16 Inspiring Documentaries Exploring Nature, Culture, and Adventure
16 titles
- 1
Abducted in Plain SightMovie · 2017 · 91m · Documentary, CrimeA family becomes ensnared by the seemingly friendly neighbor, who ultimately kidnaps their teenage daughter. This terrifying ordeal happens not once, but twice.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.5 - 2
Rodents of Unusual SizeMovie · 2017 · 71mLouisiana, battered by hurricanes and oil spills for years, now confronts a new problem: massive numbers of 20-pound swamp rats called nutria. These invasive rodents reproduce rapidly, overwhelming efforts to manage them. With sharp teeth and a huge appetite, they are destroying the coastal wetlands that protect Thomas and his town of Delacroix Island from storms. But the longtime residents are determined to defend their home.IMDb 7.1TMDB 7.6 - 3
The Elephant QueenMovie · 2019 · 97m · Documentary, FamilyThis documentary follows Athena, a powerful matriarch elephant, and her herd as they undertake a challenging journey through the African wilderness. The film explores themes of family, bravery, and the enduring pull of home.IMDb 7.8TMDB 7.2 - 4
Mission BlueMovie · 2014 · 94m · DocumentaryThis documentary chronicles oceanographer Sylvia Earle's efforts to protect the world's oceans from dangers like overfishing and pollution.IMDb 7.9TMDB 7.4 - 5
SerengetiMovie · 2011 · 100mThe Serengeti's central event is the annual migration of wildebeest, a journey of hundreds of kilometers across the savannah in search of fresh grazing. At the end of the rainy season, over a million animals – including wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles – converge in the north, constantly facing dangers from predators like lions and cheetahs. A key part of this migration is the perilous crossing of the Mara River, where the wildebeest must navigate deep waters and avoid crocodiles. However, as the rainy season begins, they turn back south, a long-held mystery solved by the discovery that the northern grasslands lack essential phosphorus, forcing the wildebeest to retreat to the more fertile southern regions.IMDb 7.5TMDB 6.9 - 6
Gringo: The Dangerous Life of John McAfeeMovie · 2016 · 100m · Documentary, DramaThis true story follows John McAfee, a former tech billionaire who experienced a series of extraordinary events. His life shifts from successful entrepreneur to secluded yogi in the jungle, echoing themes from Joseph Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness'. McAfee's story takes a dramatic turn when he becomes a suspect in a murder. He then unexpectedly considers running for president on the American Libertarian Party ticket. This compelling narrative explores one man’s journey through wealth, isolation, controversy, and ambition.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.6 - 7
The CoveMovie · 2009 · 92m · Documentary"The Cove" recounts the remarkable true story of a dedicated team of filmmakers and freedivers who secretly entered a secluded cove in Japan to expose a disturbing and dangerous truth. Their startling findings revealed a much larger, more troubling reality.IMDb 8.4TMDB 7.9 - 8
David Attenborough: A Life on Our PlanetMovie · 2020 · 83m · Documentary, DramaThis film chronicles a lifetime spent exploring Earth's natural wonders, as seen through the eyes of the world's most renowned natural historian. In over nine decades, Attenborough has journeyed to every continent, documenting the planet's diverse wildlife and landscapes. The film addresses the critical challenges facing life today, ultimately offering a hopeful vision for generations to come.IMDb 8.9TMDB 8.4 - 9
Before the FloodMovie · 2016 · 93m · DocumentaryThis film examines the impact of climate change on the world's environment and explores potential solutions for protecting endangered species, ecosystems, and indigenous communities globally.IMDb 8.1TMDB 7.7 - 10
Explorer: The Last TepuiMovie · 2022 · 55m · Documentary, AdventureThis documentary follows climber Alex Honnold and biologist Bruce Means on an expedition to the South American sky islands, searching for new species and discoveries. It chronicles Honnold and a team of expert climbers, led by National Geographic Explorer Mark Synnott, as they undertake a challenging mission in the Amazon jungle to make the first ascent of a 1000-foot cliff.IMDb 6.9TMDB 7.6 - 11
Cold Case HammarskjöldMovie · 2019 · 129m · Documentary, HistoryNdola, Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), September 18, 1961. UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld dies in a plane crash under mysterious circumstances. Decades later, Danish journalist and filmmaker Mads Brügger and Swedish researcher Göran Björkdahl investigate the event, seeking a conclusive explanation.IMDb 7.5TMDB 6.8 - 12
Dancing with the BirdsMovie · 2019 · 51m · DocumentaryMany of the world's most impressive birds have beautiful and fascinating mating displays. These range from elaborate dances to showing off their bright plumage.IMDb 8.2TMDB 7.8 - 13
HomeMovie · 2009 · 95m · Documentary, Drama, FamilyOver the last 200,000 years, humanity has drastically altered the Earth's delicate natural order, a system that thrived for 4 billion years. Global warming, dwindling resources, and widespread species loss demonstrate humanity’s threat to its own survival. However, despair is not an option: there are only about ten years left to change course. Humanity must recognize its unsustainable consumption and fundamentally alter its way of life.IMDb 8.5TMDB 7.8 - 14
Attenborough's Life That GlowsMovie · 2016 · 59mCreatures that produce their own light – fireflies, glow-worms, and luminous plankton – captivate and amaze us. At night, the ocean comes alive with millions of these tiny lights, illuminating marine life in a breathtaking display. Join Sir David Attenborough and a team of leading scientists and explorers as they embark on a journey to uncover the mysteries of living light.IMDb 8.2TMDB 8.1 - 15
Brothers in Blood: The Lions of Sabi SandMovie · 2015 · 88mThis documentary follows the 16-year journey of a coalition of six lions, known as The Mapogo Lions, as they conquer the largest territory belonging to a single pride.IMDb 8.5TMDB 8.0 - 16
Class Action ParkMovie · 2020 · 90m · DocumentaryClass Action Park examines the story, impact, and reality behind the 1980s water park in Vernon, New Jersey that became a notorious legend. Famous for its hazardous, unregulated attractions, visitors to Action Park routinely anticipated injuries and were fortunate to escape unharmed. Avoiding sentimental views of the past, the film uses investigative reporting, new animations, archival footage, and interviews with those who experienced it to reveal the real story of Action Park.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.6
