Top 10 Best Nature Documentaries

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Nature Documentaries. For this list, we’ll be looking at documentary films that examine animals and the natural world. We want to keep the scope of this list limited to more up to date productions, so we’ll only consider documentaries made after 2000. Tell us what your favorite nature documentaries are in the comments below.

#10: “The Year Earth Changed” (2021)

2020 was a year that many people have less than fond memories of, but the lockdowns and travel bans that drew so much ire gave us a glimpse into another world. In “The Year Earth Changed,” legendary nature narrator and biologist David Attenborough took a look at how this great pause by humanity offered a chance for the natural world to breathe. From sea turtles, to leopards, and even endangered jackass penguins, animals recovered at an astounding rate, meanwhile carbon emissions, sea pollution, and more have all gone down. As the lockdowns end, the film asks if we can continue to live in harmony with nature.

#9: “Chasing Coral” (2017)

For decades, scientists had observed the frighteningly quick death of coral reefs around the world but their pleas for help fell on deaf ears. Enter Richard Vevers, an ad man from the advertising world with a passion for diving among the coral. Vevers sought to use his skills to get the message to motivate people to combat climate change and save the reefs. Teaming with Jeff Orlowski, director of “Chasing Ice,” the team of divers also sought to create time lapses of corals dying. The result showed some of the most vibrant and beautiful things on earth decaying into drab mossy graveyards.

#8: “The Ivory Game” (2016)

This entry can be considered as much of a true crime documentary as it is a nature one. “The Ivory Game” focuses on the people putting their lives on the line by going up against poachers as well as the black market ivory trade, spanning multiple continents. In Africa, anti-poaching teams both try to protect elephants against dangerous poachers and also attempt to catch the poachers while raiding their gun stashes. It also focuses on where the illegal ivory trade is prevalent in Asia, with teams including journalists going undercover. Ultimately, the film highlights that this issue is an international one and we are all more connected to it than it may seem.

#7: “Grizzly Man” (2005)

This film is both a fascinating look at both the grizzly bears of Alaska and the man who spent thirteen seasons living with them. “Grizzly Man” carries with it a sense of melancholy and foreboding about human nature in the way that only director Werner Herzog can deliver with his iconic accent. Compiled from over a hundred hours of footage shot by Timothy Treadwell - who, along with his girlfriend, was ultimately killed by his beloved bears - the film asks questions about obsession and identity and ultimately what lines should be crossed between humans and nature.

#6: “Flight of the Butterflies” (2012)

Of course creatures like elephants and grizzlies aren’t the only subjects of documentaries, as the lives of much smaller creatures can be just as fascinating. “Flight of the Butterflies” details the extraordinary odyssey the monarchs take from Mexico to Canada and America that spans three of the winged insect’s generations. In just as an incredible journey, the flick also chronicles the decades-long research mission by Fred and Norah Urquhart to discover their flight path. Shot for 3D IMAX, the documentary is a truly impressive looking film with breathtaking sequences of the monarchs in flight and a stunning look at the metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly.

#5: “The Cove” (2009)

While it’s not an objective documentary, this film certainly made waves when it came out. “The Cove” takes its name from an area in Taiji, Japan where thousands of dolphins are corralled and captured every year in a hunt. Violently taken from their home, these dolphins are shipped to dolphinariums and marine parks around the world to live in small tanks and depressing conditions. Unfortunately, those kidnapped are the lucky ones. Tenfold more dolphins are taken to a side cove and are killed for their meat. All of this is veiled in levels of secrecy and aggression from the government and fishermen with teams of activists and filmmakers literally putting their lives on the line to expose what’s going on.

#4: “An Inconvenient Truth” (2006)

The inception for the film can be traced all the way back to at least 1989, when Al Gore used a flip chart to illustrate the dangers of climate change. Years and a vice presidency later, Gore felt like his message still wasn’t being heard. However, he had come a long way from flip charts. After seeing Gore’s environmental slide show presentation at a town hall meeting, producer Laurie David helped him develop a feature film. The documentary incorporated charts, images taken from space, and even a clip from “Futurama” to illustrate its point. It ended up being a huge success and helped turn the tide on public opinion on climate change.

#3: “Blackfish” (2013)

This harrowing tale looked at the captive killer whale Tilikum and the questionable practices employed by SeaWorld. The reported abuses and mental distress inflicted on Tilikum and other performing killer whales in SeaWorld facilities make the film incredibly difficult to watch at times. The film asserts that the mental pain, captivity, and isolation felt by the animal were factors in the orca’s attacks on humans. Despite orca attacks being rare in the wild with zero recorded fatalities in history, Tilikum alone has been connected to multiple attacks, including three deaths. As a result of the film, SeaWorld faced severe backlash from both the public and lawmakers.

#2: “My Octopus Teacher” (2020)

Reconnecting with the natural world can be one of the most powerful experiences we can go through as humans, and that is on full display in “My Octopus Teacher.” When filmmaker Craig Foster was at his lowest, he began free-diving in the kelp forest near his hometown where he would eventually meet a curious octopus. The pair quickly formed a unique and close friendship, which he documented for about a year. Their beautiful bond and the alien world he became a part of transformed Craig both on land and at sea. Its beautiful visuals and powerful message made the movie a hit, earning best documentary at the 93rd Academy Awards.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Before the Flood” (2016)

A Captivating Call for Climate Change Action

“Oceans” (2009)

Glimpses into Underwater Worlds

“Jane” (2017)

Chronicles the Life of the Famed Primatologist Jane Goodall

“Seaspiracy” (2021)

Examines the Impact of the Global Fishing Industry

“Samsara” (2011)

A Spiritual Look at the Beautiful Imagery of the Natural World

#1: “March of the Penguins” (2005)

Another film taking home the Oscars’ best documentary feature, “March of the Penguins” was one of the most talked about documentaries of its time. The film followed the epic annual journey of the emperor penguin across the frozen desert of Antarctica. The quest of these flightless birds was both long and difficult, ending with courtship and finally the hatching of a chick. Made by a French team, the movie was a success in its original language but became a mega-hit with the English translation, thanks in no small part to Morgan Freeman’s narration. Over the years, the film remains as impactful and entertaining as ever.