Top 20 Best Nature Documentaries on Netflix 2022

Some of us prefer watching documentaries because they are more classic and educative to watch. On Netflix, there are thousands of documentaries regarding various real-life events and notable evolutions that took place years ago. You’re here because you’re “Nature Lover,” and we’d compiled a list of the best, awe-inspiring nature documentaries on Netflix.

These documentaries teach you a lot about the relationship between human and nature, and makes you feel too close to nature even though you're well seated in the comfort of your home - or you're on the go. Netflix is home to hundreds of thousands of interesting "Stuff" and here's a bit of what to watch as a nature lover.

1. Top 20 Best Nature Documentaries on Netflix 2022

The documentaries mentioned in this article border across plants, animals, and our environment.

1). Our Planet (2019)

• No. Of Seasons: 1
• Cast: Sir David Attenborough

Inarguably one of the best nature documentaries from the notable Sir David Attenborough. This ground-breaking nature documentary is a comprehensive overview of our planet. It clearly shows the various state of different habitats across the globe.

Each episode of this documentary focuses on a particular topic - a particular part of the earth. With the voice narrations of Sir David Attenborough, anyone watching this documentary would clearly learn a lot of new things about the planet we all live in.

Interestingly, this docuseries doesn't just show us the predicaments faced by humans or animals living in different habitats, it also presents possible solutions that can apply, which includes blueprints of full rehabilitation.

You can get started with streaming this documentary on Netflix; definitely, you’d find it very informative and relevant.

2). If I Were an Animal (2016)

• No. Of Seasons: 1
• Cast: Zachary Young, Fleur Delahunty

This documentary is for kids and teens. However, it’s still a good series for adults and grownups. If I Were an Animal is a Netflix Original wildlife documentary premiered as fiction and told by kids; it is the first of its kind.

Featuring alluring scenes from different parts of the world, this documentary focuses on the curiosity of two siblings, Emma and Tim. This document is available for “Offline Download,” in HD quality.

In this documentary, curious Emma and Tim carefully observe different animals as they make their way through various life milestones, from birth to adulthood. It’s such a beautiful documentary for kids and teens.

3). The Ivory Game (2016)

• Duration: 1h52m
• Directors: Richard Ladkani; Kief Davidson

An American documentary film released in 2016 and directed by top directors, Kief Davidson and Richard Ladkani. This documentary lasted for 1 hour and 52 minutes, detailing the things everyone needs to know about the ivory trade, which is now a global concern.

Premiered on September 16, 2016, at the Toronto International Film Festival and released on Netflix on November 4, 2016, The Ivory Game is one of the well-informative documentaries to watch on Netflix in 2022. More so, this documentary has attracted several positive reviews on different platforms.

4). Virunga (2014)

• Duration: 1h 40m
• Director: Orlando von Einsiedel

Virunga is a true story about some brave individuals that decided to risk their lives to save endangered mountain gorillas in Africa's most precious national park. It is an Oscar-nominated documentary exclusive to Netflix. The film is available in English and French subtitles; it is suitable for all ages.

Rated 100% on Rottentomatoes, Virunga is most likely a "Must-Watch" for everyone that loves learning about nature. It is available for offline streaming, so you can download and watch it anytime.

5). Chasing Coral

• Duration: 1h 33m
• Director: Jeff Orlowski

How much do you love to watch controversial and investigative films? Here you go! Chasing Coral is an intriguing documentary, exclusive to Netflix subscribers, and it talks about the disappearance of coral reefs.

This film was compiled by divers, scientists, and photographers from around the world - in an epic underwater adventure to document how coral reefs disappeared. Chasing Coral is available in about 4 subtitles: English, Spanish, French, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese.

Chasing Coral shows you the breathtakingly beautiful appearance of the Earth's most incredible natural wonders.

6). My Octopus Teacher (2020)

• Duration: 1h 25m
• Cast: Craig Foster and Tom Foster

As a lover of nature and related content, you should consider seeing My Octopus Teacher on Netflix - if you haven’t. It is an educative documentary that teaches you pretty many things you probably never knew about this friendly sea animal - Octopus. Actually, this is unlike other documentaries we have on this list.

My Octopus Teacher is about a filmmaker (Craig Foster) journeying to self-discovery and forming an alliance with a female octopus living in a South African kelp forest. There is pretty much to learn from this documentary and you'd love it - definitely.

7). Night on Earth (2020)

• No. Of Seasons: 1
• Cast: Samira Wiley

Just the trailer would have you wanting to complete the entire season. This documentary shows us the awesomeness of technology - once again. It shows where technology can help to lift night’s veil to reveal the beautiful lives world’s creatures live at night.

Night on Earth covers the life of different animals during the night's time, from lions on the hunt to bats on the wing. It is a documentary shot in the dark, and exclusive to Netflix subscribers.

8). David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet (2020)

• Duration: 1h 23m
• Cast: David Attenborough

If you're consistent with BBC and Netflix nature documentaries, you most definitely know that Sir David Attenborough is a rare gem in this space. In this 1hr23m-long film, the award-winning broadcaster and author recounts his life experiences with nature and the evolutionary history of life on Earth.

A Life on Our Planet is Sir David’s masterpiece to grieve the loss of wild places and offer a vision for the future. Sir David Attenborough is aged over 90 years and this documentary relays all his life experiences as a top-notch nature broadcaster.

9). Alien Worlds (2020)

• Number of Seasons: 1
• No. Of Episodes: 4

A British documentary was done in the "sci-fi" way. Alien Worlds is basically a sci-fi nature file narrated by Sophie Okonedo. It has about 4 episodes, which were all portrayed using CGI techniques. It tries to use science fiction to conceptualize what the alien life seems to look like.

Alien World is an intriguing film where the creators try to apply the laws of life that exist on Earth to imagined exoplanets on the galaxy to imagine how aliens live in those planets. It is a documentary for everyone.

10). A Plastic Ocean

• Duration: 1h 40m
• Cast: Tanya Streeter

An award-winning Netflix Original that is suitable for the entire family to watch. The original audio is English, but there are 4 subtitles available: English, Spanish, French, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese.

This documentary centers on Craig Leeson’s discovery- he discovers that most oceans are “over polluted” with plastic materials. He further seeks to investigate the pollution's environmental impacts.

11). Birders (2019)

• Duration: 37 minutes
• Director: Otilia Portillo Padua

In just 37 minutes, Birders, a 2019 US-Mexican documentary film directed by Otilia Portillo Padua explains how migrant birds travel back and forth over the border each year. It depicts birdwatchers that wait on both sides of the US and Mexico border. This short documentary was released in 2019, and it is exclusive to Netflix subscribers.

12). Absurd Planet

• No. Of Seasons: 1
• Cast: Afi Ekulona

Although rated poorly on most movie/TV shows review platforms, Absurd Planet is yet one of the nature documentaries to watch on Netflix. It is a series that opens your understanding into the funny lives of the Earth’s most intriguing animals. The narration is provided by a cast of quirky critters. Simply, Absurd Planet is a glimpse into the lives of the quirkiest animals on Earth.

13). 72 Dangerous Animals: Asia (2019)

• No. Of Seasons: 1
• Cast: Bob Brisbane

A 2019 Netflix Original that takes you through 70+ animals that are practically the most dangerous species across the Asia continent. Each episode of this series has a specific aspect it covers - and it covers everything regarding that aspect.

72 Dangerous Animals: Asia takes you through a long ride from animals with fangs to claws to venomous stings, and more - all these are wielded deadly weapons. But, what animal do you think is the fiercest in Asia?

14). Seaspiracy

• Duration: 1h 30m
• Director: Ali Tabrizi

This documentary spans science and nature. It is a film that depicts the impact of fishing on our environment. Seaspiracy was released in 2021 and it is exclusive to Netflix. It stars iconic British filmmaker, Ali Tabrizi. This documentary aims to examine the various human impacts on marine life; the film also tries to advocate for the mitigation of fish consumption.

15). Tiny Creatures

• No. Of Seasons: 1
• Cast: Mike Colter

If you were looking for a funny nature documentary to watch on Netflix, you’ve got one here. Narrated by Mike Colter, Tiny Creatures is a Netflix Original about little animals taking on a journey across the United States. It is a dramatic nature series that would keep you up until it plays out completely.

This docuseries explores the hidden worlds of little animals and their epic survival stories. Tiny Creatures is rated high on most movie review platforms, and it is truly worth watching. Well, Wikipedia hints that this film is not "entirely" a documentary because a large part of it was staged and scripted.

16). Puff: Wonders of the Reef

• Duration: 1hr 2m
• Cast: Rose Byrne

How about watching a documentary about a cute baby pufferfish on its "Puffy" adventure through a wondrous microworld of fantastical creatures, searching for a home on the Great Barrier Reef. So, this 1-hour long documentary is about a baby pufferfish and his travel across a microworld. It is an interesting watch, rated 7.2/10 on IMDb, 5/5 on Leisurebyte, and liked by 99% of Google Users.

17). 72 Dangerous Animals: Latin America (2017)

• No. Of Seasons: 1
• Cast: Bob Brisbane

Similar to 72 Dangerous Animals: Asia, this documentary takes you through several animals the reside in different habitats across the Latin America region. It is a film about powerful cats, flesh-melting pit vipers, and indestructible arachnids; a docuseries about Latin America's deadly fauna. You'd definitely be glad you watched this film, especially if you reside in Latin American cities.

18). Our Planet - Behind The Scenes (2019)

• No. Of Seasons: 1
• Cast: Sir David Attenborough

A documentary made by the iconic David Attenborough, for Netflix, is definitely going to make any list of the "Best" nature documentaries on Netflix, and this, Our Planet, is no exemption. This documentary takes you through the actions and activities that took place behind the cameras while recording Our Planet.

19). Penguin Town (2021)

• No. Of Seasons: 1
• Cast: Patton Oswalt

Penguin Town is a new documentary you probably haven't watched. It is a one-season documentary with about 8 episodes - each episode lasts for at least 25 minutes; the longest - learning to fly - is 31 minutes.

Narrated by Patton Oswalt, Penguin Town is a tale of an eclectic group of endangered penguins, in a colorful South African town, flocking together to find mates, raise families and mix with the locals.

20). Animal 2021

• Duration: 1 Season
• Cast: Bryan Cranston, Rashida Jones, and Rebel Wilson

This nature documentary is exclusive to Netflix and it takes you through never-before-seen footage of magnificent creatures residing in various habitats. Animal clearly depicts how different animals live and survive in their habitats. The scenes are so natural and heartwarming; you'd really be glad you watched this documentary.

2. How to Download the Nature Documentaries on Netflix

If you wish to download any of these nature documentaries, it’s pretty simple. All you need to do is to download and install StreamFab Netflix Downloader. With this program, you can grab any video from Netflix, including these Originals mentioned in this article.

StreamFab Netflix Downloader comes with a ton of useful features, as well as support Batch Mode, which means you can download multiple documentaries at the same time. With support for 1080p, MP4, and EAC 5.1 audio, this Netflix downloader software saves your favorite Netflix shows in near-lossless audio and video quality.

Summary

These are the best nature documentaries to stream on Netflix right now. They are really interesting to watch, and you can download them using StreamFab Netflix Downloader. All titles mentioned are still streamable on Netflix - all regions.