9 documentaries to help you take a nature break with Disney+
by Explore Disney+ Contributor
16 March 2026
Stream LION and more of National Geographic’s best nature documentaries on Disney+ to unwind, recharge, and appreciate stories that bring the outdoors in
There’s never a bad time to take a nature break. Spending time with nature has been linked to an increase in mental well-being, even if nature is experienced via a video! Whether you’re moved by animals, fascinated by the ecosystems around us, or interested in how we can protect nature for the future, there’s a National Geographic documentary waiting to help you connect. From LION, which follows a cub’s journey to become king, to stories that dive beneath the waves or show conservation in action, captivating visual storytelling brings nature home.
Wildlife documentaries
These intimate stories span across the planet’s diverse ecosystems, revealing the challenges and wonders of life in the wild.
The most ambitious look at a remarkable continent: Africa Earth's Wild Home
Narrated and Executive Produced by Oscar®-nominee Wunmi Mosaku, the 7-part event series, presented by Rolex, brings African wildlife and landscapes to the screen like never before, using the latest technology to tell the most extraordinary stories from the continent and cutting-edge CGI to unearth the deep history and forces that shaped Africa’s natural worlds. Filmed over almost four years across over 30 countries, the show is the first in a series of National Geographic epics that will eventually span every continent.
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A cub’s epic journey: LION
From The Lion Kin (2019) director Jon Favreau and BBC Studios Natural History Unit executive producer Mike Gunton, with the score led by composer Hans Zimmer, comes the extraordinary true story of a lion cub named Kio on his epic journey to become a king. Four years in the making, this sweeping saga of family, hope, and courage captures the complete coming-of-age story of a lion from a vulnerable cub to a powerful leader.
Tiny steps, big stakes: Growing Up Animal
From the mystery of the womb to the uncertainty of birth and those nerve-wracking first steps, this docuseries follows baby animals through their most vulnerable moments. Each episode spotlights a different species as it transforms, learns, and fights to survive, guided by a mother’s instinct to protect alongside an infant’s drive to thrive. Equal parts emotional and inspiring.
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Small but mighty: A Real Bug’s Life
Step into an unseen micro-universe where tiny creatures pull off truly epic survival stories. This series follows a charismatic cast of miniature heroes with mind-blowing 'superpowers,' from lightning-fast hunters on sunbaked beaches to delicate fliers navigating danger at every turn. It’s colourful, clever, and guaranteed to make you look at the world under your feet in a whole new way.
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A wise, winter waddle: Secrets of the Penguins
Penguins have secrets, and National Geographic Explorer Bertie Gregory is here to uncover them. Filmed over two extraordinary years, this series reveals surprising intelligence, close-knit penguin societies, and behaviours you rarely get to see up close. If you want to watch close-knit friendships and clever problem-solvers thriving in extreme environments, this is the ultimate cosy nature escape.
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Follow a super-fast family: Cheetahs Up Close with Bertie Gregory
Bertie Gregory heads to the Serengeti as the wildebeest migration kicks off, on a mission to film the fastest land animal on Earth. Get remarkably close to a mother raising tiny cubs, then watch a coalition of males attempt precision team hunts. It is high-stakes, high-speed, and packed with the unexpected challenges cheetahs face in a changing world.
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Ocean documentaries
Captivating creature: Secrets of the Octopus
With three hearts, blue blood, and intelligence high enough to use tools, octopuses are some of the most fascinating creatures in the world. From their physical abilities, like mimicking other animals, to their intellectual skills, like communicating with other species, they continue to surprise scientists and viewers alike. Sit back, relax, and discover the secrets of these incredible animals.
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Discover the depths: Ocean with David Attenborough
If you’re looking for stunning cinematography with insight from one of the most iconic broadcasters and filmmakers, this is the documentary for you. Get ready for a breathtaking journey that showcases the beauty, importance, and power of the ocean like never before.
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Fin-tastic fun: Sharks Up Close with Bertie Gregory
Join Bertie Gregory in South Africa to jump into the world of one of the most famous predators on the planet, the great white shark. Diving in the shallows without a cage is no easy feat, but Bertie Gregory takes on the challenge, diving in headfirst to film these impressive creatures and explore the challenges posed by our ever-changing world.
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Conservation in action
Wings of hope: The Tale of Silyan
From the Oscar®-nominated director of Honeyland (Tamara Kotevska) comes a poignant, visually striking documentary set in rural Macedonia. When Nikola, a farmer squeezed by new economic policies, takes a job as a landfill attendant, he discovers an injured white stork named Silyan. As he nurses the bird back to health, their unlikely bond becomes a story of resilience and the power of connection with animals.
