United States, this homesteading movie gives examples of permaculture growers in both urban and rural settings. Available to stream online.
Leave No Trace
This one tops my list as one of the best movies about living off the grid. It follows the story of a man and his daughter, who experience a culture clash when they start living in traditional housing after years of living off-grid. Having been hidden in a large urban park, they seek to return to the life they know. Available on Amazon or Starz.
Alone in the Wilderness
This documentary film echoes Thoreau’s book Walden, which was one of my early inspirations to move toward a self-sufficient existence. It follows the path of Dick Proenneke, who built a log cabin completely on his own and makes a solitary living in the wilderness. Available on DVD.
Permaculture Chickens
Especially for those whose farm includes chickens, this homesteading movie gives an in-depth look into what raising permaculture chickens might entail, and I found it invaluable. Featuring interviews with several experts and covering all aspects of raising chickens on a farm, this film has tons of info. It also gives insights into other aspects of farming and permaculture, all in a highly entertaining style. Available to stream online.
The Permaculture Orchard
Part of many a homestead farm is a grove of a few fruit trees, however small. This homesteading movie was created by an expert on growing fruit and nut trees, giving any beginning homesteader the knowledge to start growing these kinds of foods and the experienced homesteader some new tips. I found this to be one of the best farming movies because topics such as grafting are discussed in-depth, and the narrator shares his mistakes to help you avoid making them on your own land. Available on DVD.
Braving Alaska
This is one of my favorite documentaries on homesteading, produced by National Geographic, who you can count on to create a stunningly visual film. Braving Alaska follows several families and shows how they manage to survive in the harsh climates of Alaska. While you may live in a more temperate area, I find it very inspiring to watch the ingenuity and resilience of those who live in more extreme climates — it helps me remember that the challenges I may face are nothing new and can be managed. Available on DVD.
Happy People: A Year in the Taiga
This is one of the better self-reliance movies out there, created by acclaimed filmmaker Werner Herzog. Happy People follows the residents of an isolated Siberian village through the four seasons of the year, showing their trials and tribulations alongside their joys. They live using traditional methods, almost completely removed from the rest of the modern world, showing that it really is possible to live a self-sufficient life, even in today’s fast-paced world. Available on Amazon.
Peter and the Farm
In one of my top choices for movies about homesteading, we get to watch Peter, an elderly man who’s been living on a 187-acre farm in Vermont for decades. This documentary shows how he deals with what can often be an isolated existence, and what it’s like to work the land for so many years. This film shines a light onto life on a farm where sheep, cows, and pigs are raised organically and is both inspirational and enjoyable. Available on Amazon.
Still Mine
Homesteading and living off-grid, can often come with unique challenges with respect to rights and permits. Homesteaders also need to face common misconceptions about living off the grid. This dramatic film follows the story of a Canadian farmer battling authorities to live the way he wishes and build a home on his land. The conflict between living rurally or in a city with different types of resources is deftly addressed. Available on Amazon.
Murphy’s Romance
I might not be big on romance movies, but this homesteading movie caught my eye and was entertaining on a cold winter night at home. It’s a farm-themed romance depicting life in a rural Arizona town, where single mother Emma Moriarty, played by Sally Field, works hard training and boarding horses. Available on Amazon.
Sustainable
I loved this film and consider it one of the best farming movies. It’s a documentary about a man in the Chicago area who seeks to challenge the big business of agriculture with a move towards more sustainable small farming practices, with a goal of creating a stronger, healthier ecosystem. Available on Amazon.
The Biggest Little Farm
This documentary film shows the journey of an ambitious couple looking for a change, who shift from city life to working a 200-acre farm. It’s a big project to take on, and while I personally recommend starting homesteading on a smaller plot of land, these folks go from barren land to producing in abundance! The journey is not without challenges, but they persevere, and their story is inspiring. Available on Amazon, Hulu, and YouTube.
Jeremiah Johnson
Showing the fictitious story of a veteran who lives as a trapper in the mountains, this is a favorite for those who dream of living off the land, the way people have for centuries. Filmed in Utah, this self-reliance movie showcases the natural beauty of various landscapes. Jeremiah, played by Robert Redford, gets into numerous situations that most homesteaders won’t face, but watching the ingenuity with which he meets these challenges will fill you with renewed excitement for the outdoors. Available on Amazon.
Growing Cities: Urban Farming in America
I often talk to friends who think they could never live on a farm, but I remind them that anything is possible when you start with baby steps. This is one of the best documentaries on homesteading in cities and takes a closer look at America’s urban farms, where city dwellers are able to turn as little as ¼ acre into a productive homestead. The filmmakers travel to talk with several growers, giving insight into what drives them to work the land, and what they have gotten out of it. Available on Apple TV+.
The Egg and I
Movies about homesteading often showcase a lot of serious and complex issues and backbreaking work. But sometimes you just need a good laugh! To look on the lighter side, this is one of the best farming movies that makes you laugh at the unique situations farming can put you into, and appreciate the way that someone who’s never lived on a farm can grow into it. Available on Amazon.
Back to Eden
This is one of the homesteading movies I recommend the most, showing the methods and practices of gardener Paul Gautschi. He takes the viewer through many different growing techniques that can be practically applied in climates all over the world. His expertise on composting — a key practice on any homestead — makes this especially worth the watch. Available on Amazon.
There’s something about seeing real examples of other homestead farms, large and small, that helps me visualize my homesteading goals. Kicking back and watching homesteading movies has also given me inspiration, taught me problem-solving techniques, and helped me look at things from a different perspective.
Your Turn!
- Would you rather watch homesteading documentaries or fictional movies?
- What’s your favorite movie about homesteading?
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