Whether you’re a fan of big cats, grizzly bears, chimpanzees, penguins, or polar bears, each one of these animal documentaries has its own emotional hook to reel you in. The films are informative yet don’t feel dry and educational. They are filled with characters to love. The storytelling will hold your attention rapt. I dare you to try to look away from any of these wild darling faces. The satisfying cinematography in all six of these movies brings you in close enough to feel like you can touch their precious noses. Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Click through to read about these six can’t-miss documentaries.
Chimpanzee by Allison Argo is about a baby chimpanzee named Oscar. He frolics in the Ivory Coast jungles with his loving mother nearby. Until suddenly, a rival group of chimps attacks without warning and poor little Oscar’s mommy is killed. Survival instincts kick in and he tries to make it on his own. Oscar’s safety looks doubtful. That is, until Oscar wins over the affection of the Alpha male in his group. He becomes accepted by the other chimps in his adopted new chance to grow up loved and protected. The world returns to a playground for little Oscar who, along with his mischievous and curious friends, has a ball.
Born to be Wild 3D is narrated by the smooth tones of Oscar-winner Morgan Freeman. It’s an inspiring tale of love between humans and animals. This film is a testament to the extraordinary people who rescue and raise orphaned orangutans and elephants. In IMAX 3D, viewers get to feel transported to the rainforests of Borneo with primatologist Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas, and across Kenya with elephant authority Dame Daphne M. Sheldrick. Watch as they rescue, rehabilitate and return these amazing beasts back into the wild.
March of the Penguins is an Oscar-winning Best Documentary narrated by Morgan Freeman. The Emperor Penguin is the tallest and heaviest of all living penguins and the only one to breed during March in Antarctica. These little waddling birds make the long trek across hundreds of miles in freezing temperatures and against icy winds to find their true love. In single file these brave beings face the extreme conditions to carry out their courtship dances and joyful singing. March of the Penguins became a surprisingly huge hit at the box office and squeezed out all of the other five Best Picture nominees during the Academy Awards in 2006. Obviously, it’s a must see!
Grizzly Man is the shocking tale of the amateur Grizzly bear activists Timothy Treadwell and Amie Huguenard who were killed by their refusal to believe that Grizzly bears are wild predators that cannot by tamed. Written, narrated, and directed by Werner Herzog, this is a fascinating tale of Man vs. Nature. Treadwell videotaped his double-digit journeys to Alaska to live among the bears he loved so much. “I will die for these animals,” he said, and sadly he did. In his misguided attempt to save Grizzly bears, Treadwell lost his life. The story is gripping, proving Herzog did an incredible job.
The Last Lions is a close-up, impeccably researched film about the big cats at the top of the food chain. The Lion King actor Jeremy Irons narrates this gripping look at the kings of the jungle and the hard cold reality that they are in grave danger of extinction. The documentary was made by award-winning filmmakers from Botswana — a husband and wife team named Dereck and Beverly Joubert. Many people don’t know that over the past 50 years the number of lions living in the world has been reduced by over 90 percent. The sobering statistics and this film are excellent wake up calls.
To the Arctic 3D is a documentary about a mother polar bear and her young twin cubs. This story of love, family and survival is a testament to how well they navigate the challenging Arctic wilderness — their home in the harshest place on Earth. Narrated by Oscar winner Meryl Streep, you are taken through the adventures of this small family living amidst glaciers, frigid temps and breathtaking waterfalls. The music is by Steve Wood with songs by Paul McCartney, which play as a perfect background to this extraordinary display of the wonders of nature.