10 Inspiring Nature Documentaries That Will Remind You Why Humans Are Despicable 

This planet is a wondrous thing. We have oceans deeper than our mountains are tall, reptiles that can live for over a hundred years, and rainforests that house over a quarter of the world’s natural medicines. And yet, we’ve done a shitty job of protecting it. For all the preaching on being “the shepherds of the Earth,” humans have botched their stewardship role. Instead, we’ve exploited every natural resource we know of, created a sauna trap of greenhouse gases, and are directing this planet toward ruin. 

In case you missed it, a group of scientists staged a protest that went viral, informing citizens of the cruel truth: the planet is dying, we have only a few years left to turn things around, and governments and big corporations are not doing enough. For years, scientists have unanimously agreed that humans are responsible for climate change and global warming, and for decades, they’ve been ignored.

If you feel like the battle against climate change seems futile, we’ve gathered a list of inspiring and eye-opening nature documentaries that will remind you why protecting this planet is worth it. It might also remind you that humans are pretty despicable to put Earth in peril, but it will show you the creatures and habitats that are worth our effort.  

1| Our Great National Parks

Only a hundred years ago, there were more wild areas than human-occupied places in the world. But things have drastically changed. In an effort to protect the untouched wilderness, countries have created national parks that protect the animals that call these parks home. Former U.S. president and nature enthusiast Barrack Obama narrates this stunning new documentary from Netflix.  

2| Surviving Paradise: A Family Tale

If Lion King was your favorite Disney movie growing up, then Surviving Paradise will be your favorite documentary as an adult. The documentary follows different animal families in the Okavango Delta in Africa, home to rich biodiversity that is able to survive the extreme droughts, famines, and floods of this corner of the world.

3| Kiss the Ground 

For all the plantitas and plantitos out there, Kiss the Ground speaks your language. Narrated by the indomitable Woody Harrelson, this documentary tackles the roots of climate change—quite literally. Kiss the Ground gets to the bottom of soil quality, agriculture, and CO2 distribution to understand how curing the soil might help slave the planet. 

4| Our Planet 

Unlike other animal documentaries, Our Planet focuses on how human activity is changing the lives of animals and habitats. David Attenborough takes us from the unforgiving North Pole to the wilds of the Serengeti to show us what we have left to lose should climate change get worse. 

5| Breaking Boundaries 

Another Attenborough documentary, Breaking Boundaries dives into the science of climate change, global warming, humanity, and civilization. It outlines the planet’s thresholds so viewers understand the gravity of the situation, as well as the potential solutions we can implement before it’s too late. 

6| Life in Color with David Attenborough 

Many of us learn colors in the context of the natural world—the ocean is blue, flamingos are pink, tigers are orange and black. In contrast to humanity’s shades of gray, wildlife has always been a rainbow of fluorescent colors. In Life in Color, Attenborough explains the meaning and purpose behind the colors of the natural world. 

7| David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet 

David Attenborough is a giant in documentary filmmaking, but he’s also an inspirational human being who’s dedicated his life to protecting the natural world. In A Life on Our Planet, we follow Attenborough’s life milestones and view the world through the eyes of a naturalist. And through his eyes, the world is heading to disaster.

8| Mission Blue 

If you ever have doubts about global warming, just talk to an oceanographer or diver. The evidence is clear in our bleached corals and marine animal behavior. Mission Blue follows the story of world-renowned oceanographer Sylvia Earle and her lifelong mission to protect the world’s oceans. As Sylvia explains, “No ocean, no life.” 

9| Animal

Bears, lions, tigers, eagles—these are “nature’s biggest stars.” They’re the animals kids flock to in the zoos, but even they are in danger of human activity. Animal takes viewers on a rollercoaster ride as it documents the exciting and precious lives of these great beasts. 

10| Night on Earth 

This documentary follows the curious and mysterious activities of the wilderness during the night. It’s a hidden side of the natural world that’s rarely caught on camera, but Night on Earth manages to shed light on the world of nocturnal animals on Earth.