Million Dollar Babies: The Big Business Behind Eel Trafficking

Million Dollar Babies: The Big Business Behind Eel Trafficking (2026)



Milliarden Dollar Babies: Große Gewinne mit kleinen Aalen

8.0 2026 90 min —

Director: Sebastian Weis

Documentary
Venturing across rivers, international borders, and underground markets, this gripping documentary explores the billion-dollar underworld of glass eel trafficking. Featuring unprecedented access to the shadowy figures behind the trade and never-before-seen footage, the film exposes how the world’s insatiable hunger for eels is driving a devastating environmental crisis.

More About This Film

Million Dollar Babies: The Big Business Behind Eel Trafficking is an investigative documentary examining the global trade in glass eels and the criminal networks that profit from their movement. The film follows the trail across rivers, borders, and black markets to show how demand for a luxury food has turned young eels into highly valuable commodities.

With access to people connected to the trade and rare footage, the documentary connects organized smuggling with an environmental crisis. It explores the tension between economic opportunity and the long-term survival of eel populations whose decline has become a major ecological concern.

  • The documentary is approximately 91 minutes long.
  • It was produced in Germany in 2026.
  • ARTE describes the subject as a billion-dollar world of glass-eel smuggling.
  • The documentary includes rare footage and access to key participants in the trade.
  • ARTE lists it as available online until September 19, 2026.

Where to Watch

ARTE is the principal current streaming destination, with availability limited by territory and the platform's publication window.