Planet Earth III – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Planet Earth III

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2023

93%

WISE Score

100

Avg. Tomatometer

David Attenborough returns with jaw-dropping footage that'll make your kids actually want to learn about biodiversity.

9.1/10

100%

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Planet Earth III

show

TV-PG, 2023

93%

WISE Score

100

Avg. Tomatometer

David Attenborough returns with jaw-dropping footage that'll make your kids actually want to learn about biodiversity.

9.1

100%

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9.1/10

100%

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Screenwise Verdict

This is what educational television should look like: stunning, scientifically rigorous, emotionally engaging, and genuinely entertaining. Planet Earth III continues the franchise's legacy of showing us our planet in ways we've never seen before.

The WISE scores are sky-high because this is legitimately great content that happens to be educational rather than educational content trying to be entertaining. Kids will remember these sequences for years, and the conservation messaging lands without being preachy.

The only consideration is whether your younger kids can handle the reality that animals eat other animals. The show doesn't shy away from predation, but it's never gratuitous—just honest about how ecosystems work. For most kids 8+, this is a non-issue and actually an important part of understanding nature.

In an era of brain-rot content, this is the antidote. Highly recommended for family viewing.

Age Fit

Best for ages 8-10+ who can handle circle-of-life realities and have the attention span for slower-paced, observational storytelling. Adults will be equally mesmerized—this is appointment television for nature lovers of all ages.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Nature documentary showcasing the wonder of the natural world with David Attenborough's calming narration. Models cooperation through animal behavior, presents life cycles honestly but respectfully, and maintains an emotionally healthy tone throughout. The pacing is deliberate and meditative rather than chaotic, perfect for focused viewing.

Imaginative

Stunning cinematography reveals hidden worlds and animal behaviors never before filmed, sparking genuine curiosity about the planet. The series invites viewers to see familiar environments (coasts, oceans, deserts) through fresh perspectives, encouraging exploration and wonder about the natural world. The technical achievement alone—capturing behaviors that took years to film—demonstrates creative problem-solving.

Safe

Nature documentaries inherently show predator-prey dynamics and animal deaths, but Planet Earth handles these moments with sensitivity—no gratuitous violence or gore. Common Sense Media rates it 10+, acknowledging brief hunting sequences. The BBC/Attenborough approach is educational rather than sensational. Kids mode available on streaming platforms. No unexpected disturbing content, though younger sensitive viewers might need context for circle-of-life moments.

Enriching

Exceptional educational value with cutting-edge science, conservation messaging, and exposure to ecosystems worldwide. Builds empathy for wildlife, teaches ecological concepts, and demonstrates the interconnectedness of life. The 'making of' segments show STEM careers in action. Perfect Rotten Tomatoes (100%) and strong IMDb (9.1) and Metacritic (88) scores reflect critical consensus on its quality. Genuinely entertaining while delivering meaningful takeaways about our planet's fragility and resilience.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Cinematography so stunning it doesn't feel like homework—this is genuinely captivating television that holds attention spans
Teaches real science and ecology without dumbing it down, perfect for curious kids who want actual information
Conservation messaging that's hopeful rather than doom-and-gloom, showing what we can do to protect these ecosystems
Behind-the-scenes segments reveal STEM careers and the patience/problem-solving required to capture this footage
Universally acclaimed (100% RT, 9.1 IMDb) for good reason—this is the BBC Natural History Unit at peak form

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What to Watch For

Nature is nature: you'll see hunting sequences and animals dying, though it's handled tastefully and educationally rather than graphically
Younger or more sensitive kids (under 8-9) might need you nearby to contextualize predator-prey dynamics as part of the circle of life
Some episodes touch on climate change and habitat loss—important topics but might prompt bigger conversations about environmental anxiety

Conversation Starters

"Which animal behavior surprised you the most? Why do you think they evolved to do that?"
"How do you think the camera crew managed to film that scene? What challenges would they face?"
"What can our family do to help protect some of these ecosystems we're seeing?"
"If you could study any of these animals for a year, which would you choose and what would you want to learn?"

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