Global Top 10 Must-Watch Documentaries — Best Documentary Rankings

Introduction

Documentaries are a form of film or television art that uses real life as creative material, portrays actual people and events, and involves artistic processing and presentation to reveal truth. Their essence lies in presenting reality and provoking thought through authenticity. So, which documentaries are considered classic and worth watching? Below, we have compiled a global ranking of documentaries for everyone to explore.

Global Top 10 Must-Watch Documentaries

1. Planet Earth
2. The Blue Planet
3. The Hunt
4. Hexi Corridor
5. Frozen Planet
6. Seven Worlds, One Planet
7. Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey
8. Human Planet
9. Penguins: Spy in the Huddle
10. Our Planet

Best Documentary Rankings — An Overview​

​​1. Planet Earth​​

The Planet Earthseries has consistently received high ratings , with Planet Earth IIholding the highest score of 9.8. This season continues to showcase the extraordinary yet everyday moments of animals and plants across the globe. Divided into six episodes—Islands, Mountains, Jungles, Deserts, Grasslands, and Cities—it features sloths, Komodo dragons, lemurs, marine iguanas, chinstrap penguins, snow leopards, and countless other creatures, each adapted uniquely to their habitats. The cinematic quality makes it feel more like a Hollywood blockbuster than a documentary.

​​2. The Blue Planet​​

BBC’s The Blue Planetseries is widely acclaimed, with Blue Planet IIscoring 9.8. It marked the first simultaneous broadcast of a natural history series across Europe and Asia. From polar seas to coral reefs, the Atlantic to the deep ocean, the series reveals astonishing new landscapes and bizarre species. With an Oscar-nominated score by George Fenton, performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and groundbreaking audiovisual technology, it sets a new standard for high-quality documentaries, making it a timeless treasure.

​​3. The Hunt​​

The Huntis one of the highest-rated documentaries and a personal favorite. Over three years, the team filmed in over 30 countries, spanning rainforests, tundras, oceans, grasslands, and polar regions. It captures rare, breathtaking moments, such as orcas cooperatively hunting a humpback whale and the Darwin’s bark spider spinning 25-meter-long webs. The documentary also highlights efforts by scientists and conservationists to protect endangered species.

​​4. Hexi Corridor​​

Hexi Corridoris among China’s most highly praised documentaries. It traces the history of the Hexi Corridor—a vital section of the Silk Road in western China—from the Han Dynasty to the present, exploring its political, military, economic, cultural, and religious significance. The documentary meticulously showcases how this region shaped Chinese history and civilization, with a tightly woven narrative and exceptionally professional visual storytelling.

​​5. Frozen Planet​​

Frozen Planetis one of BBC’s most renowned documentaries, taking five years to produce. Structured around seasonal changes, it captures the transformative scenes of Earth’s polar regions—from the “great melt” in spring to the endless daylight of summer, the “great freeze” in autumn, and the long nights of winter. The series also shares fascinating survival stories in extreme cold and unpredictable conditions. With stunning visuals, it reveals the melting poles and the diverse life that thrives there.

​​6. Seven Worlds, One Planet​​

Unlike previous BBC series like Planet Earthand Frozen Planet, which focused on habitats, Seven Worlds, One Planetexplores Earth through the lens of its seven continents. Using advanced filming technology, it captures unprecedented animal behaviors and new species, offering deeper insights into global ecosystems and origins of life. The documentary highlights the richness of biodiversity and the challenges animals face in a human-dominated world.

​​7. Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey​​

Produced by National Geographic, Cosmos: A Spacetime Odysseyis hosted by renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. It employs innovative storytelling to unveil the wonders of the universe, revitalizing elements from the original series, such as the Cosmic Calendar and the Ship of the Imagination. Viewers are guided through macro and micro perspectives of the cosmos, making it a must-watch for sci-fi enthusiasts and documentary lovers.

​​8. Human Planet​​

Human Planetexplores human survival across 80 locations worldwide, capturing rare and thrilling human activities never before seen on television. With experts and photographers working from air, land, and sea, it reveals how people adapt to environments—from remote deserts to bustling cities. Each episode focuses on a distinct geographic area, showcasing how humans and wildlife coexist and evolve.

​​9. Penguins: Spy in the Huddle​​

This entertaining and insightful documentary uses creative “spy” cameras—disguised as remote-controlled penguins or eggs—to infiltrate penguin colonies. The BBC team of 50 spent months capturing intimate, real-life moments of these adorable creatures. The footage reveals the charming and quirky behaviors of Humboldt penguins, offering an unprecedented close-up view of their daily lives.

​​10. Our Planet​​

Narrated by David Attenborough and produced by Netflix in collaboration with WWF, Our Planetpremiered in April 2019. Filmed over four years in 50 countries across all continents, it explores Earth’s last wildernesses and their animal inhabitants. From the Arctic and deep oceans to African landscapes and South American rainforests, it emphasizes the diversity of habitats and the urgent need to protect them.