Blog

Nov 01, 2023

10 Best Nature Documentaries of All Time

You’ve had a long, stressful week and just want to relax. Nothing sounds better than kicking back on the couch, maybe with some snacks, and losing yourself in the stunning cinematography of a nature

You’ve had a long, stressful week and just want to relax. Nothing sounds better than kicking back on the couch, maybe with some snacks, and losing yourself in the stunning cinematography of a nature documentary. The soothing sounds of the narrator’s voice and the visual escapism into the natural world can do wonders for your mental state. The only problem is, there are so many amazing nature documentaries out there spanning the globe – how do you choose?

We’ve compiled a list of the 10 best nature documentaries of all time so you can dive right in. From the plains of Africa to the depths of the oceans, these films will transport you with breathtaking footage of the world’s most fascinating animals and places. Get ready to be wowed, learn something new about our planet, and recharge your senses. The perfect weekend awaits.

Planet Earth is a masterpiece. This 2006 BBC documentary series explores some of the world’s most breathtaking natural wonders and provides a glimpse into the lives of animals around the globe.

Over 5 years in the making, Planet Earth utilizes state-of-the-art technology and aerial drone footage to give viewers a bird’s-eye view of places most will never experience firsthand. From the heights of snow-capped mountains to the depths of dense jungles, this series whisks you away to mysterious landscapes teeming with life.

The legendary Blue Planet series took viewers beneath the waves and shared the wonders of Earth’s oceans. This 2001 documentary was groundbreaking for its time, using new filming techniques to capture footage of sea creatures and behaviours never before seen on film.

Narrated by Sir David Attenborough, Blue Planet explores the world’s oceans and the animals that inhabit them. From the depths of the abyss to the coastal shallows, you’ll see everything from whales and sharks to plankton and krill. Episodes cover temperate seas, the deep ocean, frozen seas, coastal seas, and coral seas.

Planet Earth II is one of the most stunning nature documentaries ever made. Released in 2016, this six-part series from the BBC showcases breathtaking footage of our planet’s natural wonders and wildlife.

Filmed over three years across 40 countries, Planet Earth II captures rare and dramatic scenes from the lives of animals around the globe. You’ll be awed by sweeping aerial shots of dramatic landscapes as well as intimate glimpses into the daily struggles of life in the wild. From the highest mountains to the deepest oceans, each episode focuses on a different habitat and the animals that live there.

The award-winning nature documentary Frozen Planet takes you on an epic journey to the last great wilderness on Earth—the polar regions. This stunning series explores the Arctic and Antarctic, from the North and South poles to the edges of the pack ice.

Over four years in the making, Frozen Planet captures groundbreaking footage of the planet’s most spectacular wildlife events. You’ll witness humpback whales hunting in Antarctic waters, polar bears struggling to raise their cubs in a warming world, and the emperor penguin’s dramatic journey across ice floes to its breeding grounds. The series is narrated by the legendary Sir David Attenborough, with music composed by George Fenton.

The Hunt follows the most dramatic stories in the animal kingdom – the chase and the capture. Some of the most intense scenes in nature documentaries show the predator-prey relationship in action.

When a lioness sets her sights on a wildebeest calf, the chase is on. Despite the herd’s attempts to protect the vulnerable calf, the lioness systematically separates it from the group. Her powerful legs carry her stealthily over the savanna, getting closer and closer to her target. The chase culminates in a dramatic takedown, the lioness’ strong jaws clamping onto the neck of the doomed calf.

The nature documentary series Life is a breathtaking look at the incredible diversity of life on our planet. Released in 2009, this BBC documentary series follows the journey of life from single-celled organisms to complex communities.

Each episode focuses on a different aspect of the tree of life, from plants and fungi to insects and fish. The cinematography is stunning, with sweeping vistas of the African savanna and microscopic views of a bee hive in action. Using the latest camera technology, you’ll witness never-before-seen behaviours and gain a deeper understanding of how living things are interconnected in the web of life.

One of the most stunning natural landscapes on the planet has to be the African savanna. In the BBC documentary Africa, you’ll embark on a breathtaking journey into the wilds of Africa, from the Cape of Good Hope to the peaks of Kilimanjaro.

In northern Tanzania, witness the largest mammal migration on Earth in the Serengeti as millions of wildebeests, zebras, and antelope traverse the savanna in search of fresh grazing land. Predators like lions, leopards, and cheetahs stalk the herds, and crocodiles lurk in the Grumeti River waiting to ambush a meal. The raw beauty and primal drama of the Serengeti is a sight to behold.

One of the most breathtaking nature documentaries of recent years, Blue Planet II dives into the deepest depths of the world’s oceans to reveal the hidden wonders beneath the waves.

This BBC documentary is a sequel to the acclaimed 2001 series The Blue Planet. Using cutting-edge technology, the filmmakers capture never-before-seen footage of strange alien creatures and epic wildlife dramas in every ocean on our planet. You’ll be amazed by glowing fish in the abyssal deep, dolphins surfing in South Africa, and whales singing complex songs to each other.

Chasing Coral is a Netflix original documentary from 2017 that follows a team of divers, photographers, and scientists as they document the disappearance of coral reefs around the world.

From the lens of underwater cameras, you’ll witness the devastating effects of climate change firsthand as the filmmakers capture how coral bleaching is destroying many of the world’s reefs. As carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere rise, the oceans absorb much of the excess heat and the delicate corals can’t handle it. Their colourful algae symbionts flee, leaving the corals pale and sickly. Some estimates say nearly one-third of the world’s reefs have already been lost.

Our Planet is a 2019 nature documentary series, focusing on the natural wonders of Earth and the impacts of climate change. Narrated by Sir David Attenborough, this Netflix original docuseries is one of the most ambitious projects of its kind.

Filmed over 4 years across 50 countries, Our Planet features stunning 4K footage of nature’s greatest spectacles. You’ll be mesmerized by flamingo dance parties, whale songs echoing across the Antarctic, and baby sea turtles venturing into the ocean for the first time. The cinematography is visually striking and emotionally evocative.

There we have it our list of 10 best nature documentaries. What do you think about our picks? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below: