Best Disneynature Documentaries
The Walt Disney company has made numerous documentaries over the years. One of their continuous documentary series is the Disneynature collection. These films follow animals in the wild. There are currently 13 Disneynature documentaries available on Disney+ and I’m going to rank them. Remember this list is completely subjective and is ranked by how much I enjoyed them.
13. ELEPHANT
African elephant Shani and her spirited son Jomo set out on an epic journey with their herd, traveling hundreds of miles across the vast Kalahari Desert from the Okavango delta to the Zambezi River.
12. WINGS OF LIFE
An intimate look at incredible-and increasingly threatened-creatures that a third of the world’s food supply depends upon.
11. THE CRIMSON WING: MYSTERY OF THE FLAMINGOS
The mysterious lives of flamingos are captured on film with a birds-eye view of the animals living in Africa.
10. PENGUINS
A coming-of-age story about an Adélie penguin named Steve who joins millions of fellow males in the icy Antarctic spring on a quest to build a suitable nest, find a life partner and start a family.
9. IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ELEPHANT
“In the Footsteps of Elephant” follows filmmakers as they capture the epic journey of African elephants across the Kalahari desert for Disneynature’s “Elephant.” The team faces extreme weather, inaccessible terrain, crocodile-infested waters and close encounters with lions in order to shine a light on these remarkable creatures and their ancient migrations.
8. BORN IN CHINA
Venturing into the wilds of China, “Born in China” captures intimate moments with a panda and her growing cub, a young golden monkey who feels displaced by his baby sister, and a mother snow leopard struggling to raise her two cubs.
7. BEARS
In an epic story of breathtaking scale, Disneynature’s new True Life Adventure “Bears” showcases a year in the life of a bear family as two impressionable young cubs are taught life’s most important lessons.
6. CHIMPANZEE
Meet adorable young chimp Oscar and his fellow mayhem-creating buddies, who see the world as their playground. Full of curiosity, joy and a love for mimicking others, these are some of the most extraordinary personalities in the jungle.
5. MONKEY KINGDOM
Life is an adventure for a young monkey and her son, living among ancient ruins in the jungle. But when her family is forced from their home, she must lead them to safety amidst strange new creatures and surroundings.
4. AFRICAN CATS
Meet Mara, an endearing lion cub striving to be like her mother; Sita, a cheetah and single mother of five; and Fang, a proud leader of the pride who must defend his family from a rival lion.
3. PENGUINS LIFE ON THE EDGE
Follows the witty and tenacious team of filmmakers behind Disneynature’s “Penguins,” a coming-of-age story about an Adélie penguin named Steve.
2. DOLPHIN REEF
Echo, a young Pacific dolphin, seems far more interested in exploring his spectacular coral reef home than learning to survive in it. But lessons from his family may encourage Echo to master his vital role in the marine community.
1. DIVING WITH DOLPHINS
Diving With Dolphins chronicles the making of Disneynature’s Dolphin Reef, the story of a young Pacific bottlenose dolphin named Echo. From wave surfing with dolphins in South Africa to dancing with humpback whales in Hawaii, filmmakers go to great lengths – and depths – to shed new light on the ocean’s mysteries.
That’s my ranking. We’re not all going to agree and that’s okay. What Disneynature documentaries do you enjoy most?
