Racing Extinction (2015)
A fearless documentary that takes viewers inside the hidden world of illegal wildlife trade and the race to prevent a human-caused mass extinction.
Racing Extinction - Movie Information
- Original Title: Racing Extinction
- Release Year: 2015
- Directed by: Louie Psihoyos
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Adventure, Documentary
- Runtime: 1h 30m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Alternative Titles: The Singing Planet (US), 灭绝最后关头 (CN), Racing Extinction - Il mondo che scompare (IT)
- Production Companies: Oceanic Preservation Society, Insurgent Docs, Vulcan Productions, Okeanos Foundation for the Sea, Li Ka Shing Foundation, Earth Day Texas, JP's Peace, Love & Happiness Foundation, Diamond Docs
- Production Countries: United States of America
Racing Extinction - Plot
An unlikely team of activists and innovators hatches a bold mission to save endangered species.
Racing Extinction - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the mission unfold:
It's better to light one candle than curse the darkness.
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Racing Extinction - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Louie Psihoyos
Main Cast
- Elon Musk
- Jane Goodall
- Louie Psihoyos
- Leilani Münter
- Charles Hambleton
- Heather Dawn Rally
- Joel Sartore
- Paul Hilton
- Travis Threlkel
- Christopher W. Clark
Writers
- Mark Monroe
Producers
- Fisher Stevens
Racing Extinction - FAQs
What is Racing Extinction about?
Racing Extinction follows a daring group of activists, scientists, and filmmakers as they expose the hidden forces driving species to extinction. Using covert cameras and cutting-edge technology, the team infiltrates illegal wildlife markets and launches stunning public art projections to awaken the world to the biodiversity crisis unfolding around us.
Is Racing Extinction worth watching?
Absolutely. Racing Extinction earned widespread critical praise for its urgent message, breathtaking cinematography, and emotional impact. It's both a visually stunning film and a powerful call to action, blending undercover investigative work with awe-inspiring imagery to make the extinction crisis feel immediate and deeply personal.
Where can you stream Racing Extinction?
You can watch Racing Extinction for free on Tubi TV, Plex, Kanopy, and Hoopla. It's also available with a subscription on Fandor and Philo, and you can rent or buy it on Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home.
Does Racing Extinction feature real undercover operations?
Yes — one of the film's most gripping elements is its real undercover footage. The team used hidden cameras to infiltrate illegal wildlife markets and document the trade in endangered species, including manta rays and sharks. These covert sequences give the documentary a thriller-like intensity rarely seen in environmental films.
Who are the main participants in Racing Extinction?
The film brings together a remarkable mix of voices, including Elon Musk, primatologist Jane Goodall, racing driver and activist Leilani Münter, wildlife photographer Joel Sartore, and director Louie Psihoyos himself. Scientists, artists, and undercover operatives all play a role in the film's unfolding mission.
What is the stunning projection sequence in Racing Extinction?
One of the film's most iconic moments is a large-scale projection of endangered animals onto the United Nations headquarters in New York City. The breathtaking light display was designed to confront world leaders with the faces of species on the brink, turning a building into a canvas for conservation advocacy.
Who directed Racing Extinction?
Racing Extinction was directed by Louie Psihoyos, the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind The Cove (2009). Psihoyos is also a co-founder of the Oceanic Preservation Society and appears in the film himself, lending it an intensely personal perspective on the fight against species loss.
Did Racing Extinction win any awards?
Racing Extinction received strong recognition on the festival circuit and earned an Emmy Award for Outstanding Nature Programming. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2015 and was later broadcast on Discovery Channel, reaching a global audience on World Oceans Day.
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