1. Speechless: The Polar Realm
Beautifully filmed by New Zealand nature photographer Richard Sidey over the past decade around the polar regions, Speechless: The Polar Realm is a visual meditation of light, life, loss and wonder at the ends of the globe. This is the second film in Sidey’s non-verbal trilogy which is comprised of: - Landscapes at the World’s Ends - Speechless: The Polar Realm - Elementa
It has an average vote of 7 on TMDB.
2. Namibia’s Desert Kingdom (Namibia’s Desert Kingdom)
Rocks, dunes, sand and dust - large areas of Namibia in southwest Africa are characterized by deserts. Riverbeds full of sand meander through these inhospitable regions. Some of these only have water once every few years when enough rain has fallen in the mountains and the water rushes to the coast - but most of the time the river courses have dried up. And yet they are crucial for the survival of many living beings.
3. California Light
One filmmaker's exploration of natural light in California and its influence on people's lives.
4. Journey to the South Pacific
An underwater voyage to Indonesia to learn about its inhabitants such as giant rays and whale sharks as well as efforts being made in the region for ocean conservation.
It has an average vote of 5.8 on TMDB.
5. Life on Us: A Microscopic Safari
This documentary is about microorganisms that live, compete, feed, and breed on the surface or in the depths of our bodies.
It has an average vote of 6.2 on TMDB.
6. Guadalquivir (Guadalquivir)
'Guadalquivir' is a feature length documentary directed by Joaquín Gutiérrez that features a fox, an animal that has adapted, living in packs and alone and that is a carnivore, vegetarian and even carrion. The camera follows the path of the fox by the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas.
It has an average vote of 6.3 on TMDB.
7. The Wind Sculpted Land (Tuulte tahutud maa)
The Wind Sculpted Land is a film about Estonian nature. The nature of this Northern country might not seem anything special at a first glance, but digging deeper one can find true gems. Flooded meadows, coastline, bogs altogether with wild animals and flocks of migrating birds are actually small worlds on their own. Even more, the very same nature has held and sculpted the character of the people living here. The film was made during 2015-2018, it took more than 400 days out on the field filming birds, animals and different landscapes. Filming took place in different parts of Estonia, mainly in natural parks. The Wind Sculpted Land is truly a magical journey to Estonia´s unique and scenic nature. The film is part of a film programme dedicated to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia.
It has an average vote of 8 on TMDB.
8. Wad: surviving on the border of water and land (Wad: overleven op de grens van water en land)
The Wadden area as you have never seen before.
It has an average vote of 8.3 on TMDB.
9. Rhino Shield South Africa
Rhino Shield Movie documents Veterans Empowered To Protect African Wildlife’s counter-poaching operations in South Africa. Filmmaker Billy Ward focuses on VETPAW’s dedication to the endangered rhino and local communities. Rhino Shield provides an uncensored view of the work VETPAW is doing in the field. This film is merely a glimpse of the work being done by the organization. Along with fighting for animal rights, VETPAW employs and empowers post 911 veterans by allowing team members to use their training in the field. They also engage with and educate local communities. The humility of these men and women is incomparable. Rhino Shield is the untold story of those who risk their lives to preserve our global environment.
10. From Billions to None: The Passenger Pigeon's Flight to Extinction
The passenger pigeon, the most abundant bird species in North America for thousands of years, became extinct by human hands in a geologic heartbeat. Its story remains relevant to conservation challenges today, and there are even plans for its possible revival. Rare archival material, CGI animation, and aerial cinematography combine to recreate the awe-inspiring nature of these birds.
11. Caballos (Caballos)
(Caballos)
12. Serengeti Symphony
Serengeti Symphony is a breathtaking look at the astounding landscape and exotic animals that make up the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. The film accounts the daily lives and intricacies of animals such as giraffe, flamingos, leopards and cheetahs, each vivid scene flawlessly paired with a musical score written by Laurens van Rooyen. Serengeti Symphony brings the beauty of Africa to life like never before, with close up colourful images of the terrain and unimaginable glimpses of the wildlife, allowing the true character of the landscape, and the grace and spirit of every animal, to shine through.
It has an average vote of 8.5 on TMDB.
13. The Enchanted Forest of the Pygmy Hippopotamus
One of the most mysterious animals to inhabit the jungle is the pygmy hippopotamus - up to 300 kg in weight, just 2 meters long, and 80 cm tall, and a true loner. Since its discovery in 1844, generations of researchers have attempted to study it in the wild - but in vain. Although it proved possible to catch a few specimens for zoos, no one ever got to see them before they were already inside the trap. They eluded the gaze of the researchers like phantoms under the protection of the enchanted forest. These are the first ever pictures of pygmy hippopotami in their natural surroundings - the rain forest of West Africa. Set amid stories about their habitat, the film allows a first impression of this timid creature's life. While their ten-times heavier relatives are loud and gregarious and live in open stretches of water, the pygmy hippopotamus moves furtively through the thick undergrowth.
It has an average vote of 4 on TMDB.
14. Surviving the Mount St. Helens Disaster
The 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens was the deadliest in U.S. history. Survivor testimonies and rare images reveal the cataclysms it unleashed.
It has an average vote of 4.5 on TMDB.
15. Carving Thy Faith (Pag-ukit sa Paniniwala)
A five-year visual ethnography of traditional yet practical orchestration of Semana Santa in a small town where religious woodcarving is the livelihood. An experiential film on neocolonial Philippines’ interpretation of Saints and Gods through many forms of rituals and iconographies, exposing wood as raw material that undergoes production processes before becoming a spiritual object of devotion. - A sculpture believed to have been imported in town during Spanish colonial conquest, locally known as Mahal na Señor Sepulcro, is celebrating its 500 years. Meanwhile, composed of non-actors, Senakulo re-enacts the sufferings and death of Jesus. As the local community yearly unites to commemorate the Passion of Christ, a laborious journey unfolds following local craftsmen in transforming blocks of wood into a larger than life Jesus crucified on a 12-ft cross.
It has an average vote of 10 on TMDB.
16. March of the Penguins (La Marche de l'empereur)
Every year, thousands of Antarctica's emperor penguins make an astonishing journey to breed their young. They walk, marching day and night in single file 70 miles into the darkest, driest and coldest continent on Earth. This amazing, true-life tale is touched with humour and alive with thrills. Breathtaking photography captures the transcendent beauty and staggering drama of devoted parent penguins who, in the fierce polar winter, take turns guarding their egg and trekking to the ocean in search of food. Predators hunt them, storms lash them. But the safety of their adorable chicks makes it all worthwhile. So follow the leader... to adventure!!
It has an average vote of 7.055 on TMDB.
17. Island of Lemurs: Madagascar
The incredible true story of nature’s greatest explorers—lemurs. Through footage captured with IMAX 3D, audiences go on a spectacular journey to the remote and wondrous world of Madagascar. Join trailblazing scientist Patricia Wright on her lifelong mission to help these strange and adorable creatures survive in the modern world.
It has an average vote of 6.183 on TMDB.
18. Araucaria Araucana (Araucaria Araucana)
In the Southern Andes, a living being survives since 200 million years: the "Araucaria Araucana" with its incredible history, little known and forever linked to an Amerindian people of Chile: Pehuenches. This isolated community survived during centuries thanks to the Araucarias. A perfect harmony between man and nature, forever upset by the invasion of the Spanish colonists, the conflicts of territories and the increase of logging. Protected today, this sacred forests are the refuge of a unique and wild nature; but fires threaten this balance. What remain of these people and the link with this tree? What can they teach us about our environmental problems?
It has an average vote of 8 on TMDB.
19. National Geographic: The Filmmakers
National Geographic Wildlife Filmmakers Go Eye-to-Eye with Danger! They swim with sharks, confront venomous snakes, and stalk hungry lions. They're National Geographic filmmakers, and for these remarkable adventurers, capturing unforgettable footage in the wild is not just a job, it's a way of life. Join a cinematographer in the rain forest canopy as he goes to incredible lengths - and heights - to film the world's most powerful bird of prey. Witness the frustration of a filmmaker who just misses the scene-stealing shot of jackal pups greeting their mother in the Serengeti, and feel the exhilaration when he finally captures the event to perfection. Meet the talented professionals who go behind the camera every day and sometimes risk their lives to bring us extraordinary images of nature's most amazing creatures.
20. The 11th Hour
A look at the state of the global environment including visionary and practical solutions for restoring the planet's ecosystems. Featuring ongoing dialogues of experts from all over the world, including former Soviet Prime Minister Mikhail Gorbachev, renowned scientist Stephen Hawking, former head of the CIA R. James Woolse
It has an average vote of 6.761 on TMDB.
