Best Documentaries About The Ocean

Lists
Written By Habiba Abdou

As we are living in a time where climate change is affecting our planet, it is more important than ever to become aware of its effects. The ocean, which makes up more than 70% of our planet, is suffering greatly.

Watching documentaries about the ocean is an excellent source of learning more about it and discovering ways on how to help. Here, we’ll summarize the seventeen best documentaries about the ocean that you don’t want to miss.

1. My Octopus Teacher (2020)

This Netflix original documentary was released in September 2020 and quickly became a worldwide phenomenon. It follows the story of filmmaker Craig Foster and his unexpected bond with an octopus he met off the coast of South Africa.

It highlights the complex and intelligent behavior of the octopus and their importance in marine life. The documentary allows viewers to gain a closer look at the wildlife and beauty of the ocean.

2. The Blue Planet (2001)

The Blue Planet is a widely recognized and award-winning documentary series produced by the BBC that was aired in 2001. It presents the aquatic wonderland of the ocean in full focus, highlighting the variety of life that exists beneath the waves.

The Blue Planet includes footage from every corner of the earth’s oceans, featuring rare and exotic creatures.

👉 Watch The Blue Planet on Amazon Prime

👉 Buy The Blue Planet as DVD on Amazon UK

3. Mission Blue (2014)

Mission Blue is a Netflix original that follows Dr. Sylvia Earle, a renowned oceanographer, in her attempt to save the ocean from ecological disaster.

The film emphasizes how the actions of humans have directly caused harm to the ocean and the measures that can still be taken to protect it. This documentary is a must-watch for anyone interested in taking action and learning about the value of the ocean.

4. Our Planet

Our Planet, produced by the makers of Planet Earth and narrated by Sir David Attenborough, was released on Netflix in 2019.

The series showcases stunning natural visuals and offers a scientifically-based narrative of the species and environments that are found throughout the world's oceans. The remarkable cinematography and the subject matter of Our Planet make it a must-watch for nature and ocean enthusiasts.

5. James Cameron’s Deepsea Challenge (2014)

James Cameron's Deepsea Challenge is a thrilling documentary that offers a firsthand view into the deep depths of the ocean.

James Cameron, who is known for Titanic and Avatar, embarked on a historical dive into the deepest part of the ocean called the Mariana Trench. This documentary highlights the challenges that come with exploring oceans' outermost regions—areas uniquely affected by a rapidly changing climate.

👉 Watch James Cameron’s Deepsea Challenge on Amazon Prime

👉 Buy James Cameron’s Deepsea Challenge as DVD on Amazon

6. Chasing Coral (2017)

In Chasing Coral, documentary filmmaker Jeff Orlowski uses time-lapse technology to showcase how coral reefs are disappearing due to climate change. It presents a more stunning take on how climate change has affected the ocean, the severe threat to the marine ecosystem, and the life that depends on it.

The documentary aims to engage global audiences on this crisis and adapt and create solutions to preserve aquatic life.

7. A Plastic Ocean (2016)

This documentary exposes the harsh reality of plastic pollution in the ocean. Director Craig Leeson and a team of researchers embark on a journey across 20 locations to investigate the impacts of plastic waste on marine life, as well as human health.

They discover how plastic pollution affects every level of the food chain and how the "disposable" culture has created one of the biggest environmental disasters of our time.

👉 Watch A Plastic Ocean on Amazon Prime

👉 Buy A Plastic Ocean as DVD on Amazon

8. Watson

This documentary focuses on Paul Watson, the founder of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, and his unrelenting efforts to protect marine life. Watson follows the controversial activist as he confronts illegal fishing practices, whaling, and other forms of ocean exploitation.

The documentary highlights the challenges that environmental activists face and the critical role that they play in protecting our oceans.

👉 Watch Watson on Amazon Prime

9. Seaspiracy

In this recent Netflix documentary, filmmaker Ali Tabrizi examines the commercial fishing industry and how it is causing severe damage to the ocean.

The documentary uncovers shocking truths about the impact of overfishing, bycatch, and industrial fishing practices. Seaspiracy shows how the consumer choices we make can impact ocean health and what can be done to restore the ocean's ecosystem.

10. Blackfish

This documentary tells the story of an orca named Tilikum, who spent years of his life in captivity at SeaWorld. As the documentary reveals, Tilikum was responsible for the death of three people, including his trainer.

The film explores the ethical implications of keeping marine mammals in captivity, and how the booming marine park industry exploits these majestic creatures for profit.

👉 Watch Blackfish on Amazon Prime

👉 Buy Blackfish as DVD on Amazon

11. The Last Ocean

This documentary focuses on the pristine Ross Sea in Antarctica, which remained largely untouched until recently. The film explores the controversy surrounding the proposed exploitation of the area's abundant marine resources, which are coveted by numerous industries.

The Last Ocean raises important questions about how we can protect our oceans and balance the need for economic growth with environmental conservation.

👉 Watch The Last Ocean on Amazon Prime

12. Dolphin Reef (2018)

Narrated by Oscar-winning actress, Natalie Portman, Dolphin Reef takes you on a journey to the crystal-clear waters of the Polynesian islands to explore the life of dolphins. Through stunning footage, we witness the intricate social lives, communication, and intelligence of these fascinating creatures.

This Disney+ original also highlights the importance of conservation efforts to protect these playful mammals and their habitat.

13. The End of the Line (2009)

This eye-opening documentary explores the overfishing crisis in our oceans, as we face the threat of depleted fish stocks and a catastrophic collapse of the marine ecosystem.

This film follows investigative journalist Charles Clover as he uncovers the alarming reality of industrial fishing practices, and the destructive impact they have on our marine life. The End of the Line is a powerful call to action for the need to adopt sustainable fishing practices and to protect our oceans for future generations.

👉 Watch The End of the Line on Amazon Prime

👉 Buy The End of the Line as DVD on Amazon

14. Turtle: The Incredible Journey (2009)

This documentary follows the journey of a loggerhead sea turtle from her hatching in the Florida sands to her eventual return to the same beach to nest at maturity.

Along the way, we witness the dangers sea turtles face, such as pollution, climate change, and hunting, as well as the tireless efforts of conservationists to preserve their habitats.

👉 Watch Turtle: The Incredible Journey on Amazon Prime

👉 Buy Turtle: The Incredible Journey as DVD on Amazon

15. The Kodiak Queen (2018)

This immersive documentary tells the story of the underwater art installation, "Kodiak Queen," a rusted WWII ship that was transformed into a thriving artificial reef off the coast of the British Virgin Islands.

This documentary showcases the power of art, and how it can inspire change, and highlights the importance of sustainable practices in marine life conservation.

16. Planet Ocean (2012)

This visually stunning documentary takes us on a journey across the globe to showcase the beauty and diversity of our oceans, as well as the critical role they play in regulating the Earth's climate.

Narrated by actor and environmentalist, Josh Duhamel, this film explores the impact of human activity on our oceans while offering hope for a sustainable future.

👉 Watch Planet Ocean on Amazon Prime

👉 Buy Planet Ocean as DVD on Amazon

Conclusion

The ocean is an incredibly diverse and complex environment that provides a home to marine life and seafood to millions of people worldwide. The documentaries above provide fantastic glimpses into underwater worlds while promoting greater awareness of the need for conservation.

Documentaries can use a powerful tool to drive change and show us the beauty of the oceans, the staggering effects of climate change, and the need for conservation. So, grab some popcorn and join these jaw-dropping journeys.

 
Habiba Abdou
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