10 Fascinating Documentaries That Are Family Friendly

Looking for family-friendly documentaries that are entertaining and inspiring?

Watching these stories with your kids can spark curiosity, teach resilience, and offer a glimpse into some of the most fascinating parts of our world.

list of family friendly documentaries for kids and teens

From adorable animals and space adventures to brave young heroes and daring explorers, these picks are perfect for family movie nights. Dive in and enjoy learning together!

best family friendly documentaries to watch together

Awesome Family-Friendly Documentaries To Watch With Kids

1. Chimpanzee (2012, G, 1hr 8min)

chimpanzee; best documentaries for families

This captivating documentary reveals the remarkable journey of a baby chimpanzee, Oscar. He is left to fend for himself until a surprising ally steps in to change his life.

Where to Watch: Disney+, Amazon Prime, YouTube

2. Back to The Titanic (2020, TV-PG, 44min)

Back to the titanic; family friendly documentaries

Back to the Titanic chronicles the first manned dives to the Titanic in almost 15 years.

A team of experts uses a specially designed sub to capture stunning 4K footage of the Titanic, letting them study how it’s decaying. They build the most detailed model of the wreck ever made to bring Titanic’s stories to life. They also set up a platform on the seafloor to predict the ship’s future.

Where to Watch: Disney+, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Apple TV

3. Apollo: Missions To The Moon (2019, TV-PG, 1hr 35min)

Apollo missions to the moon

In the late 1960s, the United States space program was on the brink of achieving its dream of landing a man on the Moon. A journey that began years earlier.

This documentary tells the story of Project Apollo—12 years, 12 manned missions, and one large goal. Featuring rare archival footage and audio, it provides a fresh perspective on this extraordinary chapter in human history.

Where To Watch: Disney+, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Apple TV

4. The Elephant Queen (2018, PG, 1hr 36 min)

The Elephant Queen

Journey with Athena as she leads her elephant herd across Africa. They must leave their home to find safety.

Where to Watch: Apple TV and Amazon Prime

5. Epic Adventures With Bertie Gregory (2022, 1 season)

Epic Adventures; documentaries for kids

Bertie Gregory embarks on an adventurous journey around the world showcasing the natural world.

Where to Watch: Disney+

6. My Octopus Teacher (2020, TV-PG, 1hr 30min)

My octopus teacher

A filmmaker makes an unusual friendship with an octopus living in a South African kelp forest. Throughout the friendship, he learns about the mysteries of her world.

Where to Watch: Netflix

7. Weird But True! (2016, 3 Seasons)

weird but true

Explore weird but true topics in each episode to try and discover answers about the world. From extreme weather to animals, kids love discovering these weird but true facts.

Where To Watch: Disney+

8. Limitless With Chris Hemsworth (2022, TV-14, 6 epsidoes)

Limitless with Chris Hemsworth; family friendly documentaries to watch

Join Chris Hemsworth on an extraordinary journey to uncover the secrets to living healthier and longer.

With guidance from top-notch experts, he’s challenging himself to break new boundaries in an effort to prevent the ailments of aging.

Where to Watch: Disney+

9. He Named Me Malala (2015, PG-13, 1hr 28min)

He Named Me Malala; best documentaries for families and teens

This documentary follows an assassination attempt by the Taliban on Pakistani teenager Malala Yousafzai for her advocacy of girls’ education. She rises as a prominent champion for children’s rights and becomes the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime free with Subscription, YouTube, AppleTV

10. Free Solo (2018, PG-13, 1hr 40 min)

Free Solo

Professional rock climber Alex Honnold attempts to conquer the first free solo climb of El Capitan’s 900-meter vertical rock face at Yosemite National Park.

Where to Watch: Hulu, Disney+, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV

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