My seven-year-old is obsessed with anything non-fiction, whether it’s reality shows about creating things with LEGO or books about shark attacks. To help nurture his interest in real life, I’ve started looking for documentaries to show him the world around us and keep his attention. Luckily, there are plenty out there to choose from—here are some of my favorites.
Ghosts of the Abyss (2003)
Given some of its content, you might have qualms about your children seeing the 1997 film Titanic. However, James Cameron still has you covered. He and one of the film’s stars, Bill Paxton, filmed a dive to view the wreckage of the ill-fated ship to give viewers an awe-inspiring look at what remains in the ocean.
Where to Stream: Digital rental
LEGO: A Brickumentary (2014)
Fans of the reality competition program LEGO Masters might recognize one of the show’s judges, Jamie Berard, in this film that chronicles the humble beginnings and continued appeal of the beloved construction toy.
Where to Stream: Roku Channel, Kanopy, Digital rental
Camp Courage (2023)
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has inflicted trauma not only on the soldiers on the ground but also on the families living there. This doc focuses on a young girl and her grandmother from the war-torn nation at a summer camp in the Alps. The war veterans in charge of the camp help the duo heal from the pain they’ve witnessed and build resilience so they can move on with their lives.
Where to Stream: Netflix
Apollo 11 (2019)
Using unreleased footage from NASA, the mission that brought Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to the lunar surface is given all the gravitas of a summer blockbuster, filled with eye-catching scenes that rival anything Marvel offers.
Where to Stream: Tubi, Roku Channel, Digital rental
Paper Clips (2004)
In a small Tennessee town, three middleschool teachers wanted to show their students the significance of the six million Jews the Nazis killed during the holocaust, so they asked their students to collect paper clips to represent a life lost. The project grew, with survivors, celebrities, and even politicians contributing to the inspirational and educational cause.
Where to Stream: Digital rental
March of the Penguins (2005)
This French documentary is so popular even my kids know about it, and it’s easy to see why. Two cinematographers filmed the yearly courtship and breeding of emperor penguins in Antarctica, which requires an arduous journey through frigid temperatures to give their young the food they need to grow. The footage inspired the animated film Happy Feet.
Where to Stream: Digital rental
Mad Hot Ballroom (2005)
Fifth graders in a ballroom dance class at the New York Department of Education spill the tea about their lives, loves, and whether boys or girls make the better dancers in this charming story told from the students’ point of view. It all culminates in a competition where some will leave victorious and others in tears.
Where to Stream: Kanopy, Digital rental
The Last Repair Shop (2023)
Nominated for an Oscar this year, this short documentary follows the staff of a Los Angeles warehouse dedicated to keeping student instruments in good working order. Even if your child isn’t into music, seeing the devotion of these craftspeople working to keep up the instruments will let them see how much care goes into the process.
Where to Stream: YouTube, Hulu, Disney+
The Elephant Queen (2019)
Life in the African savannah literally happens around the waterhole, with everything from dung beetles to lizards making these spots home. When a drought dries up this meeting place, an elephant mother packs up her family to travel 200 dangerous miles to find another one in this powerful story.
Where to Stream: Apple TV+
Spellbound (2002)
More suspenseful than any Hollywood film, eight Scripps National Spelling Bee contestants deal with pressure, unrealistic expectations, drama, and really long words that no one uses in this smart and entertaining doc.
Where to Stream: Kanopy, Freevee, Digital rental
The Pixar Story (2007)
The origin story of the fabled animation studio may feel a little corporate, but at its heart, it is a tale of the unusual journeys we all must take to find what we are meant to do.
Where to Stream: Disney+, Digital rental
Chimpanzee (2012)
Part of Disney’s series of nature films, this documentary follows Oscar, a young, rambunctious chimpanzee separated from his family. He eventually partners with an older chimp named Freddy who cares for the young animal like his own.
Where to Stream: Disney+, Digital rental
Bully (2012)
It can be difficult watching this film and not feeling empathy for the victims of school bullying that the film follows, but it shows parents and children that their voices can make a difference in the lives of those who can’t defend themselves.
Where to Stream: Kanopy, Digital rental
My Octopus Teacher (2020)
It seemed like this Oscar-winning film was all anyone watched during the pandemic, and it still holds up now that things are (kind of) back to normal. When a free diver befriends an octopus in a kelp forest, he learns about her ocean home and what we must do to survive and care for our family.
Where to Stream: Netflix
