17 Essential Nature Documentary Films
17 titles
- 1
EarthMovie · 2007 · 90m · DocumentaryEARTH, from Disneynature, follows the journeys of three animal families: polar bears, elephants, and humpback whales. It's an epic adventure showcasing the courage and magnificence of these creatures as they navigate life across the planet.IMDb 7.9TMDB 7.6 - 2
Wings of LifeMovie · 2011 · 77m · DocumentaryA beautiful love story is in danger – our future depends on it. The intricate relationships between bees, butterflies, birds, and bats, which enable plant reproduction, form a delicate and vital connection. Flowers, far from being merely beautiful, use their vibrant colors and flavors to attract pollinators, sparking a complex dance of seduction that sustains a third of our crops. Pollen and the animals that carry it are the unsung heroes of the global food chain. Their world is full of stories, drama, and beauty, but this fragile ecosystem is now threatened and in need of active protection.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.1 - 3
Anima MundiMovie · 1991 · 29m · Documentary, MusicDirector Godfrey Reggio and composer Philip Glass collaborate on a visually stunning film supporting the World Wildlife Fund's Biological Diversity Campaign. The movie combines breathtaking nature footage with Glass's hypnotic score, inspired by Microcosmos and Reggio's Koyaanisqatsi. This creates a mesmerizing experience that encourages viewers to consider humanity’s place in the natural world and our duty to protect its ecosystems. Reggio and Glass invite audiences on an unforgettable sensory journey that stays with them long after viewing.IMDb 7.5TMDB 6.7 - 4
Great Natural Wonders of the WorldMovie · 2002 · 57mDavid Attenborough embarks on a journey across seven continents to produce a special television program highlighting the diverse and stunning natural wonders of Earth.IMDb 7.5TMDB 5.2 - 5
Fabulous FrogsMovie · 2014 · 60mSir David Attenborough explores the fascinating lives of frogs in this film. Using firsthand stories, new scientific discoveries, and advanced technology, he reveals the remarkable diversity of these colorful creatures. The film showcases frogs from across the globe, highlighting their unique anatomy, appearances, and behaviors. Their incredible adaptations and survival strategies have made them the most successful amphibians today.IMDb 8.4TMDB 8.3 - 6
ChimpanzeeMovie · 2012 · 78m · DocumentaryThis nature documentary follows a family of chimpanzees in the rain forests of Ivory Coast and Uganda. We experience the world through Oscar, a young chimp, as he navigates life in the African jungle – a journey filled with humor, emotion, and hardship. After a devastating event separates him from his mother, Oscar must learn to survive alone in the challenging environment. Eventually, he finds refuge with an older chimp who offers him protection.IMDb 7.1TMDB 7.0 - 7
Attenborough and the Giant EggMovie · 2011 · 60mDavid Attenborough journeys back to Madagascar on a deeply personal mission. In 1960, during filming for his early wildlife series *Zoo Quest*, he found a giant egg – the egg of the extinct elephant bird, the largest bird to ever live. This has remained a treasured possession for him ever since. Now, fifty years later, Attenborough returns to explore the island further and understand how it has changed. Could the elephant bird's story offer insights for protecting Madagascar’s current wildlife? The film combines archival footage from *Zoo Quest* with new footage as Attenborough revisits familiar locations and meets conservationists. Back at Oxford University, scientists reveal the egg’s age, potentially shedding new light on the legendary bird.TMDB 8.6 - 8
The Amber Time MachineMovie · 2004 · 48mDavid Attenborough investigates the creatures trapped within a piece of Baltic amber, a gift from his adoptive sister when he was a child. He seeks to identify the ancient life preserved inside.IMDb 8.2TMDB 7.5 - 9
MicrocosmosMovie · 1996 · 80m · DocumentaryThis documentary offers an intimate look into the lives of insects in meadows and ponds, using advanced filmmaking to reveal their daily lives and survival strategies. Close-ups and slow motion capture bees gathering nectar, ladybugs eating mites, snails mating, and spiders building webs. Time-lapse photography shows a scarab beetle's persistence in rolling dung uphill, caterpillars marching, an underwater spider creating an air bubble, and mosquitoes hatching. The film highlights the interconnectedness of life and inspires appreciation for these small creatures.IMDb 7.9TMDB 7.6 - 10
The Crimson Wing: Mystery of the FlamingosMovie · 2008 · 78m · DocumentaryDeep in the remote wilderness of Lake Natron, northern Tanzania, a remarkable natural phenomenon occurs: the entire life cycle of a million flamingos, from birth to death.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.2 - 11
Monkey KingdomMovie · 2015 · 81m · DocumentaryIn the dense jungles of South Asia, a mother monkey and her infant face a challenging life within the Temple Troop. This lively community of monkeys navigates a complex social order while living in ancient ruins. They must fight to survive.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.0 - 12
BearsMovie · 2014 · 78m · DocumentaryAlastair Fothergill and Keith Scholey document a year in the lives of Sky, an Alaskan brown bear, and her cubs, Scout and Amber. The film follows the family from their awakening after winter hibernation. Throughout the year, they rely on each other to find food and avoid dangers, particularly from other bears. While their lives are full of adventure, survival depends on staying together as a family.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.4 - 13
OceansMovie · 2010 · 84m · Documentary, FamilyThis ecological drama/documentary follows a global journey. It blends elements of a thriller with a thoughtful look at the disappearing beauty of underwater ecosystems.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.4 - 14
Charles Darwin and the Tree of LifeMovie · 2009 · 60m · Documentary, TV MovieDavid Attenborough, renowned for his natural history documentaries, explores the core of his work: Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection. This film offers a personal reflection by Attenborough on his own life and how he embraced Darwin's groundbreaking idea.IMDb 8.4TMDB 7.6 - 15
African CatsMovie · 2011 · 89m · Documentary, AdventureAfrican Cats follows the lives of lions, cheetahs, and other animals on the savanna. It centers on Mara, a lion cub learning from her mother; Sita, a single mother cheetah raising five cubs; and Fang, a lion leader protecting his pride from a returning rival. The film shows their struggles, their bonds, and their fight for survival.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.4 - 16
BearsMovie · 2004 · 39mThis film showcases stunning footage of omnivorous bears, from polar bears in the Arctic to black bears in the Northern Rockies. Witness salmon-fishing grizzlies on Alaska's McNeil River and a close look inside a den with a mother black bear and her cubs. The film also explores the challenges these bears face as their habitats shrink.IMDb 7.0TMDB 5.6 - 17National Geographic - YellowstoneMovie · 2012
