19 of the Best Nature Documentaries 

Spring is almost upon us, auguring a return to all things al fresco. To get you primed, look no further than Vogue’s list of the best nature documentaries.

The past few years have seen a real efflorescence of the nature documentary genre, with Oscar-nominated films like My Octopus Teacher, Fire of Love, and All That Breathes. That’s likely due at least in part to advances in camera technology and the rise of digital film, along with the rapidly growing consciousness that environmental concerns are of urgent importance to all of us. Vogue has curated this list of nonfiction films that go far beyond educational purposes and revel in the full majesty of the outdoors and the wonder of wildlife. Dive into the best nature documentaries, below.

Taiga (1992)

Over eight entrancing and transformative hours (one of my most cherished cinematic experiences), noted German avant-garde filmmaker Ulrike Ottinger explores with great sensitivity the life and rituals of nomadic peoples in northern Mongolia, in all their glorious, unhurried detail; she surveys the breathtaking landscape with no less rigor. A Letterboxd user put it best: “Eight hours of Mongolia and chill.” — Lisa Wong Macabasco

The Sounds of Science (2001)

In 1931, prolific scientist-director Jean Painlevé shot eight delightful, surrealist short films underwater, capturing phenomena both scary and sensual, including the birth of jellyfish and the mating rituals of octopi. Seven decades later, the seminal indie-rock band Yo La Tengo added an ingenious score, without knowing who Painlevé was or watching much of the films. Together it hits the sweet spot of educational, entertaining, and fascinating. —LWM

March of the Penguins (2005)

Morgan Freeman’s soothing voice of liquid gold takes us step by step through the tumultuous and treacherous life of Emperor Penguins in the Antarctic. Directed by Luc Jacquet, the 80-minute film is both so visually endearing and heartbreaking that it continuously supports itself as a classic of the genre. —CDG (Watch on Amazon.)

Sweetgrass (2009)

Ilisa Barbash and Lucien Castaing-Taylor’s elegy to the American West trails the last modern-day cowboys to lead flocks of sheep up into Montana’s Absaroka-Beartooth mountains for summer pasture. Gorgeous and unsparing, this unsentimental film foregrounds a culture in which humans work intimately with nature. There’s no narration or soundtrack; the human voice, when heard, becomes jolting. —LWM (Watch on MUBI)

The National Parks: America’s Best Idea (2009)

American filmmaker Ken Burns spearheaded a docu-series of the United States’ National Parks, intermixing historical timelines with beautiful shots of Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, and the Smoky Mountains. Narrated by Peter Coyote, with some voiceovers provided by Tom Hanks, the PBS series strays away from “Smokey Bear” educational promotion and leans more into the compelling stories that led to the creation of our National Park system. — CDG (Watch on Amazon.)

Cave of Forgotten Dreams (2010)

A clear example of how 3D can come closest to approximating actually standing in front of something astonishing, this film from veteran director Werner Herzog follows an expedition into the nearly inaccessible Chauvet Cave in France, home to the oldest visual art known to be created by man. — LWM (Watch on Apple TV+)

Blackfish (2013)

This 2013 documentary had a heavy impact on the public’s boycott of Seaworld and the entertainment aquarium industry after it detailed the abusive capture and confinement of killer whales. — CDG (Watch on Hulu and Amazon.)

Mission Blue (2014)

Marine biologist Sylvia Eare’s life is an empowering story. Her passion and relentless mission to save our oceans are so clear in this 2014 film, where we learn of Eare’s beginnings, her appointment as Chief Scientist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and her most recent efforts to protect oceanic life. —CDG (Watch on Netflix.)

Kedi (2016)

This one’s for the cat lovers and those whom felines deign to grace with their presence. It’s 80 glorious minutes exploring the ancient city of Istanbul through the eyes of its many strays—though as every cat owner knows, nobody truly owns a cat. —LWM (Watch on Prime Video)

Chasing Coral (2017)

Directed by Jeff Orlowski, Chasing Coral breaks down why our coral reefs are disappearing and shares current research about their rehabilitation. In powerful vignettes, we see the before and after of humans' effects on marine life. —CDG (Watch on Netflix.)

Blue Planet II (2018)

Famed naturalist David Attenborough narrates this follow-up to the Blue Planet docuseries, further capturing extraordinary, cinematic portraits of marine life. Listen out for the exclusive track by Hans Zimmer and Radiohead’s Thom Yorke. — CDG (Watch on Amazon.)

Honeyland (2019)

Ljubomir Stefanov and Tamara Kotevska’s Oscar-nominated film follows Europe’s last female bee hunter to adhere to ancient traditions and the tensions that arise when her new neighbors break her guiding rule: Take half the honey, and leave half to the bees. —LWM (Watch on Prime Video)

Dancing With the Birds (2019)

Punctured with humor, this 51-minute film explores the quirky mating habits of numerous tropical birds. Boasting colorful plumage of brightly-hued blues to lush greens, these gorgeous birds rightfully deserve all this attention. —CDG (Watch on Netflix.)

Our Planet—Behind the Scenes (2019)

This film goes beyond the usual blooper reel of forgotten lines and on-set jokes, instead going deep on exactly how wildlife film crews get the once-in-a-lifetime shots that make up this series. The magic and wonder of our world is highlighted even further by the crew’s in-awe reactions. — CDG (Watch on Netflix.)

Gunda (2020)

In this observational film shot in creamy black-and-white, master documentarian Viktor Kossakovsky entices viewers to slow down and experience time like his subjects: a mother pig, a flock of chickens, and a herd of cows. There’s no dialogue, no human characters, no voiceover, and no music—just unadulterated animal life captured with striking intimacy, prompting consideration of the mysteries of animal consciousness and humanity’s role within that. Committed environmentalist Joaquin Phoenix served as an executive producer. —LWM (Watch on Prime Video)

Night on Earth (2020)

Thanks to improved film technology, Night on Earth was able to capture the nocturnal activities of wildlife in crisp, detailed shots. Narrated by Samira Wiley, this docuseries jumps from animal activity in the jungle to modern-day cities. —CDG (Watch on Netflix.)

Fire of Love (2022)

Relying on archival footage and narration by artist Miranda July, director Sara Dosa’s Oscar-nominated film tells the tragic tale of two intrepid French volcanologists, who were partners both in work and life. —LWM (Watch on Hulu)

All That Breathes (2022)

Director Shaunak Sen’s stirring Oscar-nominated film focuses on two brothers who tirelessly rescue and treat the majestic black kites that are falling out of New Delhi’s polluted skies, lyrically illuminating the interconnectedness of humanity and animals. —LWM (Watch on Prime Video)

Against the Tide (2023)

Sarvnik Kaur's intimate, poignant documentary about two Indigenous fishermen in Mumbai who are driven to desperation by an overfished sea illuminates the age-old struggle between tradition and modernity and the very real impact climate change is having on livelihoods the world over. —LWM (Check for future screening options)