With summer comes the natural world’s pull on all of us to explore everything it has to offer. You can of course do that outdoors, or even indoors with NBC and Peacock, which both have libraries full of incredible documentaries to inspire, and maybe even pre-plan your impending communions with nature.
That includes NBC’s celebration of the planet Earth and the endurance of its species in the brand-new, eight-part docuseries, Surviving Earth, debuting June 11. Audiences will get taken back in time via CG animation to witness the extraordinary resilience of life on Earth across species.
From The Americas and Becoming Orangutan to Wildlife Icons and Wild Child with Sheinelle Jones, there’s a nature series for everyone’s tastes to dive into right now. Discover our curated list of documentaries you can currently stream on NBC and Peacock below.
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What nature documentary should I watch if I want to learn about exotic species?
The Americas
NBC‘s Emmy-award nominated The Americas is a 10-episode series that travels from the frozen plains of Canada all the way down through the bottom of South America in Patagonia. In every episode, narrator Tom Hanks introduces us to species that are native to that particular region of North and South America, and brings viewers up close to their everyday struggles to survive.
Becoming Orangutan
If primates are of primary concern, the three-episode series Becoming Orangutan allows the audience to tag along as an orphaned baby orangutan grows up at the Orangutan Jungle School, where primates are nurtured by trained human caregivers and taught survival skills.
Wildlife Icons
If you love the animals of Africa, then you need to devour both seasons of Wildlife Icons, which gives audiences a closer look at the species thriving in the vast and diverse continent of Africa, from lions, rhinos, and leopards to buffalos and elephants.
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What nature doc should I watch if I love aquatic animals and species from around the globe?
Shadowlands
The three-episode series Shadowlands reveals a desperate wildlife drama playing out in the harsh, unforgiving lands of Earth’s most remote southern latitudes. From penguins to dolphins to whales, meet the creatures who call this challenging place home, and witness the strength and cunning they must use to ensure their survival.
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What nature shows let me see the day-to-day lives of animals?
Dawn to Dusk
Broken down into specific areas of the planet, the eight-episodes of Dawn to Dusk give audiences a rare glimpse of at the quirky routines and daily dramas of wildlife between sunrise and sunset. In locations around the globe, you’ll get a fascinating immersion into the lives of some of the most exotic species on the planet.
Wild Child
Beloved TODAY host Sheinelle Jones turns her attention to parents in the natural world with Wild Child. Families can take an adventure with Jones to meet the cutest, most curious, most fascinating baby animals on the planet. Along the way, audiences will witness the incredible bond that exists within the animal kingdom between parents and their children.
How can I watch Surviving Earth?
Starting June 11, Surviving Earth will drop new episodes on Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC, with episodes streaming the next day on Peacock.