Teachers can make learning fun and engage students by playing films and documentaries in the classroom. Whether it's outer space, underwater, or in the lush jungle, there is a documentary for just about every topic!
You can find a documentary about a historical person, an incredible animal, or a mysterious place. These recent films showcase interesting true stories and incredible visuals to engage middle school students in learning!
1. My Octopus Teacher
My Octopus Teachers showcases the intelligence of marine life in the animal kingdom, specifically the octopus. Students can watch this unit when studying marine biology.
Learn more: Netflix
2. Becoming
This documentary film for middle school students takes a look at the life of former First Lady, Michelle Obama. The first lady endured many hardships throughout her life and can teach viewers about perseverance. The true story is both inspiring and educational.
Learn more: Netflix
3. Puff: Wonders of the Reef
This documentary dives into the world of coral reefs and looks closely at the life of the pufferfish. This movie is great for 6th grade when students study marine life! Also, the visuals in this film are fantastic!
Learn more: Collider
4. David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet
Typically known for shorter series, the movie version of the David Attenborough special is not one to be missed. Students can watch in amazement as they learn about animal families and nature.
Learn more: Earth.org
5. Dancing with the Birds
This documentary is a great one for middle school teachers to play in class because it is both fun and educational. Students can learn about birds and how these adorable animals interact in their environment. Additionally, the film is funny and will make viewers giggle!
Learn more: Audubon
6. Zion
Zion is an inspiring movie that showcases the story of a young wrestler who overcomes physical and social challenges to succeed in his sport. This is a unique American sports movie that will be sure to not only interest your students in sports but help them gain a new perspective on people with disabilities.
Learn more: Netflix
7. Spelling the Dream
This documentary is an amazing movie that highlights the long-term commitment to competing in the National Spelling Bee. In the documentary, students learn about how the average person can do anything if they work hard and put their mind to it.
Learn More: New York Times
8. Surviving Paradise: A Family Tale
In this adventure epic, students watch as animals learn to survive in the desert. This is a great documentary for 7th-grade students, in particular when learning about the food chain and migration. Students can also learn life lessons about perseverance and the circle of life.
Learn more: IMDB
9. Night on Earth: Shot in the Dark
Night on Earth: Shot in the Dark is a unique experience for students as they finally get to witness the world at night. Students get a clear glance at nature at night and learn about the challenging profession of being a photographer.
Learn More: Netflix
10. The Speed Cubers
Beloved children and teenagers race to be the best at the Rubiks Cube in The Speed Cubers. Students can learn about this intense sport and watch as people just like them race to the finish. This is a great movie for all ages and will inspire students to choose a sport or activity that they are passionate about.
Learn more: IMDB
11. Explorer: The Last Tepui
This documentary embraces the heart of a challenge while celebrating nature. Students can learn about the Amazon jungle and witness the biodiversity existing in such a fascinating and little-known place. They can also learn more about the sport of professional climbing!
Learn more: Disney
12. Own the Room
Own the Room celebrates bravery and entrepreneurship as young people pitch their ideas for funding. Older students, such as students in 8th grade, will cheer on the participants as they learn about starting their own company from scratch. Students can do an activity after the movie where they "Own the Room" and pitch an idea to their fellow classmates.
Learn more: Roger Ebert
13. Apollo: Mission to the Moon
Spark students' passion for exploring space in this thrilling documentary about the Apollo Space Program. Students will learn about the life of an astronaut in outer space. This movie would be paired perfectly with an astronomy unit!
Learn more: IMDB
14. Buried Secrets of Keros
Inspire future archaeologists by screening Buried Secrets of Keros. This film follows the true story of explorers as they seek out the truth in the Aegean Sea. This film could be used to show modern-day explorers.
Learn more: Disney Plus
15. The Lost City of Machu Picchu
The Lost City of Machu Picchu encapsulates viewers by showcasing the mysterious past of Machu Picchu. Students can learn about ancient people and cities and discover that history is not always what it seems. This documentary is great for older students.
Learn more: Apple TV
16. Paris to Pittsburgh
Climate change is an incredibly relevant topic not only for middle school students but for everyone. Students can learn about ways climate change is impacting their lives and solutions people are putting in place to save our planet. This film will inspire your students to want to become climate change activists.
Learn more: Paris to Pittsburgh
17. Mission to the Sun
The sun is an incredibly mysterious place that scientists have wondered about for centuries. Students can learn more about this gaseous star and the ways scientists are exploring our solar system.
Learn more: IMDB
18. Breaking 2
In the film Breaking 2, professional runners train to run a marathon in less than two hours. This inspirational film is not only a great way to teach students about the benefits of hard work, but also about the sport of marathoning.
Learn more: Disney Plus
19. Free Solo
Students can grow to appreciate hard work and nature in the film Free Solo. This film would be paired wonderfully with a goal-setting activity about goals students want to achieve and the steps they want to take to achieve them.
Learn more: National Geographic
20. Hubble's Cosmic Journey
Students can learn from world-renowned scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson in the film Hubble's Cosmic Journey. The launch of the Hubble telescope and its findings was an incredibly impressive feat and can be used to inspire your students in a unit on inventions.
Learn more: IMDB
21. We Feed People
We Feed People dives deep into the life of chef José Andrés and how he turned his culinary career into a humanitarian mission. This film can be used to inspire students to make a change in the world.
Learn more: National Geographic
22. Mission Pluto
In the film Mission Pluto, students can learn about the process of discovering Pluto and how it continues to have many mysteries ahead. This film could be paired with a unit on discoveries or a unit on explorers.
Learn more: IMDB
23. Buried Secrets of Cordoba
If you're looking for a film that includes both factual information and engaging mystery, look no further than Buried Secrets of Cordoba. In this film, students learn that there are still many mysteries from history and would be great to pair with a unit on archaeology.
Learn more: Disney Plus
24. The Biggest Little Farm
Teach students about farm life and how our food gets to our plates. Additionally, students can learn about sustainability and how there are safe, environmentally friendly ways of farming. This film is great for all ages.
Learn more: Biggest Little Farm Movie
25. The Way of the Cheetah
This mysterious cat is brought to life in the film The Way of the Cheetah. Students can learn about this adorable, stealthy, and dangerous animal and leave the film with many facts about their newly favorite creature. This is a great film for a unit on the food chain.
Learn more: National Geographic
26. Fauci
Anthony Fauci is one of the most celebrated and controversial doctors of our generation. This film gives a relevant perspective on the doctor and his impact on the pandemic. Students should pair this film with a unit on important figures or even a science unit on diseases.
Learn more: USA Today
27. Becoming Cousteau
This film highlights the life and achievements of explorer Jacques Cousteau. Students can learn about becoming climate activists and the steps they can take to help save our planet. This film would be paired well with an activity about inspirational figures or environmental changes.
Learn more: Roger Ebert
28. The Last Ice
This film takes a close look at the lives of Inuit people and how they are being impacted by both climate change and globalization. The Last Ice can be used as a way to show the life of indigenous peoples and how the consequences of global actions make an impact on many.
Learn more: National Geographic
29. The New Air Force One: Flying Fortress
The New Air Force One: Flying Fortress highlights the unique invention of Air Force One. This film would pair well with a unit on inventions or even a unit on presidents of the United States.
Learn more: National Geographic
30. Miracle Landing on the Hudson
While there have been several depictions of the landing on the Hudson River, this documentary shows real-life footage of that torturous yet amazing day. Students should watch this film to learn more about modern-day heroes and how one person can make a big difference.
Learn more: History Vs. Hollywood
31. Notre-Dame: Race Against the Inferno
Notre-Dame: Race Against the Inferno tells the true story of the tragic fire that occurred in the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. This film showcases bravery and how a community can come together following a tragedy. This would be paired well with a writing activity about courage.
Learn more: Letter Boxd
32. Expedition Amelia
This film depicts the events that made Amelia Earhart famous and lead to her disappearance. This film could be used to showcase women's empowerment and trailblazers such as Earhart.
Learn more: BT
33. Jane: A Film By Brett Morgen
Jane highlights the real-life phenomenon that is Jane Goodall. This film uses hours of footage to showcase how Jan Goodall was able to discover incredible findings of chimpanzees. This would be a great film to show to highlight women's accomplishments as well as the intelligence of chimpanzees.
Learn more: Film Maker Magazine
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