10 Tame Animal Documentaries to Watch with Kids on Apple TV, Prime & Disney Plus
These documentaries will show you and your children sides of nature you never knew were there.
Kids ask a lot of questions, and parents do not always have the opportunity to answer all of them. That is where documentaries come in.
We have chosen the best documentaries about animals for kids and parents – many of them are already classics, and some of them are quite recent, but have already captured the hearts of viewers.
1. The Enchanted Forest, 2020
Where to Watch: Prime Video
Director and documentary filmmaker Phil Coles' movie follows just one summer day in the life of the forest and features all the major inhabitants of North America's forests.
It is safe to watch the documentary with your kids as there are no particularly scary or violent scenes and the life of the animals is told simply and clearly. This is not only a fascinating observation of nature, but also a beautiful guide to the forest for little naturalists.
2. Winged Migration, 2001
Where to Watch: Apple TV
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This unique documentary about bird migration is impressive in its scope and filming methods. Light aircraft were specially designed for the filming, able to move like the birds and get rare angles. The birds quickly became accustomed to the technology and did not try to fight it.
The migration was filmed over four years on every continent. Eight film crews were involved, living alongside the characters in the film. The unique project was nominated for an Oscar in 2003 as the best documentary of the year.
3. Impossible Animals, 2021
Where to Watch: Apple TV
The heroes of this documentary miniseries live in places where many animals cannot survive – the deserts of South Africa, Madagascar and the jungles of South America.
British biologist and TV presenter Patrick Ayree talks about the wonders of animal adaptation to different living conditions. He tells about both familiar species and those you didn't even know existed. But even when it comes to monkeys or bears, Ayree will find something to surprise you, revealing little-known details of their behavior.
4. Living with Wolves, 2005
Where to Watch: YouTube
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Living with Wolves was conceived and implemented by naturalist director Jim Dutcher in 1990. He and his friend, Jamie, set up camp next to the wolf pack.
Jim and Jamie lived at the camp for six years, observing the wolves' lives. During this time, they learned a great deal about the habits and social life of animals that are usually thought of as simply bloodthirsty and dangerous predators.
5. Earth: One Amazing Day, 2017
Where to Watch: Apple TV
A colorful BBC movie tells the story of how sunlight affects the animal life on our planet. Narrated by actor/director Robert Redford and beloved by millions of fans action-comedy actor Jackie Chan, viewers are taken on an almost round-the-world trip.
This is some of the best work by wildlife cinematographer Paul Stewart. The movie was even released theatrically, which is rare for documentaries.
6. Land of the Bears, 2014
Where to Watch: Apple TV
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A stunningly beautiful documentary by French director Guillaume Vincent introduces viewers to the beauty of the Kamchatka Peninsula, often called the land of bears. The majestic predators make a long journey from the high mountains to the rivers. There, the bears spend the summer foraging for food before returning to their dens for another long sleep.
The movie is well worth seeing with subtitles to hear the voice of brilliant French actress Marion Cotillard.
7. Kedi, 2016
Where to Watch: Prime Video
A simple but very charming film by Turkish documentary filmmaker Ceyda Torun tells the story of seven cats living in Istanbul and the people who care for them.
In search of a suitable location, the film crew thoroughly studied various areas of the city and, in order to film Istanbul from a cat's perspective, the cameramen mounted the camera on a remote-controlled toy car.
8. The Elephant Queen, 2018
Where to Watch: Apple TV
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In Victoria Stone and Mark Deeble's documentary, Athena, a wise mother elephant, leads her family across the African savannah in search of water. Along the way, the majestic animals experience both joy and loss.
The Elephant Queen is narrated by renowned actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, who starred in the historical drama 12 Years a Slave.
9. Microcosmos, 1996
Where to Watch: Prime Video
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The movie tells about the smallest representatives of the fauna, which are usually not noticed. But if you take a closer look, a whole enchanting world opens up to you.
This documentary masterpiece by Claude Nuridsany and Marie Perennou caused a sensation in 1996. It turned out that observing the world of insects is almost as exciting as watching Hollywood blockbusters. The film's awards include five Cesar Awards and the Technical Grand Prize at the Cannes Film Festival.
10. Wings of Life, 2011
Where to Watch: Disney Plus
A dynamic Franco-American project by Disneynature reveals the reproductive mechanisms that flowering plants have developed over millions of years of evolution. There is an incredible variety of flowers on Earth, but in order to reproduce, they usually need outside help.
This help is provided by bees, beetles, butterflies and even some species of birds and bats. The film was created by director Louie Schwartzberg, a recognized master of films about nature and an innovator of nature photography.