Our Planet

Our Planet

show

TV-PG, 2019, Documentary, Family

WISE
77%

WISE Score

96

Avg. Tomatometer

Stunning nature documentary that'll make your kids care about the planet—then maybe cry about it a little.

IMDb9.2
RT Critics96%
MC84
TMDB8.5
Common Sense Media
Where to Watch
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Screenwise Verdict

Our Planet is the nature documentary for the climate change generation—visually stunning, scientifically solid, and emotionally manipulative in the best and worst ways.

It's legitimately gorgeous. The cinematography rivals anything BBC or National Geographic has produced, and kids will be genuinely wowed by footage of creatures they've never seen doing things they didn't know were possible. The educational value is real: ecosystems, biodiversity, animal behavior, climate science—it's all here and presented accessibly.

But here's the thing: this isn't your chill Sunday afternoon nature show. Our Planet has an agenda (a good one, but still), and it's not shy about showing you the consequences of environmental destruction. That walrus scene? Parents, you'll know it when you see it, and you might want to pre-screen. It's heartbreaking and effective, but also potentially traumatizing for younger or more sensitive kids.

The climate messaging is heavy throughout, which is important but can tip into eco-anxiety territory for kids who are already worried about the future. Co-viewing is your friend here—you'll want to be ready to process some big feelings and answer some hard questions.

Bottom line: It's excellent, important, and beautifully made. Just know what you're getting into, and maybe have the tissue box ready.

Age Fit

Best for ages 8-16. Younger kids will love the animals but may need parental support through intense scenes. Teens get the full environmental message without it feeling dumbed down.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
75

Nature documentary with stunning visuals and David Attenborough narration models reverence for life and environmental stewardship. Balanced pacing with contemplative sequences. However, includes predator-prey dynamics and animal death as part of natural cycles, plus emotionally heavy climate change messaging that may overwhelm sensitive viewers.

Imaginative
82

Showcases Earth's biodiversity in breathtaking cinematography that sparks wonder and curiosity about the natural world. Invites exploration of ecosystems, animal behavior, and environmental science. The 'ambitious documentary of spectacular scope' delivers on visual creativity, though format is observational rather than interactive or participatory.

Safe
65

No inappropriate content for kids (no nudity, profanity, or human violence), and kids_mode_available on platform. However, contains potentially distressing scenes: animals dying from natural causes, predation sequences, walruses falling off cliffs due to habitat loss, and stark climate change impacts showing animal suffering. These aren't gratuitous but can be emotionally intense and unexpected for young or sensitive viewers.

Enriching
88

Exceptional educational value teaching ecology, biodiversity, climate science, and conservation. Builds environmental literacy and empathy for living creatures. The TMDB rating of 8.5/10 suggests strong audience engagement. Delivers meaningful takeaways about planetary stewardship while remaining visually captivating. Genuinely entertaining while being substantive.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • Absolutely gorgeous cinematography that captures nature in ways kids have never seen—flamingos, coral reefs, jungles in 4K glory
  • Builds genuine environmental awareness and scientific literacy about ecosystems and climate change
  • David Attenborough's narration is soothing and authoritative without being preachy
  • Sparks curiosity about biology, geography, and conservation in a way that feels urgent and real
  • Actually entertaining enough that kids will want to watch, not just 'good for them' educational content
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What to Watch For

  • The walrus cliff scene is genuinely upsetting—mass death caused by habitat loss that may traumatize younger or sensitive kids
  • Regular predator-prey sequences (lions hunting, orcas catching seals) that show the reality of nature but might distress some viewers
  • Heavy climate change messaging throughout can trigger eco-anxiety, especially in kids already worried about the future
  • Some episodes show coral bleaching, deforestation, and animal suffering that's harder to watch than typical nature docs

Conversation Starters

  • "Which animal's home was the coolest? What do you think it would be like to live there?"
  • "That walrus scene was rough. How did it make you feel? What do you think we could do to help?"
  • "Why do you think the show keeps talking about climate change? What changes have you noticed in our own area?"
  • "If you could protect one habitat from the show, which would you pick and why?"
  • "What's one thing our family could do differently after watching this?"
Stills
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