25 of the Greatest Nature Docs on Netflix (Because Who Wants to Actually Go Outside?)

The gold standard for nature documentaries, the 2006 miniseries explored beautiful and terrifying corners of the Earth. At the time, it was the only nature documentary filmed in high definition, and it took over five years to make.

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A decade after the original Planet Earth introduced viewers to the stunning sights of nature around the world, the same team returns with all new footage. The sequel showcases the diversity of wildlife around the globe, from the warmest tropics to the coldest mountain reaches.

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Life is beautiful, but it's also really, really strange sometimes. In this documentary, viewers are shown some of the strangest natural phenomena around the world, from plant life to animals and more, and get expert explanations as to what causes these bizarre things.

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Across the globe, millions of species of plants and animals have found ways to survive in evolving environments. This Emmy-nominated documentary series explores how a cross-section of life on Earth adapts, survives, and thrives.

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As the seasons change, incredible things happen in nature. Nature's Great Events gives viewers a peek at some of the spectacular events that happen when humans aren't around.

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Following the success of 2001's The Blue Planet, filmmakers returned in 2017 with another look at the world's oceans. Cameras capture the gorgeous views and variety of creatures that dwell beneath the surface of the ocean.

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Antarctica is the ultimate remote location, yet intrepid explorers visit to discover the secrets of the world's coldest continent. The documentary both explores the terrain itself and introduces the scientists who are drawn to work there.

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Produced by Leonardo DiCaprio, this is a far cry from a warm and fuzzy nature doc. Instead, filmmakers go undercover with ivory poachers and expose the corruption that allows for the illegal ivory trade to continue, pushing African elephants to the brink of extinction.

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Colombia has some of the most diverse and beautiful wildlife in the world. But, as this documentary highlights, its ecosystem is also incredibly, dangerously fragile.

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Where can we find some of the most diverse animal life in the world? In Africa, the setting of this five-part BBC miniseries that showcases the gorgeous species that survive in Africa's diverse environments.

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From the same team that produced the Planet Earth series comes Frozen Planet, exploring both polar regions. The icy vistas and their inhabitants are on full display in this docuseries.

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Let's be honest: nature is really weird sometimes! Naturalist David Attenborough showcases some of the most unexpected and intriguing behaviours in nature, then explains how and why animals developed these habits.

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No, this is not the old musical your great-aunt loves. The documentary examines the animals and plant life of the south Pacific region, from coral atolls to aquatic life and more.

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The relationship between predators and prey is one of the cornerstones of wildlife, but humans rarely see the real nature of the hunt. Cameras capture the tense tug-of-war between large predators and their targeted prey in different regions of the world.

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Originally shown as a live television event on BBC and PBS, this documentary is exactly what it sounds like. In this documentary, filmmakers capture the incredible wildlife in America's last truly untouched frontier.

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The vast country of China includes many different types of climate and terrain. Over the course of six episodes, the miniseries shows audiences the diversity of life within some of the most remote areas of the country.

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The wild and uncharted territories of the world are beautiful, but also dangerous. And yet, even in the harshest of areas, humans survive in unexpected ways, as shown in this series.

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From beginning to end, this documentary tracks the lives of different animals as they interact with other creatures and a variety of natural habitats.

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The African island of Madagascar is home to a huge variety of native species, which are showcased in this 2011 documentary. Even more interesting: much of the wildlife found on the island is not found anywhere else on Earth.

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If you've spent any time in nature, you already know that wildlife can create some of the most beautiful "art" without any help from humans. Louie Schwartzenberg takes his camera to capture the incredible spectacles of the Earth, its oceans, and its skies.

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Over the course of 97 minutes, this film explores the relationship between humans and nature, questioning how and why we have become more separated from the natural world and what that means for the future of the planet.

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Nature documentaries aren't just about majestic views and big predator animals. Hidden Kingdoms zooms in (sometimes literally) on some of the smallest animals, where they live, and their daily lives.

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Is there anything better than a documentary about cute animals? The answer is a definite no! 72 Cutest Animals introduces a variety of adorable animals — and also explores how being "cute" can actually help these species survive.

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Instead of taking a broad view, this movie focuses on a few "characters" at a time. A mama panda and her cub, a snow leopard, and a golden monkey take the spotlight as their journeys through the wilderness of China are charted.

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The Rift Valley in eastern Africa is home to an unusually diverse range of terrain and animals. Over the course of the docuseries, filmmakers explore high-altitude volcanic terrain, lush savannas, and the wildlife that call the region home.

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