In a world over-saturated with terrifying news headlines and intimidating politics, it's easy to find yourself doom-scrolling and hopeless about the future. A remedy for that? The beloved nature documentary. There are plenty of TV shows and movies available to escape reality for a bit, and de-stress from an intense day or emotional ups and downs, but the nature documentary has a particular brand of soothing. Whether it's listening to the jovial voice of David Attenborough or the silky one of Morgan Freeman, relishing in the deep blue color of the ocean, or admiring the slow movements of a sloth as it climbs a tree, the nature doc offers a gentle mindfulness for the overwhelmed viewer.

But which one to watch? There are all kinds of nature documentaries. From those that focus on a specific species of animals, to those that take the viewer all over the world to see the variety of earth's fauna. From the terrifying precipices of the arctic glaciers to the sturdy and unwavering trees that make up the Amazon jungle. If you've got a Netflix, Disney +, or Amazon Prime account, then there is something for everyone in this list of nature documentaries.

Updated April 22nd, 2023: If you're looking for a peaceful escape and can't get enough of nature documentaries, you'll be happy to know we've updated this article with additional content and films.

10 Wings of Life

Disney has a large collection of nature documentaries that their studio, Disneynature, helps to produce and distribute. Wings of Life, however, surely takes the cake for most whimsical nature doc in the Disney portfolio. From the birds to the bees and everything in between, Wings of Life takes viewers to see the various winged creatures that inhabit our earth. Follow narrator Meryl Streep as she leads you in the discovery of the world of flying creatures and their importance in a healthy ecosystem.

Many winged creatures foster an important relationship with plants and flowers. Using these flowers as a source of food, winged creatures are tasked with pollination and seed propagation, an important step that keeps these plants fertile and healthy. This symbiotic relationship is vital to the ecosystem and the survival of these species and of flowers. If this sounds interesting to you, learn more about this topic when you watch the documentary on Disney+.

9 March of the Penguins

Perhaps you got a glimpse of their strange rituals in Happy Feet, but penguins have a peculiar way of raising their young. That's exactly what March of the Penguins came to elaborate on. Narrated by the iconic Morgan Freeman, follow one colony of emperor penguins as they show you the ins and outs of their intimate and unique breeding practices. The film has become somewhat of a cult classic, and for good reason; the film is fun-loving and adorable but also reveals how raising young in Antarctica is no easy task.

You'll find yourself amazed at the complex and trying decisions the colony must face to keep their eggs and young healthy. From selecting their patch of ice for breeding to mating up to taking care of their egg before birth, you won't be able to stop yourself from feeling giddy watching these penguins build a life. Watch now on HBO Max to see the trials and successes that penguins, both young and old, face every winter.

Related: These Are Some of the Best Documentary Movies For Free on YouTube

8 The Year Earth Changed

After these unprecedented years enduring the global pandemic, there was a bright spot amidst the chaos and suffering; certain regions of the earth and the animals that lived there thrived during the global lockdown. In the uplifting Apple TV+ documentary The Year Earth Changed, famed British presenter David Attenborough narrates the astounding ways people have been able to interact with wildlife in the face of a pandemic, and how the changes in human behavior have benefited and positively impacted nature. From the seas to the skies and the land in between, nature was able to embrace its vitality once again during the pandemic and truly flourish.

If you've been feeling down because of big topics like climate change, then this documentary is for you. Filled with hope and inspiration for a human world more in harmony with the natural one, The Year Earth Changed poses a hopeful prospect for our future. The streaming giant's logline for the insightful picture expressed, "From hearing birdsong in deserted cities, to witnessing whales communicating in new ways, to encountering capybaras in South American suburbs, people all over the world have had the chance to engage with nature like never before."

7 Chimpanzee

In another documentary supported by Disneynature, Chimpanzee follows one young, rambunctious chimpanzee nicknamed Oscar. While the start of Oscar's life goes swimmingly–– carefully watched by his doting mother who teaches him the principles of being a chimpanzee–– everything changes when his territory is encroached upon by a rival chimpanzee gang. Separated from his mother, who is separated from the group and presumed dead, Oscar must learn how to grow up in a more tumultuous environment.

Almost a metaphor for our own coming of age in difficult times you'll find yourself relating to Oscar and his struggles to become an adult. Unable to remember what his mother taught him in her absence, watch as Oscar uses trial and error tactics to help himself. From reaching out to other mother chimpanzees in this new gang, to attempting to raise himself, it seems like all hope is lost for our protagonist. That is until he finds an unlikely caregiver in Freddy, the alpha male of the group, and everything about Oscar's luck begins to change.

A heartbreaking, and then heart-warming tale, Chimpanzee is an emotional movie about motherhood, compassion, and the importance of community when growing up. You can watch this unlikely duo grow together on Disney+.

6 America's National Parks

There are designated parks around the United States that are protected lands, with all sorts of different wild flora and fauna living in their designated borders. And while we'd all love to take a road trip or vacation to hit up all these amazing and awe-inspiring landscapes, that isn't always possible. Never fear, America’s National Parks has got you covered. A docuseries that highlights several of these parks, follow Garth Brooks as he takes you through America's most cherished habitats. Focusing on one park per episode, the series elucidates the unique qualities of these natural habitats and why they are important for us and our biodiversity.

Find yourself fawning over the guizers in Yellow Stone National Park, or feel a gentle shiver looking up at the icy sculptures carved by Glacier National Park. Whether you’ve always wanted to visit one, or you have visited and miss your time there, this series will take you through the parks as you have never seen them before. Visually stunning and chock-full of interesting information, America's National Parks might be the getaway you've been looking foYou can watch it now with a Disney+ subscription, and if you don't have that, the Barack Obama-hosted Our National Parks on Netflix is a good substitute.

5 The Blue Planet

After almost five years of filming, The Blue Planet took its time to bring the best of the ocean to life in this docuseries. Over the course of eight different episodes, explore the strange world of the sea and its creatures. Starting from the coastal and warmer climates all the way to the frozen oceans around Antarctica, each episode focuses on a different aspect of its animal life. David Attenborough once again dazzles audiences with his narration, helping us understand how the ocean is the beginning of life itself here on Earth.

From peaceful blue whales to attacking orcas, sharks feeding near the surface and scavengers in the deep, there’s a whole new world in the ocean that this eye-opening documentary highlights. The crew was even able to capture some creatures and behaviors that were never before filmed, on display for the first time in this series. In dazzling shades of blue, green, and silver, Blue Planet is a visual spectacle that will have you re-enamored with all things aquatic. If you’d like to see what goes on under the sea for yourself, you can watch this series on Amazon Prime Video or Discovery+.

4 Virunga

Deep within the sprawling Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo dwells some of the world's last mountain gorillas, a rare and endangered subsection of the Ape family that conservations are struggling to protect. The poignant Netflix documentary Virunga offers a stunning glimpse into the park's wondrous biodiversity and untouched beauty as well as the importance of parks for conservation work. The Oscar-nominated film follows gorilla caregiver André Bauma as he interacts with and tends to the endangered species and the intimate relationship he builds both with the gorillas and the land.

The film sheds light on the ongoing economic and political concerns plaguing the pivotal region. A country rich in natural resources, the Democratic Republic of Congo is often exploited by developed nations for their minerals and agriculture. Mining projects, development, and economic efforts often put these natural habitats and the animals that reside in them in danger. In response to such challenges, Virunga highlights the efforts of park rangers in the local community and the important work they do to protect the land's biodiversity. The thought-provoking documentary was lauded by the World Wide Fund for Nature Inc. (WWF) for its powerful campaign against the Soco International oil company, which led to Soco halting activity in the region.

3 Planet Earth

After the success of The Blue Planet, BBC Studios put in another five years to make the 11-episode docuseries called Planet Earth. With a similar structure to its predecessor, each episode focuses on a different subject — each hour highlighting a different biome or habitat. Explore the eerie depths of dark caves or the bright, vast greenery of the jungles and discover what each biome houses.

With stunning cinematography, Planet Earth captures the rich colors, textures, and sounds of Earth. After all, there are some crazy flora and fauna out there. The film focuses on demonstrating how the animals, plants, and the complex relationships built between them are dependent on that biome and the unique weather and environment they offer. If you are interested in learning just how different a rainforest is from a desert, or an arctic tundra is from a coastal island, Planet Earth is just for you. Watch this series on Amazon Prime Video or Discovery+.

Related: The Best Documentaries About Climate Change and Where to Watch Them

2 Our Planet

In the docuseries Our Planet, the importance of conservation work and the challenges that arise in the field are addressed in this thought-provoking work. In attempting to uphold the habitats of our fellow animals, conservationists prevent species extinction as well as maintain and promote biodiversity. Already a difficult task, conservations consistently run up against roadblocks. From bureaucratic policies and infringing human development to habitat destruction for natural resources and climate change, this series highlights the impact we as humans have had on the environment.

It can be intimidating to face the consequences of human intervention in the natural world. As we grow and expand, we’re removing land from these habitats, putting animals that relied on it in danger. As Climate change makes environments less habitable–– increasing the frequency of forest fires, droughts, and storms–– animals struggle to survive. An intense and spiritual experience, Our Planet illuminates what humans must do to create a more prospering natural environment. The series lights a fire in its audience to create change, asking us how we can live more harmoniously with our environment. Watch this landmark series available on Netflix.

1 Flight of the Butterflies

Flight of the Butterflies is a documentary focusing on one topic many people are already familiar with and which we all studied in elementary school; When the weather gets warmer, and buds start sprouting on the trees, the biggest sign of spring is the presence of butterflies all over the United States and Canada. And while we know all about how a caterpillar enters a chrysalis before becoming a butterfly, there's another fascinating side of the insect's story: where do the butterflies go in the winter? This documentary, including a dramatic re-enactment of Dr. Fred Urquhart’s almost 40-year-long investigation into monarch butterflies, will answer just that question.

Urquhart discovered one of the longest-known insect migrations during his lifelong study of butterflies. Through his work, scientists were able to track movements of the monarch butterflies from Central Mexico into the United States and Canada and back again every year. A magical process captured in 4K, if you’re interested in learning more about the migration of monarch butterflies, and how this migration pattern was discovered, you can watch the movie on Amazon Prime Video.