The Disney+ streaming platform is well known for having the best movies and series belonging to the popular Disney catalog, which also includes Marvel or Lucasfilm. But it also has a good number of documentaries on the most varied topics.
Disney+ also includes the contents of National Geographic.
Some of these documentaries are National Geographic productions, whose contents are also available to subscribers of the Disney+ streaming platform. Watch for a list of the platform’s best documentaries:
The best National Geographic documentaries on Disney Plus
–“Apollo: Missions to the Moon”.: More than half a century after man’s first landing on the Moon, the feat continues to impress and captivate. This National Geographic documentary (whose contents can also be seen on the Disney+ streaming platform) covers the entire Apollo program missions.
They are shown from the first to the last, number 17, which marked in 1972 the last manned trip to our satellite. Thanks to archival material, the entire journey from the Earth to the Moon can be experienced. In addition, we learn about the preparations and the testimonies of those who participated in a historic event.
–“Before it’s too late”: Guided by actor Leonardo DiCaprio, viewers will become aware of the risks of climate change. The idea is to make them aware of the damage that man has already caused to the environment. Also of the consequences it may have in the future and what can be done to combat it.
–“Becoming Cousteau”: Thanks to his documentary series, since the 1970s the underwater world has ceased to be unknown to a large part of humanity. This documentary approaches the figure of the famous French oceanic explorer and submarine Jacques Cousteau. It is based on more than 550 hours of archive material. It includes more than a hundred hours of an audio diary. Also interviews with collaborators and crew members of the famous ship Calypso.
–“Volcanoes: The Tragedy of Katia and Maurice Krafft”.: It tells the fascinating story of a couple of intrepid volcanologists, Katia and Maurice Krafft who traveled the planet for years. All to document and investigate volcanic eruptions until, unfortunately, they died in one of these cataclysms that took place in 1991.
–“The Rescue”.: When a dozen young soccer players were trapped along with their coach in a flooded cave in northern Thailand the world was shaken. All kinds of resources were mobilized to try to save them from the labyrinth of flooded subway tunnels. All against the clock, as their lives were in danger with every passing minute.
Other outstanding documentaries from National Geographic
– “Expedition Amelia”: The discoverer of the submerged wreckage of the Titanic, Robert Ballard, tries to solve the mysterious 1937 disappearance of adventurer and aviator Amelia Earhart. Contact with her was lost in the middle of a solo flight over the Pacific while she was circling the world in her airplane. Her fate remains unknown to this day. A courageous and inspiring woman who has fascinated both for her life achievements and for the mystery surrounding her disappearance.
–“Jane”: Drawing on over a hundred hours of footage, including previously unpublished recordings from the 1960s, this documentary portrays the world’s best-known primatologist, Jane Goodall. It follows her own writings on her research and features an exceptional soundtrack by Philip Glass. The result is a foray into the habitats of chimpanzees in Africa, their customs, habits and the danger they face.
–“Welcome to Earth”.: With credited director Darren Aronofsky (“Pi,” “Requiem for a Dream,” “The Whale”) behind the cameras, actor Will Smith accompanies a team of explorers and volcanologists to the bottom of a crater. The objective is to place sensors that allow detailed monitoring of the activity of a volcano. But this is not the only landscape, as extreme as it is beautiful, disturbing and attractive, that this documentary covers. In addition to being spectacular, it offers a new perspective on our planet.
–“Free solo”: Climber Alex Harnold became the first person to ascend the El Capitan wall in Yosemite National Park without the aid of ropes. This was a vertical and solo feat of 914 meters where the actual recording was a challenge so as not to interfere with the climbing. It also had to be done by experienced climbers who followed Harnold’s hand and foot ascent, without ropes, at close range.
Best documentaries on Disney Plus from other producers.
–“Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian”.: Documentary series in 10 episodes on the making of the first two seasons of the hit series “The Mandalorian” (available on Disney+). It is a collateral foray into the wider Star Wars Universe. It stars Pedro Pascal and is created by Dave Filoni, one of the names responsible for the new boom in such content. The series features interviews with actors, directors, producers and screenwriters. All of them tell multiple anecdotes, discover curiosities and offer an enriching overview.
–“Get Back”: Peter Jackson, the director of the adaptations of “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” offers in this documentary series the condensation of over 50 hours of lost footage pertaining to the 1970 recording of “Let it be”. It documents the recording process of The Beatles’ album of the same name. The result is a journey into the past and the creative process of the most influential group in the history of music.
–“Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy”.: This documentary, released in 2004, just at the height of the Prequels Trilogy’s impact, focuses on how the Original Trilogy had a defining impact on the way cinema is created and disseminated. It shows how some films go on to become not only global and mass phenomena but also highly influential social and cultural landmarks.
–“Obi-Wan Kenobi: Return of a Jedi”.: With the series “Obi Wan Kenobi” Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen returned to their roles after more than three decades away from the cameras of the Star Wars universe. Fans of the galactic saga will enjoy seeing the ins and outs of the filming. Also the testimonies of both actors (as well as the rest of the technical and creative team) to face the filming of the series.
