Over the years, filmmakers have worked harder than ever to create some of the best nature documentaries showing the world how important the planet's preservation really is. As the fight for humans to accept climate change continues, the greatest nature documentaries ever made each highlight, from different perspectictives, why the natural world is worth saving. From everything David Attenborough narrates to films like Disney's Monkey Kingdom, there are a wide variety of options when it comes to nature documentaries. These movies offer people a chance to celebrate the planet and all its amazing inhabitants year-round.

Thanks to the age of streaming, there are more places to watch great nature documentaries now than ever before. What used to be relegated to educational networks are now instantly available on platforms like Disney+, Netflix, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime Video. Nature documentaries have never been more accessible. However, as with any other genre, there are many options that stand above the rest. From learning about different continents and the ocean to gaining an education about the plight of animals across the world, the best nature documentaries cover every corner of the natural world.

15 Honeyland (2019)

A Grounded Exploration Of The Relationship Between Humanity And Nature

Many of the best nature documentaries explore the relationship between animals and humanity, but few explore when this partnership is harmonious and symbiotic quite like 2019’s Honeyland. Directed by Tamara Kotevska and Ljubomir Stefanov, Honeyland was filmed over three years, following Macedonian beekeeper, Hatidže Muratova, whose peaceful way of life is disrupted when a nomadic family arrives and exploits the bees for commercial gain. Honeyland blends themes of sustainability, tradition, and human impact on the environment. The powerful message about coexisting with nature earned Honeyland critical acclaim, including nominations for both Best Documentary Feature and Best International Feature at the Academy Awards.

14 All That Breathes (2022)

The Documentary That Exposes The Danger Of Air Pollution

Like several of the best nature documentaries ever made, 2022’s All That Breathes has a strong environmental message. Set in the polluted urban landscape of New Delhi, All That Breathes follows two brothers, Nadeem and Saud, who dedicate their lives to rescuing and rehabilitating black kites - birds of prey that are falling from the sky due to toxic air. A defining work for director Shaunak Sen, All That Breaths is as visually stunning as it is deeply moving. Compared to many other nature documentaries, All That Breathes stands out for its nuanced storytelling, capturing the fragility of both nature and human resilience in a rapidly changing world.

13 Kedi (2016)

A Personal Journey With The Stray Cats Of Istanbul

While many iconic nature documentaries have a global perspective, this isn’t always the case. A more intimate example of a timeless nature documentary is 2016’s Kedi, from director Ceyda Torun. Set entirely in the same city, Kedi is a heartwarming exploration of the unique relationship between Istanbul’s stray cats and the local residents. The film follows several feline personalities as they roam the streets, weaving their way through markets, cafés, and homes, while touching the lives of the people they encounter. Its gentle storytelling and stunning cinematography manage to effortlessly capture the spirit of a city through the eyes of its feline inhabitants.

12 Born To Be Wild (2011)

Morgan Freeman Narrates An Essential Conservationist Documentary

Celebrated actor Morgan Freeman has narrated several celebrated nature documentaries, and among them is 2011’s Born To Be Wild. Like many of the best nature documentaries, Born To Be Wild has a strong environmentalist message. It focuses on the extraordinary efforts of conservationists who rescue and rehabilitate orphaned elephants in Kenya and orangutans in Borneo. It’s a deeply moving exploration of wildlife conservation, offering an intimate look at the people dedicating their lives to saving endangered species. What’s more, with its stunning IMAX cinematography, Born To Be Wild is still visually incredible despite releasing over a decade ago.

11 Monkey Kingdom (2015)

The Perfect Balance Of Education And Entertainment

Directed by Mark Linfield and Alastair Fothergill, Monkey Kingdom has a lot going for it beyond being a showcase of stunning footage of monkeys. This nature documentary is narrated by Tina Fey, with her unique vocal talents adding a refreshing dose of humor and warmth. While examining primates in a broader sense too, Monkey Kingdom specifically follows a clever toque macaque named Maya as she raises her newborn in the ancient ruins of Sri Lanka and faces social hierarchies within her troop and challenges from the surrounding jungle. Combining stunning cinematography with engaging narration, Monkey Kingdom brings the drama of the animal world to life in a way that is both educational and entertaining.

10 Seven Worlds, One Planet (2019)

A Dive Into The Wildlife Of All Seven Continents

Seven Worlds One Planet is one of the best nature documentaries ever made, a wonderful breakdown of what each of the seven continents has to offer in of wildlife. The vast landscapes that cover much of some continents to the relationship some of the animals have formed with humans due to the way humans have inhabited their space are shown in this breathtaking documentary. Each episode covers one continent, exposing some aspects that don't work, and highlighting other things that need to be more important for humans to continue living on Earth. Showing the extremes in some lands makes for an eye-opening series.

9 Blackfish (2013)

The Nature Documentary That Exposed Significant Problems With Seaworld

When it was released in 2013, Blackfish was considered one of the best nature documentaries ever made - and one of the most controversial. The documentary shook up the world when it focused on the lives of killer whales. In this case, it followed Tilikum, a performing orca that was highly intelligent, yet held in captivity for its entire life for the entertainment of fans at SeaWorld. Blackfish caused several protests about the treatment of killer whales at SeaWorld and ended up nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Documentary.

8 The Blue Planet (2001)

An Unparalleled Dive Into Ocean Life

The fact that the oceans cover more than 70% of the Earth's surface is something many people are aware of. Just how much of the oceans scientists have been able to explore is significantly less, but The Blue Planet does show off some of what has been discovered. The Blue Planet took more than five years to make. Between gathering footage, and making sure everything was factually correct, the amount of effort put into this documentary was enormous and more than paid off. The Blue Planet, and its sequel, are considered some of the best nature documentaries about the ocean.

7 Our Planet (2019)

The Groundbreaking Netflix Nature Documentary

Netflix is creating more and more originals as it continues to gain popularity. While it does seem to have lots of documentaries on off-beat topics, Netflix doesn't have a lot of originals when it comes to the best nature documentaries. However, Our Planet is one addition that stands with the best from the Discovery Channel. The episodes are broken up according to habitat, from forests to the coastal seas, the show explores all parts of the world. Filmed over four years, the show explores the beauties and wonders that each habit has to offer and brings a unique look to these ecosystems that viewers have been shown many times.

6 Planet Earth (2006)

One Of The Most Iconic Nature Documentaries Ever Made

Perhaps the most iconic and well-known nature documentary of all time is the Planet Earth series. The first part, which consisted of 11 episodes, each covering a different biome, aired in 2006. Every episode was 50 minutes long and was followed by a 10-minute behind-the-scenes look at how filming that specific habitat went. Showing the hardships of filming some of the habitats was a new look that viewers hadn't seen much of before, and it made appreciating the jaw-dropping shots the crew managed to get for best nature documentaries even easier.