TL;DR: Our Planet is arguably the most beautiful nature documentary ever made, but it is significantly "heavier" than its predecessors. It trades the pure wonder of Planet Earth for a direct, sometimes heartbreaking look at how climate change is impacting the animals we’re watching. It’s a 10/10 for educational value, but a 6/10 for "chill bedtime vibes" because of a few notoriously brutal scenes.
Quick Recommendations for Nature Lovers:
- For the littles (Ages 3-6): If I Were an Animal or Wild Babies
- For pure wonder (Ages 6+): A Perfect Planet or Blue Planet II
- For the "How did they film that?" kids: Night on Earth
Our Planet is an eight-part Netflix original series narrated by the legendary Sir David Attenborough. While it looks like the high-definition nature docs we’ve seen for decades, there is a fundamental shift in its DNA.
Usually, nature documentaries follow a "look at this cool bird, now look at this scary shark" format. Our Planet does that, but it adds a "and here is why this bird is losing its home" layer to every single segment. It was produced in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), so the conservation message isn't just a footnote at the end—it's the whole point.
The visuals are, quite literally, the best in the world. If you have a 4K TV, this is the show you use to show off what it can do. Kids are naturally drawn to the high-stakes drama of the animal kingdom. Whether it’s a deep-sea fish that looks like an alien or a Siberian tiger prowling through the snow, the "wow" factor is constant.
For intentional parents, the appeal is the authenticity. We live in an era of "brain rot" content—think Skibidi Toilet or endless Roblox Let’s Plays—that offers high stimulation with zero substance. Our Planet is the antidote. It’s high-quality, scientifically accurate, and sparks massive dinner-table conversations about the world.
Ask our chatbot for more high-quality alternatives to "brain rot" YouTube content
We need to talk about the walruses.
If you’ve heard parents whispering about Our Planet at school pickup, they’re probably talking about Episode 2 ("Frozen Worlds"). There is a sequence involving walruses falling from sea cliffs that is legitimately traumatizing for some adults, let alone a seven-year-old.
Unlike older documentaries that might cut away before the "nature’s teeth" part gets too real, Our Planet stays on the shot to drive home the point that these animals are suffering because of receding sea ice.
Other "Shield Your Eyes" Moments:
- Predation: There are successful hunts. You will see orcas hunting seals and wolves chasing caribou. It’s not gratuitously gory, but it’s honest.
- The Climate "Gloom": The show doesn't sugarcoat the fact that some of these species are in deep trouble. If your child is prone to "eco-anxiety," this show might feel like a heavy weight rather than an inspiration.
If you want the education without the nightmares, here is how to handle Our Planet:
1. The Pre-Watch Screen
If you have a child under 8, or a sensitive older child, you might want to check out a guide on specific episode triggers. You can skip the walrus scene (it’s in the last 15 minutes of Episode 2) and still enjoy the rest of the series.
2. Narrate the Narrative
Don't just leave them alone with the iPad for this one. This is a "co-viewing" masterpiece. When the show gets sad, talk about it. "It’s hard to watch that, isn't it? That’s why the people who made this show want us to care about the ice melting."
3. Balance with "Action"
If the show makes them feel helpless, pivot to something actionable. Maybe that means checking out National Geographic Kids to learn about conservation or playing a game like Eco where they can actually build a sustainable civilization.
- Ages 2-5: Honestly, skip it. Stick to Octonauts or Puffin Rock. They get the nature vibes without the existential dread of a dying planet.
- Ages 6-9: Watch together. Be ready to fast-forward or explain the "Circle of Life" in a way that doesn't end in tears.
- Ages 10+: This is the sweet spot. They are old enough to understand the science, handle the reality of predation, and engage with the climate change messaging without feeling completely overwhelmed.
If Our Planet sparks a deep interest in the natural world, here are the best ways to keep that momentum going:
This is a more intimate, personal story. It’s less about "the world is changing" and more about "one man’s relationship with a single creature." It’s beautiful, emotional, and much lower on the "nature is brutal" scale.
If you want to take the screen out of the equation, Wingspan is a stunningly beautiful board game about attracting birds to your wildlife preserve. It’s basically the Our Planet of tabletop gaming.
For younger kids, this is a great "nature-first" game that teaches about herbalism and plants without the "predator vs. prey" intensity.
If your kid loved the "nature vs. survival" aspect of the show, this book (and the movie) is a perfect companion. It explores the intersection of technology and the natural world in a way that is deeply moving.
Let’s be real: Our Planet has a clear point of view. It isn't just trying to entertain; it’s trying to move the needle on environmental policy. In 2026, this shouldn't be a "controversial" stance, but as a parent, you should know that the show leans heavily into the "human-caused" aspect of climate change.
If your family prefers nature docs that are strictly "look at the pretty animals" without the "here is why humans are the problem" commentary, you might find this series frustrating. If you want your kids to be ecologically literate, this is the gold standard.
Our Planet is a masterpiece, but it isn't "passive" TV. It’s an active, emotional experience.
Don’t put it on as background noise while you’re making dinner if you have sensitive kids in the room. Do watch it on a Friday night with a bowl of popcorn and a willingness to answer some tough questions about why the world is changing.
It’s a rare piece of media that treats children like they are capable of understanding complex, difficult truths. In a world of YouTube shorts and mindless scrolling, that's something worth supporting—even if it means a few "sad walrus" tears along the way.
- Check the Wise Score: Head over to the Our Planet media page to see how other parents in the Screenwise community rated the "fright" factor.
- Plan your episodes: If you’re short on time, "Coastal Seas" and "Jungles" are generally higher on the "cool" factor and lower on the "devastating" factor than "Frozen Worlds."
- Explore more: Check out our guide on the best nature documentaries for kids by age.
Ask our chatbot for a list of nature documentaries that don't show animals eating each other