What are you watching tonight? These days, that’s the question on everyone’s lips — and in the weeks at home ahead, we’re going to have to get a little creative. So, have you considered the oft-overlooked category of documentaries for some family-friendly fun? Documentaries can be just as exciting and entertaining as narrative films, so they’re the perfect unexplored terrain to watch with your kids. Documentaries can be both educational and emotionally powerful, and sometimes, it takes watching a true story to really hit home.
Children of all ages love movies about animals, especially exotic ones from different parts of the world. Chimpanzees, bears and African cats all have their own movies. Learning about animals and their habitats will most likely inspire your kids to realize how important taking care of the earth really is.
But not all documentaries are about animals. Some are about astonishing, brave people like Miles Scott, a 5-year-old cancer patient who dreams of being a superhero in the movie Batkid Begins. He Named Me Malala is about Malala Yousafzai, the girl who was attacked by the Taliban in Pakistan simply for saying that girls should go to school. Documentaries like these will open your child’s eyes to the difficult experiences some kids go through and hopefully help them appreciate their own lives even more — and at a time like this, we need to foster a sense of global community more than ever.
Here are our 17 favorites. We’ve also recommended the ages we found appropriate to view each documentary, after screening them ourselves. Happy watching!
‘March of the Penguins’
Narrated by Morgan Freeman, March of the Penguins tells the story of the emperor penguins in the South Pole, and their yearly mating ritual and harsh journeys to build a family. Expect to cry, expect to feel deeply moved, and expect to hold your own family close.
Recommended ages: All ages
‘Chimpanzee’
Narrated by Tim Allen, this incredible doc tells the true story of a baby chimpanzee who, after being separated from its family, is adopted by the alpha male from a new troop. You and your kids will love this movie because it shows how these precious animals live with a full range of emotions (just like us) while going to great lengths to protect those most vulnerable. This is one of the most unusual and inspiring chimpanzee stories ever recorded on film.
Recommended ages: All ages
‘Jane’
Speaking of chimpanzees, the documentary Jane is about the life and work of Jane Goodall, a pioneer in studying primate behavior who went to live with chimpanzees in Africa when she was just 26 years old. Through spending years observing the apes’ behavior, she made a series of groundbreaking discoveries that made humans understand that chimpanzees are more like us than we had thought. Now, at the age of 84, Goodall travels all around the world to help others figure out ways to protect nature. She’s a true inspiration to girls and animal lovers around the world.
Recommended ages: 11 and up
‘Ladies First’
If your kids are into sports, they’re going to love Deepika Kumari’s story. Coming from India, Kumari grew up not only in poverty but also in a culture where girls are told they are incapable of playing sports. At the age of 12, hungry and desperate, she began to learn archery because members of the archery training team were given one meal a day. Turns out she was pretty good with a bow. She went on to represent India at the 2016 Rio Olympics. This movie will show your kids you don’t need to be rich to accomplish your dreams.
Recommended ages: 9 and up
Watch here.
‘Batkid Begins’
Who doesn’t love a feel-good story, especially when it involves superheroes? On Nov. 15, 2013, the Make-a-Wish Foundation and all of San Francisco came together to grant a 5-year-old cancer patient’s wish to be Batman as the world watched on TV and social media. This heartwarming story shows the good that can happen when everyone — including children — works together for a common goal.
Recommended ages: All ages
‘He Named Me Malala’
When Malala Yousafzai was 15, she was shot in the head by the Taliban because she spoke up about the need for women to be educated. After recovering, she has traveled around the world fighting for women’s rights and telling her story. She’s also the youngest person ever to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Her story is one of courage and inspiration and will hopefully prevent American kids from taking school for granted.
Recommended ages: 9 and up
‘Blindsight’
Erik Weihenmayer went blind at the age of 13. Not wanting his disability to hold him back, he started mountain climbing at the age of 16. He wanted to share his love of climbing with other blind people and led a group of six Tibetan teenagers up Mount Everest. This is their story. This movie will give your kids a lesson in endurance, patience and the belief that anything is possible.
Recommended ages: 9 and up
‘Bears’
This doc follows a mama bear and her three cubs as she teaches them how to survive in the Alaskan wilderness. What’s incredible about this film is that cameras go inside the bears’ den, allowing us to witness her cubs’ first moments. This is a great film for kids because it reinforces the mother/child bond in a way they’ve likely never seen.
Recommended ages: All ages
‘Keep On Keepin’ On’
This doc follows jazz legend Clark Terry, who happens to have been Quincy Jones’ first music teacher, The story is focused on a young, blind piano prodigy whom Terry mentors for an upcoming competition. This is a great movie for kids who are interested in the arts or who are facing a physical disability. And the music is great.
Recommended ages: 12 and up
‘Girls Rock!’
Lots of girls go to camp, but this camp for aspiring rock ‘n’ rollers is different. Although the goal is for the girls to get to know each other, form bands and write songs in just five days, there’s something else happening here. In addition to the musical experience, these girls are building their self-esteem and finding their power in a very loud way. This doc is great for girls who may have body issues, low self-esteem or insecurities.
Recommended ages: All ages
‘First Position’
If your son or daughter has ever expressed the desire to be a dancer, this is a must-watch documentary. It follows young dancers from around the world as they compete in the Youth America Grand Prix, a competition that could change their lives. This movie focuses on the many sacrifices dancers make if they want to become professionals. This film is a great example of hard work paying off.
Recommended ages: 9 and up
‘African Cats’
Africa is breathtakingly beautiful, and so are its large cats. This film follows a family of cheetahs and a family of lions as the cat moms raise their young, teaching them to hunt and how to survive in lean times. This is a great movie for any kids who love animals but also teaches them about the millennia-old cycle of life.
Recommended ages: 8 and up
‘Bully’
This movie is a must-watch for parents and kids alike. It takes a close look at the problem of bullying in schools and why the culture needs to change, especially if the school’s faculty or administration isn’t taking it seriously. This movie is important for both kids who have been bullied and for kids who do the bullying.
Recommended ages: 9 and up
‘The Crash Reel’
Shaun White and Kevin Pearce, who have been friends from childhood, became the first and second best snowboarders in the world leading up to the Vancouver Winter Olympics. But when Pearce has a near-fatal crash in a Park City half-pipe, his family and friends worry he won’t survive. After a long recovery, Pearce is desperate to return to the sport, even though it could kill him. This movie is great for kids who are into sports, especially football, where head injuries are common. This movie will prompt the question, “Are the risks worth it?”
Recommended ages: 9 and up
‘The Final Days of Anne Frank’
Many people know the story of the little Jewish girl who kept a diary while being forced to hide in an attic during World War II. But what happened to her after the Nazis discovered her? This documentary tells the story of Anne Frank’s final days at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. Yes, this is a sad story, but it’s a very powerful one. Children need to know about what happened in the Holocaust, and Anne Frank is a good entry point.
Recommended ages: 12 and up, with parental supervision
‘Far From the Tree’
This doc is based on the nonfiction book of the same name by Andrew Solomon. It investigates what it is like to have a child who turned out very differently from the parents’ expectations. Solomon says he wrote the book in an effort to forgive his own parents, who were disappointed that he was gay. This movie is great for any kid who feels different or who has a physical, social or psychological challenge.
Recommended ages: 11 and up
‘Audrie & Daisy’
Audrie & Daisy tells the tragic story of two teen girls, Audrie Pott and Daisy Coleman, who were sexually assaulted, then cyberbullied and shamed online. Pott was so traumatized by the experience that she took her own life. This is a must-watch for teen girls and especially teen boys.
Recommended ages: 12 and up, with parental supervision
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