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Many of us love nature, but city life does not allow us to enjoy it as it deserves. In the meantime, documentary images of nature and films about the breathtaking landscapes of our beautiful Earth can transport us into these wonders and share with us the experiences their creators have captured. Some of us may also want to share our vision of nature with others; in this case, learning from those who have dedicated years to this field can be helpful. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best documentary films that tell the story of our extraordinary planet. Alongside each documentary, we have included a collection of images inspired by its themes. These photographs, sourced from IMAGO, represent the same vibe, landscapes, wildlife, and environments captured in each story.
Planet Earth III (2023) – The most amazing nature documentary of the year
Heart of Oak (2022) – A quiet story of a tree’s life
My Octopus Teacher (2020) – An emotional ocean adventure
Our Planet (2019) – The beauty of nature and the impact of humans
Blue Planet II (2017) – The ocean as never before
Chasing Coral (2017) – A bid to save the oceans
March of the Penguins (2005) – An epic of life in Antarctica
Planet Earth III (2023) – The most amazing nature documentary of the year
If you want to witness the untouched wonders of nature, watch Planet Earth III. This documentary shows the Earth in a stunningly vivid and tangible way, blurring the line between screen and reality. The latest installment in a series that has transformed nature filmmaking, Planet Earth III utilizes cutting-edge technology to capture moments rarely witnessed in human history.
Using 8K cameras, AI-powered wildlife sensors, and drones filming rugged terrains, we traverse the vast plains of Africa, watching giant elephants on a majestic yet perilous migration, facing drought and predators. We see the depths of the ocean, where sunlight has never reached, and experience magical creatures in pitch darkness. Moments like the first-ever recording of a clever octopus hunting deep in the sea or the mesmerizing dance of birds during the mating season make this documentary truly spectacular.
World-renowned narrator David Attenborough takes viewers on this voyage in an educational and emotional tone, transforming every scene into a powerful experience. Planet Earth III not only shows the wonders of life but also reminds us of our responsibility to protect this beautiful planet. This documentary, produced by BBC Earth, can be viewed on various platforms.
The IMAGO visual content includes images that reflect the vast landscapes and extraordinary wildlife of Planet Earth III. You can check them out in the Imago collections World of Africa, African Elephant, and Wide Life.
IMAGO / Nature in Stock / Rob Reijnen | Blue Wildebeest migration during sunset in Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.
IMAGO / VCG | African elephants in the wild life of Kenya.
Heart of Oak (2022) – A quiet story of a tree’s life
Heart of Oak is a different kind of nature documentary, released in 2022. Instead of focusing on predatory animals or exciting adventures, the film places an ancient oak tree at the center of its story, depicting the life that flows around and within it. The tree, which has stood for centuries, is home to many creatures. Squirrels play and sing on its branches, owls nest in its hollows, ants crawl along its trunk, and deer rest in its shade. The film beautifully illustrates how this tree, without us realizing it, serves as a refuge for the inhabitants of the forest.
One of the most distinctive features of this documentary is that it is free of narration. Instead, the beautiful imagery and natural sounds tell the story. The calming music, in harmony with the film’s atmosphere, expresses the essence of life and the slow passage of time in the forest. Heart of Oak is a soothing experience, reminding us of the harmony of nature and how a simple tree can be the heart of an entire ecosystem. If you enjoy peaceful and inspiring documentaries, this film will be a unique and heartwarming experience. The documentary was produced by Gaumont and can be watched on various streaming platforms like Apple TV.
A selection of images in IMAGO captures the quiet beauty and rich life of the forest and its extraordinary trees. See the collection at Oak Trees.
IMAGO / Andreas Vitting | Oak trees during autumn in Germany.
My Octopus Teacher (2020) – An emotional ocean adventure
This marine documentary is one of the most emotionally deep and visually stunning nature films. It chronicles the unique bond between a filmmaker and a wild octopus in the kelp forests of South Africa. The documentary’s extraordinary underwater imagery, combined with its deeply moving narrative, earned it an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.
My Octopus Teacher beautifully illustrates how a personal connection with nature can lead to a better understanding of wildlife and the environment. The documentary, produced by Off the Fence and Netflix, is available to watch on Netflix.
IMAGO features a collection of ocean imagery that shows the underwater atmosphere and marine life. The collection is available through the Octopus Life collection.
IMAGO / blickwinkel | Octopus swimming in the ocean.
Our Planet (2019) – The beauty of nature and the impact of humans
Our Planet is one of the most visually stunning nature documentaries, produced in 4K quality and narrated by David Attenborough. This documentary combines breathtaking landscapes with environmental messages. It shows the effects of human activity on nature, such as deforestation, melting polar ice caps, and plastic pollution, illustrating how environmental degradation threatens wildlife. However, Our Planet goes beyond merely blaming humans; it also observes the pristine beauty of our world, displaying rare animal species and diverse ecosystems.
With its extraordinary cinematography, Our Planet has become a major source of inspiration for nature photographers and environmental enthusiasts. The documentary, produced by Silverback Films in collaboration with WWF, is available on Netflix.
The IMAGO content features a curated selection of images representing diverse ecosystems and breathtaking landscapes. Check them out in the WildLife, Rare Animals, and African Landscapes collections.
IMAGO / Mint Images | The head and side body of a white rhino.
IMAGO / Panthermedia / S. Razvodovskij | A rare species, called giant Panda climbing on a tree.
IMAGO / Mint Images | A Hippopotamus amphibius is yawning.
IMAGO / Xinhua / Sun Ruibo | The landscape of Mavinga conservation area in Cuando-Cubango, Angola.
Blue Planet II (2017) – The ocean as never before
This documentary, the sequel to the Blue Planet series, uses deep-sea submersibles, high-speed cameras, and remote-controlled drones to explore the mysterious world beneath the ocean’s surface. Glow-in-the-dark deep-sea creatures, the strange behavior of rare species, and breathtaking imagery of ocean wildlife make Blue Planet II one of the best nature documentaries ever created.
This documentary, produced by BBC Earth, is not only visually stunning but also provides valuable scientific insights into marine ecosystems.
IMAGO offers a collection of images that bring to life the mysterious world beneath the ocean’s surface. Explore the Underwater animals collection.
IMAGO / Imagebroker | Turtle swimming in the Red Sea at the coast of Egypt.
Chasing Coral (2017) – A bid to save the oceans
Chasing Coral is a powerful documentary that explores the crisis facing coral reefs. It follows a team of scientists and photographers who use time-lapse photography to document the rapid and alarming changes in coral ecosystems. The film shows how climate change and global warming have led to widespread coral bleaching and die-offs, affecting marine life on a massive scale.
Chasing Coral is one of the most informative works on the environmental crisis threatening our oceans. The documentary is available on Netflix.
A selection of images by IMAGO reflects the beauty of coral reefs and fragile marine ecosystems. You can see the collection Coral Reefs.
IMAGO / OceanPhoto | Coral Reef at the coast of Egypt.
March of the Penguins (2005) – An epic of life in Antarctica
March of the Penguins is one of the most beloved nature documentaries ever made, taking us on an extraordinary journey into the world of these cute creatures. The documentary is narrated by the legendary Morgan Freeman. The film follows emperor penguins on their challenging path to survive and reproduce in the harsh cold of Antarctica.
Penguins face freezing temperatures as low as -40°C and severe storms. Despite these challenges, they work hard to care for their chicks. The film captures the astonishing details of their social behavior and shows how nature finds ways to survive even in the harshest conditions. The documentary, directed by Luc Jacquet, received wide praise from critics and won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. It was produced by Bonne Pioche and is available for streaming on various platforms, such as Amazon Prime.
In this collection, IMAGO includes images that capture the icy landscapes and the emperor penguins' life. See them through the Emperor Penguins collection.
IMAGO / Panthermedia / Vlad Silver | Emperor Penguins with chick.
If you are looking for other stunning nature imagery, IMAGO is one of the best resources available. This collection contains thousands of high-quality images of natural landscapes, wildlife, diverse climates, and atmospheric phenomena, all captured by professional photographers and documentarians. These images are not only fascinating for photography enthusiasts but can also be used in documentary projects, educational materials, or creative designs. The archive’s advanced search and categorization features make it easy to find the perfect image for your needs.
