Movies like Secrets of Life: 20 to watch next
If you loved Secrets of Life (1956) — a documentary film directed by James Algar — these 20 movies are the closest matches.
The first picks are what fans of Secrets of Life most often go on to watch; the rest share its genres and themes like nature, time lapse photography and forces of nature. 6 of them are streaming in India right now — each entry shows where.
Where to watch Secrets of Life →·Get picks for your whole taste →
- 1
The Year Earth Changed 2021★ 7.9
Shares: Documentary
Never-before-seen footage shows how our living in lockdown opened the door for nature to bounce back and thrive. Across the seas, skies, and lands, Earth found its rhythm when we came to a stop.
Stream in India on Apple TV, Apple TV Amazon Channel
- 2
Naqoyqatsi 2002★ 6.2
Shares: Documentary
A visual montage portrait of our contemporary world dominated by globalized technology and violence.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 3
Powaqqatsi 1988★ 7.2
Shares: Documentary
An exploration of technologically developing nations and the effect the transition to Western-style modernization has had on them.
Stream in India on MGM Plus Amazon Channel
- 4
Chasing Coral 2017★ 7.7
Shares: Documentary
Coral reefs are the nursery for all life in the oceans, a remarkable ecosystem that sustains us. Yet with carbon emissions warming the seas, a phenomenon called "coral bleaching" -- a sign of mass coral death -- has been accelerating around the world, and the public has no idea of the scale or implication of the catastrophe silently raging underwater.
Stream in India on Netflix
- 5
Earth 2007★ 7.7
Shares: Documentary
An epic story of adventure, starring some of the most magnificent and courageous creatures alive, awaits you in EARTH. Disneynature brings you a remarkable story of three animal families on a journey across our planet – polar bears, elephants and humpback whales.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 6
A Beautiful Planet 2016★ 7.1
Shares: Documentary
A breathtaking portrait of Earth from space, providing a unique perspective and increased understanding of our planet and galaxy as never seen before. Made in cooperation with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the film features stunning footage of our magnificent blue planet — and the effects humanity has had on it over time — captured by the astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 7
The Crimson Wing: Mystery of the Flamingos 2008★ 7.3
Shares: Documentary
In the remote and forgotten wilderness of Lake Natron, in northern Tanzania, one of nature's last great mysteries unfolds: the birth, life and death of a million crimson-winged flamingos.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 8
Dancing with the Birds 2019★ 7.8
Shares: Documentary
Some of the world's most majestic birds display delightfully captivating mating rituals, from flashy dancing to flaunting their colorful feathers.
Stream in India on Netflix
- 9
Baraka 1992★ 8.2
Shares: Documentary
A paralysingly beautiful documentary with a global vision—an odyssey through landscape and time—that attempts to capture the essence of life.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 10
An Inconvenient Truth 2006★ 6.9
Shares: Documentary
A documentary on Al Gore's campaign to make the issue of global warming a recognized problem worldwide.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 11
A Gorilla Story: Told by David Attenborough 2026★ 8.0
Shares: Documentary
Veteran naturalist Sir David Attenborough tells the story of a remarkable group of gorillas, from his first encounter in the '70s to the present day.
Stream in India on Netflix
- 12
One Life 2011★ 7.5
Shares: Documentary
One Life captures unprecedented and beautiful sequences of animal behaviour guaranteed to bring you closer to nature than ever before, as well as a second disc packed full of never before seen extras including an exclusive making of featurette narrated by Daniel Craig.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 13
Koyaanisqatsi 1983★ 7.9
Shares: Documentary
Takes us to locations all around the US and shows us the heavy toll that modern technology is having on humans and the earth. The visual tone poem contains neither dialogue nor a vocalized narration: its tone is set by the juxtaposition of images and the exceptional music by Philip Glass.
Stream in India on MGM Plus Amazon Channel
- 14
Deep Blue 2003★ 6.9
Shares: Documentary
Deep Blue is a major documentary feature film shot by the BBC Natural History Unit. An epic cinematic rollercoaster ride for all ages, Deep Blue uses amazing footage to tell us the story of our oceans and the life they support.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 15
Space Station 3D 2002★ 6.5
Shares: Documentary
Some 220 miles above Earth lies the International Space Station, a one-of-a-kind outer space laboratory that 16 nations came together to build. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of this extraordinary structure in this spectacular IMAX film. Viewers will blast off from Florida's Kennedy Space Center and the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Russia for this incredible journey -- IMAX's first-ever space film. Tom Cruise narrates.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 16
Capturing Avatar 2010★ 7.0
Shares: Documentary
Capturing Avatar is a feature length behind-the-scenes documentary about the making of Avatar. It uses footage from the film's development, as well as stock footage from as far back as the production of Titanic in 1995. Also included are numerous interviews with cast, artists, and other crew members. The documentary was released as a bonus feature on the extended collector's edition of Avatar.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 17
Born to Be Wild 2011★ 7.0
Shares: Documentary
Born to Be Wild observes various orphaned jungle animals and their day-to-day behavioural interactions with the individuals who rescue them and raise them to adulthood. The film unfurls in two separate geographic spheres. Half of it takes place in the rain forests of Borneo, where celebrated primatologist Dr. Birute Galdikas assists baby orangutans; the other half takes place on the arid savannahs of Kenya, where zoologist Dame Daphne Sheldrick works with baby elephant calves.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 18
Deep Sea 3D 2006★ 6.6
Shares: Documentary
Sea life in a whole new way. Deep Sea 3D, an underwater adventure from the filmmakers behind the successful IMAX® 3D film Into the Deep, transports audiences deep below the ocean surface. Through the magic of IMAX®; and IMAX 3D, moviegoers will swim with some of the planets most unique, dangerous and colorful creatures, and understand this inspiring underworld.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 19
Nothing Like a Dame 2018★ 6.8
Shares: Documentary
BBC Arena's documentary on the Dames of British Theatre and film featuring Maggie Smith, Eileen Atkins, Judi Dench and Joan Plowright on screen together for the first time as they reminisce over a long summer weekend in a house Joan once shared with Sir Laurence Olivier.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 20
African Cats 2011★ 7.4
Shares: Documentary
African Cats captures the real-life love, humor and determination of the majestic kings of the savanna. The story features Mara, an endearing lion cub who strives to grow up with her mother’s strength, spirit and wisdom; Sita, a fearless cheetah and single mother of five mischievous newborns; and Fang, a proud leader of the pride who must defend his family from a once banished lion.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now