Over the years, filmmakers have worked harder than ever to create some of the best nature documentaries showing the world how important the planet’s preservation really is. As the fight for humans to accept climate change continues, the greatest nature documentaries ever made each highlight, from different perspectictives, why the natural world is worth saving. From everything David Attenborough narrates to films like Disney’s Monkey Kingdom, there are a wide variety of options when it comes to nature documentaries. These movies offer people a chance to celebrate the planet and all its amazing inhabitants year-round.
- Frances Tiafoe Ethnicity, What is Frances Tiafoe’s Ethnicity?
- Mark Hamill’s 10 Best Roles Outside Star Wars
- Who is Duncan Trussell Wife? Know Everything About Duncan Trussell
- Is Terry Dubrow Still Married? Terry Dubrow Wife, Children, Age and more
- Who are Eugenie Le Sommer Parents? Meet Thierry Le Sommer and Claudine Le Sommer
Thanks to the age of streaming, there are more places to watch great nature documentaries now than ever before. What used to be relegated to educational networks are now instantly available on platforms like Disney+, Netflix, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime Video. Nature documentaries have never been more accessible. However, as with any other genre, there are many options that stand above the rest. From learning about different continents and the ocean to gaining an education about the plight of animals across the world, the best nature documentaries cover every corner of the natural world.
You are watching: 15 Best Nature Documentaries, Ranked
15
Honeyland (2019)
A Grounded Exploration Of The Relationship Between Humanity And Nature
Movie
My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist
Success!
Your Rating
close
10 stars
9 stars
8 stars
7 stars
6 stars
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Rate Now
0/10
Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Honeyland
See more : 10 Best Movies Like The Dead Don’t Die
Documentary
Release Date
January 28, 2019
Runtime
87 Minutes
Director
Tamara Kotevska, Ljubomir Stefanov
Cast
See All
-
Hatidže Muratova
Powered by
Expand
Collapse
Many of the best nature documentaries explore the relationship between animals and humanity, but few explore when this partnership is harmonious and symbiotic quite like 2019’s Honeyland. Directed by Tamara Kotevska and Ljubomir Stefanov, Honeyland was filmed over three years, following Macedonian beekeeper, Hatidže Muratova, whose peaceful way of life is disrupted when a nomadic family arrives and exploits the bees for commercial gain. Honeyland blends themes of sustainability, tradition, and human impact on the environment. The powerful message about coexisting with nature earned Honeyland critical acclaim, including nominations for both Best Documentary Feature and Best International Feature at the Academy Awards.
14
All That Breathes (2022)
The Documentary That Exposes The Danger Of Air Pollution
Movie
My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist
Success!
Your Rating
close
10 stars
9 stars
8 stars
7 stars
6 stars
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Rate Now
0/10
Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
All That Breathes
See more : 10 Best Movies Like The Dead Don’t Die
Documentary
Release Date
January 22, 2022
Runtime
97 Minutes
Director
Shaunak Sen
Cast
See All
-
Salik Rehman
-
Mohammad Saud
-
Nadeem Shehzad
Powered by
Expand
Collapse
Like several of the best nature documentaries ever made, 2022’s All That Breathes has a strong environmental message. Set in the polluted urban landscape of New Delhi, All That Breathes follows two brothers, Nadeem and Saud, who dedicate their lives to rescuing and rehabilitating black kites – birds of prey that are falling from the sky due to toxic air. A defining work for director Shaunak Sen, All That Breaths is as visually stunning as it is deeply moving. Compared to many other nature documentaries, All That Breathes stands out for its nuanced storytelling, capturing the fragility of both nature and human resilience in a rapidly changing world.
13
Kedi (2016)
A Personal Journey With The Stray Cats Of Istanbul
While many iconic nature documentaries have a global perspective, this isn’t always the case. A more intimate example of a timeless nature documentary is 2016’s Kedi, from director Ceyda Torun. Set entirely in the same city, Kedi is a heartwarming exploration of the unique relationship between Istanbul’s stray cats and the local residents. The film follows several feline personalities as they roam the streets, weaving their way through markets, cafés, and homes, while touching the lives of the people they encounter. Its gentle storytelling and stunning cinematography manage to effortlessly capture the spirit of a city through the eyes of its feline inhabitants.
12
Born To Be Wild (2011)
Morgan Freeman Narrates An Essential Conservationist Documentary
Celebrated actor Morgan Freeman has narrated several celebrated nature documentaries, and among them is 2011’s Born To Be Wild. Like many of the best nature documentaries, Born To Be Wild has a strong environmentalist message. It focuses on the extraordinary efforts of conservationists who rescue and rehabilitate orphaned elephants in Kenya and orangutans in Borneo. It’s a deeply moving exploration of wildlife conservation, offering an intimate look at the people dedicating their lives to saving endangered species. What’s more, with its stunning IMAX cinematography, Born To Be Wild is still visually incredible despite releasing over a decade ago.
11
Monkey Kingdom (2015)
The Perfect Balance Of Education And Entertainment
Movie
My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist
Success!
Your Rating
close
10 stars
9 stars
8 stars
7 stars
6 stars
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Rate Now
0/10
Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
monkey kingdom
G
See more : 10 Best Movies Like The Dead Don’t Die
Documentary
Release Date
April 16, 2015
Runtime
81 minutes
Director
Alastair Fothergill
Producers
Kristina Reed
Cast
See All
-
Tina Fey
Narrator (voice)
Powered by
Expand
Collapse
Directed by Mark Linfield and Alastair Fothergill, Monkey Kingdom has a lot going for it beyond being a showcase of stunning footage of monkeys. This nature documentary is narrated by Tina Fey, with her unique vocal talents adding a refreshing dose of humor and warmth. While examining primates in a broader sense too, Monkey Kingdom specifically follows a clever toque macaque named Maya as she raises her newborn in the ancient ruins of Sri Lanka and faces social hierarchies within her troop and challenges from the surrounding jungle. Combining stunning cinematography with engaging narration, Monkey Kingdom brings the drama of the animal world to life in a way that is both educational and entertaining.
10
Seven Worlds, One Planet (2019)
A Dive Into The Wildlife Of All Seven Continents
TV Show
My Favorite TV Shows
My Watchlist
Success!
Your Rating
close
10 stars
9 stars
8 stars
7 stars
6 stars
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Rate Now
0/10
Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Seven Worlds One Planet
TV-PG
See more : 10 Best Movies Like The Dead Don’t Die
Documentary
Family
Nature
Release Date
2019 – 2019
Network
BBC One
Directors
Chadden Hunter, Fredi Devas, Giles Badger
Cast
See All
-
David Attenborough
Self – Narrator
Powered by
Expand
Collapse
Seven Worlds One Planet is one of the best nature documentaries ever made, a wonderful breakdown of what each of the seven continents has to offer in terms of wildlife. The vast landscapes that cover much of some continents to the relationship some of the animals have formed with humans due to the way humans have inhabited their space are shown in this breathtaking documentary. Each episode covers one continent, exposing some aspects that don’t work, and highlighting other things that need to be more important for humans to continue living on Earth. Showing the extremes in some lands makes for an eye-opening series.
9
Blackfish (2013)
The Nature Documentary That Exposed Significant Problems With Seaworld
Movie
My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist
Success!
Your Rating
close
10 stars
9 stars
8 stars
7 stars
6 stars
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Rate Now
0/10
Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Blackfish
PG-13
See more : 10 Best Movies Like The Dead Don’t Die
Documentary
Release Date
June 7, 2013
Runtime
90 minutes
Director
Gabriela Cowperthwaite
Cast
See All
-
Kim Ashdown
-
Ken Balcomb
-
Samantha Berg
-
Dave Duffus
Powered by
Expand
Collapse
When it was released in 2013, Blackfish was considered one of the best nature documentaries ever made – and one of the most controversial. The documentary shook up the world when it focused on the lives of killer whales. In this case, it followed Tilikum, a performing orca that was highly intelligent, yet held in captivity for its entire life for the entertainment of fans at SeaWorld. Blackfish caused several protests about the treatment of killer whales at SeaWorld and ended up nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Documentary.
8
The Blue Planet (2001)
An Unparalleled Dive Into Ocean Life
The Blue Planet
Powered by
Expand
Collapse
The fact that the oceans cover more than 70% of the Earth’s surface is something many people are aware of. Just how much of the oceans scientists have been able to explore is significantly less, but The Blue Planet does show off some of what has been discovered. The Blue Planet took more than five years to make. Between gathering footage, and making sure everything was factually correct, the amount of effort put into this documentary was enormous and more than paid off. The Blue Planet, and its sequel, are considered some of the best nature documentaries about the ocean.
7
Our Planet (2019)
The Groundbreaking Netflix Nature Documentary
TV Show
My Favorite TV Shows
My Watchlist
Success!
Your Rating
close
10 stars
9 stars
8 stars
7 stars
6 stars
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Rate Now
0/10
Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Our Planet
TV-G
See more : 10 Best Movies Like The Dead Don’t Die
Documentary
9/10
Release Date
2019 – 2022
Showrunner
Alastair Fothergill, Keith Scholey
Directors
Adam Chapman, Hugh Pearson
Cast
See All
-
David Attenborough
Powered by
Expand
Collapse
Netflix is creating more and more originals as it continues to gain popularity. While it does seem to have lots of documentaries on off-beat topics, Netflix doesn’t have a lot of originals when it comes to the best nature documentaries. However, Our Planet is one addition that stands with the best from the Discovery Channel. The episodes are broken up according to habitat, from forests to the coastal seas, the show explores all parts of the world. Filmed over four years, the show explores the beauties and wonders that each habit has to offer and brings a unique look to these ecosystems that viewers have been shown many times.
6
Planet Earth (2006)
One Of The Most Iconic Nature Documentaries Ever Made
TV Show
My Favorite TV Shows
My Watchlist
Success!
Your Rating
close
10 stars
9 stars
8 stars
7 stars
6 stars
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Rate Now
0/10
Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Planet Earth
TV-PG
See more : 10 Best Movies Like The Dead Don’t Die
Documentary
Nature
Release Date
2006 – 2005
Network
BBC One
Writers
Gary Parker, David Attenborough
Cast
See All
-
David Attenborough
Self – Narrator
Powered by
Expand
Collapse
Perhaps the most iconic and well-known nature documentary of all time is the Planet Earth series. The first part, which consisted of 11 episodes, each covering a different biome, aired in 2006. Every episode was 50 minutes long and was followed by a 10-minute behind-the-scenes look at how filming that specific habitat went. Showing the hardships of filming some of the habitats was a new look that viewers hadn’t seen much of before, and it made appreciating the jaw-dropping shots the crew managed to get for best nature documentaries even easier.
5
Blue Planet II (2017)
A Follow-Up To The Groundbreaking Marine Life Nature Documentary
TV Show
My Favorite TV Shows
My Watchlist
Success!
See more : The New Look Season 1 Episode 4 Ending Explained, Plot, Cast, and More
Your Rating
close
10 stars
9 stars
8 stars
7 stars
6 stars
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Rate Now
0/10
Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Blue Planet II
TV-G
See more : 10 Best Movies Like The Dead Don’t Die
Documentary
Family
Nature
Release Date
2017 – 2016
Network
BBC One
Directors
Alastair Fothergill
Cast
See All
-
David Attenborough
Self – Presenter
Powered by
Expand
Collapse
For fans that wanted more after watching The Blue Planet, almost a decade later they were gifted The Blue Planet II. While the first documentary focused more on the information and details of ocean life and all within it, the second season covered mankind’s influence on the oceans. Not only did the documentary have moments that were never before seen, but the soundtrack behind the film was created by the unexpected duo of Radiohead and Hans Zimmer. The music composition combined with the footage that was caught created an epic sequel about the ocean. This was a BBC series that aired in America on BBC America, AMC, IFC, Sundance, and We tv.
4
Planet Earth II (2016)
The Iconic Second Installment Of One Of The Best Nature Documentaries Ever Made
When Planet Earth wasn’t enough for both viewers and the BBC, the crew got back together and went out exploring some more. After years of hard work, they were able to put together Planet Earth II. Just when fans thought that they had seen the best, this documentary dropped, and yet again everyone was floored. The clarity of the pictures, and the proximity as well, were astounding. While some of the biomes were repeats from the first series, others were new providing a whole new outlook on the wild world around humans. BBC ended up with one of the best nature documentaries ever made.
3
David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet (2020)
The Celebrated Documentarian Shares His Philosophy Of Conservation
Movie
My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist
Success!
Your Rating
close
10 stars
9 stars
8 stars
7 stars
6 stars
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Rate Now
0/10
Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet
PG
See more : 10 Best Movies Like The Dead Don’t Die
Documentary
Drama
Release Date
September 28, 2020
Runtime
83 minutes
Director
Alastair Fothergill, Keith Scholey
Producers
Colin Butfield
Cast
-
David Attenborough
Narrator – Presenter
-
Max Hughes
Young David
Powered by
Expand
Collapse
There might not be a more important person when it comes to telling the world about the struggles and beauty of nature than David Attenborough. In David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet, he shares his concern about the current state of the planet and the dangers of humanity’s impact on various environments in nature. This was a Netflix release, and it also had a companion book that came out with it, as this was a subject dear to Attenborough’s heart. The series received universal acclaim and won three Primetime Creative Emmy Awards.
2
Frozen Planet (2011-2012)
An Expedition Into The Freezing Extremes Of Life On Planet Earth
TV Show
My Favorite TV Shows
My Watchlist
Success!
Your Rating
close
10 stars
9 stars
8 stars
7 stars
6 stars
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Rate Now
0/10
Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Frozen Planet
TV-PG
See more : 10 Best Movies Like The Dead Don’t Die
Documentary
Nature
Release Date
2011 – 2011
Network
BBC One
Writers
Paul Spillenger
Cast
See All
-
David Attenborough
Self – Narrator
Powered by
Expand
Collapse
The BBC documentary Frozen Planet takes viewers to both the Arctic and the Antarctic explores the tragedies and the beauties of these snow-covered lands. From getting an inside look at what the seasons are like on the poles, to getting a close look at what a snowflake really looks like and how important snow really is to the area, this is one of the best nature documentaries, giving insight onto just how diverse life really can be in such a harsh environment. This was highly successful when it hit the United States and ended up winning four Emmy Awards, including one for Outstanding Nonfiction Series.
1
March Of The Penguins (2005)
Morgan Freeman Narrates An Emotive Natural Journey
March of the Penguins
G
See more : 10 Best Movies Like The Dead Don’t Die
Documentary
Family
Release Date
January 26, 2005
Runtime
80 minutes
Director
Luc Jacquet
Cast
-
Charles Berling
-
Romane Bohringer
-
Jules Sitruk
-
Amitabh Bachchan
Powered by
Expand
Collapse
It is impossible to talk about the best nature documentaries without discussing March of the Penguins. Released in 2005, this French movie was directed by Luc Jacquet and produced by National Geographic. It is also notable for the American version having none other than Morgan Freeman as the narrator. The documentary is about the yearly journey of the emperor penguins of Antarctica. This nature documentary stands above the rest for two main reasons. First, it was the most successful, making $127 million at the box office (via Box Office Mojo) and, secondly, it won an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature.
Source: https://truongnguyenbinhkhiem.edu.vn
Category: Entertainment