- The Secret Life of Plants (1979)
- Life on Earth (1979)
- The Evolution of Us (2016)
- Your Inner Fish (2014)
- The Human Journey (2009)
- Darwin's Struggle: The Evolution of the Origin of Species (2009)
- The Origin of Life (2010)
- The Making of the Fittest: DNA and the Ultimate Forensic Record of Evolution (2011)
- Evolution: A Journey into Where We're From and Where We're Going (2016)
- The Evolution of the Eye (2013)
Evolution documentaries offer a fascinating glimpse into the intricate processes that have shaped life on Earth. From the origins of species to the complex mechanisms of natural selection, these films provide not only educational content but also a visual feast of the natural world's beauty and diversity. This curated list of documentaries will take you on an enlightening journey through time, exploring the science of evolution in ways that are both accessible and deeply engaging.

The Secret Life of Plants (1979)
Description: While not exclusively about evolution, this film explores the fascinating world of plants, their behavior, and how they've evolved to interact with their environment.
Fact: The film was inspired by the book of the same name and includes unique time-lapse photography of plant growth.


Life on Earth (1979)
Description: Sir David Attenborough's classic series traces the evolution of life from its simplest forms to the complex ecosystems we see today, offering a comprehensive look at the history of life on our planet.
Fact: This was one of the first major wildlife series to use time-lapse photography to show plant growth and other slow processes.


The Evolution of Us (2016)
Description: This documentary series examines the evolution of human behavior, from our social structures to our emotions, explaining how these traits have developed over millions of years to shape who we are today.
Fact: The series was filmed in various locations around the world to showcase the diversity of human cultures and their evolutionary roots.


Your Inner Fish (2014)
Description: This series, hosted by Neil Shubin, explores the connections between humans and other animals, showing how our bodies are a testament to our evolutionary past. It delves into the fossil record to uncover the origins of our hands, heads, and other features.
Fact: Neil Shubin, the host, is also the scientist who discovered Tiktaalik, a key transitional fossil between fish and land animals.


The Human Journey (2009)
Description: This documentary traces the path of human evolution from our earliest ancestors to modern humans, using cutting-edge science to explore our genetic history and the migrations that spread humanity across the globe.
Fact: It features interviews with leading geneticists and anthropologists, providing a comprehensive view of human evolution.


Darwin's Struggle: The Evolution of the Origin of Species (2009)
Description: Marking the 150th anniversary of "On the Origin of Species," this film explores Charles Darwin's life, his theory of evolution, and the impact it had on science and society.
Fact: The documentary was released to coincide with the bicentennial of Darwin's birth, highlighting his enduring legacy.


The Origin of Life (2010)
Description: This documentary investigates the scientific theories and experiments aimed at understanding how life might have begun on Earth, from the primordial soup to the first cells.
Fact: It includes experiments recreating the conditions of early Earth to test theories of life's origin.


The Making of the Fittest: DNA and the Ultimate Forensic Record of Evolution (2011)
Description: This film explores how DNA provides evidence for evolution, focusing on specific case studies like the evolution of the rock pocket mouse and the peppered moth.
Fact: It was produced by HHMI BioInteractive, known for its educational science content.


Evolution: A Journey into Where We're From and Where We're Going (2016)
Description: This documentary takes viewers on a journey through the history of life, exploring how evolution has shaped our world and what it might mean for our future.
Fact: It features interviews with leading evolutionary biologists and paleontologists.


The Evolution of the Eye (2013)
Description: This documentary delves into the complex evolution of the eye, from simple light-sensitive spots to the sophisticated eyes of humans and other animals.
Fact: It features animations to illustrate how different eye structures evolved over time.
