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Best Nature Documentaries on Netflix to Stream Right Now

The best nature documentaries on Netflix capture the heart, mind, and spirit. Here are 10 must-watch nature documentaries you can stream right now.

By Taylor MarkarianPublished 6 years ago 3 min read
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Most of us don't get to explore the vast deserts and tundras of the world. We don't get to dive into the deep ocean or climb the highest peaks. The dense forests and jungles remain out of our reach. Thankfully, though, there are some amazing filmmakers and nature photographers who do those things for us.

The following documentaries are some of the best nature documentaries on Netflix you can watch. They take you all across the world with some of the most close-up, intimate views of nature and wildlife you will ever see.

India's Lost Worlds

Netflix aims to help their viewers discover the regions of the world they otherwise might never see. Many documentaries on Netflix, such as National Geographic's India's Lost Worlds, explore not just the wildlife, but the landscape and the culture of the people who live there.

Planet Earth is widely regarded as the king of all nature documentaries, so it just has to be one of the best nature documentaries on Netflix you need to watch right now. When watching this documentary, you get to observe and learn about species throughout the animal kingdom and habitats all across the world. If you're looking for an all-encompassing documentary, this is it.

Planet Earth II is a brand new and highly anticipated addition to the Netflix roster. Released 10 years after its predecessor, Planet Earth II builds on the documentary you already love with even more incredible visuals. People are absolutely raving about this right now—it got five stars on Rotten Tomatoes—so you better hop on board!

Baby Animals in the Wild

How could we not include baby animals in a list of the best nature documentaries on Netflix? This documentary series follows animal parents and their offspring all over the world. Kangaroos, bears, koalas, and many, many more invite us in to see how they raise their young. What is a baby sea lion's daily routine? When do baby monkeys take their naps? Watch all the cuteness unfold on Netflix right now.

Of course, the animal kingdom isn't all about being adorable. Animals fight each other all the time in their quests for survival and dominance. This TV show captures the epic animal battles that occur in the wild on a daily basis. See an elephant take on a rhino. Witness two giant male bears duel with incredible force. The animal kingdom sure can be brutal.

Like India's Lost Worlds, Wild China is a documentary series that takes you on a marvelous journey through the hidden natural wonders of the country. The cinematography is simply stunning, making the viewer's trip through China's stone forest and the Himalayas feel incredibly real. This documentary series also focuses heavily on how the various peoples of China interact with their natural surroundings. It is without a doubt one of the best nature documentaries on Netflix that you can't miss.

Wild North

Many of us take our vacations in warm, tropical paradises. Few ever brave the icy, frozen landscapes of the far north, and it's easy to see why. The basic task of surviving is extremely difficult; the amazing animals who live there have to deal with subzero temperatures, lack of vegetation, and freezing waters. That is why watching them is truly a majestic experience.

The Blue Planet is a mini-series about the ocean and its creatures, narrated by Sir David Attenborough. (Pro tip: If Sir David Attenborough is narrating a documentary, it's probably worth watching.) He guides us through the lives of creatures we know (i.e. sharks, dolphins, and whales) and creatures that we could never have dreamed existed, who dwell in the darkest, deepest parts of the sea. The combination of weird and wonderful is what makes The Blue Planet one of the best nature documentaries on Netflix.

Life. Need we say more?

Okay, we probably should. Life takes us on a wild journey through the animal kingdom by classification. Mammals, fish, and even plants get their own episodes unto themselves. Life comes to you from the people who brought you Planet Earth, so you know it's good even before you click play.

Galápagos

Galápagos is one of the best nature documentaries on Netflix because the subject is inherently fascinating. In case you forgot, the Galápagos Islands are where Charles Darwin studied, and ultimately sparked his theory of evolution. This documentary brings some of the most varied lifeforms on Earth right to you. Plus, it's narrated by Tilda Swinton, so you really can't go wrong.

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About the Creator

Taylor Markarian

"This might be more than a simple conversation." - Underoath

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