The Green Planet – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Green Planet

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2022

94%

WISE Score

100

Avg. Tomatometer

David Attenborough makes plants more dramatic than most action movies—and somehow it actually works.

9.1/10

100%

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The Green Planet

show

TV-PG, 2022

94%

WISE Score

100

Avg. Tomatometer

David Attenborough makes plants more dramatic than most action movies—and somehow it actually works.

9.1

100%

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9.1/10

100%

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Screenwise Verdict

This is what prestige nature documentaries are meant to be. The Green Planet takes something we literally walk past every day—plants—and makes them feel like alien life forms worthy of a Marvel movie.

The time-lapse photography is genuinely mind-blowing, showing plants racing toward sunlight, strangling competitors, and setting elaborate traps for prey. Attenborough's narration strikes the perfect balance between educational and accessible. The 100% critic score isn't hype—this is legitimately excellent.

The only caveat: this is not Bluey-paced content. It's slow, meditative, and requires actual attention span. If your kid is hooked on rapid-fire YouTube content, this might be a tough sell initially. But for families wanting to slow down and actually watch something together that's both beautiful and brain-building? This is gold.

Bonus: it might actually get your kid to stop and look at the weeds in the driveway, which is kind of a parenting miracle.

Age Fit

Best for ages 7-99. The Common Sense age 10 rating is conservative—younger nature-loving kids will be captivated, while adults will find it just as mesmerizing. The pacing may challenge kids under 7 unless they're already documentary fans.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Nature documentary narrated by David Attenborough focusing on plant life. Inherently peaceful, calming pacing, zero interpersonal conflict or negative modeling. Shows cooperation in ecosystems and the slow, patient rhythms of nature—perfect antidote to chaotic content.

Imaginative

Uses cutting-edge time-lapse photography and macro cinematography to reveal hidden plant behaviors invisible to the naked eye. Transforms the familiar (plants) into something alien and wondrous—plants 'fighting' for sunlight, communicating through fungal networks, setting traps. Sparks curiosity about the natural world and invites kids to look closer at their own backyard.

Safe

Nature documentary with Common Sense Media age 10 rating. Extremely safe—no violence toward humans, no inappropriate content. Minor predator-prey dynamics (insects getting caught in carnivorous plants) but presented matter-of-factly as ecosystem function, not gratuitously. No jump scares, no disturbing imagery. The only 'threat' is natural processes like drought or competition for resources.

Enriching

Exceptional educational value. Perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 9.1 on IMDb signals critical and audience acclaim. Teaches botany, ecology, evolution, time scales, interconnected systems, climate impact—all through stunning visuals. Attenborough's narration provides scientific context without being dry. Kids absorb complex concepts (mycorrhizal networks, phototropism, pollination strategies) through compelling storytelling. Builds environmental awareness and respect for non-charismatic life forms.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Absolutely gorgeous cinematography that reveals plant behaviors you've never seen—time-lapse sequences show plants 'moving' and 'fighting' in ways that feel almost sci-fi
Perfect 100% critic score and 9.1 IMDb rating—this is premium BBC nature documentary at its finest
Teaches complex ecological concepts (mycorrhizal networks, photosynthesis, pollination) through pure visual storytelling without feeling like a textbook
Calming, meditative pacing that's genuinely relaxing for the whole family—no manufactured drama or chaos
Builds appreciation for the 'boring' parts of nature and might actually get kids excited about the plants in their own yard

⚠

What to Watch For

The slow pacing is intentional but might lose very young kids (under 8) or those hooked on fast-cut content—best for patient viewers
Occasional predator-prey moments (insects trapped by carnivorous plants) presented factually but could be slightly intense for very sensitive kids
Works best on a big screen—watching on a phone defeats the entire visual purpose
Common Sense Media suggests age 10, but honestly younger kids with interest in nature will be fine, especially with a parent to answer questions

Conversation Starters

"What was the weirdest plant behavior you saw? Did any of them remind you of animals?"
"Why do you think plants move so slowly compared to us? What would happen if they could move fast?"
"Have you noticed any of these plant tricks in our yard or at the park?"
"If you could design a plant with a superpower, what would it be and why?"
"Why do you think so many plants need insects or other animals to survive?"

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