It’s simple to become doom-scrolling and pessimistic about the future in a world overrun by ominous news headlines and threatening politics. there a fix for that? the well-liked nature film. There are many TV series and films to choose from to temporarily escape reality and unwind after a stressful day or emotional ups and downs, but the nature documentary has a unique way of calming. The nature documentary gives a mild awareness for the overburdened spectator, whether it’s enjoying the humorous voice of David Attenborough or the silky one of Morgan Freeman, savouring the deep blue colour of the ocean, or watching the leisurely movements of a sloth as it climbs a tree.
Who should I watch, though? Nature documentaries come in all different forms. From those that concentrate on a particular animal species to those that transport the spectator throughout the globe to observe the diversity of the earth’s flora. from the dreadful polar glacier cliffs to the strong and unyielding trees that make up the Amazon jungle. This selection of wildlife documentaries has something for everyone if you have a Netflix, Disney +, or Amazon Prime account.
Updated April 22, 2023: If you crave tranquilly and can’t get enough of nature documentaries, you’ll be delighted to hear we’ve added new information and films to this article.
America’s National Parks
There are designated parks around the country that are protected grounds, and they are home to a wide variety of wild plants and animals. And while visiting all of these incredible and breathtaking locations would be our dream vacation or road trip, it isn’t always feasible. America’s National Parks have you covered, so don’t worry. Follow Garth Brooks as he leads you to some of these parks in a docuseries that focuses on America’s most treasured natural areas. The show explains the special characteristics of these natural environments and why they are significant for us and our biodiversity, focusing on one park per episode.
You can find yourself swooning over the guizers at Yellow Stone National Park or getting a small chill from Glacier National Park’s icy creations. This series will take you through the parks like you have never seen them before, whether you have always wanted to visit one or have visited and miss your time there. America’s National Parks, which are visually magnificent and packed with educational information, may be the retreat you’ve been yearning for.If you have a Disney+ subscription, you may watch it right away. If not, the Netflix series Our National Parks, hosted by Barack Obama, is an excellent alternative.
Chimpanzee
Chimpanzee, a different Disneynature-funded documentary, follows Oscar, a young, boisterous chimpanzee. While Oscar’s early years are happy and uneventful, with his adoring mother teaching him the fundamentals of chimpanzee life, everything changes when a rival chimpanzee gang intrudes on his area. Oscar has to learn how to grow up in a more turbulent atmosphere because he is separated from his mother, who is believed to be dead and isolated from the group.
You’ll relate to Oscar and his attempts to mature—almost a metaphor for our own coming of age in trying times. Watch as Oscar utilises trial-and-error methods to assist himself because he is unable to recall the lessons his mother taught him while she was away. It seems like our protagonist’s only options are to reach out to other mother chimpanzees in this new group or try to raise himself. That is, until Freddy, the group’s alpha male, steps in as an unusual carer, and everything about Oscar’s luck starts to change.
Chimpanzee is an emotive film about mom, compassion, and the value of community when growing up. It is a tragic story that ultimately turns into a heartwarming one. On Disney+, you can see how this unusual pair develops as a unit.
Flight of the Butterflies
The documentary Flight of the Butterflies focuses on a subject that most people are already familiar with and that we all studied in elementary school: the presence of butterflies across North America is one of the most telling signs that spring has arrived. While we are all familiar with the process by which a caterpillar turns into a butterfly and emerges from its chrysalis, there is another fascinating aspect to the tale of this insect: where do butterflies spend the winter? That topic will be addressed in this documentary, which also features a dramatic recreation of Dr. Fred Urquhart’s nearly 40-year inquiry of monarch butterflies.
Throughout his lifetime study of butterflies, Urquhart came across one of the longest-known insect migrations. Scientists were able to follow the monarch butterfly’s annual migrations from Central Mexico into the United States and Canada and back again because to his efforts. If you’re curious to understand more about the migration of monarch butterflies and how this migration pattern was discovered, you can watch the movie on Amazon Prime Video. It’s a magnificent process shot in 4K.
March of the Penguins
Penguins have an unusual manner of parenting their young, which you may have seen in the movie Happy Feet. March of the Penguins was specifically created to elaborate on that. Follow one colony of emperor penguins as they reveal the details of their private and distinctive breeding rituals, as narrated by the legendary Morgan Freeman. The movie has gained cult status, and for good reason—it’s adorable and enjoyable, but it also shows how difficult it can be to raise children in Antarctica.
You’ll be astounded by the difficult choices the colony has to make in order to preserve the health of its eggs and young. Watching these penguins create a life, from choosing their breeding location on the ice to mating and caring for their egg before giving birth, will make you thrilled. Watch now on HBO Max to watch the struggles and triumphs that penguins of all ages encounter each winter.
Our Planet
The significance of conservation efforts and the difficulties encountered in the field are covered in the thought-provoking work of the docuseries Our Planet. Conservationists work to protect the habitats of other animals, which helps to preserve biodiversity and stop the extinction of certain species. Constant obstacles make conservation an already challenging undertaking. This series demonstrates the impact humans have had on the environment, from bureaucratic regulations and restrictions on human development to habitat destruction for natural resources and climate change.
Having to deal with the effects of human interference in the natural world can be frightening. We are eliminating land from these habitats as we develop and flourish, endangering the species that inhabited there. Animals struggle to live when climate change makes ecosystems less hospitable by increasing the frequency of forest fires, droughts, and storms. Our Planet is a profoundly spiritual experience that sheds light on the actions that must be taken by people in order to improve the natural environment. The show inspires viewers to make a difference by posing the question of how we might live more in tune with our surroundings. Stream this important series from Netflix.
Planet Earth
Following the popularity of The Blue Planet, BBC Studios invested an additional five years to produce the 11-episode Planet Earth docuseries. Similar to its predecessor, each episode has a similar framework but focuses on a new topic, with each hour spotlighting a different biome or habitat. Discover what each biome contains by exploring the gloomy depths of dark tunnels or the vibrant, expansive greenery of jungles.
Planet Earth beautifully depicts the diverse hues, textures, and noises of the planet. After all, the world’s flora and animals are somewhat bizarre. The main goal of the movie is to show how a particular biome’s particular weather patterns and ecological conditions affect the animals, plants, and intricate relationships that have developed between them. Planet Earth is the perfect resource for anyone curious about the differences between, for example, a polar tundra and a coastal island. Watch this series on Discovery+ or Amazon Prime Video.
The Blue Planet
The Blue Planet takes its time to capture the best of the ocean in this docuseries, which took nearly five years to film. Discover the fascinating world of the sea and its inhabitants over the course of eight distinct adventures. Each episode focuses on a different facet of its animal life, from the coastal and milder areas to the frigid oceans surrounding Antarctica. Once more, David Attenborough captivates audiences with his narration, illuminating how the ocean is the source of all life on Earth.
This eye-opening documentary shows a whole new world in the ocean, from calm blue whales to charging orcas, sharks grazing near the surface and scavengers in the deep. The crew even managed to shoot some previously undocumented creatures and behaviours, which are now included in this series for the first time. Blue Planet is a visual spectacular that will make you fall in love with all things aquatic all over again. It is coloured in stunning tones of blue, green, and silver. You can watch this series on Amazon Prime Video or Discovery+ if you want to learn more about what occurs underwater.
The Year Earth Changed
In the midst of the chaos and misery caused by these extraordinary years of the world pandemic, there was one encouraging development: during the worldwide lockdown, some parts of the world and the creatures that lived there flourished. Famous British presenter David Attenborough narrates the inspiring ways humans have been able to interact with wildlife in the midst of a pandemic in the uplifting Apple TV+ documentary The Year Earth Changed. He also discusses how changes in human behaviour have benefited and positively influenced environment. Nature was allowed to embrace its energy once more during the epidemic and fully bloom, from the oceans to the skies and the land in between.
This documentary is for you if important issues like climate change have you feeling sad. The Year Earth Changed offers a positive outlook for the future and is brimming with ideas for a human world that is more in tune with the natural one. The enlightening image’s logline from the streaming behemoth read, “People all over the world have had the chance to engage with nature like never before, from hearing birdsong in deserted cities, to witnessing whales communicate in new ways, to encountering capybaras in South American suburbs.”
Virunga
Some of the world’s last mountain gorillas, an extremely uncommon and endangered member of the ape family that conservationists are fighting to preserve, are found deep within the vast Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The moving Netflix documentary Virunga provides a moving look at the park’s incredible biodiversity, untamed beauty, and the significance of parks for conservation efforts. In the Oscar-nominated movie, gorilla carer André Bauma is followed as he interacts with and cares for the critically endangered species and the close bond he forms with both the gorillas and the environment.
The movie clarifies the persistent political and economic issues affecting the key area. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a resource-rich nation that developed nations frequently plunder for its crops and minerals. These natural ecosystems and the creatures that live there are frequently in peril due to mining operations, development, and commercial endeavours. Virunga emphasises the efforts of park rangers in the neighbourhood and the crucial work they carry out to save the biodiversity of the area in response to such difficulties. The World Wide Fund for Nature Inc. (WWF) praised the thought-provoking film for its effective campaign against the Soco International oil corporation, which caused Soco to cease operations in the area.
Wings of Life
Disney’s studio, Disneynature, contributes to the production and distribution of a sizable number of nature documentaries. However, Wings of Life is without a doubt the Disney portfolio’s most imaginative nature film. Wings of Life invites viewers to witness the diverse avian inhabitants of our planet, from birds to bees and everything in between. Join Meryl Streep as she guides you in learning about the world of avian creatures and their significance to a balanced ecology.
Numerous avian species have a vital bond with plants and flowers. Winged species are tasked with pollination and seed propagation, an essential process that keeps these plants fresh and healthy, using these blooms as a source of food. The environment, the survival of various species, and the existence of flowers all depend on this symbiotic interaction. If this seems intriguing to you, watch the documentary on Disney+ to discover more about this subject.
